To learn to drive in an automatic

[Singyourheartout]

I'm in the last year of my studies and looking at my future possibilities. I need to learn to drive, desperately, ideally before May 2018, earlier if possible. I have had a few lessons in a manual and didn't particularly enjoy it. I struggle with the gears and clutch and just never felt comfy in charge of it. Obviously I can learn it over time but I don't have a lot of time or money. I think I can learn in a automatic fast and easier in under 20 lessons.
I have spoke to people who seem horrified at this. Saying that I won't be able to afford a automatic or the petrol. Is it really that bad?

I think I'll go for a couple of lessons and see how it goes.
I'd be interest if any of you could tell me if insurance for auto is manageable?
I'll also look around for cars as well, though I won't need them for a good while, I'm gonna see what the general price and range are.

I passed first time in an auto 3 years ago. It took me 18 lessons.
Insurance wise My first car was a clio estate (3 years old) and I think it was about £680 fully comp.
I now drive a Toyota IQ and I pay £240 fully comp.(47 year old female)

Fuel costs were roughly the same as DP's who drives a manual.

if you decide to buy an Auto a good tip is to go to a dealer who specialises in ex mobility cars - 3 years old ,full service history & lots of auto's to choose from.

YANBU, but I agree that it might not help you learn all that much quicker.

I think the difference in fuel economy between manual and automatic versions of the same car is less than the difference between different makes and models anyway, so I wouldn't worry too much about that.

I learned on manual and drive one for over 10 years. Now own and drive an automatic. Love my automatic, I had to changed due to back and health issues but have never been happier driving than I am now. As you say less to think/worry about and makes long journeys and roadworks less painful too. Car cost for buying I was aware if very little difference, and insurance costs haven't changed in any notable way either.

IMO you should always learn on a manual, even if, like me, you rarely use one afterwards for the simple reason that you may need to borrow or hire a car at short notice and may not have the choice of an automatic.

I drove manual car for over 20 years and just swapped to an automatic. I absolutely love it and will never bother with a manual ever again. Go for it.

Do it! I had years of lessons on and off in a manual because everyone said 'oh you might need to drive a manual (when?! You can get a taxi/hire a car/someone else can drive!) Then I switched to automatic. I should have done it years ago. I passed quite quickly after switching as it was one fewer thing to worry about on my test.

With regard to cost, loads of cars are automatic now and I think the insurance/fuel economy is more dependent on the make of car than whether it's automatic. I have only filled my car up 5 or 6 times since I bought it in December and I drive most days, and my insurance is inexpensive for where we live because it's a boring reliable car and I'm a thirty-something rather than a teenager in a sports car.

I learnt auto. Drive what works for you.

I passed my test in a manual. I moved to Canada 6 years ago, where it's unusual to find a "stick shift". A PP described automatics as "an armchair with wheels". Because of Canada's size, a 12-14 hour drive is not unusual (my next town/city is a 4.5 hour drive). You need a comfy seat!

According to Volkswagen's web site, a medium-specification Golf with a 7-speed DSG automatic gearbox uses less petrol than the equivalent car with a 6-speed manual gearbox. And that's when the manual is being driven by an expert trying to get the official consumption figures down, so I'd imagine in real life the automatic has an even bigger lead than the figures suggest.

While I agree with whoever said that mastering a clutch is a trivial part of learning to drive, I also think manual gearboxes are completely archaic and that there's nothing wrong with deciding from day one to shun them altogether.

There may be some car models where the advantages claimed for a manual are valid, but all that proves is that those manufacturers don't know how to build a decent automatic gearbox.

I've always had autos. £300 up to my current, which was £2300 with 60k on the clocks.

They may use more fuel. May. Frankly my 1600 Astras crack 400 miles to a tank, and my Ford Fusion isn't bad either.

My Ford is neither a manual, nor "traditional" auto.. It's a manual clutch and gearbox, with motors to shift and clutch, with "auto" and manual shift modes. Convenience of auto, economy of a manual.

Same system as Vauxhall's Easytronic, mercedes AMT etc. Bit odd if you're used to conventional slush box driving, but I like it.

Go for it. On the drive is my ford, my Astra, and my mother's Corsa that is rarely driven.. All are autos. Not one cost over £2.5k.

I can't understand why the UK is still so hung up on manual cars. I easily switched my Canadian license to a UK one without having to do the test but I'm only allowed to drive an auto - not a problem there's no way I would drive a manual anyway! In stop and go traffic it doesn't make sense to be driving a manual anyways.

What I will say is try different types. There's torque converter conventional autos, CVT autos, DSG/Powershift dual clutch autos, AMT systems.. All have slightly different characteristics. I've not had a DSG personally, but have driven a few hire DSGs.. Lovely things. Watch out for mechatronics issues on older ones.

Conventional autos are common, but make sure it's been well cared for, with fluid changes.. Sealed for life they are not. Also make sure the oil is free of water.. Great exchangers can rupture.

My AMT had a badly worn clutch actuator.. Ford were all for writing it off, a specialist rebuilt the whole actuator system for £245.

But, don't let me put you off.. Do your research, check carefully, enjoy..😁

DH has recently changed to an auto after more than a decade of manual cars and he loves it. Wouldn't go back. Makes all the difference to his commute.

Auto is fantastic. I have HGV Class 1 and various other entitlements. Even most lorries are auto these days. The tractors I drive have auto options, I only put them in manual when I'm really in the shit (literally) but even that isn't traditional manual, it's just changing gear with a button.

I always used to say no auto's for me, give me a good old gearstick any day. However... when I needed a cheap ish 4x4 years ago I found one I really liked and ALMOST didn't buy it because it was automatic. I did end up buying it, kept it for years and now I favour auto over manual.

I'd say better to pass your test in a manual if you can, because it gives you the entitlement should you ever need it (borrow a car in an emergency etc) but as for the driving experience, yep, auto all the way.