Manual v/or Automatic transmission

DUTR

no1catman wrote: »

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.

I think you missed off a stereo type , the boy racer macho man, who must feel in full control of their vehicle?
The great thing is having a choice.
Yeah back in the day when only 3 speed TC autos were available it was a manual all the way, nowadays with the dual clutch smoothness and quick changes it has to be DSG for me (even at the premium) .
I'm certainly still fit and able, my moan is the demise of 3 door cars.

JenL

I know how to drive a manual but nowadays can only physically drive an automatic. Although if I wasn't disabled I'd still choose to drive an automatic as it's much easier.

AnotherJoe

This conversation will look very cute in five or so years time when pretty much all new cars will be Electric, technically they aren't even automatic since there's no changing at all, just a single gear* but they drive like the best auto you ever had and more so.
Gears are only there because of the inadequacies of internal combustion engines, so when they go away so do gears.

* I believe the new Porsche "turbo" EV might have two gears

motorguy

JenL wrote: »

I know how to drive a manual but nowadays can only physically drive an automatic. Although if I wasn't disabled I'd still choose to drive an automatic as it's much easier.

Yes, my wife needs an auto now due to rheumatoid arthritis, so our main car is always an auto, and i think we both prefer an auto now.

NBLondon

Robisere wrote: »

And the manual box drivers are braking all the way down, if they have not learned to go down their gears. Which most have not. Anyone driving that route frequently, without dropping into a lower gear, must get through brake pads and/or shoes* at a significantly higher rate than me!

I'd noticed that. The one significant hill that I drive on a regular basis is the A233 at Biggin Hill in Kent and most people seem to ride down it with brakes on all the way. Coming back up is a fun challenge to see if you can get a run-up (it's a 60 limit on the approach) and how far can you get without dropping a cog. Which is often stymied by a Micra automatic...

AnotherJoe

NBLondon wrote: »

I'd noticed that. The one significant hill that I drive on a regular basis is the A233 at Biggin Hill in Kent and most people seem to ride down it with brakes on all the way. Coming back up is a fun challenge to see if you can get a run-up (it's a 60 limit on the approach) and how far can you get without dropping a cog. Which is often stymied by a Micra automatic...

Once you've got an electric you'll find you charge up on the way down on hills like that without the brakes being used*. Of course you use electricity on the way up, but unlike with petrol you get some back on the way down.
* your foot may be on the brake pedal but the electronics will be running the motor as a generator and charging the batteries and its unlikely the brake pads will be used. All happens automagically rather than automatically.

coffeehound

NBLondon wrote: »

I'd noticed that. The one significant hill that I drive on a regular basis is the A233 at Biggin Hill in Kent and most people seem to ride down it with brakes on all the way.

Seem to remember reading somewhere that using gears + engine to slow a car down a hill is outmoded, going back to the days when brakes were so crap you couldn't rely on them. Brakes = £ to replace, gearbox = £££ to repair/replace. Don't know if that is accepted wisdom, though.

Car_54

coffeehound wrote: »

Seem to remember reading somewhere that using gears + engine to slow a car down a hill is outmoded, going back to the days when brakes were so crap you couldn't rely on them. Brakes = £ to replace, gearbox = £££ to repair/replace. Don't know if that is accepted wisdom, though.

Sort of! It used to be normal practice to use gears and engine braking for routine slowing and stopping. That is long gone, for the reasons you state. But in going down long steep hills it is still valid.

EssexExile

coffeehound wrote: »

Seem to remember reading somewhere that using gears + engine to slow a car down a hill is outmoded, going back to the days when brakes were so crap you couldn't rely on them. Brakes = £ to replace, gearbox = £££ to repair/replace. Don't know if that is accepted wisdom, though.

I was told that on a police driving course in the 70s, brakes are cheaper than gearboxes. But things have changed, brake discs weren't consumable items back then!

Car_54

EssexExile wrote: »

I was told that on a police driving course in the 70s, brakes are cheaper than gearboxes. But things have changed, brake discs weren't consumable items back then!

Eh? Brakes are still cheaper than gearboxes.