Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
TheMagnificientFour · 14/04/2015 13:51

I don't know of anyone who drives an auto tbh. I didn't realise that there was as much as 25% of people with an auto. For me auto is an maerican thing only.

BinToHellAndBack · 14/04/2015 13:52

Automatic as DH's licence is auto only.

Took a while to get used to as I initially felt like I had less control over the car but I now like it. I probably still prefer a manual, but only just.

Contraryish · 14/04/2015 13:52

Both our normal cars are automatics, including one 4x4, and definitely not sluggish (although they have over seven litres of engine capacity between them so I would hope not). I love driving an automatic and wouldn't go back to a manual if you paid me.

That said, we do have a classic which is manual, and I try to drive it occasionally to make sure I can still remember how to change gears.

Cranagh · 14/04/2015 13:52

Manual

lampygirl · 14/04/2015 13:52

Auto for personal, manual at work as you dont really get an auto LWB van...

I like my auto when sat in traffic (regularly), it's a modern powerful BMW with a clever gearbox. I once had a small petrol car with an auto gearbox as a hire car and it was a sack of shit, so I suppose expensive ones must be better...

I'd never advise anyone to get a auto only licence though (outside of if needed on medical grounds) because i feel that it does limit you to more expensive cars and also you dont gain the knowledge of how the gears work etc, so you never know about shifting the auto box down to overtake etc.

ChunkyPickle · 14/04/2015 13:54

I have a manual, and it's fine, and wouldn't go out of my way for an automatic, but if one fell into my lap I'd take it over a manual probably (assuming a nice, modern one with a reasonable engine).

I had an automatic polo as a courtesy car recently and it was quite nice - I actually even started to resent having to even touch the gearstick to put it in park!

TheUnwillingNarcheska · 14/04/2015 13:56

Manual now but did have a semi-automatic until last year.

It had a paddle shift so you could drop down gears if you needed to increase your speed suddenly ie for over-taking.

No clutch pedal though. Just changed gear if and when needed as it could not predict a particular part of a road I travelled every day. I miss cruise control.

My PIL have an automatic because my MIL found putting a car into reverse difficult if the gear stick had a collar lift.

Leeds2 · 14/04/2015 13:56

I drive an automatic, and have never driven a manual. OH passed in a manual, but now drives an automatic.

DD started lessons last week (eek!), and is learning in a manual.

muminhants · 14/04/2015 13:57

I drive a clutchless manual which can also be used in fully automatic mode. So I change gear myself, but I don't need to press a clutch. We have an automatic as my husband has only ever driven automatics despite passing his test on a manual car.

dexter73 · 14/04/2015 14:00

Dh and I both drive autos. Out of my friends it is about 50/50 now as more are changing to an auto when they get a new car.

CanadianJohn · 14/04/2015 14:01

In Canada, about 99% of cars are automatic, I believe. I don't know anyone who drives a stick shift.

Babayaggatheboneylegged · 14/04/2015 14:03

Don't currently have a car, but have never driven an auto.

The only people I know with an auto are PIL, and theirs is a motability car.

Original poster
Bambambini · 14/04/2015 14:05

Wow, such a big response - thanks folks! Just this guy was sceptical when Insaid most folk here drive manual and many proabaly have never tried auto.

Husband and I both moved over to auto a few years back and would never go back now - we love them. We have quite high performance cars though (well especially his) so not sure if that makes a difference.

Thanks for proving what I thought, he did quite the 25%auto sales but many folk drive older cars so the 25% doesn't mean over the whole driving population.

Lol, at the ony old folk drive autos! We're not quite shuffling round on Zimmer frames yet!

OP posts:
KottonKrown · 14/04/2015 14:06

Manual all the way. And I'll resist as long as possible (as it seems Automatic is becoming more prevalent).

Driving a manual well is a physical skill. I like having that connection with the car.

CanadianJohn · 14/04/2015 14:06

Wikipedia tells me that 80% of cars sold in Europe have manual transmission.

ElviraCondomine · 14/04/2015 14:07

Manual
My father has an automatic (big flash American thing) and I loathe it.

hellhasnofurylikeahungrywoman · 14/04/2015 14:09

I drive a manual, husband drives a manual, dd-manual, ds-semi automatic. I have driven automatics but don't particularly like them.

OldBeanbagz · 14/04/2015 14:10

DH and i both drive automatics as does his mum and my dad. My mum refuses to drive my dad's automatic car because 'it goes too fast' Hmm

My 13yo DD was planning ahead and i suggested it would be better for her to learn in a manual car in case she ever needs to hire one in the future.

RedRugNoniMouldiesEtc · 14/04/2015 14:11

Manual, autos are no good for towing in this country.

I know many drivers but only one who drives an automatic - he hates it Grin

PenguinsandtheTantrumofDoom · 14/04/2015 14:11

I can drive either but have an auto. Would take a pretty special car to entice me back. So much more restful for city driving.

KatoPotato · 14/04/2015 14:12

'Having words with a yank?'

Lovely

proceeding · 14/04/2015 14:12

We are a two car family and have both. I like making sure that my manual skills keep up. One of our cars is a big car that would be a nightmare to drive as a manual. The other one would be a nightmare as an automatic. I like both Grin

Sirzy · 14/04/2015 14:12

I had two automatics, only went back to manual 6 months ago.

QuietNinjaTardis · 14/04/2015 14:13

Two car family both manual. The only person I know who drives an auto is my Mil.

FuckyNell · 14/04/2015 14:16

Auto - the aforementioned Range Rover evoque