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Original poster

Cars - Automatic vs Manual

130 replies

RJ2023 · 25/02/2024 16:20

I am 44 years old and after a few years out I really want to start driving again. I can finally afford to buy (an okay) used car and am really, really excited about the freedom it will give me.

I am getting my eyes tested next week to check I am still legal on the numberplate test etc. I am going to arrange some refresher lessons with a driving instructor.

I want to buy an automatic (although I can drive a manual) but it is just for convenience.

My Mum and Dad, sister etc. are insisting I have to buy/drive a manual and keep sending me links to used cars on that basis. I keep telling them my preference but it is ignored.

Is there some kind of stigma associated with driving an automatic?

The roads are a lot busier and (in my opinion) more aggressive these days and the thought of not having to worry about gear changes really appeals to me.

Just wanted an opinion on this - thanks.

OP posts:
Triptastico · 25/02/2024 17:03

Auto all the way. Passed my test in a manual and drove one for 20 years although have spent the last 20 years driving an automatic and will never own a manual again.

I rented a manual car on holiday a few years ago and hated it. Will hire an automatic in future.

ArrestHer · 25/02/2024 17:05

We have an electric, an automatic, and a manual for fun. The electric is hands down the best for town driving, with the automatic winning over distance. So if most of your driving is running around then absolutely I’d say auto.

however, H and I like driving just for fun. For those times…nothing beats the control and response of a manual car for me, especially in the countryside

YouDidntEvenAskIfSheWasThereMoriarty · 25/02/2024 17:06

I do think there's a stigma, but it's for those who can ONLY drive auto from what I've witnessed.

I don't think anyone cares if someone chooses an automatic.

Personally, I wouldn't want an auto myself because they freak me out. I'm more comfortable driving on the wrong side than trying to convince my brain that I won't stall at slow speeds. Plus, I don't like the idea of relying on the accelerator only for speed. There's been a few times a lower gear has helped me zip past a potential accident.

gould · 25/02/2024 17:08

Autos are more relaxing but there's more to go wrong and they are more expensive than a manual

Heather37231 · 25/02/2024 17:09

Looking at your age your parents are probably of the generation that thought of automatics as being for people who never mastered driving a manual. My Mum was always very sniffy about the neighbour across the road who had never passed a manual test. Her words rang in my ears when we bought a new automatic car last year. Clarkson-type men bore on about “proper driving” being with gears. But everything has moved on so much now. So many more around and all EVs are automatics, as a pp said. Our car is a dream to drive and I did my time 30 years of manual driving so I reckon I have proved I can do it!

DistingusedSocialCommentator · 25/02/2024 17:10

My dad had a bigh merc auto 230e in the 70's always wanted an auto but in those days unless you could afford a luxury car, autos were few and far between and many were unreliable

My first ato drove was on hols in USA about 30 years ago then we me and OH got a c class merc - we always knew auto were easier to drive but many fools talked about not wanting to lose experience etc - last 10 years with the take-off of battery cars, most cars are now autos - and the petrol and diesel ones we have have the steerign paddle shift on them as well

Auto all day long, safer to drive as more attention is paid to driving rather than wrestling with clutch/gears

HappiestSleeping · 25/02/2024 17:12

RJ2023 · 25/02/2024 16:49

Thanks everyone for your feedback - I understand the maintenance costs of an auto gearbox may be higher but I am going to go ahead with buying a car with an auto gearbox.

I really appreciate your help and I will be ignoring comments from my family members that say I have to buy a manual for reasons that I still don't really understand.

Thanks again for your help.

Modern automatics are much more reliable and economical. Try and find a double clutch automatic. The experience is sublime. I would not have a manual by choice anymore.

Zyq · 25/02/2024 17:24

Go for electric or hybrid with an automatic gearbox.

LondonQueen · 25/02/2024 17:25

I love my automatic but DH has just bought a Mazda MX-5 as a weekend car which is manual and I love it! If you're in a busy city automatic might be better but we live quite rurally.

Ilovemyshed · 25/02/2024 17:26

I love auto. Have a manual licence and drive husband's manual car now and again plus drive hire cars abroad which are manual. Its all fine and I adapt immediately.

Still love my auto.

DorothyZ · 25/02/2024 18:15

In my experience replacing an automatic gearbox is a LOT more expensive than a manual.

In my experience I have never had to replace a gearbox. It's hardly a regular part of car ownership like changing your tyres. I would t give it a thought when choosing a car.

TotalAbsenceOfImperialRaiment · 25/02/2024 18:23

I've only ever driven an automatic and don't give a toss what anyone else drives, and certainly would not be entertaining unsolicited advice on the matter.

