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!

Parking on hills is miles easier in an auto - unlike a manual you can’t really roll backwards in an auto when forwards drive is engaged.

Automatics are great - I’ve had them for years and would never want to go back. As people have said, manuals will become obsolete soon enough anyway due to electric cars or whatever we have in the future.

You don't need a lesson in an automatic if you've driven a manual. It's so much easier!
But then, I use the speedometer to check whether I'm going over the limit so what do I know?

Get an automatic. It makes driving an altogether more pleasant experience especially in areas you're not familiar with. One less thing to think about.

Probably. I'm going on my own observations and anecdotes from people who work in automotive innovation and look into these things. I bet if you googled it you'd find some.

I learned to drive in a manual and drove manual for years, but then we got an automatic, and it's so much easier! We also have a manual car for my work and it makes me realise how much I prefer my automatic.

If you're genuinely having to think about changing gears and it's not something you just do automatically, and it's impacting your ability to concentrate on the road fully then yes please do get an automatic! It'll be less stressful for you and (genuinely not trying to be mean here!) you'll be a safer driver for everyone else on the road (and your kids in the back!). Win win.

Thank you! I LOVED both my performance cars. I currently drive a nice, sensible, family car but occasionally still like to pretend I can move fast!

Automatic much easier. You can focus on the road, not the mechanics of driving. Sounds like you're in an urban area so will be very suitable. And you wouldn't be able to speed even if you wanted to...

@CantHoldMeDown on the rare occasion I had to char a pepper I get out my portable camping stove. The slight amount of hassle to do that is far outweighed by the benefits of a super controllable hob that you can't burn anything on to.

Sadly we've now moved to a house with a dual fuel range cooker. I hate it with a vengeance!

I got an auto-only license and love driving my automatic car. I did all my lessons in a manual and switched to auto on between my tests, so I 100% know that for me definitely auto is a million times easier.

I don't have a vintage car but I agree with this.
We've always had manuals and I love driving them don't find changing gear an effort I just do it. I'm not snobby about it it's just personal preference.

Easier than manual, automatic cars usually have a hill hold function, I changed to an automatic hybrid, it's brilliant and it doesn't make me speed!

I’ve driven an automatic for 15 years now. No way would I go back to a manual.

One of the hire cars we had while awaiting a company car slammed the brakes on itself because I went around a parked car and there was another car parked on the pavement and it decided I was obviously going to crash head on into it....

That probably means she didn’t indicate, which is obviously dangerous in itself.

My fil got sn automatic around 6 years ago. He said it was the best thing he ever did! He'd never drive another manual again! He found it much easier to drive.

Driving an automatic is much more enjoyable. We have a manual car and an automatic, the manual is a pain especially stuck in traffic or on hills.

I drove manual cars for 20 years then dh wanted an auto, I hated it at first but now I wouldn't go back.
Speeding? No bigger a risk than in a manual.
What I found hardest was judging how much to brake to turn into a side road but you soon get used to that.
Go for it

Been driving an auto at least 6 years now. Would definitely not go back. Dh had one as well but changed recently to a manual. Have not driven it yet but really should get used to one again in case I need to drive his. The talk of speeding more is nonsense. I think eventually all cars will go the auto route. Love love my automatic car.

Me too. We had a 2.2 Mondeo Titanium I loved it but unfortunately it was getting expensive to repair. It was 17 years old. We now have a 1litre Fiesta and it's nothing like as exciting to drive but better for me than an automatic.
I just have to remember not to try overtaking more than one car at a time 😂.

Love driving an automatic. Have done for 3 years since switching to having EV's. So much easier to drive. I do speed more though, without realising, but it goes like a rocket so I think that's the reason, not the automatic part. If it was a less powerful, I don't think it would be an issue.

I have a manual licence but having had an automatic car for a couple of years, I will never go back. It’s just easier. It doesn’t cause you to speed, if anything you can focus on not speeding because you’re not thinking about changing gear. Weird for your neighbours (?!) to be so animated about it.

Wouldn't by choice go back to a manual.

Many newer cars have limitor functions so you "can't speed" unless you push through the accelerator.

I'd recommend you hire an automatic for a weekend and see if it helps before forking out the extra purchase cost.

I've had semi-automatics for 15 years due to a joint issue. So got the best of both worlds but very rarely use the manual setting. I do occasionally use the paddles to change gear though. My mum had a full automatic same car and there is a difference. It's about finding what works for you.