What do you have automatic or manual family car?

[Mammmma]

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...

Another one driving autos after a lifetime of manuals and being pretty sniffy about autos tbh. Wouldn't go back to a manual now if you paid me.

Absolutely fine on steep hills. No fucking around with the handbrake and first gear. Bliss. Many buses are now automatics and they manage steep hills even with a load of weight in them.

Most busses have been auto or semi-auto (no clutch) for the last forty years or so.

I used to design armoured vehicles for a living and, likewise, the British Army's tanks and armoured cars have been auto or semi-auto since WW2.

Autos good going up steep hills, but you can’t use first gear to slow you down on long downhills. Lots of wear and tear on your breaks coming down the Honnister Pass in the lakes, for example.

I drive a manual, always have. I had to borrow my mums automatic last Christmas for a couple of days. I found it so hard to start and then got annoyed that it wouldn't change gears when I would, I'm sure if I'd had it longer I'd have gotten used to it, but it was just frustrating 🙄

you can’t use first gear to slow you down on long downhills Of course you can. What do you think that number 1 and number 2 just under the D for drive is on the gearlever housing?

I drive a manual, always have. I had to borrow my mums automatic last Christmas for a couple of days. I found it so hard to start and then got annoyed that it wouldn't change gears when I would

With a good autobox, you can't tell when it changes gear. It's always in the right one so no need to interfere.

I've never enjoyed doing automatics, to me it feels as though I have less control.

TheNightSky Not there in my car. Or my last one!

my cars using automatic transmission since i found it can reduce the fatigue while driving