Automatic or manual car for someone with knee issues?

Happytosave

My mum is in her 60s and needs a new small car. She has always had a manual car as it is thought that they are more efficient but she has problems with her knees and I figured that an automatic car would be better for her in that respect.
Can anyone advise please?
Also are they less problematic these days?

tykesi

Happytosave wrote: »

Also are they less problematic these days?

When were they more 'problematic'?

Mercdriver

do you know anyone with an automatic that she can try out an auto with? (Making sure she is insured to drive that car. Or else see about hiring an auto from mainstream hirers for a day so she can get a real feel of it, as driving technique may be a little different.

EssexExile

Driving an automatic will be easier on her left knee but won't do anything for the right one.

RichardD1970

Mercdriver wrote: »

do you know anyone with an automatic that she can try out an auto with? (Making sure she is insured to drive that car. Or else see about hiring an auto from mainstream hirers for a day so she can get a real feel of it, as driving technique may be a little different.

Or get a few test drives with local dealers.

Car_54

tykesi wrote: »

When were they more 'problematic'?

When I was a boy (1960s) they had that reputation, also expensive to fix and heavy on fuel. Those days are long gone.

As for efficiency, a modern auto is likely to be more fuel-efficient than the average manual driver, never mind one with dodgy knees and probably a reluctance to change gear.

forgotmyname

Some of those old auto's lasted longer than the rest of the car even when neglected and never had an oil change.

More or less fuel efficient? Depends on the driver. Sisters ex MIL would reverse out of her driveway every morning with the revs bouncing off the rev limiter and slipping the clutch. She burnt several clutches out in under 10,000 miles. The most inefficient auto would be more efficient than her style of driving.

DoaM

My wife used to have an automatic Corsa several years ago and really liked it. (It was an ex-Motability car). She found it a struggle at first to return to a manual after being used to the auto (when she updated her car).

knightstyle

We can only have autos as my DWs left leg is not good. Modern auto boxes are mostly very good but there are a few to avoid, early Auris for example. So have a few test drives and check on Honest John.
One thing to avoid if she only does local trips is any recent diesel.
My mum has a Honda Jazz, we had a Juke but now a Ford Cmax, all are OK but take your time in choosing.

motorguy

EssexExile wrote: »

Driving an automatic will be easier on her left knee but won't do anything for the right one.

Given that you would release the accelerator each time you change gear in a manual car, surely there would be less movement of your right leg with an automatic?

Happytosave

Yes I have found it's her left knee which is the most problematic one so an automatic car would be of benefit.

I just wanted to also know if small automatic cars are vastly different in terms of repairs needed/ maintenance and fuel efficiency.