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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:
mellicauli · 22/03/2021 21:15

I like that I can give all my attention to the road rather than having to tend to the car's engine

CovidCorvid · 22/03/2021 21:15

@BackforGood

Interesting range of views.

I've never driven an automatic (been driving almost 40 years).

My dd has had over 50 hours of lessons and has really struggled. She is dyspraxic. I've kind of been urging her to keep at it and not 'limit herself' by giving in and only getting a licence for automatics, but I'm now wondering if that might be the most sensible thing for her to try ? If they can ever get back to having lessons, and then driving test backlog of course

Had exactly the same issue with Dd and swapped her to auto lessons...she passed first time within weeks after struggling for 18 months with manual.
23PissOffAvenueWF · 22/03/2021 21:17

Maybe you just don’t have the right car?

We brought our manual with us when we moved to my home country. And are now well shot of it.

We live in a hilly city with lots of windy roads. Manuals just aren’t suitable due to all the slowing down, speeding up, and gear changing that’s necessary.

Obviously you can drive a manual here, but why would you?!

No, will never go back. I guess if you spend all day on motorways and/or quiet roads, a manual wouldn’t be a hindrance.

MeanderingGently · 22/03/2021 21:21

Automatics are lovely cars, I only drive automatics. So easy to learn, fantastic in stop-start traffic, and when driving carefully in snowy conditions, can manage to creep up hills etc. that other cars can't, owing to the fact it's (almost) impossible to stall an automatic.

Unlike other posters above, I feel far more in control of an automatic than a manual. A manual drives almost as though I have to 'push' the car to go, the automatic just drives and I rein it in (if that makes sense). Much easier to fine tune an automatic with one pedal, and reversing into tight spaces just needs a touch of footwork and guidance when in reverse...

I could go on. I have no idea why people drive manual cars, they seem so cumbersome and old-fashioned somehow....

RandomDent · 22/03/2021 21:23

Love my auto (well, CVT). It’s really nippy off junctions. I make full use of the self park feature!

BlackAmericanoNoSugar · 22/03/2021 21:26

@BackforGood

Interesting range of views.

I've never driven an automatic (been driving almost 40 years).

My dd has had over 50 hours of lessons and has really struggled. She is dyspraxic. I've kind of been urging her to keep at it and not 'limit herself' by giving in and only getting a licence for automatics, but I'm now wondering if that might be the most sensible thing for her to try ? If they can ever get back to having lessons, and then driving test backlog of course

I would steer her towards learning in an automatic. There are a few naysayers, some think that you're not really driving if it's an automatic, to them I say it's not really toast if you haven't ground the flour and made the bread yourself. Some say that it's more expensive to buy an automatic car and can be harder to rent them abroad, there used to be some truth in that but less so these days. In a relatively short time most cars will be electric and they are all automatic so your DD will end up driving an automatic anyway, she might as well do it from the start if it means she passes her test.
BackforGood · 22/03/2021 21:55

Thank you so much @CovidCorvid and @BlackAmericanoNoSugar.
That's really helpful.

So difficult to advise when I don't know what I'm talking about Blush
So difficult when she is always comparing herself to her siblings, who don't have her difficulties.

SpringisSpinning · 22/03/2021 21:57

They are wonderful, you can sit back and relax! Concentrate on other things, just put foot down..

activitythree · 22/03/2021 21:59

It's an audi a3, it also driving me mad that I can't seem to figure out how to display the speed limit on screen - someone please tell me this is possible and how? Because at the moment I am using the navigation on my phone simultaneously.

You are supposed to use the road signs for this, not your cars display and certainly not your phone!

Ridiculousradish · 22/03/2021 22:09

Having an automatic car has changed my life! I learnt to drive about 3.5 years ago (am late 30s), and barely drove because I absolutely hated driving my old manual. It was clunky and felt like driving a tractor. I hated hill starts (I live in a really hilly area) and I stalled all the time. It made me so anxious. Then a friend said she'd sell her automatic car to me at a ridiculously cheap price and I haven't looked back. I drive all the time now and love it.

I don't understand when people say they don't feel in control. I feel far more in control of my automatic than I did when driving my old clunky manual. I feel like I can concentrate on the road more and not the mechanics of the car.

