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 bloody love my automatic. I would never get a manual ever again.

I do not speed, and I have no idea what your FIL is talking about!

I do love my induction hob, I kept burning things for the first couple of weeks as it is so fast!
Something that is not often talked about, gas burners are actually not very good for your lungs!

It's similar to me, I passed in my 30s after my children were born, I guess I never got to really get used to driving without the extra passengers.
One also kept getting sick in the car for years 😩

I passed my test in a manual car but have driven an auto for years. I always say it is like driving a Noddy car, a pedal for stop and a pedal for go! It leaves you free to concentrate of other aspects of driving so is definitely not less safe. With the gradual switch over to electric cars we will all be driving auto eventually anyway so even the doubters will have to get used to it in the end.

Until a year ago I would’ve disagreed. Then we got an EV and automatic is an absolute dream. I’m never going back to manual if I can help it.

I had an auto company car and surprisingly loved it so bought another one. I still had a manual big truck for the horses but have recently had a new one built and it's also auto which is much easier and lighter.
The vast majority of US drivers have auto licenses only and it's rare to find a manual over there.

I found that removing the stress of either kids or changing gears in a built-up area made driving much safer. Since I had to schlep the kids around 90% of the time I was behind the wheel, the automatic made sense.

I've been driving carefully since 1988, and as a mother of a larger than average family living in an urban area in the US where winters can be very harsh and the rest of the year is referred to as "roadwork season", I think I'm in a good position to pooh pooh your silly comment about inexperienced driving or confidence behind the wheel.

It's actually very male-centric to discount the impact on a driver's concentration of screeching and bawling and other disturbing noises from the back seat. My exH hardly ever drove the DCs anywhere and favored the manual shift - because he thought driving a stick was "fun". Eyeroll...

I have driven a manual car for 30 plus years but have recently changed to an automatic. Absolutely love it and would not go back to manual now.

I love my manual car and have driven them for 40+ years, but newer electric cars are automatic so I’ll have to get one eventually. It’ll take a bit of getting used to because I really don’t even think about when I change gear, and the pedals are slightly different - no clutch. 😂 But I’m sure it wouldn’t take long to swap. Harder to swap back, maybe?

Go for it, it’s not the biggie it was years ago, when automatics were more expensive and harder to sell second hand. I expect your FIL has those old prejudices. I remember my dad did!

I love driving. I was always a bit against an auto as I like the extra control you have with the gears.

We've had a variety of cars as company cars over the last few years, the majority being autos. They are very easy to drive. I am not longer anti-auto, although for the purpose of enjoying driving I still prefer a manual.

It is easier to speed, but most modern cars come with cruise control, some with limiters. If you use the car properly and pay attention to your speed, as you should in all cars, you'll be fine.

It's worth noting that they do need a bit more looking after and they are more expensive to fix it they break. But if you service properly and regularly there shouldn't be an issue.

Ultimately, drive what you want. Everyone else can do one, unless they are willing to pay for it and chauffeur you around, they get no say.

Get an auto, you will not regret it. Ever.

I switched from my 22 year old manual car to a new manual because I was 'used to it', and because, as an old horse girl, I liked the feeling of interaction with the car. I didn't realise that the switch from four to six gears would mean I needed to change up and down so much more... If I had, I might have at least test-driven an auto.

And don't get me started on the little light telling you to change up when you know the car would labour...

But the dealer did try to impress me with the automatic parking option. It went back - and fore - and back a little - and fore a little - and back - and on and on... I figured I could make that sort of hash of it myself... 😄

I've driven an auto for over 20 years; its one of the best decisions I ever made!

I can (and do) still drive a manual from time to time, but it feels like a lot of faff now.

Safety males sense, does it not?

Autos are easier but I prefer manual. From what I hear, guys typically do. Manuals give better control and acceleration, but that's probably changed with the newer cars.

I recently got an automatic car as I'm often in traffic. I hope one day to get a 1970s fun car, so I'm glad to have my manual licence.

My DH does not yet drive, so the automatic new car was partially a way to inspire him to learn...

They are "safety features" but actually, they make a lot of people much lazier drivers, they think the car is doing the paying attention for them.

I've driven a manual car once since I passed my test and I'm sure there's a mechanic still trying to fix that gear box 🫣

Automatics are so much easier especially if you're not a keen driver.

The control thing is a myth.

Acceleration is prized by boy racer types.

Who the fuck cares what other people think about what you choose to drive?

Seriously - life is too short.

I bet most of them havent driven a modern auto either though, my husband was anti until I got one as a company car, now we dont look at manuals at all

Exactly like myself, people just don't get it though! It will honestly make your life so much easier, I'd never go back to a manual. I can take my kids out and don't feel stressed. I know that sounds dramatic but that's honestly how I used to feel. Definitely go for it if you can x

I wonder if there are statistics on that.

It's not a myth. By changing down a gear you can increase acceleration or deceleration much better than just using the pedals in isolation.

Flappy paddles are a good compromise for people who want the ease of an auto but also want to be able to choose their own gear for things like that.