Auto Vs Manual

@Hugh Yes it does depend on the maintenance history e.g. has the timing belt been replaced twice, have the head gaskets been replaced; has the engine been replaced. I've heard it said "somewhere" the engines are generally good for 250-300K miles but depends how it's been treated.
 
Hugh said:
MY06 FX for $4500 w/ 250,000 Ks on the clock
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Prices are going up by the sounds of things. I guess that's Covid for you.
 
I went from a 07X Manual Dual Range, to a 07XT 4EAT and have not looked back, the auto is lots of fun to drive compared to the NA, with the turbo adding all the extra boost I need, this is whilst also occasionally driving a '10X DR Manual SH as well
 
My faithful MY03 has the 1.596 low range and is very versatile. As mentioned above, the standard 1.196 is an acceptable first gear only. The only rock crawling mine can do is with a bit of clutch slipping.
As for longevity original motor, no major work, 370000 kms slight oil consumption only. Can`t complain at all but it does get 5000 km oil and filter changes.
Having said that I would go for an auto now if replacement was necessary.
 
yh heard that those turbo engines with auto can do amazing things off road and give plenty or torque on quite low revs too, picks up revs fast as well. people love old forys on autos here. even if its 2.0 NA on auto that dont drive anywhere , still it will never brake down on track and allways will get back home itself.
 
Interesting conversation here!

I've just come back from a bit of a test trip on the weekend, having a crack at Wadbilliga Road on the south coast.

I'm in an MY09 Forester 5sp Manual with Dual Range. When we got in a bit of trouble, and I needed to give it some juice, the clutch would come out smoking and smelling. Is this unavoidable or just poor handling on my part?

The clutch is also really fresh. We are talking like a few weeks old. Could this contribute to the smell?
 
Immediately after my last clutch replacement, some 30000+ kms ago, any slippage would result in a pronounced and fairly unpleasant odour. This has since disappeared so I assumed that it was, perhaps, an outer coating on the pressure plate, since worn/burnt off. Yours could well be the same.
To my knowledge I`ve never noticed a smoking clutch but where there is a smell............
 
SubyNooby said:
I'm in an MY09 Forester 5sp Manual with Dual Range. When we got in a bit of trouble, and I needed to give it some juice, the clutch would come out smoking and smelling. Is this unavoidable or just poor handling on my part?
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SubyNooby said:
The clutch is also really fresh. We are talking like a few weeks old. Could this contribute to the smell?
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Assuming you use the manual gearbox way of clearing obstacles, a new clutch is prone to slipping because some clutch material has to bed-in to the flywheel for the system to eliminate slippage as much as possible. It's similar to the bedding-in of new brakes. Pad material has to be embedded onto the rotors for maximum efficiency.
ateday said:
This has since disappeared so I assumed that it was, perhaps, an outer coating on the pressure plate, since worn/burnt off. Yours could well be the same.
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I had the same instance before but with a different vehicle, a FWD Toyota Scepter, and a brand new clutch. I was reversing up the driveway and my left foot was on the footrest, but then the clutch slipped when the rear left tyre got stuck, giving out that foul smell. After that event, I never had any sort of slippage again and I could feel the efficiency of the clutch meet. After that initial slippage, I might have instantly bed-in the clutch material to the flywheel.
 
ABFoz said:
Assuming you use the manual gearbox way of clearing obstacles, a new clutch is prone to slipping because some clutch material has to bed-in to the flywheel for the system to eliminate slippage as much as possible.
I had the same instance before but with a different vehicle, a FWD Toyota Scepter, and a brand new clutch. I was reversing up the driveway and my left foot was on the footrest, but then the clutch slipped when the rear left tyre got stuck, giving out that foul smell.
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Good to know, my experience was similar - reversing up a steep incline my back left tyre got stuck and the clutch has obviously begun slipping. I was concerned about the smell knowing that the clutch was only recently replaced. So, this gives me a lot of confidence. Thank you @ABFoz and @ateday
 
As far a best for off-roading, I think the manual is best and the CVT is worst... the auto is OK. I have a Forester and a Outback both with manuals. I also have 4Runner, it's better then both at more serious off-roading so it kind of depends on what your going to do really.
 
@Irikumi :welcome: to this very friendly forum, mate.

People can tend to get a bit 'passionate' about their preferences at times ... 🤣 .
 
weak engine with auto is poop ... i mean bad .. but more power with auto is fine just look how touaregs and first gen porsche canyenes are doing .. and auto its just better in off road in all means specially if you have low gears too then auto is like dream ... you just manage all places slow and easy ...
subaru then ... well none stock gearboxes are enough i would say .. but then older autos are like bullet proof.. like 4eat ones .. they just work... maybe they not best but they will work after off roading as well .. when manuals ... well it depends how you used them ....
subarus can be more agresive with manuals maybe that why they maybe preffer those on foresters... non turbo foresters just dont have any power do anything with their autos.
when i drove with local foresters club then with just 5cm lift .. but i had VDC .. and i just went trough all stuff like just going .. not backing up not doing so much stuff i was just going with old winter tires too .. and they all with manuals had better time i guess but then they where doing repairs next day .. i did nothing just washed car.
with my previous 2001 2.5 4eat i did some runs with them too .. and after also i was on my KO2's with 5cm lift ... nothing else... after all off roading with them i drive then like 150km to some lakes and such .. it was just no worries for car ... because nothing happened to it ... maybe i got stuck as they all couple times .. but i was driving next day fine and days after ... and i couldnt say same for guys that where with manuals there...
 
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Hmmm....I have a MT and only had one problem with the transmission but not in the gearbox, I broke the rear right inner CV joint on a very technical trail in Corsica. Probably that my smooth driving helps on not breaking but still, one problem in 20+ years....!
 
I've only ever destroyed one clutch in nearly 60 years of driving, and that was replaced under a warranty the manufacturer denied existing (early 1970s).

I've replaced several clutches through being worn out after 100,000 miles or so. In my Landcruiser, it towed a 2 ton horse float for about 50,000 miles without damaging a clutch, and over some pretty rough dirt tracks too.

Some people habitually slip their clutch, so hardly surprising when it burns out.
 
Scooby2 said:
argh cmon everybody just chill. We all love our Subarus. Auto or Manual. It really comes down to a personal preference OR ... what your car comes with at the time, because not always does everybody have a choice.

Best regards,
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Well said.. auto or manual, it really doesn’t matter. Just so long as we can all agree that autos TOTALLY RULE!
 
Well the way mud and water works there its people does off road in mud and in europe they more likely will do that...i mean there is no other situations here then mud to go try yourself there...so if you sink in mud and such...you will have bad time just that...
Maybe dry off road works differently sure...and agressive off road means that you will burn clutch just so much...constant grinding on clutch if you stuck and such...
Auto is like bulletproof and every off roader in australia as well says that auto is just better...you cant beat auto with low gear and maybe center lock...
If its not wet here...then nobody calls it off road just turns around and going home because we dont have hills as such so much or rocks..not many rocks here... So then sand ..yh sand could be...but sand and getting stuck in sand is no fun at all...

Its just the way you can control revs on auto is just anothet level..you just controlling your revs smooth ... Its not about subaru autos maybe just autos in general. Subaru outos...well they not low enough anyway...so you just hope for best...in most cases you just loosing all power ...as there is not enough torque there to wheels
 
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