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Original poster

Why do people like driving an automatic?

200 replies

as141 · 22/03/2021 17:53

Waited a long time due to the pandemic for my new car to arrive and I'm not loving the automatic driving experience ☹️

Please try and sell it to me? Spent a lot of money and waited close to a year, really really want to like it

OP posts:
Abraxan · 22/03/2021 18:54

@dementedma

Dd drives an automatic and I hate it when I have to borrow it. Sluggish and dull
That's more likely to be the specific car than automatics in general.

Many modern automatic cars have just as much power and acceleration, etc as manuals.

Carouselfish · 22/03/2021 18:57

When I passed my test the only thing that scared me was the thought of stalling at a roundabout or busy junction. So I got an automatic. Always had one since. Was useful when I had to hire a car in the USA too.

OliveHenry · 22/03/2021 18:58

For those worrying about overtaking....

Automatics have a feature called kick down. This means that when you ease off ever so slightly and then put your foot flat to the floor, it will drop a gear, as you would do manually when going to overtake. (In modern cars I'm not sure you need to ease off first - just floor it!)

My car also has a sports mode button which does similar. It's great for pulling away at traffic lights if you've accidentally got in the wrong lane and need to try to get into the right one without causing too much grief! I don't know the technology behind it but it alters the gear positioning somehow, so it changes down sooner/up later. Or something like that!

Onetraumaatatimeplease · 22/03/2021 18:59

@middleager thanks, driving anxiety is terrible, I have to force myself to drive.

Boph · 22/03/2021 19:02

I had a dream of a car, a mini which was so fun to drive. Unfortunately rheumatoid arthritis made it painful to change gear so I swapped it for an automatic volvo.
It's boring and dull and I hate it. I don't feel in control, when you have to move quickly. Hill starts are good, I'll give it that but I live in the flattest part of the UK.

BungleandGeorge · 22/03/2021 19:04

Automatics are more expensive to run. Personally I like the extra control of the manual but as people have said electric cars don’t have a gearshift

Onetraumaatatimeplease · 22/03/2021 19:04

@CovidCorvid now that sounds like the kind of car I could get along with 😁 it's the thought of stalling or rolling back on a hill, especially because (been driving for 20 years) nowadays nobody seems to leave 'tyres and tarmac' between cars anymore.

BobsDouble · 22/03/2021 19:07

I was very reluctant to have an automatic but now wouldn’t have manual again. Mine drives like a dream and I don’t have to stress about hill starts, stopping in traffic on hills etc. All my attention goes on the road and the hazards around me.

Overcastcloudy · 22/03/2021 19:08

Just wait until you have to get used to a self-driving, electric car. Grin

SharedLife · 22/03/2021 19:09

All I have to concentrate on is the road.

camsue · 22/03/2021 19:11

I switched to an automatic as I was having increasing problems with my leg. When I eventually had surgery, I could still drive. Now I find commuting far easier in an automatic and long distances far less tiring. I'm a convert!

dontsaveusername · 22/03/2021 19:12

Mine is a ford torneo van type car. The previous one was manual and the constant gear changes drove me mad as I am small and it felt like a tank. The new automatic is so easy its a revolution in driving.

SplendidSuns1000 · 22/03/2021 19:12

I learnt in a manual and now drive autos. I only drive manual classic cars but I'd never get a manual for my everyday car again. It's so much easier to drive, I can focus more on the road and my destination rather than where my hands and feet need to be. I feel much safer in an auto. And it means I can get comfier when driving, relax my left leg etc.

IHateThinkingUpANewUsername · 22/03/2021 19:13

If you enjoy driving you probably won’t like an automatic.
If you enjoy the freedom / travel that driving gives you, you’ll probably like an automatic.

