AIBU automatic cars are easier?

[FondOfOwls]

I've been toying with an idea of getting an automatic car, when we swap our car soon. I was surprised how polarising this seems to be!
I am not a keen driver, in fact I dislike driving. I have an old manual car that makes do, but I never really got 'used to' it. I guess I just don't drive enough. I am finding it a massive pain in the arse trying to concentrate on the road, constantly changing gears in heavy traffic and trying to make sure my kids don't kill each other in the back seats.

I though getting an auto will be a way to make driving easier, DH wants to test drive one too. However DFIL, neighbours and some other people seem to think that I will be speeding in an auto (as you don't have to manually change gears) and get careless? I don't speed and we live in a heavy traffic area with roundabouts stacked on top of each other.

Apparently it's all due to my lack of experience in driving and I was told I just have to keep practising, drive every day to get used to it etc. AIBU to think I don't NEED to do that, as I don't really care to drive a manual?!
I chatted to some friends who drive autos and they love them.

YABU manual driving is a skill and getting an auto is lazy
YANBU if you don't love driving, there's no point sticking with manual for the sake of it!

I have recently got an auto as it's an electric car. I won't go back to a manual. So easy!

I hope YANBU as I am starting automatic lessons next week, on account of the fact I’m NOT a co-ordinated person and hope this will make it easier

I really pushed through to get a manual licence as everyone made a big deal out of it, but I am NOT a natural at it! Good luck to you :)

I don’t understand the snobbery behind it, what ever is easiest and most enjoyable. I drive automatic and haven’t got any speeding points

Like PP we recently switched to an electric car so it is automatic. It is a lot easier and smoother to drive tbh, don't imagine I will ever go back to a manual.

We went automatic with our current car because it's electric so there is no option. I'd never go back to manual. Driving is so much more relaxing, especially in town centres or getting on motorways and big roundabouts where you may have to quickly change gears a couple of times.

Manual cars will eventually be obsolete unless you have a vintage car. As a run around automatic will be easier

Electric and automatic here too. I can drive a manual if I need to.
Very easy, you can actually concentrate more on what is going on around you.

Petrol automatic here since Sept - would never go back to manual .

Are they difficult to park? I’m thinking about parking on hills and reverse parking (which is how I have to park at home).

We didn’t want an automatic before we got one. Now I would prefer to drive automatic. You don’t lose how to drive manual (I drove one for work). You might sometimes be in the wrong gear but the muscle memory is still there if you need to go back.

I also find I’m more likely to speed in a manual car, rather than our automatic. You’re lifting and pressing the accelerator as you change gears, rather than just keeping your foot still (apart from braking obviously).

Is your FIL driving or paying for the automatic? No… then the correct response is “That’s interesting that you think you have a vote in this”

Who cares what other people think?

Ignore people, honestly there’s loads of reasons why people drive automatics. A friend does because they are disabled and it has specific adaptations. Another because they prefer autos. I learned and passed my test in one because I am dyslexic and I could not manage manual with my crap coordination. I’m a nurse so need car for work, I’m neither lazy nor stupid it’s just a car and a way of getting from a to b I don’t speed or drive badly either.

For a good thirty years I've blithely said that I drive a shift because driving is very dull and if it weren't for the necessity to change gears, I'd nod off. Also, if I'm honest, I've always considered that changing gears, like smoking, looks grown-up and cool.

I changed my mind about smoking a few years ago, and now I've changed my mind about changing gears too. I had an electric hire car recently, and I realised that changing gears is not only a bind, it's a completely unnecessary bind.

Lastly, I'm really pleased to unalign myself from the sort of people at parties who consider that driving an automatice 'takes all the fun out of driving'. I can now say 'I only drove a shift because I never thought driving was fun. It's actually more fun now I drive an automatic.'

I've never been a particularly confident driver either and couldn't get on with manual, so I switched to automatic, many years ago. Never regretted it! The only drawback is that automatics are more expensive to buy (second hand anyway, wouldn't know about new) but they hold their value for the same reasons. Go for it, why make yourself miserable just because some random insists you should?

In all fairness I asked him as I value his opinion, but he never drove an auto! He suggested getting a lesson in an auto, which I thought might be a bit of an overkill- I was hoping to just test drive it!

They park just like manual, in fact it is probably easier as you don't have to worry about leaving it in gear/turning wheels. There is a Park option you shift into for all your parking needs.

I have an electric car and will never drive manual again. In fact, i won’t ever drive a car that doesn’t have e-pedal. It’s amazing

When driving a manual I would get anxious before driving. Since switching to auto I'm fine. I drive a hybrid which is auto and I much prefer it. Can't say I've noticed that I speed! Don't think thats a thing!

You should drive whatever you feel comfortable with.

I drive a manual as I hate the sense of being "out of control" which I get with an automatic. I know it's because I'm not used to automatics. If you feel that way about manuals then of course it's not Unreasonable to drive an automatic.

It's a bit like gas hobs vs induction. I love induction hobs, much easier to control temperature, much easier to clean, but food snobs say its not "real" cooking. I just ignore them!

I think I drive more safely in an auto as I have more space in my head to think about speed/hazards. I didn't realise how much brain I used up thinking about gears until I didn't have to deal with them. And never stalling is nice too.

I drive an auto - and love it. Nothing to do with lack of experience (I also drive HGV’s), but it is way less stressful, especially when lots of stopping and starting