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Original poster

Should I learn manual or automatic?

122 replies

5050not · 03/10/2020 09:58

I’ve had 8 or 9 lessons in a manual car and just don’t seem to be getting it. Sometimes I do really well but then I make a mistake and my instructors response kind of breaks my confidence a bit. I’m quite an anxious person which increases ten fold behind the wheel of a car

OP posts:

JustLurkingAway · 03/10/2020 17:33

From what you've said OP...change instructor. Honestly you'll be amazed how it can change your driving and feelings towards it, definitely the best choice I made!

MoonJelly · 03/10/2020 18:13

@5050not

Yeah that’s also the thing - the car I was intending to get once I passed my test was an electric car (Zoe) that only comes as an automatic. I was learning manual just because everyone always says you need to..

In that case I'd say definitely switch to automatic now. As stated upthread, more and more cars will be electric in the future and manual gears won't really be an option much. Struggling to learn something you will never use is pointless.

MoonJelly · 03/10/2020 18:15

@Shelby30

I knew someone that learned in automatic as he thought it wld be quicker, it wasn't! Now he's stuck having to buy more expensive cars and it will be harder to sell them too.

If your instructor isn't encouraging or isn't saying the right things then go with someone else. The instructor does make a difference. It's so expensive don't waste ur time with someone that is shattering your confidence.

I'm sure your friend was the exception. The vast majority of people learn much quicker in automatics precisely because of all the faff around manual gears.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Driving & parking

myapplegreenjumper · 03/10/2020 18:59

Not me. I don’t care what other people drive but I prefer manual because I find automatics a bit boring. I also like choosing my gear for what I want my car to do We drive a Tesla - believe me - nothing boring about an automatic that does 0-60 in 4.4 secs! I don't miss choosing a gear in the slightest! We still have a manual and it's a butt pain to drive.

Twigletmama · 03/10/2020 19:08

I felt very similar to you and switched to an automatic which made things so much easier. I haven't found it restrictive at all. In most countries driving an automatic is the norm. No idea why we like to make things harder for ourselves in the UK!

purpleflowers7 · 03/10/2020 19:21

OP I totally get it. When I had my first few lessons I thought 'what the fuck, I am never going to get the hang of this or remember any of this'. I think it took around 6/7 months to pass second attempt. My first instructor was a dick, his comments really upset me and made me feel thick and useless. I remember feeling close to tears quite a few times because he was impatient and snappy with me. The final straw was when he abruptly told me to pull over and asked me what in a really sharp tone what on earth was going on. I literally grabbed my jacket, told him to forget it and walked out the car and got the bus home in tears. I was only 21/22x I couldn't believe I had done that as it wasn't like me. I never told anyone. I got a new instructor within the same company who was great, really friendly and patient and I didn't let the previous experience put me off. Please look for a new instructor and don't let them knock your confidence.

Definitely learn in a manual, stick with it. It gives you more options in terms or cars and doesn't limit you.

MagnoliaXYZ · 03/10/2020 19:34

Manual definitely, if you take your test in an automatic, you'll only be qualified to drive automatics.

Your instructor doesn't sound nice, try a different one

MelMcGuckin · 03/10/2020 20:06

I would change your driving instructor, it took me about year and half to pass and I passed first time. I had to change my driving instructor in between the process and it was the best thing. See how you go with that and then if you can’t get it - try an automatic - they are easier to drive but it’s better to have the ability to know how to drive both. Plus 8 or 9 lessons isn’t much at all. Just keep strong and calm. Everyone learns at different stages

RedHotChiliChips · 03/10/2020 20:34

@PastMyBestBeforeDate

It used to be that automatics were more expensive, less economic and more complex. So manual cars made much more sense. This is no longer true and automatic/EVs will be the default before too long. Switching to an auto and finding a better instructor would be best.

Indeed. Many posters here seem to be stuck in 1998...

