Auto vs manual off road

[Bill]

I've only ever used manuals off road but now I'm considering a Disco3 an auto is tempting. Anyone got any views either way?

[Bill]

Cheer for the input guys. I'm still tempted by a manual as they're cheaper and I enjoy changing gear (odd I know) although the auto suits the D3 luxobarge feel

[Bill]

Liszt said:

On a D3 consider that it will be easier to sell on with an auto than a manual

Good point, but manuals are cheaper now and I plan to keep it 10 years.

[Bill]

Stubby Pete said:

Bill said:

Do you fancy a Ben and Kev Special?

Well, yes

[Bill]

Alicatt1 said:

Up until I drove the RRS I would have said manual and solid axels every time, but, technology moves on now the newer vehicles are just as or more than competent as the old er ones.

But also heavier and more complicated, which is an issue if you're planning to take your family to Morocco. I'm pretty confident I can bodge a manual or solid axles if needs be, but I wouldn't know where to start with a D3.

[Bill]

300bhp/ton said:

But don't you face this same issue with pretty much any new vehicle? And while old tech is often less complex I'm not fully sold on people being able to fix the old stuff at the side of the road with nothing more than duct tape and a screw driver.

Yep, and while I appreciate that the duct tape and cable ties approach won't be enough to fix it it'd be nice to have some idea of what's going on

[Bill]

300bhp/ton said:

Have you thought of looking at a Jeep Wrangler?

Despite an irrational dislike of them I have, but unfortunately I need to get three kids' seats in the back (SWMBO is expecting twins) and I don't think they'll fit. If they did they'd fit in a Defender and I'd get one of those.

TBH the D3 is aimed squarely at me as it will be used primarily on road (and I can't bring myself to get a people carrier). I'm just struggling to get past my (erm, irrational) distrust of elastic-trickery. Particularly Ladrover elastic-trickery

[Bill]

300bhp/ton said:

I've not bee in a 110 for a while, but is there really not enough room for 3 baby seats in it?

The Wrangler Unlimited (similar size to a 110) also has a descent bench style rear seat:



just curious but is there any reason why you hate Jeep? I only ask as a lot of people in the UK seem to be like it and most of them Land Rover people. I sometimes wonder if it's some sort of complex?? Lol

I did say it was irrational Sprog seats these days are vast.

[Bill]

Lefty Guns said:

If you're tall I would expect you to struggle with kiddie seats in the middle row of a Defender - you'll need the front seats pretty far forward to make space.

A good, if moot, point, you can't fit them side by side anyway

[Bill]

300bhp/ton said:

Residuals wise I think the Jeep is fairing well. Ok they’ve taken quite a hit compared to their RRP but prices have seem to have stabilised.

That's not helped by a circa £6k discount on new ones at the dealer. Prices start at £13k!

[Bill]

bigblock said:

Appologies for being off topic and highjacking Bills thread although I had already expressed an opinion that an auto was my prefered option for off road.

No worries, it's all interesting stuff and it's moved me to go and have a look. Unfortunately, although I did like it and there's a chance I could fit the sprogs in, the boot isn't that big and there's no way to fit a roofrack. Also SWMBO is keen on a 7 seater so I'd have my work cut out convincing her it's a goer.

[Bill]

SWMBO says no to the Commander, and I can't disagree with her