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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:
Grantaire · 14/04/2015 15:57

flowery, the only amendment I would make to your statement is that you don't need to do any of those things. You just want to. Grin You clearly already know that you aren't supposed to do any of those things whilst driving. Just like I'm not supposed to give the dc death stares in the rear view mirror or turn my music up loud or dance or drum on the steering wheel or play games of What Would Knight Rider Do? in my head...

Pooka · 14/04/2015 15:57

Manual. Loathe automatics.

Know a couple of people who drive automatics - practical decisions relating to age and dodgy knees.

richthegreatcornholio · 14/04/2015 15:57

Have owned both but prefer manuals. Currently all my cars are manual.

Pooka · 14/04/2015 15:59

Oh - remembered another. Failed 5 tests then passed on an auto.

I have driven automatics. I just couldn't get the hang of them - I like changing gear! :)

Katiepoes · 14/04/2015 15:59

Auto, it's a hybrid. And now I will not go back, anyone who sits in heavy traffic regularly shoudl drive an automatic, much less stressful. Nothing exciting about shifting gear every 5 seconds, give me boring any day.

And excuse me - 'lazy people who can't multitask'? Feck off.

Iwasbornin1993 · 14/04/2015 16:00

Currently manual but definitely considering an auto for our next car!

SoupDragon · 14/04/2015 16:01

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.

Don't be ridiculous, of course it doesn't make it safer. Confused You would never be doing any of those things at the same time as changing gear so how would it make any difference whatsoever?

Unless you used to end up with no hands in the wheel in which case thank god you switched to automatic! :o

I have always driven a manual. In my head, automatics were for people who couldn't manage a manual and were therefore inferior - this has kind of stuck even though I know it really isn't true. It's just personal preference,

Psipsina · 14/04/2015 16:01

Also what are the down sides to an auto? Is it more expensive to buy one, are the lower end ones a bit shite - is there more automation to go wrong, etc?

I am clueless about them tbh. But I'd rather I change gear myself thank you.

AmyElliotDunne · 14/04/2015 16:01

I have always driven a manual (am 40 now) but I tried driving DP's automatic for the first time ever a couple of days ago.

It took a bit of getting used to, but I liked it. Felt really lazy not having to gear change, it made driving so much easier that when I got back in my car it felt like a right hassle!

DP has quite a posh car though, so I think the auto is pretty good as they go and has a sports mode for when you want to really hammer it (which I didn't)

Sparklingbrook · 14/04/2015 16:02

Manual, but have driven automatics and was a bit meh about them. it didn't make me want one.

I am a bit meh about cars TBH.

Psipsina · 14/04/2015 16:02

Oh Pooka where have you been? I haven't seen you on here for years!

Psipsina · 14/04/2015 16:04

Btw can you imagine an auto motorcycle? that would be so weird.

RufusTheReindeer · 14/04/2015 16:04

All three cars here are automatic

FIL drives an automatic, mil has a manual, I think my dad's car is an auto

Most people I know drive manuals

I assume all those who think it's lazy driving still take their clothes down to the river to beat with stones to clean them

I do appreciate that they are very different driving experiences and people may well have their own preference

Tangoandcreditcards · 14/04/2015 16:06

Most people I know drive manuals, and 'look down their nose' at autos.

DP has a 'classic' automatic (early 1970s - French) and talked me into getting an auto for my (/the family) car 3 years ago - I always drove manuals before. And I do much prefer it to manual, especially when there's a crying baby in the back and you need to concentrate on driving against the odds. Upgrading soon and will definitely get another auto.

Since I got it a few more people I know have gone auto.

flowery · 14/04/2015 16:06

Grin Grantaire

Soupdragon it makes a difference because sometimes you have to change gear at very short notice, however much you might be paying attention or anticipating the road etc etc. If you don't require a hand which might be otherwise engaged in order to do this, it's safer. IMHO.

HazleNutt · 14/04/2015 16:07

people have already posted statistics, that most cars in the UK are manual, therefore it's quite obvious that most people still drive a manual car - that should answer your question, OP.

If still of interest, everybody in my family drives an automatic. I see no reason to do stuff myself, when nice people have come up with a way to get machines to do it for me. My car also has automatic windscreen wipers that adjust to the rain, and switches full beams on and off automatically, quite convenient.

specialsubject · 14/04/2015 16:08

Automatic is an American thing; emptier roads, virtually free fuel and need to have a hand free for continuous eating. Also cheaper cars due to higher population.

I don't think autos are as bad on fuel as they used to be (here in the UK where cost does matter) and they are certainly better if you have to sit in endless jams as many in the south-east do. But I hate them and don't want to pay the higher purchase price and maintenance bills.

RufusTheReindeer · 14/04/2015 16:09

amy

That comment re lazy wasn't aimed at you!!!!!

More at the many people who have said that to me over the years Grin

GiddyOnZackHunt · 14/04/2015 16:10

Psisina - yes if they go wrong it can be more £££ to fix plus more complex. A lot of the boxes are a bit ropey and unreliable. You need to be careful which one you have. Plus as mentioned up thread they have slightly worse fuel economy unless you've got an 8 or 9 speed.

Shamalamalam · 14/04/2015 16:10

Mine is automatic. DH has manual.

I love my auto, I'd never go back to manual if I can help it.

I always had manual until about 5 years ago and after randomly braking my way out of the garage forecourt, I've never looked back

I drove DH's manual for a couple of days during the holidays and hated it. So much faff

pissedglitter · 14/04/2015 16:11

2 cars both manual
I have never owned or driven auto
Husband has driven (not through choice) but never owned an auto

I only know 1 auto driver

HazleNutt · 14/04/2015 16:11

When I was little, my mum had one of those washing machines that you first have to fill with water, then add laundry and let it spin around and then take things out and rinse them by hand. I bet when the first automatic washing machines appeared, the owners of those were considered lazy too, unable to handle the washing process. Grin

OurGlass · 14/04/2015 16:12

Manual. Wouldn't drive an automatic.

SoupDragon · 14/04/2015 16:12

Soupdragon it makes a difference because sometimes you have to change gear at very short notice, however much you might be paying attention or anticipating the road etc etc.

No you don't.

As I said, thank god you now drive an automatic.

Original poster
Bambambini · 14/04/2015 16:13

Fair enough folk who have given autos a fair go and went back to manual by choice, but for those who have never tried autos, how do you know you wouldn't love it?

Many folk (me and the husband) learned in manuals, drove manuals happily for years and were possibly even scathing once upon a time about lazy americans who couldn't cope with manual, manuals were obviously superior yada, yada - then drove autos and love them.

OP posts: