Only if its your birthday today.......otherwise your over 50  Kola is the big solid black German Shepherd, Dobbie is.......a breed you've never heard of......yet;)

Had the manual is best approach until I drove an auto in the US. Couldn't wait to get one at home then other circumstances forced the issue. Never go back to manual again. However I can appreciate how others prefer manual. Main thing is that we all enjoy our cars whatever and respect each others views. After all, we all drive a great car. Same meal, different flavour. 12MY 61plate FL2 TD4 auto GS Orkney Grey Roof spoiler full size spare

Gone 07 Dodge Caliber 1.8 black
51 Nissan Primera
K Isuzu Trooper 3.1 SWB Citation

Under 50 AND 40 - just about. First auto ever owned, have driven a few in the past briefly as courtesy cars etc and yes, I did the classic "I'll put the clutch all the way down quickly as I'm in gear and about to stop" - forgetting it was an auto. Only did that the once!!! Wheels locked up in a cloud of tyre smoke, milk shake every where, kids and missus not impressed.

I love my current auto FR2, its got an air of grace I think just selecting D and setting off. Don't think I'll be going back to a manual. MY2010 TD4 HSE Santorini Black, 19" Alloys, Almond Leather, Lux Pack, Rear Spoiler, Adaptive Xenons

ad210358 wrote:

The Doctor hasn't commented yet, must be undecided

Clarification ahead

Intention was for a FUN poll, Present, past, and potential Freely owners, all are welcome! ( even Fiasco owners )

What is nicely apparent is it seems this post is creating almost a 'truce' between the manual and auto lovers!
Each to their own preference indeed! Kola is the big solid black German Shepherd, Dobbie is.......a breed you've never heard of......yet;)

Depends on the vehicle and what it's best suited to. Auto for FL2. Oh and I'm 27!

If I had something like an MX5 and never drove in heavy traffic, or had a classic motorbike, then I'd go for a manual. If I drove a diesel, towed anything, had a "modern" offroader with electronic aids, drove in traffic, commuted, drove in slippery conditions, wanted to buy a used car that hadn't been thrashed, or just wanted to annoy those who think autos are slow off the line, then I'd drive an auto.

Guess what, I drive three autos and a classic motorbike! Ours - 2008 Stornoway Grey HSE Auto
Tricia's - 2006 Royal Blue Beetle Cabriolet Auto
Mine - 2014 Vespa GTS 300 Super Sport Matt Black
Ours - 2007 White Bailey Pageant Champagne

richardk wrote:

ad210358 wrote:

The Doctor hasn't commented yet, must be undecided

The Doctor has parted company with his Freelander assistant...and now has a fiesta I believe.

I assume, as this is a Freelander forum, the question only relates to FL2 owners?

Perhaps the OP could clarify?

I best go then  p****d off with a Digital Keyboard Warrior

Why are you still here? But you can't leave now.

Had manual car's for 25 year and was never impressed by older auto's. Drove one in the USA for a few weeks about 10 years ago and that should have been enough to put me off. Last car was a GTI with DSG box and what a difference that makes. Could be driven as auto, manual or semi auto and changed quicker and smoother than I ever could.

Current BMW has the worst manual gearbox I've ever driven, the only thing I can find fault with, though a major one. Been looking for an SD4 after having a test drive recently and think it suits the car, or might be that I'm that little bit closer to 50

My last BMW (530d estate) had easily the best auto box I've ever used. Silky smooth, kicked down seamlessly and was brilliant. Ours - 2008 Stornoway Grey HSE Auto
Tricia's - 2006 Royal Blue Beetle Cabriolet Auto
Mine - 2014 Vespa GTS 300 Super Sport Matt Black
Ours - 2007 White Bailey Pageant Champagne

I'm under 50, 45 to be precise I much prefer autos in the Freelander and other saloon cars, my Freelander is manual because its running costs are lower than the auto,

But if costs not an issue I would have an auto every day of the week.


My mg is a manual cant imagine an auto one of them. My11 freelander 2, xs, Manual, 18" hse sparkles, sidesteps, privacy, zermatt silver metallic, almond nutmeg alacantra, twin electric towbar

Gone my09 xs D3

pab wrote:

j77 wrote:

If I done a lot of towing or off roading then it's auto all the way...

For towing, perhaps. But for off-roading, given the choice, I'd still go for a manual with low range and locking or limited slip diffs. That's effectively what I had 20 years ago on the Isuzu, and despite its age that car would still give the FL2 a very good run for its money off road! It also had a manual fast idle control - something which one doesn't seem to come across these days - which meant that for rock crawls or descents one could simply set a speed with the idle control then take the feet off everything and let the car get on with it. Like that it was almost unstoppable, and certainly less hard work than an FL2 would be, auto or manual.

The Forester, too, had low range and limited slip diffs, but it wasn't the same. The low range wasn't anywhere near low enough to control a descent, which rather takes away the point of low range, although it was ideal for low-speed manoeuvring.

Cars like the FL2 do a lot with electronics, but there's a lot to be said for getting the basic 4wd system right, then most of the electronics are simply unnecessary. (The obvious example of which is Defender.)

Boycey wrote:

What if you're 50?

go out and buy yourself a soft top sports car  2002 Honda VFR800
2002 Toyota Celica 140 Silver (mid life crisis - again!)
2007 FL2 GS Manual Army Reconnaissance Green + freel2.com sticker
2004 Toyota Celica 140 Black - Gone
2000 Toyota Celica 140 Silver - Gone
1998 Toyota Celica ST Pearl Green - Gone
1996 Nissan Primera 1.6 - Gone
1994 Rover Montego 1.6 Auto - Gone

I learned to drive partly in an auto, My aunts car and she always braked with her left foot having herself been taught in the US were apparently it is almost universal so I did the same..
Actually passed my test in a manual box Ford Anglia and had manual box cars for many years, but revived the left foot braking when rallying a Morris 1800S (1800cc MGB engine) and to get it to corner I adopted the Scandinavian method of right foot on the floor to keep the revs up and left foot stamped on brake pedal to get the back end to "step" out.

Since my competitive rallying days, I have owned numerous cars all of which have had auto boxes as my business took me all over the UK and motorway queues were hell on the left leg. Auto box solved that problem and left foot braking has been the norm for 30 years.

"AUTO'S RULE OK"

Also in my early career had a Triumph 2500i with Lucas mechanical fuel injection and a 4 speed overdrive manual box which having met Brian Culcheth the British Leyland works rally driver was modified as per the works rally cars to have overdrive on all gears which improved performance markedly.

Bill T. Life Honorary Member of Wallasey Motor Club.
Licenced MSA Radio Operator for 35+ years.
Rallying is the only sport.