I'm looking to buy a 2013/14 FL2 (maybe Dynamic or at least SE Tech) for mostly road use, most of the vehicles I see are Autos (probably 66%). Is there a reason for this ? I think the SD only comes in Auto (I may be wrong) but I'm after a TD4. I know this will probably start a minor war between the Manual Boys and the Auto crowd, sorry. I've been driving manual gearbox cars since 1977 including RAF 4 Tonners ! I don't really want to buy an auto box but if that's the best box for the vehicle I may consider it. Or is it just that most people who buy these 'Chelsea Tractors' are lazy . (no offence intended)

Thanks for your advice in advance, be gentle with me I'm a noob.

WillFly wrote:

'Chelsea Tractors'

Thanks for the insight Lightwater, I guess I really am going to have to test drive both.

Wot Lightwater said. Give an auto a good try over a few days on all terrains and you won't want to go back to a manual, but with the SD4 (which has a bit more umph than the TD4) you can always use command shift to change gear manually.

J

And no clutch to worry about. 3 x FL1 2 manual + 1 auto
5 x FL2 4 manual + 1 auto
Now Discovery Sport P250 MHEV SE

Auto for me. ( But then again I had to have one )
But after having one I wouldn't go back to manual even if I could


 If it wasn't so bad it'd be funny.

🐑
Freelander 2 HSE auto 2014 ( Florrie ) ..... Try again.
Freelander 2 GS 2012...... Gone.

Another vote for the auto box. The SD4/Auto box pairing is the real sweet spot.
Wouldn't cross the road for a manual box nowadays.
 I've decided to stop being a good example and will now just be a terrible warning.....
2008 TD4HSE - gone but much loved.
2014MY SD4 Metropolis - very much loved.

I had the same questions prior to buying a 2014 SD4 HSE March 2018 and have never looked back. I tow a caravan and have to say the experience is much improved. Have towed it across the Alps in France, Germany, Switzerland and Italy without any glitches. Even up and down minor roads in Scotland and Wales 😂 and muddy caravan pitches. So for me the auto box every time.

driven an old 07 reg for 4 years now, its manual, has 166,000 on the clock with the original clutch still going strong, its no bother to drive, I would prefer auto, but quite happy with manual 2017 SEAT Ateca 4drive 2.0 xcellence (May 2022 -
2007 HSE with HST bodykit in Zermatt Silver 169,700 miles (dec 2016 - May 2022 )
2007 Honda Civic Type S GT (2012-2017)
2002 Mini Cooper S (2008-2012)
1992 Honda Legend 3.2i (2003-2008)
1990 Honda Concerto (1999-2003)
1985 Honda Accord (1997-1999)
1983 Honda Accord (1993-1997)
1983 Mini Mayfair (1988-1993)
1974 Mini 1000 (1979-1986)

Lazy has nothing to do with it . Does Lewis Hamilton have a clutch pedal ? If you win the lottery and buy a Lamborghini will it have a gearstick in the middle ? If you are off road would you prefer to have a vehicle that you can’t stall ? Clutches belong in another era . All the best advances In motoring such as autonomous braking , cruise control function perfectly with an auto . Both my cars are auto and are often up to their axles in muck . It’s nonsense thinking manual equals a more experienced or better driver . 2009 GS Auto Zermatt Silver - Sold June 21 after 10 years of ownership

2016 Subaru Outback SE 2.0 diesel SE Premium Lineartronic Sold 2024 after 8 years and 80k miles . Best Car I ever owned !

2023 Toyota Hilux invincible X 2.8 Auto .

Willfly
I have to say I have a manual but that was after having an Auto FR2.
Which is best ? Auto all day long, very suited to the car.
Why did I switch to manual, Fuel consumption and annual road tax wanted to reduce costs.

MPG with the auto, towing 19-21 Town 26 ish long runs 33 ish occasionally 37 if driven like a nun
MPG with the Manual Towing 24-26 Town 35 ish Long runs up to 47 ish best. My overall for the last 8000 miles is 38.8

Road tax auto was 400 ish Manual 190

I know you don't by a LR for economy but my auto was always in a fuel station almost everyday
I have just done a weeks holiday in Devon and spent a week driving round and returned home without a single visit to a fuel station.
Do I miss my Auto YES
Pet hate with the manual towing is the combination of Hill Hold, EPB anti stall & stop start, god occasionally gets it a total tisswazz if it goes to stall or on a very steep incline to pull away.
Clutch has never been a problem as always very gentle on a clutch. ( Spent 20 years running a large clutch centre where we used to fit 55-60 clutches a week so saw just about everything anyone could do to destroy one) Jaguar x-type sport gone
Jaguar x-type 2.2d sport one of my best cars ever sadly gone
Freelander 2 GS auto 2008 most unreliable ever ! gladly gone
Freelander 2 GS manual 2013 only time will tell !

MartynB wrote:

........ Does Lewis Hamilton have a clutch pedal ? ........

@WillFly
Did you saw this??....
I suppose it's easier to ask than to look/search...
Especially when you are interested in the subject...

Poll: https://www.freel2.com/forum/topic30939.html

Though in this case it doesn't apply most modern autos have more gears than manual boxes, whether this is a technical one due to selection, or that with an auto the torque can be controlled so using a less robust gear chain is moot, however whilst the ICE either diesel or petrol exists the auto box will become the less polluting and more economical compared to a manual box.
Just to add, the prevalence of speed controlling "sleeplng policemen" and crawling traffic in towns due to the former makes the auto the preferred choice. my PC is slightly to the right of Genghis
2012 HSE SD4 In Orkney Grey now gone, best car ever.

3landertwo wrote:

MartynB wrote:

........ Does Lewis Hamilton have a clutch pedal ? ........

Yes he does , it is part of launch control and operated by a paddle on the steering column. Also he has TWO clutches.

It's MANual for me, being a true driver.




this question was asked some time ago (but without a POLL)

https://www.freel2.com/forum/topic35531.ht...anual+auto

Then one will be ok with 600+ clutch changes over 10km of hilly topography in Sydney traffic in an hour of commuting!

While I'll wind the windows up turn the air conditioning on listen to Vivaldi & sip on a cappuccino with my left elbow resting on the armrest!  Procrastination, mankind's greatest labour saving device!

Acoustic insulation ARB TPMS 3xARB air compressors After cooler Air tank On-board OCD pressure air/water cleaning Additional 50L fuel Carpet in doors ABE 2x1kg Waeco 28L modified fridge Battery 4x26ah Solar 120w Victron MPPT 100/20 DC-DC 18amps 175amp jumper plug Awning 6x255/60R18