Automatic or manual car for someone with knee issues?

agrinnall

motorguy wrote: »

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?

And of course she could buy a car with cruise control, which would mean even less use of the right leg.

motorguy

Happytosave wrote: »

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.

I would have thought the differences would be negligible.

Joe_Horner

Happytosave wrote: »

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

Repairs are probably no more likely with an auto but, depending on the type, maintenance is more critical for an auto than a manual simply because the fluid has a lot more to do than just lubricate stuff.

It's not an "every service" extra but, regardless of manufacturer's schedules, a fluid change after 50-60k miles will go a long way to help an auto box outlive the rest of the car. Unless she gets something very low mileage or with recent documented change, budgeting for a "preventative" change the first time she has it serviced makes long term sense.

Just changed the "lifetime" fluid in our 5 series at 80k miles and it's transformed the box & given an extra 5 or so MPG thanks to reduced slip - 23 years is probably longer than BMW meant by "lifetime"

rtho782

For an older person that doesn't go far, an electric car (Nissan Leaf?) may be worth considering.

Very light on running costs, exceptionally reliable (nothing to break), very cheap to service (nothing to service).

They are also autos with one single gear. None of the usual auto annoyances of waiting for it to kick down or whatever.

I bought mine new, it's a 30kW Tekna (so top spec, leather seats, 360 cameras for parking, auto lights/wipers etc, LED lights) and it cost me £199 deposit and £199 a month. Tax is free, no MOT for 3 years, very little chance of breakdown. It's costing me less than I was previously paying in Petrol+Tax.

I get about 120 miles range which I rarely exceed to be honest.

stator

Very little difference in maintenance costs unless you are unlucky enough to have transmission problems, but that's rare.

Happytosave

Thank you - lots of helpful advice.

50Twuncle

Are you looking to buy new ?
If so - try a Suzuki Swift - new models are superb / economical / comfortable / reliable / good value for money !