To want DH to learn to drive Manuel?

[Lipsticktraces]

Neither DH or myself drive. We’ve decided this ridiculous state of affairs cannot continue any longer and we are both currently looking to book lessons. I had my last lessons about nine years ago and DH last had lessons last year.

DH is a nervous driver and says that he really struggles with gears. He wants to book automatic lessons instead and I’m not happy about the fact for the following reasons...

It’s my understanding that automatics cost more to buy/drive/insure/repair. We don’t have much money for any of these things.

I’ve been told it’s hard to learn to drive an automatic after learning in Manuel (I intend to learn to drive Manuel)

If DH ever gets offered a job with a company car etc he’s going to be buggered.

Automatic lessons cost more and we are on a budget.

Aibu to want us to both learn to drive Manuel? DH point blank refuses at this point!

This is not worthy of classics.

I agree with that (and your other comments TBF) but anything with a mildly humorous comment that more than three people chuckle at gets nominated for Classics these days - the bar seems to be a lot lower than it once was.

Sorry OP i am with you husband, i am awful at years so sticking with auto, so much easier, actually converted my husband

PS congratulations on your twins

What if it's a choice between DH learning to drive an Automatic or not driving at all?
My DH HATES driving. I do 99.9% of all our driving.
You can't force someone to comfortable with driving.
We only have automatics because he can just about cope but there's no way he'd drive a manual nowadays.
Automatics might cost a bit more to buy/run but if the choice is between driving an Auto or not driving, what will you do?

In the early days of automobiles the engine had to be started by turning a crank in front of the bonnet. Then along came batteries and electrical starters. Doubtless the same type of debate was had then about people being too lazy or unfit to get out and turn the crank starter.

I think it's less manly to drive an automatic

Less manly? This isn't the 1930s!

@shouldidoitspoilt I am learning automatic too and quite frankly it is no one else's business but mine. It will be ME driving the car and no one else. There are so many misconceptions about automatics which might have been true decades ago but not now.

And jeez. Classics? Really? The typo wasn't that funny in the first place

Less manly? Odfod. I have heard it all now. What a ridiculous comment

It's his choice what he drives, but if he chooses an auto people might think things

What things are people going to think?

I learnt on manual car but now only drive automatic. Cars do cost more but it is so much easier and I've seen plenty of automatic company cars. I used to have one

I can't understand why anyone but petrol heads and those that live in conditions where you have more ice /snow would drive a manual car. But each to their own.

Less manly?!?! Lmao

Many cars don't even come in manual now OP.

@gadsden . You are a twat. What are people going to think? And who is going to know what he drives anyway?

@bluelady - that he's a little wet? That would be my first thought

@GadsdenFlag oh go away.

I'm sure my husband isn't manly in his VW transporter or the Audi A6 😂😂😂😂

Maybe if they drive a Pink Micra..

Anyway what's that got to do with it

A little wet? Hahaha. Some people really are judgy idiots

Don't you know most expensive cars that are probably a mark of a manly mans success in your eyes are auto by default

You make me lol !!

I'll tell my roughtie toughtie military husband that his driving an automatic makes him look a bit wet. He'll be devastated.

I think it's less manly to drive an automatic

What a stupid comment. Who cares whether other drivers prefer to drive automatics or manuals?? 

I learnt to drive in manual cars and drive only manual for 9 years. DH then bought an automatic - I took to it no problem and now switch between manual and automatic cars without a thought (we have one of each).

In addition, a haven't found the automatic to be any more costly at all.

In an ideal world, everyone would learn in manual as then you can drive either (can't drive manual if you passed in an automatic) however, some people simply don't have the co-ordination for manual driving. If your DH's only hope of driving is to drive automatic then you would be unreasonable not to support that.

What's wrong with only driving automatic?

I'm assuming most haven't actually driven one of the new style auto gearboxes. Mine has a manual shift to one side, and is a thing of wonder. And it's a load of crap you can't accelerate as quickly. If anything it's quicker because it takes the human element out.

A lot of higher end cars have them as standard these days.

My auto is a 2017 Mini Cooper, I can leave everything at the lights and it takes off up the Motorway.
For a small car, it's quick. (it's sits comfortably at 90 but this is MN so I just read that and didn't try it myself

I wouldn't worry about it - most electric cars are automatic so he is future proofing himself. Lessons may cost more (do they really) but you would need fewer as no clutch control to learn.

we are getting a hybrid next and I feel positively lazy driving it