need some help, auto or manual?

unwashed potato! · 21 Jul 2007 at 22:47

i had some lessons a year ago learning to drive a manual, got bored after a while as didn;t like the cost nor the instructor so i stopped and haven't gone back to learning. Now its becoming more obvious that i should reallylearn to drive, only thing is should i learn to drive manual or auto?

The reason i ask is because im pretty certain that the car i buy once i pass will be an auto so i see no reason in wasting money on lessons and possibly failing tests just so i can learn manual. Now everyone i know is saying learn manual but i am failing to see the reason why i should.

I really can't see the point of manual cars one bit, we have invented a vehicle to do that for us, which allows more concentration on the road, yet everyone seems to still be driving a manual and afaik they are still being made?

so turning to you guys, help me decide, should i learn manual or auto

Azagoth · 21 Jul 2007 at 22:49

Manual everytime, at least that way you're covered for both transmission types.

Dangerous Dave · 21 Jul 2007 at 23:09

Go for a manual as on certain occasions you may need to drive a manual, for example when it comes to renting things like a van you will be hard pushed to find a automatic one.

[TW]Fox · 21 Jul 2007 at 23:14

Manual cars are cheaper to buy, cheaper to run and the majority of cars in this country are manual cars, so you get more choice to buy from.

If you have lots of money and will always be buying nearly new cars then sure, go auto. But if like many you will be chosing a first car for a grand or two, autos are few and far between, quiet nasty, and often big repair bills waiting to happen.

BigglesPiP · 21 Jul 2007 at 23:16

I'd go for Manual every time, just because you get both types.

BigglesPiP · 21 Jul 2007 at 23:19

[TW]Fox said:
you will be chosing a first car for a grand or two, manuals are few and far between

LOL! I know what you actually meant.

wedgie · 21 Jul 2007 at 23:20

Manual without a doubt.

1. You can still choose to drive automatic if you learn manual, learn automatic and you're stuck with automatic.
2. The number of potential cars available decreases severely if you're limitied to automatic.
3. Your automatic gearbox goes **** up you might as well just kiss your car goodbye.
4. Just the simple fact that it's more fun to drive properly rather than an expensive go-kart.

5. The exact same model will be more expensive in automatic, possibly considerably so.

Many more practical reasons I've not thought of I'm sure.

Clarkey · 21 Jul 2007 at 23:29

wedgie said:
Manual without a doubt.

2. The number of potential cars available decreases severely if you're limited to automatic.

rubbish, very few cars are without an automatic option.

3. Your automatic gearbox goes **** up you might as well just kiss your car goodbye.

rubbish, simply replace it or have it rebuilt.

4. Just the simple fact that it's more fun to drive properly rather than an expensive go-kart.

in your opinion... auto's very much have their place.

but yes, full manual license all the way, unless you a total no hoper in one.

Fr0dders · 21 Jul 2007 at 23:30

BigglesPiP said:
I'd go for Manual every time, just because you get both types.

quoted for truth

no point restricting yourself to one when you can pass a normal test and drive both.

If you limit yourself to a an automatic license you restrict your choice of car.

By and large smaller cars have a very limited (if at all) range of automatics. And if they do, you wont get the full choice of engine and trim levels. If your only ever going to drive execuitive barges like 5 series and mondeos / vectras etc.. you dont have to worry. If you'd rather drive something smaller then your going to find your choices limited.

also , you've not had many lessons have you ? because changing gears is the least of your worries. Yes it takes a while to learn it, but once you've learnt, it becomes second nature. My picasso has a nasty tendancy to be bit a bit rough when cold, and can sometimes start to stall if not carefull with the clutch. I can catch the stall without even thinking now. Its just second nature.

Everything seems hard when do it for the first time, you just need to have patience. Besides, changing gears is half the fun if you do a bit of spirited driving !

[TW]Fox · 21 Jul 2007 at 23:34

Clarkey said:
rubbish, very few cars are without an automatic option

On the used market, the vast majority of regular cars in the sub executive classes are manuals. Take a look at £1500 small hatchbacks for example. Less than 1 in 20 will be automatics.

rubbish, simply replace it or have it rebuilt.

There is no such thing as 'simply' replacing an automatic gearbox. The cost will often outweigh the value of cheaper cars.

in your opinion... auto's very much have their place.

