I bought the manual tranny because I felt it'll outlast the automatic. I regret it now because I do have a boat which I haul frequently. My clutch is failing on me now. I was wondering if everyone agreed that a manual tranny will outlast an automatic. This is excluding the clutch on the manual. I've always had bad experiences with automatics failing.

 

I feel the same as you thinking a manual will have longer life, but if I did frequent towing, I'd opt for the auto.

I've always had manuals, but on the S-Crew I'm thinking about getting all I can get is auto.

I really don't want to switch to auto because I have 273,000mi on the manual trans in my current truck ('92 Ranger 4.0L), and STILL USING the ORIGINAL clutch!

That's a hard act to follow for ANY transmission that I get after this truck. I've never had a auto trans go more than 100,000mi without some major work needed.

 

273,000 on the original clutch! WOW!::o

 

Manual tannys are more durable I think. If you are kind to your clutch, it lasts a long, long time. And if it does go belly-up, it is much cheaper to fix. I've seen MANY automatics with repair issues around 90M miles.

 

Netwurk- at this point I'm afraid to touch anything the wrong way on my truck! I figure it's not going to last much longer- but I've been saying that the last 150,000 miles.......

I agree that the manuals are more durable- if treated correctly. But if you have someone who's not real good at driving stick- they go downhill kinda fast.

It's like nails on a chalkboard to me to see someone at a stoplight on an incline just 'rockin the vehicle foward and back' with the clutch. OOWWWW!!!

Any work needed is usually cheaper as well.

 

I think that a well-maintained auto trans can last indefinitely. If the ATF is changed at reasonable intervals and the trans temps are kept under 220F or so then it should have a long and healthy life. I installed a Baumann shift kit and will be adding an additional Perma-Cool cooler with fan. My friend, ibuytoys on the Ford-Diesel.com board, installed a shift kit and cooler on a policewoman's Tbird SC a number of years ago. She has more than 150K of hard driving on the trans without any problems. My friend drove the car recently and told me it feels awesome.