Given that both are priced similarly, and also given that you have the legs, get the M/T 4x4. It can take you to more places, give you better gas mileage, and last longer. Personally, I don't particularly find anything amiss with driving bigger manual cars. Big diesels are actually quite easy to drive. Lots of low end torque means you don't have to shift gears too much and hanging is made much easier.