IÆm looking at getting a Diesel JDM Cruiser, and there is one already in Canada which has everything IÆm looking for, except it has a manual transmission.

http://www.luxuryimports.ca/forsale/1991HDJ81-1/index.php

I know a manual is a bonus to some people, but IÆve never driven a standard before and I donÆt mind learning, but IÆm not sure if daily driving and off-roading will be an enjoyable experience or a pain in the butt. I donÆt do much rush-hour stop-and-go, but I donÆt do rock crawling either. ItÆs mostly mud, mud, mud out here.

Are the Auto vs Standard arguments the same for a turbo diesel as they are for a gas truck? Or are some things less of a concern (ie stalling)

Opinions?

Should I jump on this one, or wait for one with an auto transmission?

Honestly I think the bigger pain in the butt will come from it being a right-hand-drive vehicle. Aside from the typical annoyance of being on the wrong side of the car from most people (I'm sure you're prepared for that, not a HUGE problem), this also means the hand/stick coordination is backwards.
This means you will learn to drive a stick oppposte from all your buddies.
On one hand, maybe thsi will be easier to do since you've never driven one anyway and are learning fresh, but it also means that inevitably you'll have to swap over to the other side with a newer, or buddy's, car.
Along those lines all your buddys will have fun trying to learn to drive it too.
I've never dealt with that issue personally, just know that all my friends from the UK intentionally rent A/T cars when here in the US b/c if you put them in a standard, when its shift time they keep whacking their arm against the door while the motor revs, hahahaha.
Just something to consider.

Hmmm...he's right. I never thought of that. That would be tough to switch from LHD to RHD on a manual.

In the end, I wouldn't let the transmission be the deciding factor. If its hard to find what your looking for, and the truck is in good shape, then get it. If autos are a dime a dozen, then hold off.

I personally love manuals. It makes driving way more fun and interesting. And you definently have a lot more control of the vehicle with a manual. Go to a empty parking lot and practice taking off from a stand still for about half an hour till you get the hang of it. Then you can drive around on the road and you'll be a pro in about a weeks worth of driving around normally.

Offroad, manuals let you rock the truck back and forth way quicker than any auto. This is a huge plus off road when in tricky spots.

That all being said, as long as the tranny works correctly, I don't think it should be a deciding factor in any situation as there are many more important things to worry about.

-Scerb

Don't be deterred by the tranny. Go for it.

36k CAD, is that the price you are looking at paying? That seems way high to me. I wouldn't pay that much.

The RHD is not an issue at all it took me about 2 hours of driving one to get used to it. The thing that will really get to you is knowing what they actually paid for that truck in Japan. Likely less then $10k CAD and then $3k-5k to ship it. What you want is the prado.

Not to mention that hideous CRUISING decal! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/barf.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />