Hi and Happy Holidays to everybody!

I'm new to the board and looking to buy a 4runner in the next few weeks. I've found lots of good stuff here, but can't find one answer I'm looking for...

I've decided I want a 96+ V6 4wd, but what tranny? Auto or manual? My main concern is that my girlfriends parents have a cabin in the Adirondacks that we xc ski from. During the winter this dirt road isn't plowed at all. Last winter I got her moms pathfinder stuck. I feel like the only reason I got it unstuck was because I had good control of the engine power using the clutch.

Manuals seem to be pretty rare around here to.. I'm going to look at 2 autos this weekend. Should I put in the effort to find the manual? I'm not into serious obstacle offroading but go camping and do outdoors stuff alot..

Thanks!
-Andy

PS - I got to give a plug to J.A.'s 4runner site. He helped me alot with some advice and told me about this forum, thanks!!

www.top4runners.com/ja/index.html

 

You should probably test drive them both.

My dad has a 1996 4Runner with the 5-speed and I have a 1997 with an auto.

When they were both stock, the 5-speed was faster. But I got the auto because I hated off-roading with my 5-speed Ranger (stalling, burning the clutch, etc). On the road, I like them both, I get board with auto's but in traffic the auto is nice.. I think its all up to personal preference.

 

Cool, thanks for the advice! I guess I'm really interested in the ability to get unstuck and engine control. Sounds like automatic might be easy offroad?