Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Auto or Manual opinions

[BKenny]

Hi, I have been recerching and planning to buy my first CTD soon . I have been trying to make a desision on a manual or an automatic . It will be a 24 valve also ,I plan on useing it as a daily driver and to tow my boat in the summer so nothing to extreamly heavy. There is a lot of hills around here so i would rather drive an auto for easy use but i have heard that the autos don,t hold up well . I figured a manual would last longer and be less expensive to maintane and fix . Well i talked to a guy my local shop (trany and diffs shop) and he said dodge manuals have bugs that need to be worked out also and he said they can also be just as expensive as an auto to fix . Sorry for the long write up what do you guys think?

 

[amillstream]

That question is kinda like asking what is the best way to cook an egg. Everybody knows that eggs over easy, and manual trannys are the only sensible choices but some will still argue, even though deep down they know their auto trannys are inferior.



Really it is all preference. If you would rather drive the auto thats what you should get. I have a 6spd and am rather rough on it at times and at 108,000 miles have had 0 problems. (Other than a toasted clutch due to excess power ) Which by the way, the auto would have had to been upgraded also to hold the extra hp. Get what you want, you'll be a lot happier.

 

[hammersley]

OK - this ott'a be fun - NUT the auto has many more advantages than the standard - IMO. The least of is that you can actually put 3 people in the front seat if you need to... ... . Bear in mind that the standard auto is set to operate for a gas engine and doesn't lock up properly for diesels. Buy a good 2nd gen and get a good transmission job done - and you'll be miles ahead... ... Any serious off-roading or trying to start on a very steep hill with a manual is a bear..... and very hard on the clutch..... Only advantage a manual has is making you good at shifting (I'm already an expert at that and don't need to do it anymore) and the automatic makes much more advantage from the Cummins as you don't loose boost when shifting... ... ...

 

[cumminspwr01]

I've never heard of anyone having any problems with the 6spd in these trucks. From what I've heard on here most people tend to call them bullet proof. I would say go with whatever you prefer. I don't think one is really that much better than the other to worry about it. IMHO

 

[Horsepuller]

I have a '93 CTD 5 speed and just purchased a 2002 6 speed. I guess you know which way I lean. I couldn't imagine having an automatic with this engine, but I do a lot of towing. I love handling the gears. Shoot, my wife loves it too. She shifts better than me without using the clutch. However, this is not a daily commuter, otherwise I would probably want the auto.

 

[DPelletier]

there are no "bugs" in the Dodge NV-5600.



Dave

 

[BKenny]

I found a 2001 HO 6 speed that might be to hard to pass on. What do you guys think about the HOs can you feel the extra power would it be worth shifting for

 

[Forrest Nearing]

bolt action for life!!!

 

[Loren]

BKenny,



Note my signature. The reason I own a six-speed is because I made a mistake buying the automatic and trying to tow with it. Unless you are prepared to spend some time and/or money upgrading the automatic, buy a manual.



Loren

 

[Forrest Nearing]

the key word there is MONEY!!



I'd LOVE to have a built auto in my truck, but I don't have a spare $5k laying around



Forrest