To learn to drive in manual.. lecturing DP

[Pinkflamingogo]

I'm learning to drive and have chosen to learn in a manual car. I have my first lesson this evening.

DP (who doesn't drive btw) has gone on and on on about how automatic is better, how manual cars will soon be a thing of the past etc.

I was obviously struggling to hide the fact I was getting annoyed by it as he became defensive and said he just wouldn't say anything and stormed off.

I know IANBU to learn in manual but would you find his incessant droning on and on about how automatic is better, annoying?

I have to say that now I drive an automatic I do wonder why I put myself through learning in a manual. Yes it gives you choices but if my choice is always to have the automatic then so what. I'd recommend any new learner to go automatic to be honest.

However, that doesn't take away from the fact that yes, he is droning on and it's your choice. If he wants to learn in an automatic then he better crack on.

I wouldn't be arsed learning to drive a manual. We have a hybrid now and will get a fully electric next. Manuals are a thing of the past for us.

Tell him your dream career is to become a lorry driver and they have an obscene amount of gear changes. Watch him go white 😂

Honestly, tell him if he wants to only learn in an automatic (in the future) you won't think less of him...

I passed my driving test in the early 70s in a manual.

I got my first automatic about 15 years later and have only ever bought automatics since as I much prefer them and would never go back to manual.

However, I would always advise someone to pass their test in a manual.

I suspect we're still a long way from universal ownership of electric cars so the view that all electric cars being automatic is the future, is just that, something that will apply in the future.

As pps have said, automatic cars are always a little more expensive than manuals, so that's a consideration, but having always bought used cars for many years now, I've never ever had difficulty finding good quality automatic cars. I agree though, they are a lot rarer to source than used manuals, so yes, the choice is very limited.

I bough my latest, used, car about 6 months ago and there were very few automatics available.

How your DP has managed to come to his opinion about the matter is a bit puzzling if he doesn't drive. Does he often has strong opinions about thing he knows nothing about?

Make your own decision OP, you're the one that is going to be driving the car, but for what it's worth. I'm another one say go with a manual for your driving test it'll will give you a wider scope when it comes to buying or hiring a car.

I have amazing clutch control, which I wouldn’t have learned on an automatic.

Manual all the way.

Generally I'd still encourage manuals because you've got the full range of choice avaliable. The pool of automatics in the second hand market is still more limited, especially if you're not ready to go EV yet.
If there's issues such as dyspraxia that make learning/ coordination harder, that's a different issue.

DH has an automatic, it's just what was there when he bought it. I'm not won over yet. I feel more in control in a manual. I have to anticipate more for things like hills or overtaking, and I like being more physically engaged in driving as part of being mentally engaged. I don't like passively being in charge of a tonne of glorified go-kart.

I know the time will come, but I'm not rushing into it yet.

A manual licence has no limitations on what you can drive.

I suspect we're still a long way from universal ownership of electric cars so the view that all electric cars being automatic is the future, is just that, something that will apply in the future.

I wouldn't be so sure. 44% of new cars bought in my country are hybrid or electric. Even if people don't want to go fully electric lots see the benefit of hybrid.

Absolutely get a manual license, especially if you plan on buying a second hand car, only having an automatic license will really restrict you. My daughter is learning in an automatic as she just couldn't get to grips with the gears, but she did at least try. At least she won't be able to borrow my car 😁

I only ever hear this question come up amongst a UK audience where the anti-automatic luddites are convinced anything other than manual isn’t “real” driving. The rest of the world has moved on, save for fun hobby and racing cars.

Pestering you is obnoxious, though, OP, unless he truly thinks you aren’t capable of passing your exam in a manual (and you’d find that out for yourself eventually!).

Manual every time. All the cars I've had have been manual, apart from loan cars. Getting my first auto for 33+ years on Monday and not worried about driving it at all.

Learn in a manual and you can change between the two easily.

Passing your test would have been so relatively quick and simple in an automatic… Then you’d at least be able to drive something and could always have gone back for your manual license.

Yes annoying. I'd just ask him how he'd even know considering he can't drive at all. That would seriously annoy me!!

He doesn't drive - he doesn't know what he's talking about.

Passing the manual test gives you more options that's all. If you find it too hard then you can go the automatic route. What matters most is that you pass your driving test and can be independent at the end of the day. What's his excuse for not being able to drive/learning to drive by the way?

The advantage of learning in a manual is that you can then drive either manual or automatic. If you come to hire a car later and they only have manual for instance then it's a real nuisance. If you're learning just go for manual then you have the option later to decide - and can still drive either. Tbh he sounds a bit of a twat if he is banging on about it but doesn't drive. So just nod and smile and carry on as you are.

Once electric cars rule the world you'll only be able to drive an automatic as they don't do a manual

Tell your DH to zip it as he's hasn't even got a licence himself

Why do this?

A link to the figures is above. 80% manual ownership in Europe and a lot of explanations as to why!

Manual is definitely better as you can drive both manual and automatic cars, having an automatic only license is restrictive.
I have an automatic only licence as I just couldn’t get used to the clutch, I’m neurodivergent so I really struggled with all the things I had to do and remember, automatic is perfect for me but in an ideal world I would have learnt in a manual car.

I have had my driver’s licence for nearly 40 years now but I don’t have a penis so I wondered if your DH is free to pop round and instruct me on best practice driving @Pinkflamingogo ? I’d really benefit from a bit of mansplaining about the technicalities.

I would definitely get a manual licence for all the reasons already cited; possibly cheaper insurance, flexibility of driving other cars such as hire cars, really good acceleration past the bus stop he’s waiting at in the rain because he can’t drive 😉

Why is your Dh so invested in this? Surely he knows you can still drive an automatic if manuals become obsolete. You can’t however drive a manual courtesy car if your automatic car breaks down or if you see a cheaper deal on manuals, if you only have an auto licence.

i think he is jealous you are getting a licence and wants to be able to say you are not a proper driver cos you only have an automatic licence. His masculinity is threatened here!

He's an idiot. I love driving manual cars. When I have to drive automatic I feel like I'm driving a toy car. It keeps me more alert when I have to think about changing gears and I feel I have better control of the car.

I've only ever driven manual. Your husband is a pillock.

Currently I fear that day. Nobody seems to have worked out how to actually make it possible for areas like the one I live in. Rural. Little off street parking and no way of getting any for many. Not enough street parking for every car in front of the owners house.

Oh, and currently the nearest public power point is about 7 miles away.

We need to talk about the realities of potential infrastructure...

I don’t know about Europe. I’m nowhere near it. Much of the world isn’t.

There is a whole world, including many car manufacturing countries, outside Europe.

Uses more petrol I'm told. Not sure if it true. I drive a manual small car, but an automatic van. Love the automatic because the van would otherwise be so heavy as I'm tiny. Car also easy and not a bother.

Much more difficult to learn manual though because you're thinking about the mechanics of driving as well as the road management.