That they do. But their place is not mainstream everyday hatchbacks. It's big saloons and performance GT Coupes.

Fr0dders · 21 Jul 2007 at 23:36

[TW]Fox said:
That they do. But their place is not mainstream everyday hatchbacks. It's big saloons and performance GT Coupes.

like i said, if your going to be driving a 5 series / e class / a6 / and to a certain extent mondeo / vectra / a4 / c class / 3 series etc.. then you'll have no trouble finding a decent automatic

if like most new drivers your going to be a driving a 5 year old 1.2 fiesta or whatever as your first car, your going to have a right **** ache trying to find a decent automatic one on the 2nd hand market.

wedgie · 21 Jul 2007 at 23:47

[TW]Fox said:
On the used market, the vast majority of regular cars in the sub executive classes are manuals. Take a look at £1500 small hatchbacks for example. Less than 1 in 20 will be automatics.

There is no such thing as 'simply' replacing an automatic gearbox. The cost will often outweigh the value of cheaper cars.

That they do. But their place is not mainstream everyday hatchbacks. It's big saloons and performance GT Coupes.

You swine, you just ruined my comeback.

What I was going to say, but was beaten to, was:

1. You can still choose to drive automatic if you learn manual, learn automatic and you're stuck with automatic. - We don't all buy our cars from new, please refer to [TW]Fox's post.

3. Your automatic gearbox goes **** up you might as well just kiss your car goodbye. - I was referring to the cost, not the difficulty of replacing an automatic gearbox. Your car is going to have to be worth a few grand in the first place to be worth it.

4. Just the simple fact that it's more fun to drive properly rather than an expensive go-kart. - Yes, despite me stating it as fact, this is obviously opinion, but, the

should really be taken as an indication that I'm not being entirely serious.

tim_enchanter · 21 Jul 2007 at 23:58

Azagoth said:
Manual everytime, at least that way you're covered for both transmission types.

Quoted for truth (damn stars)

Morba · 22 Jul 2007 at 00:07

Clarkey said:
but yes, full manual license all the way, unless you a total no hoper in one.

sorry but you really do not have a clue when it comes to the auto market.
yes new cars all have auto options (well 99% do), but tbh, the hatchback market = low spec, in general, which is crap.

auto's are NOT cheap to fix. sub £2k cars are likely to be scrapped if your gearbox goes and you cannot fix it yourself. replacements are not cheap and neither is labour costs for fitting.

cheap used autos are a very risky purchase, purely for the cost to fix.

Scania · 22 Jul 2007 at 01:25

Automatics are best for those who get sick of gearchanges.

Clarkey · 22 Jul 2007 at 01:37

Morba said:
sorry but you really do not have a clue when it comes to the auto market.
yes new cars all have auto options (well 99% do), but tbh, the hatchback market = low spec, in general, which is crap.

auto's are NOT cheap to fix. sub £2k cars are likely to be scrapped if your gearbox goes and you cannot fix it yourself. replacements are not cheap and neither is labour costs for fitting.

cheap used autos are a very risky purchase, purely for the cost to fix.

I'm sorry but where exactly did he mention a budget? That's right, he didn't, so don't come across to me with the 'you know nothing' attitude :rolleyes:

Morba · 22 Jul 2007 at 01:47

Clarkey said:
I'm sorry but where exactly did he mention a budget? That's right, he didn't, so don't come across to me with the 'you know nothing' attitude

he didnt, hence why i mentioned new cars and old cars. funny that eh?

ramirez · 22 Jul 2007 at 01:59

Manual license, but I like autos and really don't mind either.

I don't know how old you are, but you can get reliable Jap automatic cars under £2000 albeit with fairly large engines.

wedgie · 22 Jul 2007 at 02:30

Clarkey said:
I'm sorry but where exactly did he mention a budget? That's right, he didn't, so don't come across to me with the 'you know nothing' attitude

Your right, he didn't mention a budget. What he did do was ask for help deciding which licence to go for, to which many valid reasons to go for manual have been given.

The costs associated with automatics is something that should be taken into consideration, regardless of budget. This has quite rightly been pointed out, where's the problem? Is it just that you've been shown to be talking nonsense that you don't like?

Azagoth · 22 Jul 2007 at 02:34

Just out of curiosity, how does the law stand on people with only an Auto licence but who're driving a motor that has both auto and manual?