How easy is it to switch to driving an automatic car?

[Communionmom]

I’m looking for a new car and I like the fuel efficiency of the hybrid Toyota Yaris Cross but it’s automatic.

I’ve never driven an automatic, is it easy to get used to?

My first experience of driving an automatic was as an office junior having to drive a minibus full of senior execs. I jumped in, saw it was an auto (I’d never even sat in one before) and just had to figure it out. No-one died!

So easy. But we are a two car household with one auto and one manual and I don't recommend that. My DH is always stalling my manual car when he drives it or thrashes it around in second gear. He's a perfectly good driver, just so used to his auto now that he forgets. When I change my car it will probably be for an automatic for the sake of marital harmony.

I've always driven a manual, mostly bigger diesel cars (sorry!). When changing this year, I went in with a view of no petrol and no automatic...what did I get?! A petrol automatic and I love it! I do still occasionally go to change gear but it just a little bit luxurious feeling driving and not changing gears, sound stupid I know. I also find it much more fuel efficient. It does have sport gear which is lesser so but I rarely use that. I would say though that an automatic could be more dangerous for a newer driver, gears slow you down a little.

My last 2 cars have been automatic, and DH loves it so much that he got it in his next car.

It's a godsend on a long journey and driving through traffic. Mine's a semi automatic with a drive and sport mode, and you push to the left to go into manual mode (VW DSG). I love it!

I used to tuck my left foot under the seat so I didn't accidentally slam on the brake thinking it was the clutch. I've got used to it now but I nearly got rear-ended whilst driving someone's brand new company car when I wasn't used to an automatic

Sooo easy. You'll never look back.

I've only ever driven auto and get a lot of crap from the male members of my family but when they lend my car for what ever reason they always rave about how enjoyable it is to drive (I drive a fully electric car) gotten to the point we now the most stead fast manual car owner has just bought an auto.

Auto is the future anyway. Our kids in the future will only have auto cars to drive due to strict car rules you can see coming into action around eco cars and all eco cars are auto.

I don’t like it, can’t get used to using one foot and never feel as in control for some reason.

The Toyota hybrids are amazing to drive. So smooth. You’ll never go back !

Also want to add, we sold our auto car a couple months ago and got £2500 more pounds than we paid for it and it was 7 years old! we bought it for £5k and sold it for £7500 the dealer who bought it off us said autos are flying off the fore courts at the moment, I'd hate to see how much they sold it for!!

They’re not even like a standard automatic as continual variable transmission

Piece of piss.

Really really really easy! A car hire brought me one as a replacement car (it was exactly the same as mine but in Auto), I was like, you cant give me Auto I've never driven one, he said literally put it in drive and press the peddle, I was very skeptical but he was right lol.
I had it a couple of weeks and was gutted to hand it back, I had never consider auto before but will definitely consider them in the future.

They are we’ve had three Prius and two Auris between us. We currently have a Corolla on order. Best cars ever.

Piece of piss. I occasionally stamp my left foot on nothing when driving DP's car but other than that, no issue. As a PP said though, they are a dull drive.

After 20 years of driving manuals I got an automatic last year and I have to say its really easy to transition. Tales a few days to get used to it then you never look back. I still drive a manual run around now and again and I never get confused now after that initial transition week.

Pretend you are in a go-kart, do a practice run to get used to the brakes and enjoy it!

Very, I always book automatic hire cars abroad because then no worries about changing gear with the wrong hand!
Seriously this is partly (+) why American teenagers just "start driving" and British ones spend years having lessons.

(+) Although the higher speed limits and literally medieval road layouts here also don't help

I've only just had one for 6 months and found the change very very easy.

I rest my left hand on the steering wheel. So it doesn't move.
I rest my left leg, back against the chair, so it too isn't tempted to move. Easy.

I can switch easily too. Ds1's car is a standard, I can jump between his, mine and Dh's (also automatic) no problem.

Very easy. My one word of caution would be that we have two quite similar cars. One is manual and one automatic. Since we got the automatic I have stalled the manual a couple of times!

Had a Prius hybrid for 12 years now. Soon got used to automatic and would only buy Toyota now.

I can only drive an automatic and honestly it’s so easy you’ll be fine although I need a new car and struggling to get a decent auto at a decent price

Very easy, I swapped my car last week and have gone automatic, took a couple of days to stop trying to put the clutch in .... still think im going to stall the car at traffic lights !! ... but im never going back to a manual now