New 6spd or Auto

[BarlowCummins]

Hey GUYS, I am thinking of getting a new 04 or 05, but i have a question to ask you all. Alright here it is AUTO or 6SPD? I know its just a matter of opinon but i would like to know your guys opinon on the new autos in the trucks. Also the autos at my dealer are currently 7500 off and the 6spd is only 2500 off, so now you see my problem, i love my 6spd now and would like to stay with the manual, but thats alot of money off!:-{}

 

[roperteacher]

I prefer 6 speed for pulling heavier weights and there is less " COmputer crap" to the electronics etc. . JMHO

 

[John - K5AWO]

My auto costs me more per mile than a manual.



On the other hand, my left knee can't handle a clutch anymore.

 

[mberry]

In my opinion, you would put the difference of the two back into it to make up for the stock auto. I would stay with the 6 speed.

 

[Bertram65]

I have the 48RE I have had no problems with it, shifts firm and holds the gears when accelerating hard or towing. The lockup in 3rd is a nice feature as well when towing below highway speed, around 50 MPH or so.

 

[XcumminsX]

GET A 6 SPEED... i have the 48re and i dont even have my truck right now and im still sick of how it floats between gears, a 2 year old could have programmed this transmission better

 

[Doubleclutch]

The Auto is great for drag racing, but even my wife likes the 6 spd.

Greg

 

[klenger]

Get the 6 speed IMHO.



More importantly, when you are shopping for a truck, don't price based on discount from MSRP. Find out what the invoice price is on the configuration you are interested in and work from there. You should be able to buy at or below dealer invoice. If the dealer doesn't want to work from invoice, shop some where else. The reasons the autos are cheaper is because the demand for the 6 speeds is very high, but for some reason, the dealers don't want to order them for stock. If you can't find the configuration you want, order one and be patient.

 

[Mad Bomber]

6 speed

6 SPEED IS THE BEST IMHO

 

[CougFan]

KEEP YOUR CURRENT TRUCK! ! It sounds like a sweet machine.

 

[Bertram65]

Everyone seems to have a something bad to say about the auto in the 3rd gen but there have been very little problems with the 48RE. Dodge sells many times more autos than standards, they are more popular as more people want them, and resale is better. Do a comparison on a site like Kelly blue book, my truck trade in value is $700 higher with the auto than standard. It also depends on where you live around here you would have a hard time finding a standard, and a harder time selling it or trading it down the road.

 

[scootergmc]

Unless your wife refuses to drive a 6 spd , get it. And find yourself another dealer.

 

[CJ8Rockcrawler]

Your resale may be $700 higher with an auto, but generally (ignoring the current rebate issue) you're spending over $1000 more for the slushbox. The dollars and cents the manual will win hands down. It really comes down to what you prefer to drive.

 

[fj40dave]

I had the automatic in my '01 2500... . not a single problem... . and I carried a camper and towed 6k+ behind..... I did put on the Mag HiTech Double Deep pan... . sure kept that fluid cool.



New truck.....comming with a 6 speed manual..... mostly because I want to carry the camper and tow the car trailer/4x4 a lot of places and they are heavy (17,500 total)... . and, personally, the peace of mind about the longevity and trouble-free issues of the 6 speed made it my choice this time.



So... . in my opinion.....



If your gonna throw a canopy on the truck and haul the garbage can's to the dump once a week... . automatic would be great.

If your buying a 3000+ lb camper and going sight seeing in the Rockies..... get a 6 speed (and the Jacobs Exhaust Brake - which isn't an option [stock] on the automatic {yet})

 

[fj40dave]

Oh ya... . and give Butch Wilmes a call at Dishman Dodge in Spokane... he's ordering trucks for lot's of us, at $1000 under invoice and you keep all rebates (I don't know if there are any on the '05's yet)... .

And... .

Join the Washington State Farm Bureau and after being an Associate Member (cost is $15) for 30 day's, you get a certificate for $500 rebate through them..... and..... from my experience you'll have PLENTY of time (30 day's) before your truck gets delivered... . but that's another thread somewhere.....



Butch @ Dishman: 1-877-568-3363 (he's off Sat the 19th - working Sun the 20th)



Farm Bureau: "www.wsfb.com"

 

[R.M.THOMPSON]

What would help him make the decision is life cycle cost of an auto vs. six ! Slightly better mialage and a full clucth service(. 5mph/$1000) vs. Overhaul with or without mods ($2500 to $5000 and nothing to do with the right foot and left hand while in traffic) The problem is no one has real milage numbers or averages on auto overhauls, I think. Can anyone give a good estimat? My number are strictly questamates from ealier,just what I've observed here!

 

[DPelletier]

My purely subjective vote: get the 6 speed. As far as black book resale value being higher on an auto, I sure wouldn't place any stock in that. Like it or not, the Dodge auto's don't have a great reputation and despite the fact that the 48RE is hanging in there, it is still percieved to be inferior to the other manufacturers offerings for several reasons. 6-speeds in this neck of the woods definitely are easier to sell and worth more.



Dave

 

[crobertson1]

6 speed.

 

[GFritsch]

I like my new 6 speed. My 94 went 200k on stock 5 speed and stock clutch. Auto's have been less reliable traditionally.

 

[KHorikawa]

I was in the same dilemma 2 weeks ago. Most of the trucks on the lot were 6 spd, or at least the ones equipped to my liking.

Test drove two different 6 spd 2500's and loved it (made me feel alive) but since I don't tow much, or plan on bombing, I felt comfortable with the 48RE decision.

I drive mostly So Cal city stop and go traffic so choosing the auto trans was a little more tempting.

The 48RE auto doesn't shift as firm or feel as solid as the Allison or even Torqshift, but I have confidence in it.