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Original poster

Do I need to learn to drive a manual?

37 replies

Nameregretter · 11/04/2021 20:10

I’m mid 30s with 2 kids and need to learn to drive! I had a load of manual lessons about 7 years ago but never took my test. We don’t have a car yet but looking to buy one soon (DH drives; we live in London though so have used public transport/bikes up to now). I’m assuming that the automatic test is easier and so will be quicker for me to (re)learn and pass. Will I regret limiting myself to automatics?

OP posts:
Hellocatshome · 11/04/2021 20:16

If you are only ever going to buy brand new cars then I wouldn't have thought it really mattered if you may be looking for an older second hand car you will be limiting your choice quite a bit. Also I always think its handy to be able to drive manual in.case of a zombie apocalypse type scenario but I may just have an over active imagination.

RB68 · 11/04/2021 20:18

All electric or hybrid cars are automatic equivalent so I think the limitations iwll be less moving forward. We lease and are pleased with our hybrid and its automatic

Original poster
Nameregretter · 11/04/2021 20:26

I know nothing about cars but we are probably going to spend c£10k on a secondhand family hatchback, aiming for something 5 years old or less if that’s realistic?! @Hellocatshome when you say older cars how old are you talking?

OP posts:
Jenjenn · 11/04/2021 20:37

How about booking a few lessons in manual and see how you get on this time around?

elsaesmeralda · 11/04/2021 20:41

It's all going electric anyways from now on so I vote auto. I can't get to grips with manual, I mean I can do it but it doesn't feel easy to me, I'm too anxious and it makes me worse.

Iheartmysmart · 11/04/2021 20:44

I learnt to drive in a manual car and that’s what I always drove until buying an automatic a few years ago. Don’t think I’ll ever go back to a manual, well unless I can ever afford to buy a classic Mini Cooper again!

Original poster
Nameregretter · 11/04/2021 20:57

@Jenjenn

How about booking a few lessons in manual and see how you get on this time around?
I only stopped lessons because my instructor stopped working and I didn’t have an urgent need to drive...it wasn’t that I was struggling with manual.

I just want to do whatever is quickest now (I assume automatic) as long as there are no disadvantages I’ve overlooked and it doesn’t massively limit me on car choice or fuel efficiency (or something?!).

OP posts:
VeniVidiWeeWee · 11/04/2021 23:19

The only disadvantage I can think of will be hiring a car. Autos are always more expensive.

Tartyflette · 11/04/2021 23:21

Veni is right, in Europe and the UK automatic cars are more expensive to hire, if you can get one at all.
In the US, automatics are the norm in hire cars.

PompomDahlia · 11/04/2021 23:22

I did lessons and took test in an auto. I was nervous and lived in a big busy city, so not having to worry about gears and a clutch made sense. Hire cars abroad tend to be auto. I have a 5yr old hatchback, bought when 2 years old, which is auto. As others have said, it does seem to be increasingly popular to have an automatic

TheRealMrsMorningstar · 11/04/2021 23:33

I can only drive auto. I am dyspraxic and never got the hang of manual yet. In terms of driving - I get from A to B just like a person in a manual however, the pool of available vehicles is not great though. My second hand car that I bought cost me twice as much as a manual of same year/model/size and I had to travel further to get it.

TheRealMrsMorningstar · 11/04/2021 23:34

I meant to say of you can get the hang of manual then I would go for it. I intend when finances permit to try and learn how to drive a manual as it would be better for available vehicles.

anomletteandaglassofwine · 11/04/2021 23:36

I have been driving for 35 years and have only ever driven automatics. I drive an EV now. It has never been a problem.

Theunamedcat · 11/04/2021 23:38

The benefits of manual is you can drive both but if you pass in an automatic you are limited to an automatic

BackforGood · 11/04/2021 23:42

If you didn't struggle with a manual before, then it seems to make sense to me to try to pass in a manual and give yourself the full option.

MeadowHay · 11/04/2021 23:42

Im only learning manual because after being on waiting lists for over a year for a load of automatic instructors I gave up and decided I wanted to learn asap. Obviously covid massively fucked that ambition up and over a year later I'm still yet to sit a test and had one test cancelled by a lockdown! My DF and DB both drive automatic, DB learned on auto quickly as a teen, he wanted to drive quickly for work purposes. He intended to then learn manual later and get the full licence however never felt the need to. DH learnt manual a few years ago and we've just bought our first car, it's secondhand and automatic as I definitely want to drive auto when I've passed. It's just easier, I can't see why anyone would want to drive something more difficult. However here there is a huge huge shortage of auto instructors.

PickAChew · 11/04/2021 23:43

Hybrids are all automatic. You will have no long term difficulty, so long as you can afford the premium, for now.

Tatapie · 11/04/2021 23:48

No harm in learning manual but will become redundant skill with new cars and plenty of used automatics out there .

MojoJojo71 · 11/04/2021 23:53

I passed my test in an automatic 20 years ago and it’s never been a problem. I also did it because it was faster to learn and pass, I’d just got divorced and needed to learn to drive ASAP. I drive an electric car now anyway and they’re all auto.

TableFlowerss · 12/04/2021 00:02

I honest think it’s easier than what you imagine. It’s like second nature once you pass.

I’ve been driving about 20 years and we’ve got a manual and an automatic and I much prefer the manual. I have to really concentrate in the automatic - as it’s also got an actual great stick. I have to make sure I don’t forget and try to chance gear otherwise we end up almost through the windscreen, as I’ve got the break instead of the clutch.

Give me a Manuel any day.....

To add, I’ve had several cars over the years and even as an experienced driver, it still takes a few days to get the hang of the clutch and where the ‘biting point is’ so it’s not just learner drivers. I remember bunny hopping out the garage, getting flustered and beeped at 😱 a couple of days later and it was fine 😃

fallfallfall · 12/04/2021 01:39

Unnecessary.

Time40 · 12/04/2021 02:07

You'll be limiting yourself so much if you can't drive a manual - getting a hire car could be a real problem. It's not that difficult to learn to drive a manual.

Insomnia5 · 12/04/2021 02:21

I thought the Manuel post had been resurrected then 🤣

Shmithecat2 · 12/04/2021 02:27

I past my test 28 years ago (manual). I drove manual cars until about 10 years ago. DH turned me, and now if I have a choice, I will always drive auto - my last four cars have been. I borrow my mum's car occasionally, it's a manual, and I hate changing gear now tbh, it's so dull. I'll never buy a manual car again. My current car has the flappy paddle things on the steering wheel if I feel the desperate need to change gear myself, but I'm quite happy for the 7 speed autobox to change gear for me as it sees fit.

Shmithecat2 · 12/04/2021 02:28

passed, not past Blush

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