Auto or 5 Speed

[Desert Dan]

5-speed was my choice but I prefer manual trans.

I had to order the 5-speed with Adventure and Lux Package

The debate over manual VS auto will go on for ever.
I still think you get better perfomance out of a stick if you know how to drive it. I like decideing when to shift up or down.

Off road with the 4:1 low range starting and stopping on hils etc. is a non-issue.

The gearing is low enough that stop and go traffic isn't too bad.

I hope a 5-speed will be offered with the V8

[f5fstop]

After years of manual Heeps, I switched to automatics for off-roading, automatics for normal road in a normal vehicle, and a manual trans for hi-perf vehicles such as vettes.

I should also like to mention, this is a very personal subject and very subjective.

(PS I would bet a lunch, no 5-speed for Alpha.)

[PackerFever]

I also got the 5 speed. I do live in the moutnains in Colorado and tested the auto....went with the manual. I also ahd a manual and an automatic cherokee.....the auto was a V8 so there was not hesitation when climbing.

I am going to have to get used to it but the plan was to get the V8 manual in Yellow.....now I will ahve to convince myself to get over it. If there is the slightest chance Yellow wil be back in 09 because of customer demand....I might wait.

[HUMMJAY]

f5fstop- 4L60-E auto trans for the alpha

[Huck BB62]

Seriously, if I can wait a year and get yellow again, I'll wait too. It's just the way it's supposed to be!

I've driven sticks all my life on and off road. If the engine's big enough, the auto makes life so nice. On my last Scout that I built, I had a hand throttle on the stick, it made SUCH a huge difference!!!!

If I had a manual again, I'd have to have the hand throttle AND I'd have to make it so that I could start it in gear, whatever that took. On a really steep scary climb, it takes a stout bladder to do it with the pedals. Being able to start it in gear, rev it by hand as you hold on the brake and slip the clutch is heaven.

Ol Russel himself (the offroad guru of all times) went to automatics in his CJ8. After years of driving every trail in the country, he switched. That speaks VOLUMES!

I have too many danged curves and hills to put up with rowing it by hand but I have to say this: That paddle shifter on the wheel with the new 6.2 is frickin' unreal! It'd be an amazing upgrade for the H3 Alpha to get a 6 speed with the shifter paddles. The H2 crowd has no idea as to how awesome an upgrade that is!

We had a little Element that had a pushbutton on the shifter for taking it out of overdrive. I'd love even THAT feature on the Hummer. It allows for a little down shifting in the corners without rowing the shifter... nice.

Hey, F5, any idea as tow if the Alpha's going to have the tow/haul mode?!? Is the sunset yellow a blingy ghetto color or is it nice?

[Agriv8r]

They each have their place, but for the long haul, the automatic is the way to go..just an opinion!

[HUMMJAY]

HUCK- I looked through the color chart for o8' no yellow of any veriety, also no tow haul mode for alpha.

Originally Posted by Huck BB62

We had a little Element that had a pushbutton on the shifter for taking it out of overdrive. I'd love even THAT feature on the Hummer. It allows for a little down shifting in the corners without rowing the shifter... nice.

?

Had the same feature on my 2002 Toyota Highlander, worked great.