Manual or Automatic to learn to drive?

jeannieblue

moneysaver12 wrote: »

Good luck to the op. I too am wondering wether to learn in a manuel or auto. A few years ago i spent about ten months learning to drive with bsm in a manual and twice was suppose to go for my test but each time the instutor said i wasn't ready. I felt that i got to a point where i wasn't really progressing and i had spent a lot of money and couldn't afford to do it anymore. I wonder if i would be better off learning in a auto. I really want to be able to drive and currently spend over three hours a day travelling to and from uni.

Instructor didn't sound very helpful... why not take a couple of lessons in an auto and see if that suits you better?

flyingscotno1

jeannieblue wrote: »

A 'future proof licence' ?? Is that a well known term or something that you made up?

As I've said before, I have never ever had problems renting an auto car abroad. Re courtesy cars - I work for a small independent garage - and two of our courtesy cars are automatic. Its not as unusual or difficult as you are making it out to be. I really can't understand this silly prejudice against automatic gear boxes!

I don't think it is prejudice against automatics, but I agree with the sentiment- the guy states. What he is stating and it is my view too, that it is better to get a manual licence as once you have it you have a licence to drive any gearboxes.

I can't see much advantage in sitting an automatic test then going in for a manual test later either- after all the bad habits have built up too. It is just added expense, and probably better doing 3 or 4 more lessons for a manual at first or not at all.

I like (some!) automatics, but I can't help think you are more limited in courtesy cars- I can barely get something off garages, never mind a luxury of specing a gearbox! For me the disadvantage would be at work. I've never know our pool cars/vehicles to be automatics- all of them are manuals and anyone with an auto licence would be snookered.

goldspanners

flyingscotno1 wrote: »

For me the disadvantage would be at work. I've never know our pool cars/vehicles to be automatics- all of them are manuals and anyone with an auto licence would be snookered.

me too. i can just imagine the conversation, "boss, i know i need to drive that transit but do you have it in automatic?"

Kimberley

goldspanners wrote: »

me too. i can just imagine the conversation, "boss, i know i need to drive that transit but do you have it in automatic?"

That wouldn't be a problem for me though. I wouldn't drive someone elses car. I need a car for school and college runs if I am to have a wider area to choose a homeswap with. So the quicker I can learn to drive and pass the better for our situation. I don't even mind if I remain with an automatic.

jeannieblue

goldspanners wrote: »

me too. i can just imagine the conversation, "boss, i know i need to drive that transit but do you have it in automatic?"

Not like you to sound so 'male and patronising'. But you can't help being male, guess you were born that way... :rotfl:

Think the OP and anyone should be allowed to choose what they drive or pass their test in without criticism. I'm fed up with being in this country these days as it is - not a free country we live in a dictatorship being told what we can do, what we can say etc etc. And you males (in particular) are dictating as to what the OP should or shoudn't do without a really good argument to back you up!

The two main arguments being courtesy cars and rental cars - all good companies supply both. So what is the problem? And when I worked for a company up town that dished out company cars - you had a job to get a manual! Tons of auto's for fat exec's!! :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

goldspanners

jeannieblue wrote: »

Not like you to sound so 'male and patronising'. But you can't help being male, guess you were born that way... :rotfl:

Think the OP and anyone should be allowed to choose what they drive or pass their test in without criticism. I'm fed up with being in this country these days as it is - not a free country we live in a dictatorship being told what we can do, what we can say etc etc. And you males (in particular) are dictating as to what the OP should or shoudn't do without a really good argument to back you up!

