Talk to me about automatic cars.

[Worldsworstdriver]

I passed my test over 30 years ago……eventually - it didn’t come naturally and it was a means to an end - just for local driving to work friends and back. I have never gone on a long journey or wish to. My husband loved driving and I was content for him to do it although he always tried to encourage me to drive more.Then he died……and so I am driving again. I have bad habits - mainly to do with my foot is always on the clutch - I know it’s bad but it’s a habit I am trying to stop. The car has just been in for a service and did need a new clutch and I can’t get used to the new one - it’s so sensitive and I keep stalling - I just feel even more anxious. Friends keep saying I might be better with an automatic.
so what I am asking for is thoughts on an automatic and will someone explain in idiot terms how best to use clutch- not asking in real life as ashamed of my lack of knowledge and the fact I have been driving for years- I am just on edge all the time when I drive but my work is in quite an isolated place.

All electric cars are auto, which will be 100% of all new cars from 2030.

Off the top of my head, I can tell you Mini, Volvo and Mercedes now only make autos, and from next year, BMW will also stop making manuals.

We have an automatic and a manual in our household and I am happy driving either.

Automatics are great though - no need to think about gears at all. You literally ask the car to go faster/slow down/stop/pull away and it figures out the gears for you.

Sell your car before you trash the new clutch and buy an automatic.

I took my test in a manual but have only ever driven automatics after that. They're so easy.... there's only start and stop and you don't have to worry about anything else.

I love my automatic, took a little while to get used to - so you could do with having someone willing to sit with you while you get used to it. I used to feel the same as you about driving but am going on a long trip this summer as my automatic has helped me x

I was very anti having an automatic but strained the base of my thumb putting my car into reverse.
Swapped for my husband's automatic as it was so painful and have never looked back!

I had the same problem with the clutch and stalling. Never really took to driving, I did it when I had to but knew I wasn't very good and didn't enjoy it.

Bought an automatic and everything changed. I now actually enjoy driving (although still not on motorways), and I don't have to worry about riding the clutch or stalling. It's like a whole different skill.

Get one!

Automatics are safer and more fuel efficient. You can concentrate on the road so much more without having to worry about being n the right gear. Great for knees and as PP said, EVs are automatic. When new diesel and petrol cars are no longer sold from 2035 the manual gear box will become a historical relic.

Easiest switch you’ll ever make.
Makes driving “life” a lot easier.

I passed in a manual 34 years ago and changed to an automatic in 2008 due to a disability. I wish I’d done it sooner. No one in our family has a manual car anymore, not even the kids. It’s so much easier to drive an automatic, especially round town, or in heavy traffic.

Go for it. You’ll never look back.

I learned in and drove a manual for years. Bought an automatic once and now wouldn't go back to manual by choice.

I just want to say that it’s so lovely to come across a thread about automatics that isn’t full of comments from people who have never driven them but insist they are awful to drive, difficult to insure and cost a million pounds more than their manual counterparts.

Could a friend or family member take you out practice with you? Failing that I'd just buy an automatic car, my main car is automatic and I love it but you'll have to prise the keys for my manual sports car out of my cold dead hands!

Just go automatic. I’ve never not been able to get an automatic hire car ( albeit sometimes I suck up a manual due to the price difference) and I’ve occasionally had to drive a manual courtesy car. Automatics for the win, especially in traffic.

Get the automatic, it's so, so much easier!

Oooh, what sports car is it? I got one in an auto and my husband curses me every day for it 😂

Same!! I love my auto for the long drives or commuting. It's only because cars are passion in this house we still have a manual, if you don't enjoy driving I can't see why anyone would purchase a manual now.

If you can I would look at one with multiple drive modes, as I find them better quality boxes than entry level (for all manufacturers).

Go for an automatic but do your homework, some are better than other as in the speed and ease (smoothness) of gear change. I love driving and motorsport is a huge part of our life as well as bring our livelihood for years but my day to day car is automatic (Skoda Superb L&K 4x4 estate) which I love for the absolute ease of driving, I don't get tired driving despite a chronic pain illness but I love my manual for shorter weekend drives. You haven't mentioned what size car you want but I'd recommend any Skoda for comfort and reliability. Do you have a friend with an auto that you could practice in before making a decision? You might take to it immediately. Best of luck.

I am really grateful to you all. I wish I had thought about this before I just paid the garage bill for a new clutch. I am due to retire next year but still want a car to get out and about locally. I think it will be my retirement gift to myself- an automatic car-I just need a recommendation for a small one. Will start googling.
Thanks for all suggestions and not making me feel completely useless .

@Worldsworstdriver I’ve owned two Fiat 500 automatics. Both were great, and compact.

I loved my little Suzuki swift auto, had to get rid of it when I needed a car with buggy sized boot space . I love driving automatic and even DH who used to always say manual was better, has just said when we get a second car again later this year he's happy to get an auto. I think very early autos could be clunky in gear changes etc but things have come on so far since then.

I have Mini Hatch and love it to pieces. It’s a big small car, if you know what I mean.

I was dead set against an automatic, till I got one! Now I love it!

A manual wouldn't be a deal breaker for me, I find them just as easy to drive. But there is something about an auto..

But until you do get the auto, your clutch question. You put it down just before you stop (most cars can go really slow in second before the clutch is needed) and gradual release as you pull away. Don't automatically depress it just because you're braking, that's called coasting and is what wrecks the clutch. Clutch is just changing gear, and stopping/pulling away.

It's a Mazda MX-5, I love it! @PotatoPudding

Gorgeous car. My next door neighbour had one and it looked so beautiful.

I love autos and would never go back to a manual.