OP I only have an auto licence. I first learned to drive in my early 20's, this was in the 90's and it was a manual car. I had about 30 lessons and still didn't get it at all. I failed my test and never re-took it. For years I thought I must be one of those people who were never meant to drive.

Then at the age of 37 I decided to try again as I had small children and we were planning to move to a more rural location. I went with automatic and it was so different! I passed on my 3rd test and I'm a confident driver now.

My DH has been driving over 30 years, is a very confident driver and won't move back to manuals either. His car is electric and he thinks it's the best thing ever.

As someone else said, why make this so much harder for yourself when there's no good reason to. For some manual is better and that's fine but their opinion isn't the absolute truth either.

MoonJelly · 03/10/2020 23:02

@MagnoliaXYZ

Manual definitely, if you take your test in an automatic, you'll only be qualified to drive automatics.

Your instructor doesn't sound nice, try a different one

But that is totally unimportant now and will become even less so as we move more towards electric cars.

I passed my test on a manual, drove a manual for around twenty years and had no problem with it. However, a relative then kindly passed on an automatic to me. Subsequently I've never gone back to a manual and really wouldn't want to.

Usernamealreadyexists · 04/10/2020 02:17

Auto all the way. Gears are such a faff. I’ve never felt disadvantaged by having an auto car and it’s so relaxing to drive. The only downside is that autos are more expensive to hire abroad but the cost offsets the stress of using gears in tricky terrain. Also, I’m getting an electric car soon - no gears in these and that’s the way cars are going.

Newjez · 04/10/2020 02:44

With electric cars becoming more common, all cars will be automatic soon.

IHaveBrilloHair · 04/10/2020 02:50

I passed in a manual, now drive an auto and would never go back.
For me, gears are an unnecessary faff, and as others say, you would need to bother with them soon.
My old Uncle is in his 70's and managed perfectly well with only an automatic license.

Wafflesontop · 04/10/2020 02:58

I've just started drive an automatic after driving manual for years. So much easier. I think the options for automatic used to be quite limited but now you can get most cars with auto transmission.

MoonJelly · 04/10/2020 08:58

The only downside is that autos are more expensive to hire abroad but the cost offsets the stress of using gears in tricky terrain.

To say nothing of dealing with gears with your right hand instead of your left.

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 04/10/2020 09:15

Manual. It’s often hard at first, but I promise, one day you will find that you’ve driven from A to B without even thinking about the gear-changing business.

And I ditto finding a different instructor!

myapplegreenjumper · 04/10/2020 10:11

It’s not just changing gears though - in an automatic there’s no biting point - forward just moves forward, so hills starts are a breeze - no rolling back etc. And if you drive in the city autos take the effort out of driving.

Original poster

5050not · 07/10/2020 20:07

Just came back to the thread to say I decided to buy a car. It’s a little Toyota aygo and I love it! So excited to have more freedom to practice. I’ll be driving like Louis Hamilton in no time

OP posts:

Mmmmdanone · 05/11/2020 21:35

Just saw this thread as I was thinking about this recently. I passed in a manual a million years ago but drive an auto now. My DD is going to be 17 next year and she wants to learn in an auto. Although I was always told to learn in a manual (and did) I'm thinking of just saying to her to go for auto. Then she could drive my car to practice, pass easily (hopefully!) and just get on with driving. Good luck with whatever you do!

MiddleClassMother · 05/11/2020 21:38

Did you buy a manual car OP? Push with the manual and it'll boost your confidence, I have driven a few autos before (when I first got my current car I got the auto model and didn't like it) but stuck with the manual as you get so much more control. Things like overtaking are easy as you just drop the gear and get an instant response, there's a second or so delay on an automatic whilst it drops down the gear. I drive on the motorway daily so overtaking is part of my fault drive.

MiddleClassMother · 05/11/2020 21:38

that should say DAILY
bloody autocorrect

BurbageBrook · 05/11/2020 21:49

I learned in an auto and it wasn't limiting at all. Almost all cars come in auto versions these days and they are very easy to find 2nd hand. In fact I think only my DP and family know I only have auto licence.

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