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Original poster

To think most folk still drive manual cars

399 replies

Bambambini · 14/04/2015 13:23

Curious to know how many here drive manual or auto. Also how many have never even tried an auto. Sort of mini poll as having words with a yank on another site. Your participation will be appreciated if not rewarded!

OP posts:
Debinaround · 14/04/2015 13:41

I have been driving my auto since last September. (Car was given to me by my stepdad)

I would really rather drive a manual though. I know it's easier to drive an auto but I like to feel more in control.

pocketsaviour · 14/04/2015 13:41

I think since hybrids came out there are more autos around but I reckon it's at most 25% autos to 75% manuals.

I had always driven manuals and only driven an auto once in 20 years of driving, but my last partner had an auto (a Merc) and it really changed my mind. Particularly for driving in traffic, so much less stress on the ankles with constant gear changes and holding it on the bite.

I have a manual now but I'm aiming to buy a hybrid when I next trade in, so that will be an auto.

I guess it's spread around because in rural areas you're going to have more 4x4s which will never go auto. But for those in the cities, autos make more sense and they are much more efficient on fuel consumption than they used to be. I wouldn't want to drive one in snow though.

MrsPeabody · 14/04/2015 13:42

Auto - only have auto license

Dh has auto too (can drive both).

MissClemencyTrevanion · 14/04/2015 13:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ineedausername · 14/04/2015 13:43

Auto here.
Don't agree with the all being sluggish... We've had 3 but definitely classed as high performance cars and they were anything but sluggish.

tomatodizzymum · 14/04/2015 13:43

We have two cars. Most cars here in Brazil are manual, however the market of good sized people carriers is small so it's a US import (auto). The other is our faithful manual pickup. When we lived in the US the only options for manuals was pickups, so we bought a car from Canada. Guess they must have more manuals.

ButterflyUpSoHigh · 14/04/2015 13:44

Everyone I know drives a manual except one friend who has an automatic.

My whole family have manuals which is about 30 cars.

AggressiveBunting · 14/04/2015 13:44

Don't live in UK anymore but when I did I drove an automatic- all my family and all DH's family (still all in UK) do as well. Clearly we're outliers. We do all have manual licenses- just prefer automatics.

Now live in Hong Kong where it's almost impossible to buy a manual unless you buy a super car.

DidoTheDodo · 14/04/2015 13:45

Manual. Always had manual cars.

Yokohamajojo · 14/04/2015 13:45

We had an auto which I loved for parallel parking and sitting waiting in hills, we then got a new car which was manual and it's not as bad as I thought it would be, quite good fun actually

pocketsaviour · 14/04/2015 13:45

I've just gone on motors.co.uk and done a search on all cars for sale, any age location etc.

Out of 247647 cars listed for sale, 52535 are auto and 1497 semi-auto (I assume tiptronic?)

So 78% of cars currently advertised are manuals.

MrsPeabody · 14/04/2015 13:45

Out of curiosity, how do you notice that cars are automatic or if your friends drive them? I have quite a smallish car and don't think many of my friends click until they are in it with me or I purposely point it out.

tiggytape · 14/04/2015 13:45

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ItMustBeBedtimeSurely · 14/04/2015 13:45

Auto. I will never go back to manual.

Lanaandmaria2014 · 14/04/2015 13:46

Both, I spent over 3 years learning in a manual as my DP wanted me to have a license when I moved to Germany, now I'm here we drive his parents cars (we don't have our own) they live near, Volvo is auto and Citroen is manual but as I'm still getting my confidence I haven't driven on my own yet, and it's all driving on the wrong side of the road.

Loveleopardprint · 14/04/2015 13:47

An auto estate. Easy to drive on long journeys and kinder to my poor knees. Also have a manual mini. Fun to drive like a go-cart. More urban journeys.

Number3cometome · 14/04/2015 13:47

I'm having lessons at the moment - Manual

annadina · 14/04/2015 13:48

One of each, main car is auto 4x4, as was previous. I prefer towing with manual rather than auto, but big diesel 4x4 (shogun, disco, rexton) all seem to be automatics now. Not sure why you think 4x4's will never go auto when most already are pocketsaviour?

GiddyOnZackHunt · 14/04/2015 13:49

Our old auto BMW was better in the snow than my manual. It's not true to say 4wd won't go auto. The Range Rover Evoque has a 9 speed ZF auto box.
If I wait until later I can give you exact splits.

BestZebbie · 14/04/2015 13:49

Manual. I had never actually seen an auto until last year!

NoelHeadbands · 14/04/2015 13:49

Manual.

I did have an automatic for a few years but wasn't bothered about replacing it with another one when the time came.

I know one friend who drives an automatic now I think

Pootles2010 · 14/04/2015 13:49

Manual. Only person I know in auto is my mum - she has wrecked many a clutch Grin

TheMagnificientFour · 14/04/2015 13:50

2 manual here. Never had an auto despite having used tons of rental acrs. They were all manual too.

SwedishEdith · 14/04/2015 13:50

I'm not sure if I know anyone who drives an automatic? I've driven one once for about 5 mins so can't really say if I'd prefer it! But, I do love changing gears and always assumed automatics were for people who don't like driving/find it difficult or for very high end cars.

Germgirl · 14/04/2015 13:50

I have a manual. Used to have a semi-automatic (gear stick but no clutch), that was nice. I liked that car.
My dh has an automatic, he's just got it, it's 4x4 & goes like the wind, definitely not sluggish. He loves it as he does a lot of driving and he was getting backache & hip pain from clutch use in traffic. The auto is far more comfortable.
I've driven it once & it spent the whole time telling me off for pressing the wrong buttons etc. but I can see how easy it is to drive, I just need more practice.