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 started learning manual but as a dyspraxic I swapped to automatic. I struggled to change gear without looking. My licence is automatic and I don't miss what I've never had.

Honestly they're great. You won't speed if you watch your speed. No gear box faffing etc- much more focus on the road. I also have very badly damaged ankles. I would struggle to safely drive a manual now I think. I have a sport mode on my car which is fun and sometimes handy for hills etc! I learnt in a mini with a manual mode and again, great to have the power but not the faff. Both my cars have been quite fast, but not all autos are alike. My mum had an auto seat mi for a bit and that thing was so slow. We all hated it.

We have one manual and one automatic that we inherited, rather than chose. It's a 2013 Fiesta so not sure how it compares to never cars but it is easy and reasonably nice to drive. It does take longer to get up the low gears but thats not terrible. Having a hand that is is less busy does help when you're trying to pass things to kids etc (not recommending that btw). I regularly swap between the manual and automatic which is fine, although I took have to take a quick moment to remember which one I am in sometimes!

I like a bit of fun in a car. We had a Lotus Esprit back in the day. Porsche 911s since. I don’t really need this type of car now but we still have a Cayman and Macan. Getting from A-B matters but we like to enjoy how we do it. We don’t own a manual car now and plenty of very sporty cars are automatic. I’m not into speeding as a girl or boy racer. We just like nice cars! EVs are quick but handling can be compromised due to that huge battery weight and its position in the car. Pootling not affected though!