Automatic Vs Manual

[BroncoAZ]

How many drivers will use your Bronco?. If it’s an extra vehicle and you have a large extended family, get the auto because most don’t know how to drive a stick. If you’re the only driver, get what you want, but realize the resale values of MTs will take a huge hit, especially a 4door.

In my mind a large family and multiple drivers mandates the manual so more people can learn to drive it. One reason why I wanted the manual was to be able to share my love of manuals with my buddy’s sons, trying to pass on my love for rowing gears to the next generation.

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[RR Drummer]

Last year I wanted to order a 23MY Badlands Lux in Manual. They couldn’t do it due to assembly line constraints with 23MY Rangers. So I ordered Auto & figured it would take long enough that I could change my order to Manual, wrong! I ordered in March & my Bronco came in late June. I was so indecisive that I waffled on it for a month then finally said no at end of July. 2 weeks later they said ok can we order you a Manual, I said of sure it’s what I want. So I ordered a 24MY Badlands High/Lux in Manual in mid Aug which came in March. That’s a lot to say this, never settle, wether you want Auto or Manual, do your research, read all you can, talk to as many owners as possible, however at the end of the day regardless of pros and cons, it’s your money. Never settle, get what you want for the reasons you feel are the most important for you. I love my Manual & I’m glad I went with my gut. It’s only been a couple months but I’m happy every time I get in it. Is it perfect? no sir, but I enjoy it for the reasons I knew I would. Many other Manual owners would say the same as would many Auto owners. At the end of the day it’s your Bronco either way & to me that’s a great choice to make!

 

[ctskier]

Amen

 

[DesertMike680]

I have the manual on my 21 Big Bend. The engagement and throws are on point, however, my pedal squeaks nonstop since around 8k miles. Also, as of yesterday the backstop on the pedal snapped, so the pedal is now sitting up much higher, so Ill be calling the dealer tomorrow to get it looked at.

 

[DesertMike680]

Last year I wanted to order a 23MY Badlands Lux in Manual. They couldn’t do it due to assembly line constraints with 23MY Rangers. So I ordered Auto & figured it would take long enough that I could change my order to Manual, wrong! I ordered in March & my Bronco came in late June. I was so indecisive that I waffled on it for a month then finally said no at end of July. 2 weeks later they said ok can we order you a Manual, I said of sure it’s what I want. So I ordered a 24MY Badlands High/Lux in Manual in mid Aug which came in March. That’s a lot to say this, never settle, wether you want Auto or Manual, do your research, read all you can, talk to as many owners as possible, however at the end of the day regardless of pros and cons, it’s your money. Never settle, get what you want for the reasons you feel are the most important for you. I love my Manual & I’m glad I went with my gut. It’s only been a couple months but I’m happy every time I get in it. Is it perfect? no sir, but I enjoy it for the reasons I knew I would. Many other Manual owners would say the same as would many Auto owners. At the end of the day it’s your Bronco either way & to me that’s a great choice to make!

Has your clutch pedal ever squeaked?

 

[CalvinT]

I bought a Bronco specifically because it came with a manaul with crawler. Around town I really don't care what I'm driving. I've owned vehicles with manual transmissions for the past 40 years, but have no problem adjusting to a rental with an automatic. My left foot doesn't feel left out.

The engine and transmission are a good match. I like the clutch, not too heavy with good feel. My clutch doesn't squeak. Shift linkage is tight, on par with my Subaru. No movement when under power.

My background. Before buying the Bronco I drove a WRX Subaru with manual. Before that a Toyota MR2 with manual. Before I retired I did a lot of back road and trips to mountain top radio sites. All 24/7/365 in all kinds of weather. Drove 3/4 ton 4WD trucks, usually with manual transmissions.

I think it all depends on the kind of driving you plan on doing.

I bought a manual because of some of the roads I plan on going on. If I had planned on rock crawing or climbing dunes I'd probably would have got an automatic.

I've been very surprised at the power of the 2.3L engine. I don't feel a need for the 2.7.

 

[RR Drummer]

Has your clutch pedal ever squeaked?

Not that I have noticed. Only 2500kms so far (approx 1500miles) so not a lot of use yet.

 

[HPNQ420]

How many drivers will use your Bronco?. If it’s an extra vehicle and you have a large extended family, get the auto because most don’t know how to drive a stick. If you’re the only driver, get what you want, but realize the resale values of MTs will take a huge hit, especially a 4door.

We traded in a ‘17 Golf Alltrack at Granger for our Bronco. We got a premium because it was a manual and would move faster.

