I bought my FL2 for just the same reason - I wanted one. Went for auto due to health issues but got the taste for it after renting in USA. Never go back to manual again. Can get near to 40mpg on a journey. Averaging 35 with mixed use over the last 18 months. Enjoy whichever you choose. 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

Always had my own manual cars, but years ago simultaneously had company cars which were auto. I love the manual car, but for our traffic density it is long past the date where it is easier and safer to drive an auto. Also other half has the occasional niggle in the hip and I get an occasional niggle in the arm if changing gears too often. It boils down to getting too old so an auto is easier.

Last edited by Lightwater on 30th Oct 2014 7:42 pm. Edited 1 time in total

Tonight - homeward bound,
Move lever from P to D
Put on radio for news and then MP3s
B road
A road
M20
M25
A road
B road
Lane
Move lever from D to P

Although loads of traffic it was a relaxing drive

My FL2 was my first automatic (my one previous car was manual) and have been very happy. It's a pleasure to drive and generally works really well. There's a slight delay from a standing start (which I assume is a result of it being an automatic?) which I notice when pulling out on to fast moving roads.

Sometimes on country lanes I do miss my old sportier manual, can't quite drive it the same with an auto (or a much bigger car...).

But overall I definitely prefer an automatic and would anticipate my next vehicle to be automatic too.

(I've never driven a manual FL2 so my experience is not a comparison) FL2 2011 SD4 XS in Galway Green

RE: Sometimes on country lanes I do miss my old sportier manual, can't quite drive it the same with an auto (or a much bigger car...).

You can when you know how! and pull off quickly from junctions

Auto  2011 XS,Sumatra Black, GONE MARCH 2014- RR Evoque Prestige 5 door ,MY 2014,Loire Blue, Silver Roof, Panoramic roof.
MY 2016 Disco Sport HSE Auto Scotia Grey,REJECTED
Mercedes E220D AMG line with air suspension(Gone)
DS 200 SE Dynamic my 21 (Gone)
DS 200 SE Dynamic my 22 (Gone)
Audi Q5 40TDI S line (gone)
Discovery Sport D200 S 2024 MY

AW14 wrote:

un-educated masses who still think you have better control in a manual and more fun. Rubbish IMHO

The FL2 debate about gearboxes is insignificant to me now (I had a manual) and if I got back into a 4x4, I would absolutely consider an auto and test drive one, despite historical wind up's on here during old forum debates.

However, my current car (Fiesta ST) would simply not be as good as an auto. The highly acclaimed Renault Clio RS plays second fiddle to the ST on the gearbox front according to the critics. Indeed, they say that the flappy paddle business just lacks true involvement. Blasting along country lanes in the ST is great, superb short throw gear change.

I drove an Aston Martin DB9 on a track day experience with a flappy paddle box and it was great but the proper manual of the Ferrari 360 I drove on a different track day was more rewarding and fun.

In conclusion:

Un-educated masses - wrong (certainly in my case)
Better control in a manual - These days I would agree that autos have control just fine
More fun - Manuals in the right car (such as mine) are a lot more fun

 LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

Hi Doctor
Have to agree that a track car on the track is better as a manual.
But a very sporty car or a similar on the road is just another car on the road.

Ignoring track days then auto all the way.

But.......each to their own and that's why we are all different and enjoy different things

PS - been on many track days and driven and owned many types of very fast cars. So can understand your view but on today's roads.....

Just out of interest, what is this new trend with 7, 8 and maybe 9 speed auto's? The FL2 is 6 speed so are these new boxes just gimmicky and no real benefit to these higher speed boxes? Or are they much better and offering far better mpg? LL.B (Hons) - University of Derby
LOT (Lord of Time) - University of Gallifrey

I have no real idea, I was thinking about this the other day.

My conclusion was....you probably stay in a narrower rev range under normal acceleration thereby saving some fuel? I think?

I assumed the 9 speed auto was primarily in readiness for an even smaller engine, the Ingeniium @ 2.0 ltr diesel. Having more gears allows similar or better performance and economy than presently. Maybe?!  Life is not a dress rehearsal!

Forgot to add "except Defender" to my earlier post.
FOR AUTO: Do not be put off by earlier experiences of older type auto boxes, Freelander 2 uses double clutch system which is night and day from old style.
I drive my FL2 (08 TD auto 10 SD auto and current SD auto) under
many varied conditions, long motorway trips Scotland -Southampton, long trips on 2 way roads throughout Scotland,
regular 60-70 mile runs through forest roads (using GGS) as an official at forest rallies and annually visiting Isle of Mull and driving 200-300 miles over weekend on single track road usually in darkness and often in sport mode.
At NO TIME since 2008 have I ever wished I was still driving a manual vehicle. All FL2's (3) Gone
2011 Mercedes C180 CGI Gone
FL2 GS Auto SD with heated leather, factory tints, alloy spare and a few other bits.

AW14 wrote:

You can when you know how! and pull off quickly from junctions

Any tips?  FL2 2011 SD4 XS in Galway Green

Temporarily selecting "Sand" Mode will sharpen throttle response such that on tarmac you will take off like a scalded cat. Not recommended however for prolonged use due to the added stresses on transmission and tyres using a mode designed for soft sand.
Bob 10MY (Sept 09) TD4 HSE Auto in Stornoway Grey (Now Gone)

08 FL2 TD4 SE Manual in Rimini Red (Now Gone)

Yanwoo wrote:

AW14 wrote:

You can when you know how! and pull off quickly from junctions

Any tips?