learner driver automatic?

goldspanners

jeannieblue wrote: »

Re holiday rental cars - holiday in the US, you'll only get autos out there.. :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

if you dont mind turning circles, handling and fuel consumption of an oil tanker!

jeannieblue

goldspanners wrote: »

if you dont mind turning circles, handling and fuel consumption of an oil tanker!

I loved driving in the States! The power steering is so amazingly light! I had a Focus out there and the steering was far far lighter than over here - no one believes me tho! Also had some fun driving a Mustang! I could quite happily live over there. (Well I did for four years - would love to go back).

Lets give the OP a break and give them all the 'plusses' for driving an auto!

As I said before Goldie - it frees up your left hand for other things..

buxtonrabbitgreen

OP I have just scrapped my automatic Rover 2 litre. Very heavy on fuel but a pleasure to drive. Lots of bits were falling off it after 150,000 miles but the gearbox was still fine. I have a manual now. It took a couple of weeks to get used to the gears again after 8 years. But if I could have afforded it I would def go for an auto again.
You never have to worry about clutch control or hill starts, and can nip out at roundabouts without having to put it in gear and missing your chance.
The only thing I would say is I really didn't like the small auto I had as a courtesy car. A Corsa. It made me feel quite nauseous when it was changing gear. I feel that the bigger engines are much nicer to drive in an auto.
And I know people who have passed an auto test and don't regret it. Do what you feel happiest with.

delain

valiant85 wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies,i didn't expect so many.

Im still undecided which way to go here but all the replies certainly have me thinking more,the idea of an auto makes me feel more at ease before i go and book the intensive course but i realize it will still be tough whatever route i take,manuel's look like rocket science to me unfortunately.

I really like the old shaped ford ka and as far as im aware this wasn't available in auto? this is one thing that i will have to take into consideration when i make my decision because i really want a small car and there dont seem to be many used cheap enough small cars in the auto market but plenty in the manuel.

get a nissan micra! much more reliable than a ka anyway. I have an auto ford galaxy and i love it. 2.3 soa bit fuel heavy and high insurance but its wonderful to drive, and i can spread the kids out so they can't fight

tomstickland

Learn with a manual. That's my opinion.

jeannieblue

delain wrote: »

get a nissan micra! much more reliable than a ka anyway. I have an auto ford galaxy and i love it. 2.3 soa bit fuel heavy and high insurance but its wonderful to drive, and i can spread the kids out so they can't fight

The Micra has a decent auto box doesn't it? Not one of those funny ones...

My Dad had an auto fiesta (P reg) - dreadful gearbox, we called it 'jumpy jack'! You would lurch along in crawling traffic or put it into reverse and it would 'jump'. It made you look like you had the most dreadful clutch control!

tomstickland

P reg Fiestas were awful cars. My father had one. To give it its due, it's still going now, so it was good at surviving.

delain

he he i have got shocking clutch control, hence the auto

nissan are generally very reliable. I had a manual micra, it was great (when my OH drove it)

The only reason didn't get another one was because it got crowded with 3 car seats in the back!

jeannieblue

delain wrote: »

he he i have got shocking clutch control, hence the auto

nissan are generally very reliable. I had a manual micra, it was great (when my OH drove it)

The only reason didn't get another one was because it got crowded with 3 car seats in the back!

But I believe their auto's are fully automatic gearboxes?

delain

jeannieblue wrote: »

But I believe their auto's are fully automatic gearboxes?

yes they are. I quit manual for auto, and the only reason i did not get another micra was the space issue