 

[PIG1]

I just drove a brand new Badlands this past Saturday. 2-door with the 7-speed manual transmission. Loved it. Alot of fun. (Salesman was busy and didn't tag along.) Couldn't wait to drive it. Thought about it hard and long. Before I left there was a 2-door Wildtrak there. 2022 with 12,800 miles on it. 10-speed automatic. Took it for a quick spin. Little hotrod. On the way home I chatted with my younger brother who is a service manager for a Ford dealership in southeast Georgia. Turned wrenches for 30 years for Ford before that. Has a 4-door Bronco also. I deliver hog feed to various hog growers, 48,000lbs at a time around 10 counties from 3:30p.m. to 4:30a.m. 5-6 days a week. As much as I loved that Badlands with the 7-speed manual...to just get into a vehicle, punch the start button, slide the shifter into drve and ease away sounded alot better. 1500-1700+ miles a week in a Freightliner Cascadia, the Wildtrak won out hands down. I will order one when the 2025's come out. At 61 years old the fun of a manual just didn't pan out. And my younger brother agreed.

 

[RestAssured]

I have a ‘23 Badlands 4-door manual. The manual option on an SUV/truck is what drew me to Bronco in the first place. I do enjoy it, but I would not say that the 2.3 is “plenty” of power or that it shifts smoothly. I drive it around town mostly, and it is a bit of a slug sometimes getting it going from stop sighs and lights until the turbo kicks in. I see the Ford Performance tune in my future.

But my biggest gripe is how CLUNKY the shifter is. The clutch is fine, but man the gear shift is the farthest thing from smooth for me. Getting from one gear to the next is very deliberate. I get it is not a sports car, but I’ve driven commercial delivery trucks with easier shifting. It’s getting on my nerves honestly.

 

[CalvinT]

I have a ‘23 Badlands 4-door manual. The manual option on an SUV/truck is what drew me to Bronco in the first place. I do enjoy it, but I would not say that the 2.3 is “plenty” of power or that it shifts smoothly. I drive it around town mostly, and it is a bit of a slug sometimes getting it going from stop sighs and lights until the turbo kicks in. I see the Ford Performance tune in my future.

But my biggest gripe is how CLUNKY the shifter is. The clutch is fine, but man the gear shift is the farthest thing from smooth for me. Getting from one gear to the next is very deliberate. I get it is not a sports car, but I’ve driven commercial delivery trucks with easier shifting. It’s getting on my nerves honestly.

Maybe you need to have your dealer look at it. Maybe something is binding.

I also have a '23 Badlands 4-door manual. I would say the shifter on my Bronco is precise, very little play. I just guide the lever and it goes where it should. As per my previous post, my previous daily drivers were a 2002 Subaru WRX and 1986 Toyota MR2. My Bronco compares very favorably with both.

 

[J Allen]

I have a 22 Base 2dr manual, and haven' had any problems with it. I've been driving manuals for over a decade and the Bronco is very easy to operate. I only put about 2k miles/yr on it. Most of that is for road trips from Colorado to Kansas. The rest is getting groceries. Never been offroad (too afraid of scratches...)

If you enjoy driving a stick, get the manual, if you prefer having a hand free to eat and drink, get the auto.

 

[nx40yrs]

I have a 24 Heritage with a MT and I love it. It's smooth and easy to shift, I drive in LA Traffic a lot and it's no issue. Also it does not rattle. Go with the MT.
Cheers,
Gordon

 

[ctskier]

Remember in the arcades they used to have the cars with the MT to drive? I was like the only kid who could do it. That alone is enough for me to continue to only drive MT as long as they are made. It's an honor thing at this point. Plus like already said I really do love it.

 

[nesuahgirmoh]

I have a 22 Black Diamond 7mt, would not have it any other way. With the caveat that I did have to have the trans replaced due to the issue with a certain run of 7mts that had that synchro scraping issue, since then it's been amazing, on road and off. I learned to drive and spent decades behind manual transmissions - it's where I'm comfortable and I acknowledge that bias within myself. I agree with the pro-points already made in this thread, but in an attempt to add a new perspective to the thread, I will add this little anecdote:

About a year ago I (stupidly) left my key in the bronco during what I expected to be a relatively short visit with family that ended up being an all-nighter. I had a bad habit of tossing my keys in the footwell and just leaving them there for weeks - too trusting of the world I suppose. During the night, the car was "broken" into (nothing broken, they just opened the door because I'm an idiot), and a lot of stuff was taken. Among the removed items were a few laptops and other valuables; in order to file a claim my insurance required me to file report with the local pd, which I wouldn't have done otherwise mainly because I didn't want to have to tell anyone how dumb I'd been. Long story longer, the responding officer was absolutely convinced that the only reason the truck itself wasn't stolen was because it was a manual and the offending parties likely did not know their way around a third pedal. It had never crossed my mind before that point, but that little extra bit of theft deterrent likely saved me a much larger headache.

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