Isuzu Trooper Owners Club UK™

Gypsyfilly1964 · Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 19:34 Post subject: auto or manual

Hiyas
said i may bug you lot again, so here goes

I have found a few suzis i like the look of

2 are troopers 3.0TD one of which is an insignia, the other is a citation, both are uk. However they are both diesels which i want, but also both manual gearboxes

the last trooper i have looked at is a 3.5 petrol but has an auto box. which one is the better as i really would prefer an auto box, as i do a fair amount of towing (horse) But i can drive both so not really that fussed, just want to get the right car this time.

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:::Matski::: · Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 19:45 Post subject:

I would have a manual for towing any day.

markymoan · Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 19:47 Post subject:

Difficult one.
The Auto would give the horse a smoother ride but the 3.5 will drink fuel Shocked

If i was given the choice it would be the Manual diesel, more reliable in my opinion.

Ps. i'm a diesel lover so my opinion is biast Very Happy

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:::Matski::: · Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 19:53 Post subject:

I have towed allot of horse trailers, and must say that you can give a smooth ride with a manual box. More important is to think ahead.

You don't see any horse boxes with an auto box.

Like marky says, you cant beat a diesel Wink

all that torque is what you need.

666 · Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2007 20:07 Post subject:

I would go the manual way too!
When towing you you have a lot better engine braking with a big manual diesel!

cheers

Mark
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Chris B · Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 1:45 Post subject:

I use mine for towing (3.0 manual) - great on power for the ups and smooth on the downs thanks to decent engine braking.
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Hard1 · Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 2:07 Post subject:

Got to disagree! (Someone has to)

Why would anyone in their right mind want a manual in this day and age....

It's a control thing right?

Auto box is most definitely best for towing and I've used both, on 3 ton boats and trailers. Thats IMHO.

Bring it on!...... boxing

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mutlley · ***** Joined: 09 Dec 2006 Posts: 553

im with you hard1. spent 15yrs driving wagons with more gears than i could shake a stick at. had a left leg like a tree stump! now all the wagons where i work are autos, and they seem to manage 44tons ok. but i wouldnt like a petrol auto, not in a troop, bet it could be thirsty....yep auto for me now.....

MartQ · Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 7:45 Post subject:

I'm with Hard1 & Muttley on this. Auto's better by far for towing. Diesel better than petrol (for towing - I prefer petrol engines in general).

However, doesn't the auto box on the petrol motors have a reputation for being fragile?
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markymoan · Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 10:43 Post subject:

The 3.2 has the same light duty box as a Bmw 318 and a vauzhall omega, they then stuck it in a 2 ton truck Rolling Eyes

Dont know which box the 3.5 has Question

Ps. Manual Diesel headbang

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TimBanham · Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 10:58 Post subject:

I agree autos better - but that would be modern autos not 10year plus ones in the trooper - surely?
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3.0TD LWB Citation

Hard1 · Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 11:44 Post subject:

Good point but we are talking about a principal rather than application of later technology. My Mercedes has got 7 speed autobox which gets it up the rev range seamlessly and greatly assists in keeping fuel consumption down by ensuirng the motor operates exactly in the middle of the torque band, but could could easily achieve the same result (not mpg) with a box of 4 speeds - shifts would just be a little more noticeable.

The auto principle I like for towing and on difficult surfaces is that you can "creep" under low revs at a pace which would make a snail rapid, (a pre-requisite for very slippery surfaces I would have thought) and gear changes under load and uphill when towing ensure no clutch slipping speed fall-off when shifting. Auto is also much kinder to gear train and hubs, UJ's etc and is extremely difficult to over rev so the whole drive train is generally better preserved than in a manual model.

It is true that if an auto goes wrong, then repair will be complex and expensive, so best to ensure preventative maintenance carried out regularly.

I would, however, NEVER consider an auto box in a sports car. No way.
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Gypsyfilly1964 · Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 14:14 Post subject:

thanks for help, i think i have found the suzi i want.

she is a 3.0 TD with DOHC 2001. done 60,000 miles. she is an insignia and looks fab. She is also a Manual.

Took some pics and i hope the pic i took with the VIN number comes out so i can check out if recall works have been done etc.

She is deffo a trooper and not a big horn so no worries even if not done.

Hard1 · Posted: Tue Mar 20, 2007 14:26 Post subject:

Well, a 3.0 Bighorn would be a rare beast indeed! In fact i think it would be unique in the UK!

Recall work has been successfully carried out on grey imported 3.0's in the past though (models are Troopers not Bighorns), but as you rightly comment, you're much better off with a pukka UK model.

Bighorns are 2.8's or 3.1's as a general rule, but you never know, we may see some 3.0 Bighorns as grey imports in the future. However, your friend Mr Brown may well put a stop to all of that.... Evil or Very Mad

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1999 Cougar with a NICE motor..

Click HERE to see under my bonnet!