Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

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:
TheFirstOfHerName · 14/04/2015 14:48

I have a manual licence but have never needed to drive a manual car, in more than twenty years.

Postchildrenpregranny · 14/04/2015 14:51

Have a manual but will go for an automatice next time I change cars-easier on my aging knees (but I am going to have a convertible, just so's I don't look too ancient)

Original poster
Bambambini · 14/04/2015 14:52

Katopotato - 'Having words with a yank?' Lovely

No, he's not lovely, but more to the point. - do you drive an auto or manual?

OP posts:
PumpkinPie2013 · 14/04/2015 14:57

I drive a manual, DH has an automatic now which I drive sometimes.

I prefer a manual tbh and would always choose manual over automatic.

MrsTerryPratchett · 14/04/2015 15:01

Manual here. Best bet is to look at people at the lights and what their brake lights are doing.

FWIW I have it on very good authority that Angelina Jolie doesn't drive stick.

twinjocks · 14/04/2015 15:02

I'm in Ireland, all our family's cars are manual. I've never driven an automatic, think I only know one or two people who have them.

flowery · 14/04/2015 15:06

I'm impressed by all these people who know what kind of car everyone they know drives. I wouldn't have a clue. I know my parents drive a manual as do my inlaws. I have no idea about the gear-changing arrangements in anyone else's car. Oh except one friend who has the same make of car as me so in the course of discussing it with him I found out he drives an automatic. But I couldn't tell you how many people I know who drive an automatic, or how many in my street or anything.

My car is automatic, and is not in the slightest sluggish. Driving higher-end automatic cars completely disproved my assumptions about them and I wouldn't go back now. Especially in stop start traffic, what a complete faff that is with a manual transmission. My car is incredibly responsive, and doesn't make me look ancient!

DH's little runaround is a manual, but he only drives it to the station and back.

AngelBlue12 · 14/04/2015 15:09

One of each. Golf mk 4 v6 is a manual and landrover discovery v8 is an auto :-)

Satsumafairy · 14/04/2015 15:09

I've always driven old bangers which have been manual but 2 years ago I got my latest old banger and it is auto. I found it odd to start with but I love it now. So easy and relaxing to drive. DW has one that can be both which she loves.

Merse · 14/04/2015 15:10

auto.

NeedABumChange · 14/04/2015 15:11

Manual, I find autos quite boring and think of them for lazy people who struggle to multi task.

I know only one person who owns a manual, they only got it as a cheap off roader.

PickleSarnie · 14/04/2015 15:12

Our current car is the first Auto I've driven. Bloody love it. Took a wee while convincing myself that my left leg was dead to me (as my husband kept repeating the first time I drove it) Would never go back.

PickleSarnie · 14/04/2015 15:14

How on earth is driving an Automatic "lazy" bumchange? All I want to do is get from A to B. Not show-off my ability to multi-task.

dexter73 · 14/04/2015 15:14

I know what kind of cars my friends drive as I have usually been in them or we have discussed cars when someone is buying a new one. I know my neighbour has a manual as she is always telling me how much she would prefer to have an automatic!

chemenger · 14/04/2015 15:14

It was me that said "sluggish" and that was based on mostly driving american hire cars - and they were sluggish. DH's car is not sluggish when he drives it (in case he is reading this) but it feels weird to me when I drive it, like there is less contact with the road somehow.

TarkaTheOtter · 14/04/2015 15:14

My old car was an automatic and I only drive automatics (have a manual licence though). Dh liked it so much he has picked an automatic car for his company car now and probably won't go back to manual.

flowery · 14/04/2015 15:24

I multi-task when driving. Sometimes you need to do something when driving which requires you to only have one hand available for driving. Change radio stations, CDs, zoom in on sat nav, sip diet coke, shovel chocolate into one's mouth etc. Not having to change gear means it's much safer to do this.

CandyAppleFudge · 14/04/2015 15:27

Manual, only have and will only ever drive a manual. Dh drives a manual.

flowery · 14/04/2015 15:30

"only have and will only ever drive a manual"

Yep, I used to think that...

rosedavo · 14/04/2015 15:40

Manual never driven an auto. My mum has always driven an auto though

OnGoldenPond · 14/04/2015 15:51

Owlina - if you have a manual licence you are also licenced to drive an auto, but if you have an auto licence you are not allowed to drive a manual. Because manuals are easier to drive.

Have manual licence, have had autos for years. Much easier for urban stop-start driving.

Cucumberisproofthedevilexists · 14/04/2015 15:54

Manual. Never driven an auto illogically find them intimidating. Only know of two friends who drive an auto, and it wasn't something they shopped for in particular. All family in manuals.

OnGoldenPond · 14/04/2015 15:54

D'oh!

Meant autos are easier to drive!

ClumsyNinja · 14/04/2015 15:55

Both DH and I own and drive autos.
Been driving for 30+ yrs and an auto for 10+ yrs. much prefer auto.

Psipsina · 14/04/2015 15:56

Never occurred to me to drive anything but manual vehicles. I like having control.

Boeing vs airbus I suppose