Have you switched from a manual car to an automatic? Do you like it?

[LindorDoubleChoc]

Asking because I drive a large, heavy clutch, quite old manual estate car. It's hard on my knees and ankles. The clutch doesn't engage until almost fully up and it's a big clunky car, quite difficult to park.

I have a new job which requires me to drive the company car. It's an automatic Golf, only a couple of years old. It's like a whole new driving experience! Although I have some experience of driving automatics on holiday, every car I've owned in the UK has been manual. So it's taken some adapting. It feels like if I literally brush my foot over the brake pedal we go into an emergency stop! I can't seem to set off smoothly either - lots of kangaroo jumps - the car speeds away from me as if I have no control and I'm terrified of smashing into cars parked just infront of me as I set off.

But once on the road and cruising around - it's lovely! I'm always driving in a slow urban environment so constantly stopping and starting and not having to go up and down through the gears all the time is something I could get used to.

Remind me again - what are the disadvantages of automatic cars?

I resisted getting an automatic car for years. Everyone said “once you try it, you’ll love it and you’ll never go back”. Didn’t believe them. Got one under sufferance…..and I love it and would never go back!

I switched from a Toyota auris to a Prius. Love it. So easy. It's an older one. The only disadvantage I see is that it's sometimes a little harder to build up speed like when you're on a slip road to the motorway compared to what it was for me on a manual. But it might just be because it's an older car. 2009. But I love the ease.

But once on the road and cruising around - it's lovely! I'm always driving in a slow urban environment so constantly stopping and starting and not having to go up and down through the gears all the time is something I could get used to

👍 Automatic all the way!

(Sorry, not helpful!)

I think some people feel that you aren’t “driving“ in the same way in an automatic; you don’t have the ability to change aggressively from fifth to second and rev past someone. But I can’t say I’ve ever felt the need to do that, so I haven’t found any disadvantages!

Yep love my automatic, would never go back. I say it’s like driving a go kart 😂

1 of each in this household. The automatic is extremely easy to drive v the manual.

Yes. Have always driven manuals. Got a VW van 4 years ago. It’s automatic. I still drive a manual (DHs) regularly but LOVE the automatic. It’s like driving a massive go kart!! None of the issues you experience tho.

We have both here, love the auto the most. So useful for driving in heavy traffic.
Just feels a bit like driving a bumper car,
go and stop!

Hate it.

Had to switch but really really miss my old manual car. Felt so much more in control.

How on earth do you manage to ‘kangaroo jump’ driving an automatic?

I would not have a manual by choice again. Make sure you go for the dual clutch automatic though. They are so much more efficient than the automatics of old. No loss of mpg.

It took a little getting used to, but I love mine now. I don’t think I’ll go back.

I have one of each, my DD’s mobility car is automatic and I was really worried about driving it as I had never driven one before but now I have driven one I love it, so much easier especially where I live (country roads and lots of hills).

I will never go back to manuals. Had one as garage courtesy car, what a faff! I also won't swap my automatic washing machine for a twin tub, even though I could in theory be more in control of the process.

I don't know why anyone drives a manual. Why make life harder than it already is?!

I never felt in control of manual cars and was always terribly anxious about driving, which was completely cured by getting an automatic.

PS: the only problem with automatic is if you have to use the gears to break up & down some serious mountains or in sowy, wintery conditions... I found not having control over the transmission/ gears a bit strange and less in control of the vehicle.

But it's minor and not something I encounter on a regular basis!

I love it. Had an automatic courtesy car for about a month 15 years ago and that was me won over.

Only time I ever think maybe a manual is better is going down a steep hill, but that’s rare for me.

I drive both and prefer my manual! But it's a nice car to drive in general which yours maybe isn't.

It’s so much less work to drive an automatic. Especially if you end up stuck in stop and go traffic often, an automatic just makes more sense.

I swapped a couple of years ago and wouldn’t go back to manual now. Automatic is just so easy.

My left leg was actually starting to ache from all the clutch control! I do the rush hour drive and there's a big hill I have to crawl up. Switched to automatic and it's so much easier.

😀Fair point. Thing is though, I like driving and I don't like doing the washing.
I've never owned an automatic, though have driven them. Prefer manuals, and sad that they'll become increasingly rare, though i dare say I'll come to appreciate the convenience in time. See also using a sat nav rather than planning a route and using a map.

I resisted for years. Then I moved to the US and there wasn’t really any other option except to go automatic as that’s what all the ‘normal’ cars are there (I didn’t fancy a 30 year pick up truck or a high performance muscle car 🤣) and I realised what I’d been missing. So easy, so smooth! I’d never go back to a manual even though we’ve since returned to the UK. In fact my current car can be driven manually in sport mode as it has those paddles on the steering wheel but no thanks, no interest!

How on earth are you kangaroo jumping an automatic though?? Are you using both feet with one on each pedal or something?

Moved to automatic last year love it - takes a bit of getting used to but once you do, it’s the best! Absolutely HATE driving DHs manual now!

do it, and if you have back or
knee issues, go for a SUV type car which sits higher up - physio told me years ago it’s much better for your back and knees.

Automatics are the future and more and more will be manufactured. I switched a few years ago and drive a Nissan Note automatic. I love it and would never go back to manual unless I had no choice.