"that hopefully wouldn't have the jerky nature of the FL2 auto. For now I will stick with the slick manual "

The auto gear change on MY FR2 is almost perfection, the changes are seamless, it doesn't hunt around for gears ! I don't have a hesitation at all when booting away at a roundabout and when I use kick down there is no jerkiness to it all all.
When I had an SD auto on loan i was glad to have mine back as I did notice the gear change on the SD tends to be abrupt, but as for the gear-change on mine I have to say its been the best of any auto I have owned & I like the way it changes down of its own accord when slowing down which prevents having to sit on the brakes.

I did used to have dreadful hesitation ( to the point of dangerous ) pulling away, and gear-change was unpredictable and change was erratic but after I fitted the heavy duty earth strap from the battery to the gearbox housing the first thing I reported was how smooth the auto-box was and how the hesitation had gone. I would challenge anyone to fault mine now, 100% better than my 59 E-class merc
Remember the auto box rely s on electrical signals 100% of the time so any imperfection will upset it.

An Auto FR2 gets my vote any day and for towing I hate to admit but its brilliant, never struggles and beats a manual hands down.

Manual beats the auto hands down every time. The auto cannot compete. I would sooner have an FL1 manual than an FL2 auto. It is horrible to drive and I drove several versions including the SD. The auto has all that cobblers about learning driving styles as opposed to the manual which is readily perfect with slick changes and no kickdown rubbish. LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

The Doctor wrote:

Manual is far superior. Cheaper to run and tax and cheaper to buy and smoother with no jerky kickdown.

Let's sought this out. Auto is the only option to have on a freelander 2, far better off road and drives better! They should discontinue the manual as its just wrong!

Auto should be removed from sale cos it is pathetic. The manual laughs in its face. Manual is far superior and I would sooner have a Nissan Juke than a terrible FL2 auto. I would sooner walk. LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

Please explain how a manual laughs in its face, I'm intrigued?

Grabs a cuppa, a good cosy chair and waits for the argument to unfold

My manual was a pile crap when doing real off roading, Maybe the dr needs go on the next trip to Bala!

Because it costs £1500 less to buy, less to run and less to tax. It is much smoother with a slick change that is great and no need to worry about hideous kickdown.

Taking the bus is preferable to the auto. As is walking. LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

landy19840 wrote:

My manual was a pile crap when doing real off roading, Maybe the dr needs go on the next trip to Bala!

Is that a bit like saying I'm a better lawyer because I'm cheaper? Price and economy have absolutely nothing to do with the debate of which is better.

The debate, as started by Bigalf, who has much to answer for, was one of a mechanical nature.

Your arguments are entirely based on personal opinion and seemingly very little practical knowledge of an automatic transmission. To say a faulty manual is better than an auto is similar to saying special tyres with grooves that are punctured are better than standard tyres

Stop reading and believing the "how things work" website and go and text drive an auto "properly"

Toeknee, black coffee please, no sugar

Actually I have test driven autos properly and the manual is still superior. If someone offered me a HSE SD4 free of charge I would sell it and keep mine. If selling wasnt an option I would tell them to give it to charity or just someone else. LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

as I have said before auto takes away a huge part of the driving experience and at present I would not be prepared to give that up.

I would not decry the auto as it suits a great number of people, such as people who just want to get from A to B as easy as possible, the disabled, the aged, etc

I probably will need an auto one day, but until then I am enjoying the full driving experience.

Iain

The Doctor wrote:

Actually I have test driven autos properly and the manual is still superior. If someone offered me a HSE SD4 free of charge I would sell it and keep mine. If selling wasnt an option I would tell them to give it to charity or just someone else.

landy19840 wrote:

The Doctor wrote:

Actually I have test driven autos properly and the manual is still superior. If someone offered me a HSE SD4 free of charge I would sell it and keep mine. If selling wasnt an option I would tell them to give it to charity or just someone else.

Well you must be a complete idiot to give away a free car then! Your loss tho!