Manual or Automatic to learn to drive?

nearlyrich

Kimberley wrote: »

Oh and do those weekly crash courses work, any good?

I am sure there are some good ones but I heard about one place where they crammed 4 learners into each car and they only got about an hour and a half each behind the wheel each day..check their methods before booking.;)

MX5huggy

Lots of driving is what I did about 10000 miles in 6 months with my girlfriend (now wife!) next to me (she just let me get on with it). Then 3 lessons to get rid of some bad habits and I passed 1st time as it was just another drive, I did not do the whole driving round the set route thing week after week so I drove the road as I saw it not as I had learnt it. Examiner said it was the best drive she had been on in awhile. Even if my manoeuvres were a bit dodgy you don't do many reverse round corners while driving 200 miles in a day!

jeannieblue

OP, there was a very similar thread a few months back. You will find that 99% on here will tell you to learn in a manual and that automatics give out more emissions than a manual.

The latter is true - but that is up to you, your tax will be more than a manual, but if you can afford it, so what? Yes it is handy to be able to drive a manual as well as an auto, but it most certainly is not the end of the world if you don't and not as dramatic either as some would make out. I know a number of people that drive auto only due to physical problems and have absolutely no hassle re hire or courtesy cars - as most good companies provide for both.

LandyAndy

Try and pass in a manual if you can because it gives you that much more flexibility in the future.

Having said that I have owned a number of automatics (Jaguars and Vauxhall Senators) and I think autos are better for big powerful cars.

For smaller cars I feel the performance and economy reduction is probably not worth it.

Money_Grabber13579

Kimberley wrote: »

Oh and do those weekly crash courses work, any good?

I would suggest not to bother going on a crash course. It's easy enough to do so, never mind learning about it.:D

Oldernotwiser

I passed my test in an automatic as I needed to get my licence quickly after my husband lost his. It would have taken me far longer (and more than one attempt) to pass my test in a manual.

After a couple of years I wanted to rent cars abroad so I had a couple of lessons in a a manual before taking my manual test. Although these couple of lessons had to be paid for, as well as the second test, I'm sure that it cost me less than the number of lessons (and tests!) that I would have needed to get my manual licence first.

I'm going against majority opinion and suggest you learn to drive an automatic. (After all, you wouldn't still use a twin tub to do your washing, would you? [Ducks!])

goldspanners

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

(After all, you wouldn't still use a twin tub to do your washing, would you? [Ducks!])

going on that logic, you can still use a range to cook your dinner, make your tea,warm your house,etc...
pass in the manual and then buy what ever car you want. the gears and clutch are not hard to learn.

Inactive

jeannieblue wrote: »

The latter is true - but that is up to you, your tax will be more than a manual, but if you can afford it, so what?

Tax will be more .. ?????????????

Oldernotwiser

goldspanners wrote: »

going on that logic, you can still use a range to cook your dinner, make your tea,warm your house,etc...
pass in the manual and then buy what ever car you want. the gears and clutch are not hard to learn.

They're not but it takes longer and, therefore, costs more. My advice was aimed at someone who needs to pass their test in a hurry, which is the case here.

goldspanners

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

They're not but it takes longer and, therefore, costs more. My advice was aimed at someone who needs to pass their test in a hurry, which is the case here.

well in that case buy a microwave then.

learning to perfect your roadcraft will take longer than learning how to work a clutch pedal.