Tresidder17 wrote:Hey guys,
I'm looking to buy my first Liberty (3.0 spec B) and can't decide between buying a 6 speed manual or 5 speed auto as I don't have the means to test drive both of them.
If you have either of transmission, I'd like to know what you think of it.
Some of the questions I have are:
- Which transmission can take more abuse? (this might be a controversial idea but i would like to do lots of work to H6 motor and dont want to destroy the transmission)
- How responsive are the paddle shifters in the auto?
- How well does the auto transmission perform without manual shift input?
- Is the manual nice to use? (e.g. is it smooth or clunky and awkward to find gears)
- How do both perform on track or in hills?
- Do the have similar top speeds? (I hear the manual has a much faster 0-100 time)
5EAT:
- is faster in a straight line, through the hills/twisties they're about the same
- Nicer to drive as a daily, or in traffic
- Paddles are fairly responsive. Auto/Drive mode is decent - if you buy the postFl Liberty with SI drive. The preFl without SI drive aren't as nice - have to use manual mode to have as much fun. Paddles are also much nicer than steering wheel buttons
- Without a VB mod (modifying the control mechanism (aka Valve Body) to run more pressure between clutch-packs , similar effect to a better clutch on a manual) or at least a good ECU tune, shifts can be a little sluggish at WOT.
Manual:
- Feels faster, feels more engaged, but more effort to use
- One of the best manual gearboxes available in this price range ($8-20k).
- Potentially cheaper and easier to build for serious power. For up to 250kwatw (double factory power) - they're about the same cost to modify (clutch for manual, Valve Body mod for auto), if you're aiming for 300kw or above - the auto will need better clutch-packs and some additional work...
- Manual gets more "respect" from manual enthusiasts (most of whom haven't owned a well modified auto or DSG).
Just realised you're looking at an H6 - without a turbo, you won't ever hit those numbers, so at worst (not necessary, but awesome) - expect to to pay about $1000 (+$500 for complete fluid change and labour) for a valve body mod for an auto, and you'll have one of the crispest, sharpest shifting Subaru autos in the country (not enough people have these
). Really miles over a stock auto or anything an ECU tune can do. Although a good ECU tune is very helpful to an auto.
TL; DR.
Both are great boxes in their own areas, auto will really shine with a VB mod, just like manual will really shine with a good clutch. Costs about the same. Auto is effortless to drive (big ++ for 90-95% of daily driving), Manual "feels" a little more impressive (in the 5-10% you might really flog it).