switching from manual to automatic

Only ever had 2 cars, first was a manual clio which I had for about 5 years, swapped it for the clio RS edc which has an auto. Aside from the urge to use your left foot for the first few days, it's a seamless transition, and now having gotten used to it I wouldn't want to go back. It's just so relaxing and hassle free in traffic.

Not sure if it's standard with auto boxes but I do have the option to swap to manual mode if I ever feel like a change. It's nice I suppose.
 
I had a BMW hire car with an 8 speed auto the other day. It was chuffing lovely, Just wafting around the place with minimal effort. I would 100% have one over a manual as my work car, if only I didn't average 40000 miles a year.
 
DeeJay-Mo said:
Looking for a car that is cheap to run and reasonably comfortable. Interested in maybe a Hybrid, but most recent models seem to be automatic transmission only. The only one I can see that is manual now is the Honda CRZ, which doesn't actually return great fuel economy, and doesn't fit into my budget of around £2500.

Quite interested in the Honda Civic Hybrid, but not sure if I will be able to get on with a CVT, having only ever driven manuals and gotten very used to having gears.

Anyone who's made the switch care to share your experience? Will it kill the enjoyment of driving completely? Should I forget about Hybrids and buy something like a Toyota Yaris 1.4 diesel car instead? Is all the hype around diesels being a bad idea warranted?

What should I do?
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cheap to run and £2.5K to spend?

then you want an old civic 1.6 petrol. from around 2004, etc. or a nissan micra. ford fiesta.

small and basic. forget hybrids with only £2.5K to spend. you want an old japanese car which has been looked after. so don't go buying off a boy racer.
 
I went from a manual to a 7 speed DCT and it's been great, especially on my daily commute. I do still enjoy a manual though and wouldn't hesitate in getting another car with one.
 
Kaka said:
I went from a manual to a 7 speed DCT and it's been great, especially on my daily commute. I do still enjoy a manual though and wouldn't hesitate in getting another car with one.
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Exactly this, DCT is the perfect compromise or actually augmentation to a manual. Effortless
 
I have a 1.6 ecoboost auto Focus. I wouldn't go back to manual. Driving is a breeze. Gear changes up and down are smooth and react when I want to floor it. Granted it's only a small engine.

Looking at buying a Golf R next... something about that sub 5 seconds 0-60 in an automatic is appealing.
 
I've recently switched to auto (ZF 8 speed), and I'm not sure I'd choose to go back to a manual that was getting daily driven. I do miss the interaction of changing gear every now and then but I think that's just habit more than anything.
 
Psycho Sonny said:
cheap to run and £2.5K to spend?

then you want an old civic 1.6 petrol. from around 2004, etc. or a nissan micra. ford fiesta.

small and basic. forget hybrids with only £2.5K to spend. you want an old japanese car which has been looked after. so don't go buying off a boy racer.
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Yes, I love my Japanese cars. I was pushing a Mitsubishi Grandis until recently, which suited me at the time, because I occasionally needed to travel with more than five people in the car whilst carrying a fullsize push chair in the boot, (not so easy in most modern seven seaters). As I was only commuting to the train station, the thirstiness of it didn't bother me that much.

Since I started my new job and doing 60 miles every day (mainly motorway), I ditched the Grandis and bought a very cheap old 1 litre Suzuki Alto, which returns around 50MPG. If I was going to buy a small petrol, I would probably go for the newer version of this little guy, but ideally I could use something slightly bigger and more comfortable.

Not sure a 1.6 Civic would return good enough fuel economy tbh, hence I'm looking at the Hybrid, or diesel.

Could probably/maybe increase my budget a bit, though.

Any more suggestions on cars worth looking at?
 
Am I the only one who prefers something that takes more skill to be good at, then? :D

I quite enjoy watching my visiting American friends panic because they suddenly have to "drive stick", or the few who think they're special because they can...!
 
ttaskmaster said:
Am I the only one who prefers something that takes more skill to be good at, then? :D

I quite enjoy watching my visiting American friends panic because they suddenly have to "drive stick", or the few who think they're special because they can...!
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No, I like to do everything. Auto things just make me feel like I'm not in full control :/
 
Depends on the automatic type. The DSG in the Golf etc and the BMW auto boxes are awesome and (for me anyway) you don't miss the manual box, however the auto box on the Ford Focus (2014 model) was so horrible every time I drove it I wanted to kill myself.
 
DeeJay-Mo said:
Yes, I love my Japanese cars. I was pushing a Mitsubishi Grandis until recently, which suited me at the time, because I occasionally needed to travel with more than five people in the car whilst carrying a fullsize push chair in the boot, (not so easy in most modern seven seaters). As I was only commuting to the train station, the thirstiness of it didn't bother me that much.

Since I started my new job and doing 60 miles every day (mainly motorway), I ditched the Grandis and bought a very cheap old 1 litre Suzuki Alto, which returns around 50MPG. If I was going to buy a small petrol, I would probably go for the newer version of this little guy, but ideally I could use something slightly bigger and more comfortable.

Not sure a 1.6 Civic would return good enough fuel economy tbh, hence I'm looking at the Hybrid, or diesel.

Could probably/maybe increase my budget a bit, though.

Any more suggestions on cars worth looking at?
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with a budget of £2.5K the only thing your best bet is picking something reliable. forget MPG, forget hybrid too IMO.

if your budget was £10K then sure look at a hybrid. at £2.5K your looking at a very old car so reliability should be the most important thing.
 
Don't do sporty or stupid driving so auto suits me just fine. Basically converted after driving auto's on holidays to the USA and Canada.

Just wish manufacturers of cars for the UK market would start offering it as an option on more makes or models.
 
I pulled up at Toll booth on M6 toll road and wondered why it was juddering like hell - in 6th and forgot to push clutch in :D - stupid manual cars.

Always had autos if at all possible - love my Ford Powershift.
 
Vern1961 said:
Don't do sporty or stupid driving so auto suits me just fine. Basically converted after driving auto's on holidays to the USA and Canada.

Just wish manufacturers of cars for the UK market would start offering it as an option on more makes or models.
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Traditionally autos aren't anywhere near as popular over here. People mostly buy them on Mercs (because their manual boxes are awful) and larger cars. Or people who can't pass a full license :P
 
DXP55 said:
I pulled up at Toll booth on M6 toll road and wondered why it was juddering like hell - in 6th and forgot to push clutch in :D - stupid manual cars.
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Approached a corner and wondered why car crashed - Forgot to turn steering wheel :D - stupid manual cars...

I honestly expect that sort of thing to supercede the SMIDSY, once self-driving vehicles start appearing...
 
Auto trucks are fantastic albeit just conventional manual with automated clutch and gearchange mechanics, I used to prefer a manual HGV but now would far rather an auto, the change is quicker than you can ever manage by hand and the ratio selection (on weight sensitive 'boxes) is always spot on, they are considerably more fuel efficient too.

I wonder if such designs will migrate to cars or, they'll eventually manage a torque converter type box that can handle the huge torque output of a 13litre + Turbo diesel.....
 
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