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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Manual VS Automatic cars.

148 replies

HJWT · 09/04/2019 17:48

AIBU to tell my DH we have to get an automatic? iv only ever driven one once but I just assume it is such a better drive when you don't have to change gear!!

We are getting a 'new' (newer used) family car soon and are spending our savings, id much prefer an automatic but he is the one that knows all about cars! 😁

Tell me your opinion on driving an Automatic VS a Manual....

OP posts:
Applesbananaspears · 09/04/2019 18:25

I’d never drive manual again, I can’t really understand why they still make them

brodybear · 09/04/2019 18:26

I’d never drive manual again, I can’t really understand why they still make them

Because people buy them.

LiGlitterBug · 09/04/2019 18:30

I have an old (over 20 years) automatic car which just keeps ploughing on, and my husband has a much newer automatic (His is also electric if that makes a difference?) Both have been absolutely fine for country driving (some hilly, some off road, some farm track) and an absolute delight for busy city commuting and general driving. We’ve never had much trouble in the snow either. Can’t ever imagine going back to manual.

IHaveBrilloHair · 09/04/2019 18:30

I love my auto, so easy and I find it more fun to drive.

Backwoodsgirl · 09/04/2019 18:31

Manuals give better MPG, and more control, but that’s only a issue when you need mor control eg. off-road.

Love our Chevy Silverado with the old style column shift.

ForalltheSaints · 09/04/2019 18:31

Manual cars use less fuel, and in certain weather conditions you appreciate the greater control.

Jsmith99 · 09/04/2019 18:33

Modern autos are excellent, particularly around town. Most of them have two different driving modes called something like ‘economy’ and ‘sport’, so the driver can choose which they prefer. The car may also have paddles on the steering wheel which can be used to change gear. The efficiency of autos is much better than it used to be, and on a par with manuals.

Downsides? An auto will probably be more expensive to buy than an equivalent manual.

Eliza9919 · 09/04/2019 18:33

I can't get on with automatics. We had to get one as a hire car when ours broke down and it was all they had. Never again!

MonicaGellerHyphenBing · 09/04/2019 18:35

Auto all the way for me. My first car was manual and subsequent three have been automatic, I can say with certainty that I would never go back to manual again!

Manual will be irrelevant soon enough anyway as electric cars start to take over.

TheTitOfTheIceberg · 09/04/2019 18:36

I just can't imagine feeling in control of it.

Literally the only difference is you don't have to change gear. They still have brakes, an accelerator, a steering wheel. I've been driving automatics for nearly 20 years and have never lost control. I can get mine to change up or down gear by minute changes to pressure on the gas pedal, it's so responsive and easily controllable.

Neverender · 09/04/2019 18:36

I believe statistically automatics are safer as you just concentrate on the road and keep both hands on the wheel.

www.rac.co.uk/drive/advice/know-how/automatic-vs-manual-cars-which-is-better/

Personally I've had both and don't really mind.

lampygirl · 09/04/2019 18:37

I’d never have a manual again. I regularly drive them at work so I can perfectly competently, but I love my big autos. Mine regularly drives to the alps, up all the hairpins in the snow, and is fine. I use paddleshift if I need to but it’s not often. I think the power of the engine helps though. I don’t think I’d like to drive a little 1.0l underpowered auto where you can’t easily shift down to get more power whereas at 200+ BHP it’s perfectly reactive on country roads/overtaking tractors, getting out into gaps in the motorway etc.

elephantoverthehill · 09/04/2019 18:37

I've got an automatic currently. My left leg is very thankful.

chemenger · 09/04/2019 18:41

I really don't like driving automatics, never have, I feel less in control and they feel sluggish (I'm comparing mostly a Fiat 500 to a BMW 5 series here, I'd prefer to drive the Fiat any day). I hated the BMW in general though, so that may bias me, stupid enormous wallowing blobby thing that it was. Even when I was learning I found gears easy so maybe it just isn't such a big thing for me. Automatic is better in stop start traffic from the point of view of not getting a tired leg, but that's about it for me.

Mordred · 09/04/2019 18:43

The worse thing about driving an automatic for the first time is that you still tend to use your left foot as though you were pressing the clutch down. This means you hit the brakes HARD and do an involuntary emergency stop.

