Automatic vs Manual

Dunkyboy_2

The Zafira diesel auto is quite new and thus expensive, so will check out the Hyundia santa fe, these are suppose to be great cars.

tonys_3

Automatics are more expensive to buy[because the automatic gearbox is more complex,and less are sold],more expensive to run,and if they have a lot of miles on the clock depreciate more than manuals as the cost of replacing the gearbox is daunting.
Very few really good small automatic cars available.Handling on twisty roads, if you like to drive fast, is also poorer than manual cars
But for easy driving in congested cities,they are better.

bunking_off

(tonys - do you work nights or post when you come in from the pub?!?)

I'd agree with tonys, for small cars. For bigger ones, however, the reverse is true. Try selling a Jag or Merc without an auto box - difficult to say the least. On bigger cars manuals are quite often not available at all because they can't take the power (eg the car I own is auto only).

I'd disagree about the handling comment - if an auto box has lots of gears (e.g. mine has 6) and/or manual gear selection, it can be every bit as rewarding as a manual. Plus, the performance figures quoted in a magazine will be actually achievable, which is rarely the case on a manual.

little_jem

After a knee problem I can only Drive an automatic, have driven the following autos:

Ford Fiesta(1996) 1.25, had faulty gearbox is aparently a fault on this model so avoid!

Volvo 480 2L (1993), an old car but fantastic to drive, if anyone gets hold of one of these in good condition, it will not disapoint.

Honda Civic 1.6 (2004), Fantastic

Ford Focus 1.6 (2001), Fantastic

Kia (2005) 2L, Lovely

I own a Renault Clio 1.2 Expression Quickshift+, which is Auto with manual option. AVOID THIS CAR!!!, It is awful and dangerous. DO NOT BUY!! (read my thread about this car for more info!)

Would recommend Automatics but would stick to a fully Auto box.

zinchead

Drove a manual 20 years, then got a mercedes auto.

I can honestly say I will never buy a manual again, even if it does cost more to run.

Kimberley

I'm going to start to learn to drive. Is it better to learn to drive from Automatic (i know i won't be able to drive a manual) and are automatic cars dearer then manual? and can i take a driving test in an automatic?

What is best for a new learner?

koru

I switched to automatic when I lived in New Zealand. Manual gearboxes are rare, there, so it is tricky to find a second hand manual car. Now back in the UK, but I stuck with auto.

On the one or two days per year that I am on some twisty rural roads, without the kids in the back, I could have more fun with a manual car. But on the other 363 days of the year, auto gears make driving a lot easier.

I would, however, recommend learning to drive using a manual car. It is easy to switch to an auto, but not vice versa. In this country, manuals are so prevalent that IMHO you need to have a licence that allows you to drive a manual.

little_jem

kim03 wrote:

I'm going to start to learn to drive. Is it better to learn to drive from Automatic (i know i won't be able to drive a manual) and are automatic cars dearer then manual? and can i take a driving test in an automatic?

What is best for a new learner?

Completly agree with Koru on this one.

If you can stick with trying to drive a manual then I would. I have a problem with my knee which means that I can only drive automatic and therefore only have a Automatic License and get very frustrated as it casues me problems such as:

1) I have been rejected for jobs beacuse of not having a manual license

2) I have had difficulty finding an Auto Car to suite my budget.

3) Getting a hire car is difficult and a courtusey car from a garage I have never had as they simply do not have any Auto's.

etc......

However if you need to drive an Auto then I would recoomend BSM, my instructour was Brillant!, he was very patient. Definetly recommended, Good Luck!!

Kimberley

Thank you all xxx

Murtle

we have an Audi - it is auto with the option for manual (or vice versa!) with gear sticks on the steering wheel....it's great!! Highly recommended, especially for start stop traffic - oh yes, and it's a diesel...