Automatic vs Manual
Tony_Daniels
Posts: 3,575 Forum Member
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If we're talking washing machines it's a no brainer, but for driving what's best?
I'm not in my first flush of youth and have failed my test 3 times in a manual. I can 'do' the gears fine and I've never failed on gear control but I'm thinking of returning to taking driving lessons after a break of about 6 years, in an automatic. Although gear control isn't an issue in itself I do find myself getting incredibly flustered on a driving test and figured maybe having less to worry about would allow me to focus on other areas.
I know if you pass in an automatic you can only then drive automatics but I don't see that as a big hinderance.
With all the usual caveats aside, is driving an automatic easier?
I'm not in my first flush of youth and have failed my test 3 times in a manual. I can 'do' the gears fine and I've never failed on gear control but I'm thinking of returning to taking driving lessons after a break of about 6 years, in an automatic. Although gear control isn't an issue in itself I do find myself getting incredibly flustered on a driving test and figured maybe having less to worry about would allow me to focus on other areas.
I know if you pass in an automatic you can only then drive automatics but I don't see that as a big hinderance.
With all the usual caveats aside, is driving an automatic easier?
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Recently switched from 1.4 turbo diesel 5spd manual to a 1.4 petrol 7spd auto and provided I stick with sainsburys unleaded I can just about get the same economy out of the petrol automatic....and it's more fun, easier, and faster.
That's the thing, if you go for certain small petrol cars, you don't need to sacrifice much, if any fuel economy over the manual version, and can also ignore the small diesel option as well. For example, ford now offer their high economy petrol 1.0 Eco boost engine with their power shift auto box.
With this in mind, I think we have reached a critical point in development which means I will most likely never need to buy another manual car for economy etc:)
Automatic cars are also more expensive.
I understand you are happy to be restricted to driving automatics but you won't believe how inconvenient that is.
So you need to drive a friend home from whose been drinking in the pub and their car is manual, you can't do it!
You want a new car and see one you really like but its only available in manual transmission.
TBH cut your losses and pay to get a good instructor and just do your test in a manual!
Automatic every time.
For me, it's that's an automatic.....
60mpg from my 7spd VW and that's on unleaded - not diesel....
Honda Jazz cvt auto = 60mpg
(Next gen jazz promises 75mpg with petrol automatic
Toyota Yaris 1.33 petrol, auto = 60mpg
There are also a lot more diesel automatics now, which is better for the larger cars at the moment.
Fiat are working on a 9spd automatic....,that should boost economy even higher.
Drove an automatic saloon around NZ North Island and an automatic Motorhome around South Island last year.
Loved it - a revelation.
Also, my wife is a serial clutch killer
This also weighed on me. Most of my driving would be in and around town. Even in lessons way back I remember the leg ache you'd get from the stop/start of traffic that moves half a meter ever 3 seconds as it crawls through the town centre.
But I suppose you could try learning on an automatic and if you pass your test and have your own car you'll gain confidence and then you could go for the manual license if you felt like it.
The newer the car the better the automatic gearbox and the more reliable they'll be.
Auto's are great when you're in traffic.
This is what I think I'll do. Then again if I pass in an automatic the chances of me wanting to retake the manual test are admittedly quite slim!
Insurance is more expensive on an automatic, seriously?
News to me, but I won't argue.
Bite the bullet and pass your test in a manual, I did, but I haven't owned a manual for years.
I'd never buy a manual, but that's just a personal choice.
To me, it's start the engine, engage Drive, away you go, and that's it, easy, relaxing, and comfortable, providing you're not in Tower Bridge Road.
Personally, living in central London, I avoid driving unless I really have to, it's a royal pain.
So much easier to look for a yellow light with TAXI illuminated, raise your hand, and let someone else suffer the traffic.
Never had a problem with hiring autos.
Not sure I could just get in a manual and pull away without stalling a few times now though but don't envisage ever needing to.
I'd think unless you actually have issues with learning gears, then you're going to have the same problems passing be it auto or manual. Once you are at the standard needed to pass your test, gears will be second nature. It's most likely the manoeuvres that catch people out, I personally wouldn't restrict options, unless it was a real problem area for you.
In Germany for instance where people are absolutely obsessed with cars it's very difficult to buy an automatic car. Most makes are in manual only.
Unless you are one of those obsessive drivers though, there really is no benefit to driving manual.
It's not so much the benefits of the car.....more the benefit of licence type. Pass your test in a manual and you are ok to drive both. Pass your test in an automatic and you are restricted to driving auto only.
My parents who live in Germany have been struggling to buy an automatic in the makes of their choice (new cars). The Germans I know are almost fanatical drivers and a car is more than just a means of transport to them, which is why most of them prefer manual. Not to stereotype too much, but Germans are absolutely excellent drivers.
I have friends in Germany and both own Mercs. To give you some idea of what i mean, a quick search on Auto Trader throws up 19,696 Mercs of all models (nationwide). Out of that number just 3,164 are manual....16,487 automatics.
Haven driven manuals for 45 years+, for me its auto every time now - much more relaxing to drive and, oddly enough, I drive a bit slower than in a manual - maybe because I'm more relaxed.
Me too! Having an automatic is wonderful.