Automatic or Manual lessons for my son?

[lovely123]

I’m so confused since I passed in a manual car over 25 years ago but with manual cars becoming less popular in the next 8-10 years I’m wondering if automatic lessons will be better?
It will be quicker for him to learn, therefore cheaper and I’ve seen a 2nd hand auto at a good price which he can practice in, plus our 2 cami cars are automatic.
Any opinions to help me decide please.

Manual all the way. Cheap cars are mostly manual and he’ll be very limited with only an automatic licence.

Hmmm, I'd say manual, even though I'd only drive one if I had to.
I love my Auto.

My dd is learning auto, she started in manual and had about 8 lessons but she just couldn't cope the the break, drop a gear, indicate etc, she as asd so just found it to much

I'm our area auto lessons are easier to book at the moment as everyone is jam packed due to covid and the amount of students. Dd is doing really well in auto and we brought her first car 6 weeks ago which I take her out in, she currently has a test booked in March but we're trying to bring it forward as her instructor says she ready

I read something in the news only yesterday that they are going to stop teaching kids mannual due to the switch in cars, can't remember the details but you can probably find it if you google

Manual.

Automatic only is too limiting. With manual they have the option of drive both.

Electric cars are coming and will be auto, but unless you have the budget for one, for the next few years manual gives more flexibility.

Ds and a few of his friends have recently passed their tests, all did manual. If it helps with budgetting, 1 hour a week, 20-25 lessons with additional practice in parents cars seems to be about average.

Dd will be going manual. Her career path may take her to rural parts so would end up 4wd’ing.

Learn in a manual. If your DS ever hires cars in future, say on holiday abroad, he may not have an automatic option.

DS learnt in a manual. Is 27. Now has an auto and can't see any sound reason to drive a manual car.

DD learnt in an automatic.

I have driven an automatic since 2009. Would never revert to manual although used occasionally to drive ds's old cars.

Manual. My eldest is about to start learning and I think its a good skill to have. If needs be he can change to automatic but for me its like laces v velcro shoes. Learn the hardest and it doesn't prevent you also doing the easiest option. But only learning the easiest way, limits your options.

Yes learn on a manual, ds has recently passed and wants to drive a manual even though both our cars are automatic and he could be insured on them.

I'd never go back to a manual but it's good to have that skill

Another vote for manual.

Even if he'll never have a manual car, it's always better to have the option just in case. Even if it's just giving more options when hiring cars here or abroad/on holiday.

Manuel.

He might need it for work. It won’t take that much longer to learn.

@Luredbyapomegranate, especially if he ever drives in Spain

[quote RosesAndHellebores]@Luredbyapomegranate, especially if he ever drives in Spain [/quote]
Haha

@TheSandgroper

Dd will be going manual. Her career path may take her to rural parts so would end up 4wd’ing.

We are super rural and have had many 4x4s. The most reliable and unstoppable one we have ever had was the Toyota Hilux which was auto!

Comments about older used cars mean needing a manual license are misleading as many older used cars come in auto. They also aren't necessarily more expensive. I've had a £800 Volvo S60 which was brilliant, a couple of land rover discoveries, several other jap cars including imports and the hilux all auto and for eg many old jags are harder to get in manual.

I drive autos and haven't encountered many of the issues being mentioned in this thread.

I'd go manual then if he ever drives an older car (or gets a courtesy car after an accident) that is manual, he will be able too. Automatic is too limiting for now, however it is the future as electric cars don't come in a manual version. It really won't take him long to learn manual vs automatic.

@TheSandgroper

Dd will be going manual. Her career path may take her to rural parts so would end up 4wd’ing.

The 4WD argument is invalid, my car is an automatic yet still has 4WD. It would be cheaper with a manual gearbox though.

@BeLessMe

Manual.

Automatic only is too limiting. With manual they have the option of drive both.

This. Better to learn manual and never use it than trying to go back and learn it again if you find you do need it.

Technically pass rates for automatics are considerably lower then the rates for manuals so that might counteract your point about being quicker to learn in. Of course this could be due to worse drivers switching to automatic after failing at manual but it's still something you should consider.

Manual. Gives you more choice of cars and jobs.

@TheSandgroper

Dd will be going manual. Her career path may take her to rural parts so would end up 4wd’ing.

I've had 4x4s as my daily car for over a decade (Mitsubishi, Land Rover, Toyota, Mercedes) and they've all been automatic... manual is definitely the way to go, but not because of 4x4s.

I would say manual but then I'm 38 and have never driven an automatic so...

DS is starting on manual. Was his choice.
I drive an auto though and would never go back!

I have never had any difficulty hiring an automatic car either here or abroad.

We considered this as ds is autistic but have gone for manual. The main reason being that automatic cars are so much more expensive and there are not that many small (teen insurance friendly) automatic cars available.