Do you prefer driving an automatic or a manual?

[Kualma]

I recently changed cars and now drive an automatic. Wish I got one years ago - so easy to drive! What do other people prefer and why?

This made me laugh.

Driven automatics since the age of 20. 42 now and never, ever - EVER had any of the above issues.

The 'being in control' part is hilarious.

My DSG does not creep like the old automatics, also the electric handbrake/hill assist thing stops any rolling back and hold the car on the biting point so you just pull away, `DSG boxes are very different.

A Toyota camry hybrid.

Automatic. Would never go back to manual. I adore my little auto. Hill starts are a breeze, slow moving traffic doesn't give you a sore clutch foot. So much more fun to drive as its so nippy.

Whaaat? Auto makes all those things much easier!

Manual, I've drive my husband and Mum's automatics but don't find them as nippy as the Manual especially pulling from a junction into busy traffic and they never change up as quickly as I would and so the engine revs a lot.

After 27 years of driving it's second nature to change gear without thinking so not really a chore

My weekly commute has 40 miles of winding country lanes and I am so glad I have an automatic for those. I agree that sports cars are more fun but our last one (sadly retired as no room for kids!) had an option to move up and down gears with paddles on the steering wheel. That was fun! And the best of both worlds.

I would never go back to manual after recently getting a auto in my early 50s. Seven speed box is so smooth.

I have no idea what this means? Have you ever driven one?

I'm hoping my new automatic will arrive in the next few weeks and I can't wait.

I've chosen a Skoda Karoq Sportline after test driving plenty of similar options and I've gone for an automatic because I have swelling in my left arm and hand so changing gear is painful. It does have DSG gearbox though so I can use the paddles if I want to but I test drove it on the hilly areas around where we live and on the dual carriageway and I think I am going to like driving it.

Also whilst learning to drive now, you are not taught to use engine braking, it's gears to go and brakes to slow. Most modern cars have a button to press to help with steep hill descent - I know our current one does.

I'm quite happy to say my preference is based on feeling rather than fact. I don't feel as much in control of an automatic as a manual mostly because I'm doing less. So I just prefer a manual because I like feeling like I'm doing more and more in control.

I drive both our cars happily, one is a manual and one an automatic hybrid. If both available I prefer the manual as I just enjoy driving it more and I don't want to become de-skilled.

Whether I'm actually more in control of it is neither here nor there really.

I own a manual but drive rental cars fairly regularly and often end up with an automatic. There's a world of difference between an auto Volvo XC60 and an auto Skoda Citigo. The former was lovely, the latter was like a hairdryer on wheels and I constantly had to override the auto to get it out of junctions quickly.

I drive an estate and think when I next change my car I might go for an auto. I've really grown to like them (Citigo notwithstanding).

What cars are they as I. have always found the instant surge of an auto much quicker than manuals, I can normally always out accelerate other cars at traffic lights/junctions.

The smaller autos I've driven, like a Corsa a few weeks ago, I've always found them a bit laggy.

Team Automatic!

I think there is also probably a big difference between a petrol/ diesel automatic, hybrid automatic, CVT (continuous variable transmission) automatic and an electric car automatic.
Some automatics you can feel them change gear (e.g poster above who says her automatic is slow to change gear compared to when she would change gear if driving manually) . In my CVT hybrid there are no real gears so its incredibly smooth and responsive. I imagine electric car automatics are another level above that again and they are very responsive and have fast acceleration.

I switched to automatic after having a courtesy car for a few months.

I drive hundreds of miles when I do drive (days at a time don't do anything, then suddenly it's to the south coast and back in a day). I'd never not have an auto now.

Also makes it easier when I take DHs all electric, no fussing or drama that I used to have when i first started driving an auto.

This thread is so reminding me of the Shark v Dyson debates 😆

Lol. I'm having the same crisis. I've always had a manual. Looking now at an automatic for boring my DH related problems. Feel like I'm de-skilling and losing control 🤣

Auto every time. The 'like feeling in control' wet manuals is bollocks. May have had some truth 20 years ago.

You just need to stamp a little harder, I have an old v reg Toyota and they just need a heavier foot to encourage the whoosh.

What’s a wet manual?

Oops was meant to be wrt - with regards to.

I have one of each and I much prefer the manual. I just feel more in control of the vehicle.