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!

When you test drive an automatic for the first time, it does usually take a day of driving to get used to them and not trying to press both pedals at the same time. Please do not do this as it's usually the first thing and person who is used to a manual will do. 😂

Pressing both pedals ends up in an emergency brake and feel like your going to go through the windscreen.

When I was learning to drive at 47, I took the automatic test. a friend of mine told me that automatics were for old ladies. I told him I am an an old lady!
Soon, no-one will have a choice as electric cars are all auto.
It's like all the people who say you aren't doing it properly if you use a sat-nav instead of a map.

We have auto because it’s electric, no manual choice and it’s is SO much easier! Felt a bit weird at first, but OMG is great… Anyone telling you that you need to be changing gear to really drive needs to STFU, most of the skill in driving is around observation and being safe etc. Not whether or not you change gears manually - we’re not driving around Silverstone, half the time we’re sat at traffic lights !

That being said - our kids WILL learn to drive a manual car, limits your choices in Europe otherwise for driving. In 20/30 years most cars will be auto like in the US

There are automatic cars in Europe so not sure how it would limit their choices.

I was in your position a few months ago, I'd lost all my confidence driving our older manual car which I frequently stalled in heavy traffic (we live in London). I felt frustrated that I "couldn't" drive anywhere with my DC. Finally convinced my DP to get an auto and it's been a total game changer, so much easier and I actually enjoy driving again. People told me I'd lose my ability to drive a manual but I really don't think that's true or too much of an issue these days - it's quite an old fashioned view IMO. My advice would be to go for it!

Also just to add @FondOfOwls - similarly to you i passed in my 30s just before my DC was born and so I never got the chance really to practice and get comfortable with driving. The auto has really given me much more freedom and flexibility.

Yes autos are easier. Absolutely. Had an auto for six years. I will never go back to a manual.

I live overseas where all cars are automatic and it's totally life changing!

That’s not really a shocker though is it? Hardly a fair comparison, of course a slightly more powerful, lighter sports car is going to be quicker regardless of gearbox type. Most modern performance autos are quicker than the equivalent manual. I do love a manual though for driver engagement.

What were the two cars? Just out of interest from a fellow petrolhead

I have driven an automatic for the past 8 years since I got a hybrid company car - I much prefer driving manuals as it makes driving more interesting - you have to think about changing gears and balancing the car and gear changes etc but think that everything is going towards automatic these days.

The gearbox may have been in performance mode but it doesn’t change the ratios. 130kg is still a reasonable amount of extra weight not to mention the lower power output and worse aerodynamics. It’s not surprise that the manual car was quicker. When you compare apples with apples though, the autos are always quicker in modern performance cars which offer both options.

Out of interest, what are the 0-62 and 1/4 mile times quoted for your car and SUV?

@GasPanic

We find speed cameras are often placed for people going downhill - deliberately imo. Even on cruise control, in a 30 mph zone, the car can easily gather speed and end up doing 33 mph, without us intending to, before cruise control catches up!

I love driving. I enjoy the responsiveness of a manual. All the automatics I have driven seem to have a 'lag' as you force a double downshift on them for acceleration. Manual cars do that 5th to 3rd sharp acceleration far more responsively.

I love manuals too but try the current Porsche PDK in a 911 or BMW M3, they are brilliant. A good gearbox these days will shift in less than 1/10 of a second.

soulless electric go carts that do everything for you I don’t see any advantage at having to manually operate the gear box. Do you also find that pressing a button to make windows go up/down is soulless? And using a remote to lock/unlock instead of a physical key?

I’ve had automatics for the last few years. I hate driving manuals now.

I have a manual licence, mainly because I was pushed to it - I think I’d have been a lot happier just to do an automatic test.

My Dad was always anti-automatics as he said there was more scope for them to go wrong, but even he prefers automatics these days.

How much sharp acceleration does the average driver in a built up area need?

(“boy racers” is an incredibly sexist term)

Yikes!

In future I'll say 'boy or girl racers' then, out of respect for the sensibilities of people who like to play pretend.

And what's the equivalent of 'hubby'?

Wifey?