Automatic vs Manual

2L84SLEEP

2L84SLEEP

2L84SLEEP

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Hi all

Just looking for some input, at the moment, I drive a manual 53 plate 1.6 Ford Focus. I have just returned from the States where I had an automatic Chrysler Sebring. I hadnt thought about having an automatic before but found it remarkably easy to drive and enjoyed not having to constantly change gear. My wife is also looking to get back into driving, hasnt driven for about 3 years and I thought this would be a good first step and not having to think about the gears.

Just wondering if anyone has made the change from manual to automatic or if there is any disadvatages I havent though of?

Thanks
 
Autos are meant to use more fuel since they cycle through the gears more, don't think its as bad as it was years ago when they really drank the petrol.
 
Fuel economy, performance and "driver involvement" are the main disadvantages. Also an automatic transmission is more complex and expensive to repair in a lot of cases.

I personally really like automatics, especially when you just need to get somewhere (which for most people is 95% of the time spent in the car).
 
Adz said:
Fuel economy, performance and "driver involvement" are the main disadvantages. Also an automatic transmission is more complex and expensive to repair in a lot of cases.

I personally really like automatics, especially when you just need to get somewhere (which for most people is 95% of the time spent in the car).
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I wouldn't even say driver involvement, a lot of autos come with tiptronic mode so you can do the gears youself if you wish. Best of both worlds imo without the stalling and biting point archaic bs of a manual.
 
jamoor said:
Automatic must be coupled to a largeish engine, don't get a 1.6 auto or something like that.
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Actually when I visit my mum in Eastbourne I quite often steal her Astra 1.6 8v Auto to run about in and I quite like it. It may be the slowest car in the known universe but it's perfectly good if you just want to get somewhere. It moves through the gears nicely and doesn't feel strained all the way up to ~85mph or so.

Because it's so slow there's no inclination whatsoever to race about everywhere like your balls are on fire. It's great :).
 
jamoor said:
Automatic must be coupled to a largeish engine, don't get a 1.6 auto or something like that.
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Having had a 1.6 Focus auto i'd say its the lowest engine size you'd want in an auto, it was quite fine for any road and accleration was'nt tooo bad, perfectly fine for overtaking but would'nt want a smaller engine and i agree the bigger the better.
I actually went back to manual cars, autos are no fun imo. As someone stated, when they go bad they cost loads to repair, the transmission was slipping in mine and cost 1100 to rebuild.
 
In theory, when you think about it, why are we still driving around in manuals.

Pulling cables, pressing levers, seems all so 'manual' when almost everything else is automated :)

I know in reality it's not as simple as that but I think things like the BMW SMG boxes and the VAG DSG units are a step in the right direction imho with manual tech but automated, if that makes sense :p
 
Plodding around backwards and forwards to work I wouldn't mind an auto but if I want to give it some I do going through the gears. The constant whir & drone of an auto would make me go nuts.
 
I don't think i really have a preference. I tend to buy a manual then an auto then back to manual again etc.

People have brought up the big points here.

Autos are less economical for sure but they're nice and lazy :p I've been back in an automatic car again now for about a year and i must admit everything is perfect except that feeling thats starting to eat away at me more and more for something more involving and sporty.

Your options as someone else said are a beamer (ie german) with a big litre engine or alternatively something jap like a honda accord (which i have) or a mazda6, both of which have automatic gearbox variants that are highly unlikely to go wrong, even on v high miles. It's almost universally accepted to stay clear of small litre auto's and anything vauxhall / ford as you really don't want to be lumbered with an automatic gearbox repair bill as it'll practically be "scrap car time".

Oh and no clutch replacements needed on auto's which is handy.
 
Janesy B said:
Plodding around backwards and forwards to work I wouldn't mind an auto but if I want to give it some I do going through the gears. The constant whir & drone of an auto would make me go nuts.
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Whir and drone?
What autos have you been driving?
 
Janesy B said:
Mainly when in cabs, not anything diff related, just the engine note seems to stay constant as if the clutch is slipping.
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Ah right, about the worst possible transmission then with millions of miles.

99% of autos are smooth and silent.

You really ought to get some driving experience before making such ridiculous comments.
 
made the change 2 years back mainly because of the commute and being sick and tired of sitting in traffic constantly changing gears.
mine is a volvo unit tied upto a 2.3 turbo unit and is very smooth indeed, its also switchable Sports/Economy/Winter.
basically the difference between Sports and Economy is the shift up points, sports giving the full sweep of the rev range.
what i do find tho is that the brakes take more punishment as the autos dont engine brake in the same manor
they are very reliable if you make sure the fluid is changed at the correct intervals
 
jamoor said:
Ah right, about the worst possible transmission then with millions of miles.

99% of autos are smooth and silent.

You really ought to get some driving experience before making such ridiculous comments.
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If you read my comment it wasn't the gearbox making the noise, it was the ENGINE NOTE.
 
've got a 728i and it has the tiptronic autobox which is brilliant, suits the car all the way. I'd have another tip auto, 100% - I use the autobox if I am mooching in traffic and mostl around twon and the tip if I am on a run or in a hurry. The Tip gives significantly better economy on a run as the Auto will throw it into 5th too soon and going up hill at less than 90mph in 5 is a bad idea, much better to drop to 4.

I'd not want a small engined auto, plus I'd also be wary of driving a 4 gear job, the BMW box is so smooth, very responsive in Tip and, for the most part, very reliable. Mine is on 130k and works lovely, though it is possible to upset it if you are dithering around with the kick down switch, though I suspect a change of auto trans fluid would defo help.
 
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