Disconcerting at first, but then you learn to keep your left leg still :-)

HJWT · 09/04/2019 18:45

@lampygirl what do you have? DH wants me to try a 5 series...

OP posts:
WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll · 09/04/2019 18:46

All cars will be automatic once petrol and diesel cars are banned/taxed out of existence/fall out of favour.

25 years ago, I'd have said that only learning in an auto was severely limiting yourself in your driving career; now, it's probably no big deal.

Then shortly after that (if not before), they'll be even more automatic, as you won't actually have to (or even be allowed to) actually drive it yourself.

But back to your actual question, as PPs have said, if you like more control (and not necessarily just to be a speed freak) - especially in snow and ice - and slightly better fuel economy, a manual can be better.

On the other hand, autos are much easier and smoother if you sit in jams a lot or frequently tow (particularly a caravan, horsebox or other very large trailer).

My first car was an auto, my second was/is a manual and when I eventually get my third (I keep cars for a loooong time!), I'm undecided, but swayed in favour of an auto - mainly because we've recently bought a very old caravan and I now have a level of disability which would probably mean that an auto is easier.

Do you have a good friend or family member with an auto, who would let you borrow it/swap it with yours for a day or two? If it's a big outlay, you could even consider hiring one for a few days. Best scenario would be if you're going on holiday abroad before you buy your car and can hire the car that you would have needed anyway, but get an auto.

Anxiety, dyspraxia, lack of confidence or other disability/health/pain/learning difficulties aside, I don't think it will make as big a difference as you might think - unless you do a huge amount of stop-start driving, maybe - as it just becomes second nature to change gear and you don't really think about it, so an auto doesn't end up meaning that big leap into much simpler driving.

Definitely both try one for a few days if you possibly can and then decide.

Lonelycrab · 09/04/2019 18:48

Had both, prefer manual. Feel more connected to what’s going on. The car I drive has most of its torque at upper end of the revs which the auto version would likely never see. Just my 2p.

ThePlaceToVent · 09/04/2019 18:49

Bought my first automatic 2 yrs ago (in my 40s and passed aged 17).

LOVE it so much.

Have long term nerve damage in my left leg and massively reduces my pain.

Wish I had got one years ago.

WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll · 09/04/2019 18:49

The worse thing about driving an automatic for the first time is that you still tend to use your left foot as though you were pressing the clutch down. This means you hit the brakes HARD and do an involuntary emergency stop.

Disconcerting at first, but then you learn to keep your left leg still :-)

Yes!

Never use your left foot to brake in an auto (except in very rare cases if you're manoeuvring on a tight, extreme gradient that the 'creep' can't counteract), unless you're certain that you'll never ever want to drive a manual (again)!

Ambi · 09/04/2019 18:51

Love my automatic car, I can't see me getting a manual car again. Our next car will be semi automatic as DH misses a gear change, I don't. I sit in traffic daily so much easier to crawl.

19lottie82 · 09/04/2019 18:55

I’ve had both, currently got an auto (VW Golf DSG) and I LOVE it! It would have to be a very special car to convince me to go back to a manual.

Only downside is that if your gearbox goes, an auto is a lot more expensive to replace / fix.

starabara · 09/04/2019 18:58

Manual all the way, as someone who hits about 45-50k miles a year.

I’m a control nut, I like having precision changing and maneouvering.

Neverender · 09/04/2019 18:59

If you get a 530/535 you'll be fine but a 520 feels slow. I worked at BMW so had lots of cars from there!

WeBuiltThisBuffetOnSausageRoll · 09/04/2019 18:59

I just can't imagine feeling in control of it.

As a PP said, other than not changing gear, it's just about identical. The only potential problem is if something causes you to jerk and stamp on the accelerator by accident or if you don't leave it in Park and apply the handbrake.

Basically, an auto can move on its own (at a reasonable slow speed) if a child manages to get at the gear stick (and release the handbrake, if it's been applied - which many people don't bother doing as they see Park as effectively the same) whereas not many children can control (or even reach) a clutch to do as much potential damage (hills aside).

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