Manual v/or Automatic transmission

no1catman

I came across a discussion on youtube - US tourist in the UK warning others in the States if they come to the UK be aware that most rental cars will be Manual. UK ssales of automatics were said to be 40% but I find this hard to believe.

Sure many will be aware of American preference for automatic g/box, but what about here in the UK.

Many here who prefer auto over manual? Or is the stereotype of of people who either had problems passing their Test with a manual, disabled in some way - so mobility car is an automatic, or maybe not disabled, but elderly and it helps to just use two pedals!?

I've driven an automatic car (boss's car), but thankfully he didn't have it for long.

Anyone here in car sales, to have an idea of 'demand' and who by? Or any other comments.

[Deleted User]

Yes it's true that 40% were auto in 2017 - https://www.telegraph.co.uk/cars/news/automatic-gearbox-sales-increase-70-per-cent-since-2007/

And it is increasing year on year. The trend is currently for the likes of powershift / tiptronic / dsg automatic gearboxes on higher end cars which is counted in the auto figure, they are basically a manual box that is electronically controlled with automatic clutches.

motorguy

The UK market generally still prefers manuals for your average car - Focus, Astra, Passat, etc.

Exec stuff its mostly autos - e class, 5 series, etc.

Its down to personal preference.

We have an auto M140i and its great. Not sure i'd want to drive a low powered auto though.

motorguy

[Deleted User] wrote:

Yes it's true that 40% were auto in 2017 - https://www.telegraph.co.uk/cars/news/automatic-gearbox-sales-increase-70-per-cent-since-2007/

And it is increasing year on year. The trend is currently for the likes of powershift / tiptronic / dsg automatic gearboxes on higher end cars which is counted in the auto figure, they are basically a manual box that is electronically controlled with automatic clutches.

I think those gearbox types have a lot to do with it. Much much better than the old slush boxes which as well as being slow witted sapped power.

I notice now most 320d BMWs seem to come with auto boxes - thats a shift change compared to a few years ago.

Herzlos

Most rental places let you choose an automatic, but they cost more and aren't the default choice (unlike the US where almost everything is).


More cars are automatic now (hybrids will be, for instance). It used to be that auto's cost more to buy and run than manuals (less efficient so higher tax band), whilst also being pretty poor driving experience unless you were buying something high end. They've caught up now and are at least as efficient as a manual, so there's no real incentive to buy manuals now, it's just the default.

noclaf

I've always driven manual from.a 'driver satisfaction' perspective but I drive less than 5k a year so while it's occasionally annoying to use in heavy traffic its not an issue...if.I was doing daily long drives then auto would likely be the preference as manual can be tiresome. I've considered going auto for my next car but not sure there is much point for short stop start journeys and maybe an incorrect assumption but I get the impression auto boxes tend to have more issues on used cars..I could be wrong.

Cornucopia

I've got an automatic - it's a great piece of engineering (7 speeds, dual clutch). It also works seamlessly with the adaptive cruise control at all speeds (not sure how well the manual 'box would work with the same facility).

In particular, I don't see how a manual version would work with the "traffic jam" mode, where it keeps pace with slow moving traffic automatically using accelerator, brakes and gears.

coffeehound

Yes I think increasing congestion has also increased the appeal of autos. Manual used to be fun, but not any more.

shinytop

I wouldn't have anything else now. For day to day driving I find a manual tedious. We have a 'leisure' car with a manual and that's fine, but not all the time. The modern DSG-type gearboxes are so good nowadays and can drive more smoothly, faster and more economically than most humans. Having said that I have an old fashioned slush box now but I find that quite endearing. As has been said, manual gearboxes are going the same way as manual chokes, mechanical keys and cameras with film.

Goudy

Up until recently auto's were expensive to buy and run, not just in fuel but as they used more fuel and produced more CO2, they were taxed at a higher rate because of it.

What we all considered automatic a few years ago were torque convertors and only really appeared on larger engined cars where power wasn't really missed and owners weren't bother too much about the costs. (just like in America)

Automated manuals, CVT's and dual clutch systems over came the fuel/CO2 issues as they are as efficient or more efficient as a normal manual, which under the skin they are (except CVT's).
This pushed up demand as they weren't too much more to buy and run, or that was the thinking.

Trouble is, they don't all drive like a "proper" automatic (like a torque convertor that creeps) and owners had trouble adapting, most types still require clutch replacements and other servicing items (like special actuator hydraulic fluid) and it soon became apparent not all were that reliable, clutches wore quickly, actuator pumps failed, systems leaked actuator fluid that ruined the electronics attached to the pumps.
They became expensive in warranty and a liability out of warranty.

The trend now is manufactures are dropping these and reverting back to torque convertor auto's mainly because of reliability and warranty costs, but also because modern engines are smaller, cleaner and more powerful to run a proper torque convertor 'box and the 'boxes themselves are much better.

Ford dropped their Powershift gearbox recently from their best selling Fiesta for a torque convertor as even they realised it was rotten, I've driven both and the difference isn't really much in costs, but the driveabilty is massive.

Add to that as already stated, Hybrid cars tend to be auto's, either dual clutch systems or CVT and when it comes to EV's, they are two pedal and classed as automatics for sales/licencing which all pushes up the auto sales figures up.

I tend to agree with Coffeehound, I love a manual if I'm on holiday were traffic is light and the roads are twisty.
On my morning commute through London, waking up to a manual would just give me a headache.

coffeehound

I wonder if slushboxes are kinder to the engine as well -- no need to over-rev the engine every time you pull away, and no violent jerking by inexpert manual shifts.

My last car was a manual and although 2-litre, had poor low-end torque. It was very easy to stall and needed high revs when pulling away. A TC pretty much avoids stalls, which I guess also saves wear and tear on things like the starter as well as to the engine in general.

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