Millomite Posted February 10, 2008 Report Share Posted February 10, 2008 Found a 4x, but it's an auto. Are there any downsides to auotmatics? I have never owned one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackbart Posted February 10, 2008 Report Share Posted February 10, 2008 If its an old 4x4 and hasnt got "hill descent"then they are a bit iffy going down steep slopes as you are rellying on the brakes thus making you skid, otherwise they are fine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranfield Posted February 10, 2008 Report Share Posted February 10, 2008 My auto 4x4 has high and low ratio, plus a manual 2nd gear. I ain't got stuck yet, but I have pulled a few out that have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Millomite Posted February 10, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 10, 2008 It's a 99 model. It has a sport which has ice and snow control Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webber Posted February 10, 2008 Report Share Posted February 10, 2008 If you want the vehicle for serious or extreme off roading as conducted by young webber, then probably not the best choice. Otherwise go for it. I've been driving 4x4s for over 30 years, but had to go automatic when I started to have difficulty walking after driving. I've not experienced any problems with either Shogun or Range Rover automatics off road, but my activities have been limited to general shooting off road stuff and lamping in Scotland in the rain. I drove our shoot Suzuki Vitara a few weeks ago, and quite enjoyed taking it to the bottom of our shoot. One of our older members who was passenger was insistant that I would get it stuck. He was well impressed that we didnt slide down the hill sideways, and that the mud bath at the bottom failed to consume the vehicle and its contents. A decent vehicle, skillfully driven old boy!! webber Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Millomite Posted February 10, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 10, 2008 Was the Vitara an auto mate? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackbart Posted February 10, 2008 Report Share Posted February 10, 2008 The suzuki looks a little wimpish but out of all the 4x4s i have had it would probably go further off road than any other over all sorts off terrain.I had an sj that i put a vitara engine in and it never got stuck anywhere! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webber Posted February 10, 2008 Report Share Posted February 10, 2008 Sorry, no, the Vitara is a manual, but the clutch was really light, and I only had to change gear a couple of times. webber Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Millomite Posted February 10, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 10, 2008 this is a frontera Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
webber Posted February 10, 2008 Report Share Posted February 10, 2008 Not the best choice in my opinion; if its a diesel, even more so. Other on here may however think different. I have never owned one, nor would I. webber Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvoCars Posted February 10, 2008 Report Share Posted February 10, 2008 better things out there than fronteras, autos are good offroad, specialy when going up steep hills/slippery sections ect, no loss of momentum when changing gear like a manual, what ever you feel most at ease with tho mate, some swear by autos and some dont. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chunk Posted February 10, 2008 Report Share Posted February 10, 2008 Autos sup more juice. I have a manual disco which returns about 30mpg, a mate has an auto which returns 20-22mpg. If fuel cost is an issue of course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Browning GTS Posted February 12, 2008 Report Share Posted February 12, 2008 No probs with diesel auto, lots of engine braking with a diesel you need a low ratio for the steep bits though. Now ive had a auto im hooked for life ( im a lazy sod ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackbart Posted February 12, 2008 Report Share Posted February 12, 2008 If you dont like talking to mechanics and the smell of the inside of a car repair shop in my opinion i would stay at least 1000 yards away from an auto frontera at all times infact any frontera.My mates got one five year old and its had everything replaced apart from the shell!!And its never been off road yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auto culto Posted February 12, 2008 Report Share Posted February 12, 2008 as said before an auto will go anywhere do anything and be far better for general off roading and getting through mud than a manual as you wont loose any drive when it changes gear. The only drawback is descending very steep hills and banks as the engine braking is poor. As you know you must not use the brakes downhill otherwise you can slide and tumble very easily. So unless you spend a mint and get one with hill descent control you wont really be up for the big stuff. I would not have any probs using an auto for the sort of farm shooting work that i need a 4X4 for and in all fairness i think it would be a bonus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WGD Posted February 12, 2008 Report Share Posted February 12, 2008 as said before an auto will go anywhere do anything and be far better for general off roading and getting through mud than a manual as you wont loose any drive when it changes gear. The only drawback is descending very steep hills and banks as the engine braking is poor. As you know you must not use the brakes downhill otherwise you can slide and tumble very easily. So unless you spend a mint and get one with hill descent control you wont really be up for the big stuff. I would not have any probs using an auto for the sort of farm shooting work that i need a 4X4 for and in all fairness i think it would be a bonus sound advice. Would stay away from the Frontera though IMHO. WGD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Millomite Posted February 12, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 12, 2008 Frontera auto or frontera in general. Was a lot of good stuff posted about the frontys on here a while back Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WGD Posted February 12, 2008 Report Share Posted February 12, 2008 Frontera auto or frontera in general. Was a lot of good stuff posted about the frontys on here a while back In general - I've had personal experience of 3 (not mine, owned by friends) although all were manual, they all had a lot of niggly but expensive repairs. But you are right, I have seen posts on here recommending them so each to their own. My old man had 3 Disco's on the trot from the early ones when everyone else was complaining about them but he had no problems and loved the vehicle so wouldn't go past them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Millomite Posted February 12, 2008 Author Report Share Posted February 12, 2008 Yeah I had people say that when I bought my peugeot 307 but touch wood it hasnt had anything major Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon R Posted February 12, 2008 Report Share Posted February 12, 2008 Just got rid of my Frontera. Cheapest car I have ever run. Nice ride, economical and reliable. Early Fronteras were poor. Better after 1995 and massive improvement 1998 onwards. Knocked spots off my Disco. Drove more like a car and very good off road. Wife always has autos - I'm a fan too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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