MrsAvocet · 22/03/2021 22:15

@BackforGood I was very anti automatic before I had one but I've had to eat humble pie. In fact I am kicking myself now that I resisted getting one for so long. I went without a car for over 18 months following an accident as I was determined that I was going to recover from my injuries sufficiently to be able to drive a manual again. If I hadn't been so stubborn I could have been mobile again at least 6 months sooner.
I know your DD's situation isn't the same, but I think there are parallels. If something's just not happening there comes a time when it's better to try something different rather than continuing along the same way. I'd at least try automatic lessons for her. The only potential problem I can think of is that there aren't as many small/lower cost cars that are automatics, so you might end up having to spend a bit more on a first car than you would if you were buying a manual, and there will be less choice. But otherwise, I dont think it's a huge issue nowadays. I was put off by experience of horrible "clunky"automatics from when I was younger but modern autos are much, much better. And as others have said, with electric cars becoming common, manual gear boxes will probably disappear almost completely in your DD's lifetime so not being able to use one won't be an issue.

activitythree · 22/03/2021 22:18

I don't understand when people say they don't feel in control.

It's more then likely these people use the gears to slow the car, engine breaking. Use the gears to control when moving off in ice/snow. Drop a gear for quick acceleration when overtaking etc

MarceyMc · 22/03/2021 22:19

Honestly can't understand why anyone would prefer to drive manually after driving an automatic. Stick with it - I think you'll soon learn to love it!

Also disagree RE forgetting how to drive manually, I recently had a manual hire car and had no problems at all switching it back, not that I think it's particularly important anyway as manual cars will soon be a thing of the past!

EvilOnion · 22/03/2021 22:24

I've only been driving a year and think that i'd have passed my test much sooner had I gone automatic as I was terrible for stalling! You'd hate me @adrien Grin

Unfortunately though we share a car and finances didn't allow for a new one plus DH doesn't see automatic as "real driving" Hmm

My auto driving friends say it's much easier and as I'm an anxious driver it would probably suit me better, particularly on hill starts.

ParvaAvis · 22/03/2021 22:25

I passed my test in an auto, so I am only allowed to drive autos. I had years upon years of manual lessons, and just could not get it! 😂. I had my first and only child at 30, and thought ‘shit, I better learn to drive, pronto!’ Hence the auto lessons, and I passed first time with less than six months worth of lessons...OP, give your new auto a really good drive locally, up and down some faster roads, lots of roundabouts, traffic lights, turning right across a lane of traffic etc. I’m hoping that you will start to love the speed/responsiveness at which you can accelerate away from roundabouts, lights and so on. I’m not a speedy driver by any means, but I always seem to be quicker off the mark than those in their manual cars, their drivers labouring up and down through the gears! Best of luck...

YorkshireIndie · 22/03/2021 22:27

Because of my husband's disability means he can only drive automatics. Wish he could drive a manual

poshme · 22/03/2021 22:29

I have an automatic due to a dodgy left leg after an accident (waves to all the other dodgy left leg people)

I was really sad to change as I love driving and thought I'd miss the control of gears.

But I love the creep on hills, and I now dislike driving DHs manual car esp in busy stop start traffic.

My car has paddles either side of the steering wheel so I can change up or down myself as well- v useful for overtaking when it's not quite as responsive as I'd like.

BackforGood · 22/03/2021 22:39

Thank you MrsAvocet

Bouledeneige · 22/03/2021 22:46

Love my automatic - I've had them for years. I do a lot of city driving (as well as other types of driving) and I find not constantly changing gear, slowing down and speeding up its just a lot easier and more fun. Less hard work generally.

I have a lovely new car and all the guidance/manuals are on YouTube so you can easily find out how to do things. I don't have any problems with braking and hill starts.

Mischance · 22/03/2021 22:47

I love mine - broke my left foot a few years back and the auto was a major blessing.

HoldontoOneMoreDay · 22/03/2021 22:51

@BackforGood

Interesting range of views.

I've never driven an automatic (been driving almost 40 years).

My dd has had over 50 hours of lessons and has really struggled. She is dyspraxic. I've kind of been urging her to keep at it and not 'limit herself' by giving in and only getting a licence for automatics, but I'm now wondering if that might be the most sensible thing for her to try ? If they can ever get back to having lessons, and then driving test backlog of course

If she's dyspraxic then definitely give her a try in an automatic. The days of not being able to drive a manual being limiting are long gone.

I really struggled to learn, never felt confident in a manual, feel so much better in an automatic. DS is full-on dyspraxic (which he clearly gets from me) and I'll have no issues with him going straight into an automatic.

ILovesPeanuts · 22/03/2021 23:03

I wanted a manual when getting a new car but the car I wanted is only available as an automatic. I'm converted now but would perhaps struggle to go back to manual if I had to.

JackieTheFart · 22/03/2021 23:07

Do some stop/start city driving when lockdown has ended and you’ll fine that love.

JackieTheFart · 22/03/2021 23:07

*find

Bumpsadaisie · 22/03/2021 23:11

I have an electric car, its awesome. So easy, press to go faster ... and it brakes when you take your foot off. You don't even have to press the footbrake unless you want to brake quickly!

It is like driving a kiddie car!