Opinion On Automatic to Manual

quest4me2

Ok, I'll be brief.

I have an automatic DL, and I have been driving for 8 years, with no problems. I'm mid 40's.

At 19, I took lessons in a manual car, but I failed my test three times due to anxiety, nerves and the fact I had dyspraxia which wasn't diagnosed until my 30's. From what I remember my actual driving, changing gear etc., was all ok, it was the manoeuvres which posed a problem, such as a 3-point turn etc. All of which I can do now with no problem.

I keep wondering is it worth taking some manual lessons to convert my licence, this is something I have wanted to do, but is it really worth it. Other than more choice of cars, and of course manual cars are often cheaper than automatics.

The car I currently drive is not my own, but is automatic, but I am looking to buy my own cheap run around, and of course manuals are often better than automatics when it comes to small cars or so I am led to believe.

Thoughts on converting? The average cost of lessons £75 for two hours. How many hours is it likely to take me. I only took 10 hours of lessons before getting my automatic licence, and I passed the test with no minors back then.

knightstyle

Soon all cars will be automatic as electric cars become the norm.  Manual cars used to be more economical but lately it seems modern automatics have the edge.
My DW is disabled and has had to have an automatic for the past 25 years and we would not go back to manual, several family members feel the same after driving out automatics over the years.

skycatcher

We've just changed to an auto diesel Captur from a manual i30 and wouldn't go back to manual. The gearbox is slick and smooth and returns over 50MPG even on short journeys on local roads.

dipsomaniac

Can't understand why all cars aren't auto.  I have driven a auto since 2003.  So much smoother for you and your passengers. Hill starts arent a problem. Lot easier for people with a lazy left leg. Win win win

Disclaimer: this post is not preaching🙂

coffeehound

It was less of a chore to drive a manual 20+ years ago because traffic moved more freely.  But now with congestion, traffic lights, traffic calming and whatnot, it's become tedious.  I would just dodge learning manual in your situation, to be honest

iwb100

No point. There is virtually no future for manuals and even the existing petrol manuals are either equivalently matched by autos or bettered. 

Bigwheels1111

Drove manual motor bikes, cars, Hgv1 and very old buses for best part of 1 million miles.
Had an auto 6 speed for 5.6 years and would never go back.

Petriix

Single gear EV all the way. Gearboxes are so last century. 

moneymoner

I used to drive manual's and always sniggered at auto's. When I finally bought an auto I was so upset with myself for not giving them a chance years ago. The modern autos are so much more responsive than a manual. The manual 1st and 2nd are still always available and even a sport mode if it's a performance car. Less maintence and usually the auto boxes outlive the engine. Get a steptronic or tiptronic if you can afford one, it will put a smile on your face.

cymruchris

Having spent a few years living in Asia where automatics are the norm, and manuals are the rarity, and having driven autos myself for over 20 years - I wouldn't be changing, and neither will the country I was living in either. They are better in traffic, more relaxing to drive when you want them to be, and there are still sporty models available if ever you want them (I drive an auto Merc SLK now with a 3.5 litre engine - has a 0-60 of something silly - but is equally comfortable in urban driving). If I were in your position, I'd not bother trying manuals again...

Goudy

Stick with Auto but make sure you choose the right one as some Autos in small cars are actually automated manuals and they don't drive very well.
Most automated manuals will not creep, ie slowly creep forward or backwards when you release the brake without applying the accelerator.
To make them move you have to apply the accelerator and that makes parking, reversing, hill starts etc more difficult as you really have to use both feet, one on accelerator and one covering the brake.
They can also be quite jerky when they change.

These automated manuals were a cheap and fairly efficient way of producing a small "automatic" cars and a lot of manufacturers tried them, but recently they have started to move away from them as there are better options these days.

They also tend to be less reliable, some famously so like Fiats Dualogic.

A lot of small cars these days tend to use CVT or dual clutch systems though a few did still fit the tried and tested torque convertor autos, but they tended to sap a lot of power from a small engine which made them a bit juicy on fuel and have higher emissions.
The rest will be automated manuals which often have odd names like Sensodrive, Tronic, Dualogic or listed as Semi Automatics, give them a miss.