The two main arguments being courtesy cars and rental cars - all good companies supply both. So what is the problem? And when I worked for a company up town that dished out company cars - you had a job to get a manual! Tons of auto's for fat exec's!! :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

well i could use the money saving angle, after all thats what this site is all about.
imagine passing the auto test,then needeing to drive a manual,so you find an instructor,take some more lessons, correct any bad habits picked up over the years,then you have to pay for another test,so effectively paying for more lessons and more tests than would be required.
then theres selling the auto car (depreciation hit) and then buying the manual. money,money,money. it would end up costing hundreds of £££. and you fine well know it.:p

i wasnt being patronising in my last post, i was just pointing out my circumstance,and a potential problem that could arise for anyone.

jeannieblue

goldspanners wrote: »

well i could use the money saving angle, after all thats what this site is all about.
imagine passing the auto test,then needeing to drive a manual,so you find an instructor,take some more lessons, correct any bad habits picked up over the years,then you have to pay for another test,so effectively paying for more lessons and more tests than would be required.
then theres selling the auto car (depreciation hit) and then buying the manual. money,money,money. it would end up costing hundreds of £££. and you fine well know it.:p

i wasnt being patronising in my last post, i was just pointing out my circumstance,and a potential problem that could arise for anyone.

Its not MSE if all those reasons you bring up do not apply to the OP - and they don't.

This thread would not even exist if we were in the States! Its all auto out there and when you pass your test and show you are competent at handling a car, you drive what you want. They are not anywhere near as pc as it is in this country now. I hate being told what I can and can't do - it brings out the rebellious teenager in me... :rotfl:

I plan to win the lottery and buy lots of gas guzzlers and pay people to drive them into London on a twice daily routine.. :rolleyes:

goldspanners

jeannieblue wrote: »

Its not MSE if all those reasons you bring up do not apply to the OP - and they don't.

This thread would not even exist if we were in the States! Its all auto out there and when you pass your test and show you are competent at handling a car, you drive what you want. They are not anywhere near as pc as it is in this country now. I hate being told what I can and can't do - it brings out the rebellious teenager in me... :rotfl:

I plan to win the lottery and buy lots of gas guzzlers and pay people to drive them into London on a twice daily routine.. :rolleyes:

nobody is telling anyone what to do on this thread though.
the op asked if there were any advantages or disadvantages. so folk have offered them.
you, like me do not know what might happen in the near future to the op or thier needs or desires regarding driving. i'll bet the op cant even be too sure of whats round the next corner. so it does make sense to pass the manual test and forget about it. rather than going back in the future if the need arises.


anyway weve had this out before so we will leave it at that.

jeannieblue

goldspanners wrote: »

nobody is telling anyone what to do on this thread though.
the op asked if there were any advantages or disadvantages. so folk have offered them.
you, like me do not know what might happen in the near future to the op or thier needs or desires regarding driving. i'll bet the op cant even be too sure of whats round the next corner. so it does make sense to pass the manual test and forget about it. rather than going back in the future if the need arises.


anyway weve had this out before so we will leave it at that.

True - but I think the OP needed our backing that it was ok to go for an auto. And if it takes the stress and hassle out of their life, then that is good. You have to learn to be more sensitive Goldiepoos and read between the lines..

I'm off to bed now........ don't be long :kisses3:

flyingscotno1

goldspanners wrote: »

nobody is telling anyone what to do on this thread though.
the op asked if there were any advantages or disadvantages. so folk have offered them.
you, like me do not know what might happen in the near future to the op or thier needs or desires regarding driving. i'll bet the op cant even be too sure of whats round the next corner. so it does make sense to pass the manual test and forget about it. rather than going back in the future if the need arises.

I'd agree with that, people have offered the OP good advice, and she seems to be happy with it. The OP wants passed quick and sees an automatic as the best way- fair enough if it suits her situation.

I certainly cannot agree with the rental cars being a problem, might pay more and perhaps struggle if dead busy like this summer, but pool cars at work would be an issue (I get near some but a few of the executive motors inc autos are out of reach!) and I still can't believe it is a cinch to get an auto courtesy car, since my family barely get any clapped out motor off garages here. Perhaps down in London that is easier- but I think all that is good honest advice for the OP to choose their circumstance around.

And well seen we wouldn't have this talk in the States. My cousin passed there and in all honesty a monkey could pass their tests- their standard of driving is appalling compared to us as a result. Probably explains too why the US has more accidents per vehicle km than we do!