Advice please. Manual or automatic: stuck with a dilemma

[MsGinaLinetti]

I need a new car. (Well, probably second hand but new to me) and I'm looking for something small and fuel efficient. Possibly a hybrid type set up. The dilemma is whether to get automatic or manual as I drive an automatic (and can drive either but obvs prefer auto) but considering a manual as DS is 15 and so would then have a car to practice driving rather than later getting yet and car for him (and slightly younger DC in due course)
bit I wonder whether it's pointless/ impossible to get a modern manual just for that purpose iyswim. TIA

I would always buy manual as I think I would find it difficult to go back if I went auto. So you keep in practise and DC gets full license.

I bought a 1 litre manual car that I knew DS would use in a few years once he was old enough to drive. However, I only use it as a runaround as I take the train for work. I would prefer an auto as it's so easy.

The only benefits for going manual are it's cheaper to get a second car and hire a car. If you need to hire a van, they all seem to be manual. If you work in a trade, then it's probably better to learn in a manual.

I’d get a manual. My DS is learning in one. It’s really hard to find an automatic driving instructor for a start (they do exist but they’re few and far between), and they can drive any car with a full license including hire cars. I also think they teach good practice/awareness as you’re much more conscious of driving in a manual because it’s a much more ‘active’ activity. I drive an automatic now and love it, but I can drive a manual comfortably when I need to.

Both my kids and most of their friends took test in auto - mostly because most family cars are auto for practice purposes. It has never impacted them in any way, far more automatics for hire on holiday for example. More automatics sold in UK last year than Manuals. Why would you put any young person through those added complications?!?

Yeah. Okay.

I'm not going to derail this thread further. Let's just hope the OP makes the right decision for her circumstances and leave it that, alright?

Bye.

6 months ago i would have said definitely manual, but a few months ago I got an EV and I don’t think I’d ever go back, it costs me 2p a mile in fuel, it’s easy and fun to drive. I liked my old petrol car, but this one is lovely. I have a Nissan Leaf, I got a 22 plate for under £12k and spent £1k on a charger. I was spending £50 a week on petrol, I probably spend £5 now.

My dd is 18 and has her own car, I think insurance on mine may be prohibitively expensive. She has an ancient Golf, it’s probably worth less than £2k, for us, she does so few miles and I do so many that it makes sense, I’m expecting my car to pay for itself in fuel savings over the next 5 years. We do however have a drive and storing both cars isn’t problematic.

Thanks so much. Lots to think about. DH reckons get auto and then get DCs a run around to practice but that's another car to insure - tsk. My head hurts

I’m an instructor. I’d certainly be able to do this with my son but with some of my less able students it’d be incredibly confusing.

I’m biased as currently teach manual but I’d say learn gears. It keeps your options open. Yes that’ll change but not quite yet.