This is sort of like saying what is your favorite beer but....

Every time I've ever bought an automatic I have regretted it! The control and response the manual transmission will give you is worth the wait. Figure the extra money spent on a manual will pay for itself in that the transmission should just about last forever minus a few "disposables" and you should get increased fuel mileage.

 

Im very happy with my automatic. Hated them before I got mine, and now, I dont really think i would trade it for a stick. Auto's arent NEAR as bad as they are made out to be as long as you take decent care of them(change fluid/filter regularly, and keep the temp's down while hauling. I hauled my buddies CTD for him the other day 18k lbs or so total weight, and had no problems at all, and easily kept up with traffic. That said, if I was hauling all the time; I would rather have a 5/6 speed than what I have, but I still think i would rather have a built auto than either of those. I do wish I had 4:10's when taking off with a load because my truck is kind of laggy with the bigger housing. I think i will go back to the 12cm housing soon though. I wouldnt hesitate to go with an auto again. Only wish I had the $ to have it fully built, but that will come later

Eric

 

i haul heavy with my auto all the time, 30ft trailer 4800lb empty loaded with hay,tractors, cars u name it, only time i wish i had a stick was coming down grades but if you put it in 2nd of 1st and go slow its not bad. i have a build auto and converter makes a diff. also i made a f650 trans cooler fit lots of mods it is the same size as the ac condenser and 1 1/4in thick. my trans dose not get hot anymore too much. with that cooler, 28 quarts of amsoil,deep pan, on the hotside with the temp gauge. it runs 125 down the highway empty. it is winter well see when it warms up what it does.
jon