Why choose to drive manual? :)

MarcusAurelius

Hi, with automatic boxes being almost as efficient as manual why do people still choose to drive manual?

I don't believe cost is an issue.

KatieDee

I would have loved an automatic car but when I was looking, they all seemed more expensive than manuals. I've also heard horror stories about automatics going wrong and costing an awfully large amount to fix.

So for me...it's cost. Also, I like being able to drop down gears if I need an extra boost!

CharlieRabbit01

Admittedly I've never driven an auto, but I always choose a manual, I enjoy driving and I like changing gear when I want to do, I feel that I have more control to choose a lower or higher gear that I want.

I recently hired a car which told me when to change gear, and I felt that it was changing to early, you could really feel the changes.

elsien

Never driven or been in an automatic, perfectly happy with a manual, that's what's in the garage when you go and look, not sure if an automatic would drive the way I like to drive, can't see any reason to change to something I know very little about.
Will that do for starters?

patman99

Actually, the latest 6-speed twin-clutch automatics are more economical than manuals.

custardy

I'll admit I'm considering an auto on my next car.
Changes in work mean I have gone form sub 10K miles per year to 20K+
The main stumbling point for me is cost if they go wrong

DUTR

MarcusAurelius wrote: »

Hi, with automatic boxes being almost as efficient as manual why do people still choose to drive manual?

I don't believe cost is an issue.

I have a DSG with the flappy paddles, love it, then again I have been driving 30+ years, the old torque converter auto, I never liked slow thirsty clunky, this one just press and go, you don't even notice the gear changes. I'm not so mad on the CVT transmission either, yes you are correct a good £1300-£1500 more, but manual boxes can go faulty too.

motorguy

MarcusAurelius wrote: »

Hi, with automatic boxes being almost as efficient as manual why do people still choose to drive manual?

I don't believe cost is an issue.

Although well suited to large cars, autos arent terribly well suited to smaller engined vehicles. They can be clunky and not very intuitive.

Also, an auto gearbox option can add £1000 to the price, but come resale time, you might have trouble reselling the car.

People are "used" with a manual and dont see any point in paying extra for something they feel gives them less control.

gilbert_and_sullivan

I keep my cars for years, and i like autos but only if driven by a 6+ cyl engine, so for me the only auto is a torque converter version in a RWD (or 4WD) car.

The new designs of autoboxes such as the twin clutch versions and automated manuals won't last 18 years plus trouble free, indeed many don't make it past the short makers warranty expiry date, not with a barge pole thanks.

Oli.s

I thought about it this time round but the deciding factor was that the car I wanted (used) was available for the price I wanted to pay in the manual version. I did thnk about buying a lower spec model, but brand new and if I had done I would have gone for the auto with flappy paddles.

Oli.s

I agree with the larger engines comment, the missus had a 1 litre vauxhall corsa auto as a courtesy car and it was god awful. It was so bad insisted they took it away and brought her the manual version. Which wasn't great but was a million times better than the auto.