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Original poster

What do you have automatic or manual family car?

60 replies

Mammmma · 14/07/2019 10:33

I’ve only ever driven manual cars and need to upgrade to an estate car- likely Skoda Octavia. Are there any advantages to automatic over manual or is it just personal preference?

I’ve been told by a mechanic that if an automatic goes wrong it’s harder to fix than manual...

OP posts:
thenightsky · 14/07/2019 10:36

We've always had automatics and never had the gearbox go wrong in any of them - even the old bangers. DH has a pin and metal plate holding his left ankle together, so sitting in slow moving traffic and doing lots of clutch work would be agony for him.

sergeilavrov · 14/07/2019 23:10

DH drives an automatic, he once triple parked outside a fast food place and I discovered I couldn’t drive it. Turns out there is some weird additional handbrake pedal type situation. Still don’t understand and now I just hide in the footwell.

He loves the ease of driving, he can be very relaxed and not have to focus too much. I drive a manual and won’t be giving it up. His car is cheaper than mine, and the repairs are more expensive. His gearbox was replaced at 120,000 miles and it was eye watering.

Nat6999 · 14/07/2019 23:40

I drive a manual car, always have, wouldn't have the first idea with an automatic, it's like learning to walk, I can drive any manual car & it's like autopilot. Its true automatic cars are more expensive & any repairs will cost more than a manual. If you are happy with a manual car, why change?

Happyspud · 14/07/2019 23:45

Automatic now after a lifetime of manual. I’d NEVER go back. It’s soooo easy and comfortable and actually safer I feel as there’s less mistakes to make while your kids are screaming in the car.

Sunshineonleith12 · 14/07/2019 23:50

Automatic but the gear box of our last car (also automatic) did pack in, like you say. So we ditched it as it was too expensive to get fixed.

Bookworm4 · 14/07/2019 23:52

Drove manuals for 20 yrs now have an automatic Prius; great to drive won’t go back.

wiltingflower · 14/07/2019 23:54

I prefer automatic over manual because it makes the gap at roundabouts faster and stops and starts quicker too (not sure if true for all automatics or just the ones I've tried).

AlunWynsKnee · 14/07/2019 23:56

We're both driving DSG autos now after decades of manual gearboxes. If you're looking at the Skoda I would say it's fine. It's one of the better, more reliable autos. Auto boxes are getting much more popular and the costs go down accordingly.
My DSG auto is a decade old.

SarahBeeney · 14/07/2019 23:56

Bought our first automatic two years ago. I love it,especially when stuck in traffic.
I highly recommend it and would never ever go back to a manual.

Pipandmum · 14/07/2019 23:57

I can drive both but have a manual as I don’t like the constant feeling the car wants to ‘go’. Plus I can control the thrust better in a manual.

AlunWynsKnee · 14/07/2019 23:58

Oops, reason we drive auto is partly down to my MS which made a manual hard work for me.

Outsomnia · 14/07/2019 23:59

Auto for me now having driven manual for donkeys years.

The whole of North America cannot be wrong, well apart from the Orange One can it? Manual shifts are very rare over there.

serenadoundy · 15/07/2019 00:01

I’ve been told by a mechanic that if an automatic goes wrong it’s harder to fix than manual...

That's his job though, not yours Grin

Don't be put off, most modern autos are every bit as reliable as their manual equivalent.

Personally I prefer a manual gearbox, but it's about the drive for me, not the maintenance.

WaxOnFeckOff · 15/07/2019 00:10

We have a manual Octavia Estate. Can't comment on an auto as we've never had one. Our Octavia is a 2011 and DH loves it so much he doesn't think he'll change it until it's falling apart. However, so far it's never failed an MOT, other than servicing and tyres and replacing the timing belt, he's only had to get the brake pads changed and a couple of new wiper blades.

It's a fabulous car.

Go onto the Briskoda forum. All Skoda owners who will be able to help with lots of info about the different models, gear boxes and engines.

GiraffeMomma · 15/07/2019 00:16

Another vote for an automatic here! I was forced into it like a PP as I have pins and plates in my left ankle but I have to say if my ankle were fixed tomorrow I don't think I'd ever go back to a manual. Automatics are just so easy to drive! We've had to have work done on it recently and I wouldn't say it was any more expensive than work I've had done on a manual car, I think it's a myth, or something that used to be true and automatic cars were harder to find.

Longdistance · 15/07/2019 00:23

Drove manuals for 20+ years, bought an automatic last year, I’m never driving a manual ever again. Dh has ordered an automatic and so has my dB. Why did I not do it sooner 🤦🏼‍♀️

Deadringer · 15/07/2019 00:27

I have only driven automatics. I am on my second one, I had my first one for 16 years, no issues with it and as far as I know it's still going strong. Automatics are going to become standard I think because so many people are switching to hybrids. My dh has a manual and he loves driving my car.

areyoubeingserviced · 15/07/2019 00:29

Another one who now drives automatic and will never go back to manual

Oliversmumsarmy · 15/07/2019 00:32

I drive an automatic. It is so easy.

Drove a manual for years but traffic got so bad my leg used to hurt I was on and off the clutch so much

applepieicecream · 15/07/2019 00:33

Auto. Will never go back. I wouldn’t consider a manual now, it’s a deal breaker. Having said that, it’s like learning to ride a bike, on the odd occasion I drive DH’s manual car I get back into it immediately

ErrolTheDragon · 15/07/2019 00:47

I had automatics when I lived in the US but preferred manual so that's what I've had before and since.

However, I'd guess that autos have improved since then (~1990)

If you're not sure maybe you can have a test drive in both types?

ChiaraRimini · 17/07/2019 18:02

Cars in general are much more reliable nowadays so hopefully the chances of having to replace an auto gearbox are low.
I am driving a manual courtesy car atm and it is a PITA driving around town compared with an auto.
If you can drive a manual it takes 30 seconds to get used to the controls in an auto, the PP who refuses to drive her partners auto is being a bit silly.

arsenal555 · 17/07/2019 18:26

Automatic

Never even bothered learning manual

babysharkah · 17/07/2019 18:27

Auto. Would never go back.

Original poster
Mammmma · 18/07/2019 10:45

Thanks all - think you’ve convinced us! Will test drive one. Good Briskoda tip off!

OP posts: