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.

I can only drive an automatic. I’m dyslexic and struggled so much with manual but am a nurse so need to drive to get to work.
So many people made snide comments but at the end of the day, I have a lovely car (mini countryman) and can get from a to b and that’s all you need. Go for it op, enjoy your lovely new car. It’s very straightforward to drive. You can do a test drive with dealer too to see how they work etc before buying.

I dislike my automatic and wouldn't have chosen it if I'd had a choice but in your situation you've made the right decision. It makes perfect sense.

I don't think you'd need lessons in one, it's really easy. I kept my left leg pushed hard against the centre console for the first few weeks to remind me not to use it and I tried to grab the non-existent gear stick to change gear a few times. Also, hill starts are a bit weird and feel all kinds of wrong! I'd driven a manual for about 35 years.

DH and I moved to having 2 cars last year. He went for a manual and I went automatic as it’s all I’ve driven since my 20s

My god my knee when I drive DHs 😭 makes me feel my age!!

I've been driving for 30 years, and bought my first automatic 5 years ago. I don't think I'd go back to a manual, it's just so much easier to drive an automatic and sounds like it'd be perfect for you.

I was forced to get an automatic a few years ago after I struggled with arthritis in my hands and a manual gear stick. I wasn't happy at the time but now I love my automatic and wouldn't go back even if I could!

I would suggest test driving a range of cars though, because not all auto gearboxes are made the same. You will find you prefer the way some handle than others.

Personally I like the way Toyota's, VW's and Skoda's drive. On the other hand you couldn't pay me to have a Ford, Vauxhall or Peugeot auto (sadly because in the past I've had a manual Fiesta and Corsa that I've loved).

Passes my test in a manual 30+years ago. Dh convince me to try auto about 12 years ago and I've never looked back. I'd never choose a manual car again.

Hello OP. I've always driven manual in 44 years of driving, apart from a couple of hire cars on holiday in the States.

But this year I started a new job which requires me to drive the company cars and they are automatics. It took me a few journeys to get used to it, but now I absolutely love them! Mind you, I do nearly all city driving and rarely get into 4th gear in a manual car.

Here is a link to my thread on the same subject, in case any of the comments are of use to you

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/_chat/4941440-have-you-switched-from-a-manual-car-to-an-automatic-do-you-like-it

The right car for you depends on a variety of factors. If you just pootle around locally and have somewhere to charge it then a small electric car might suit. If you go longer distances then you might want a hybrid (we've got Toyota corollas now). These are, of necessity, all automatic anyway.

We've actually just sold a manual Volvo - one of the things that decided it for me was that in the last few weeks I was getting a bit of a twinge of hip pain when I used the clutch ...im 63, generally fairly fit and healthy but why put unnecessary strain on your joints if you don't have to?

I've been regularly driving for over 40 years and have always been the default driver rather than my ex or DH as I am the better driver in their opinion (and mine too). 😂

I swapped over to driving an Auto Vauxhall Vectra in 1999 and have bought only automatics ever since.

If you're not very confident, try booking a couple of driving lessons in an auto just to get a feel for it. You'll be zooming out and about happily in no time. 🚗

I had a Toyota Corolla auto hire car last summer that I enjoyed driving. It was a hybrid and the fuel consumption was superb. They also do the smaller Yaris, if you'd prefer a mini sized car.

I definitely wouldn't change back to a manual. A friend recently bought her first (brand new) Yaris automatic after 30 years driving and was quite nervous about how she'd cope. The saleswoman actually arranged for her to visit the showroom to practice in their demonstrator a few times before her own car was delivered.

First reply, nailed it. It's a no brainer.

I have one as well! I have 2 manual cars, both 2l. And I like the power. My oldest is 19 years old and i am looking at a hybrid replacement, so will be auto. I wasn't sure - I lived in the states for a while, and although my own car unusually was stick shift, any hire car was automatic and they were crap!! But things have improved and I have aged so an auto might be better with all the traffic issues we now have.

I'm jealous! I had one up until 18 months ago when I stupidly traded it in for a Mazda CX-30 automatic which I would sell tomorrow if I could! I do keep wondering whether I can justify another MX-5 (manual obviously!)...

This. Pretty much word for word. Can’t ever imagine driving a manual again.

I wasn't sure - I lived in the states for a while, and although my own car unusually was stick shift, any hire car was automatic and they were crap!! But things have improved and I have aged so an auto might be better with all the traffic issues we now have.

I lived in the us and the automatics we had then were pretty crap. The Toyota hybrids we have now are a completely different beast. It's pretty cool engineering!

I moved to automatic after twenty years driving manuals.

WIll Never Go Back.

in the future all cars will be auto. Do it.

I've got an electric car now but I think I've been driving automatic for 25 years.
I'd never go back, as I passenger I find manuals so annoying, most people can't drive smoothly in them or are in the wrong gear half the time!

I think I will have saved the need for knee replacements the amount of wear that has been removed from my left knee as I drive a fair amount in London

We've just changed to an automatic and my husband is finding it so much better....
I don't drive but it seems so easy in comparison to manual I'm tempted...

I also only drive an automatic - takes the stress out of driving. You don’t have to worry about the driving aspect, only where you point the car.

I was driving a manual for 20+ years, my husband got an electric car for work and oh my gosh it’s so easy to drive. I found some autos I wasn’t sure when it would go but the electric is either on or off.

Another one who switched to an automatic two years ago and would never go back.

It is just so much easier and smoother to drive. Go for it OP!