My husband much prefers his zippy, manual BMW; I’ve never driven it despite having far more driving experience. I’ve got a lumbering (almost 20 yr old) auto CRV and I adore it. I was just thinking at the weekend that I wish ‘I like to potter about the local countryside in my car’ wasn’t a weird hobby to admit to.

dementedma · 22/03/2021 19:15

Hill starts aren’t that difficult. I wouldn’t get an automatic just because of that.

HoldontoOneMoreDay · 22/03/2021 19:16

@OliveHenry

For those worrying about overtaking....

Automatics have a feature called kick down. This means that when you ease off ever so slightly and then put your foot flat to the floor, it will drop a gear, as you would do manually when going to overtake. (In modern cars I'm not sure you need to ease off first - just floor it!)

My car also has a sports mode button which does similar. It's great for pulling away at traffic lights if you've accidentally got in the wrong lane and need to try to get into the right one without causing too much grief! I don't know the technology behind it but it alters the gear positioning somehow, so it changes down sooner/up later. Or something like that!

My old Fiat 500 had the sport function, very nippy when it needed to be and a lot of fun to drive. Whereas my first car, a manual 1.2 Clio, I wouldn't trust to beat a bin lorry at the traffic lights. Autos are great!

OP did you mean to say speed limit on the display or did you mean your speed? Your car will definitely have the latter, you shouldn't need the former?

Beetle76 · 22/03/2021 19:17

I don’t love driving an auto. If I changed gears in a manual like my auto changes gears, I’d give myself a good talking to. It’s nothing short of embarrassing Grin

Starseeking · 22/03/2021 19:18

Because you can just press go!

I love not having to faff about changing up or down gears like you do in a manual car, give me an automatic any day of the week.

I also have an electric car, and I'm not sure whether you can get them in manual versions.

elp30 · 22/03/2021 19:18

I learned to drive in England on a manual transmission car.

I love the feeling of being more in control of the vehicle.

An automatic is perfect for long straight Texas highways (where I live now) and chowing down on a burger in the process since you hardly need to use your hands. Being in stop and start traffic makes having an automatic easier.

I own a six-speed manual Mini Cooper here in Texas and I wouldn't trade it for an automatic AT ALL! But there are a few cars here that offer manual as a choice.

I know I'm supposed to sell you onto an automatic but I think you'll just need to chalk it up to experience. Lol

HeronLanyon · 22/03/2021 19:19

I’ve never liked automatics but you do get used to it. Never owned an automatic just hire cars on holiday etc.

bowchicawowwow · 22/03/2021 19:21

I switch between automatics and manuals. My car is auto and the one my DH drives is manual but I'll take whichever has the most fuel in it Grin

I don't understand why people say they don't feel they have control over an automatic? If you think you are flagging on a hill or need to overtake you can always hit the 3rd gear button to drop it down a gear. Never been an issue for me and I've had various makes absolutely models over 24yrs.

Mummysgonetobed · 22/03/2021 19:22

I get you OP. My last two cars were auto but I’ve just got my own and got a manual and it is sooooo much more fun to drive! Autos change too soon for my liking, I like to hear the engine.
They are by far easier to drive but not as interesting in my opinion.

adrien · 22/03/2021 19:23

How can driving an automatic not feel in control lmao?

What annoys me is being behind a manual driver where I'm ready to go and they end up stalling Confused

BungleandGeorge · 22/03/2021 19:23

@dementedma

Hill starts aren’t that difficult. I wouldn’t get an automatic just because of that.
I’ve never rolled back on a hill start and I wouldn’t say my driving was amazing🤣
adrien · 22/03/2021 19:24

@IHateThinkingUpANewUsername

If you enjoy driving you probably won’t like an automatic. If you enjoy the freedom / travel that driving gives you, you’ll probably like an automatic.

My husband much prefers his zippy, manual BMW; I’ve never driven it despite having far more driving experience. I’ve got a lumbering (almost 20 yr old) auto CRV and I adore it. I was just thinking at the weekend that I wish ‘I like to potter about the local countryside in my car’ wasn’t a weird hobby to admit to.

Yes! This is it exactly.