MargaretThursday · 25/02/2024 18:25

If you only have an automatic licence some insurances are more expensive.

If you think you will go for manual at all I'd see how you get on at lessons, because if you go for automatic, I don't think you will ever change.

But we got an automatic car a year ago. I was dreading it. Hated the idea. How on earth did you manage without a clutch?
I love it. I was comfortable driving it straight away, and would go for automatic any time. It's like driving a go kart. It's so simple.
The only reason I haven't pushed to exchange our bigger car for an automatic is because ds is learning and I want him to have a manual licence for the above reasons.

WellThisIsFun1 · 25/02/2024 18:50

DorothyZ · 25/02/2024 18:15

In my experience replacing an automatic gearbox is a LOT more expensive than a manual.

In my experience I have never had to replace a gearbox. It's hardly a regular part of car ownership like changing your tyres. I would t give it a thought when choosing a car.

I had to replace an auto box on a mondeo in 1999.

£2.5k even back then

DorothyZ · 25/02/2024 19:10

@WellThisIsFun1

Right, but it's not an ordinary thing you have to do during car ownership. It's bad luck not a definite situation

Time40 · 25/02/2024 19:16

Auto all day long, safer to drive as more attention is paid to driving rather than wrestling with clutch/gears

Well, safer for an inexperienced driver, maybe, but someone who's familiar with driving a manual isn't (usually) going to be "wrestling" with clutch and gears - it becomes, err ... automatic. I drive both, and I actually feel safer in my manual, because as someone said upthread, sometimes it's quicker to zip out of a potentially dangerous situation in a manual.

WorkCleanRepeat · 25/02/2024 19:17

I currently drive a manual but my last company car was an automatic and I swore I'd never go back. (Got a new job and didn't have a choice)

I'd never choose a manual over an automatic given the choice. I usually assume people that drive new manual cars couldn't afford the automatic version.

Horrace · 25/02/2024 19:26

If u can afford automatic then definitely go for one. I love driving and always said I'd stick with manual until I borrowed my husbands auto for a week. I loved it and swapped mine straight away.
I'd never go manual again.
Being stuck in slow traffic and having to change gear all the time is awful. Especially with all the reduced speed limits popping up everywhere.

Original poster
RJ2023 · 25/02/2024 19:36

Thanks everyone for your comments.

The type of car I can afford would be a (roughly) 3 year old Ford Focus / Renault Clio etc. That kind of thing.

I can drive a manual but I just like the idea of not having to worry about gear changes on busy junctions / roundabouts etc.

OP posts:
SoupDragon · 25/02/2024 19:44

I usually assume people that drive new manual cars couldn't afford the automatic version.

That's a rather daft assumption.

Alex Drake · 25/02/2024 19:54

SoupDragon · 25/02/2024 19:44

I usually assume people that drive new manual cars couldn't afford the automatic version.

That's a rather daft assumption.

It's certainly the case for me. Just signed up for a new car today (on pcp) and the automatic version was £2.5k more expensive than manual, so manual it is. I would definitely prefer automatic but couldn't justify the extra cost.

RamblingAroundTheInternet · 25/02/2024 20:01

I’ve been a driver for 30 years, drove a manual for the first 10, then moved abroad where autos were standard. It was a revelation. Had to drive a manual for a few years afterwards when we came back to the UK and absolutely hated it and went back to an auto as soon as I could.

One of the 4 automatics I’ve had needed a new gearbox and it was a goner as too expensive to replace (Citroen!) the others were all very reliable

I have a newish Vauxhall now and absolutely love it. Doesn’t drag going up hills like my older ones did and is very nippy around town. DH is a manual man and insists it’s like driving a go cart but I enjoy driving it so that’s all that matters.

SwordToFlamethrower · 25/02/2024 20:02

Had both. Gone back to manual because it is just waaaaaay better. I prefer having control. I can coast going downhill (in gear) and that is more fuel efficient. Autos don't do that and they're also too slow to respond!

CormorantStrikesBack · 25/02/2024 20:03

I have a full manual licence and drove a manual for twenty years. Got an automatic five years ago due to an ankle injury and blimey it’s a revelation. Driving is so much easier, especially in stop, start traffic in town. I love it. Even without the ankle injury it’s amazing.

i would say that to buy cars seem a bit more expensive and I think insurance might be slightly more.

manuals are a dying breed I reckon, electric cars are automatic.

rwalker · 25/02/2024 20:08

About 20 years ago the were right
but now automatics are more common

there more reliable and more the norm

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