Automatic Car

[porkchop]

My daughter is interested in a white Toyota Yaris ( a Japanese import) which is AUTOMATIC. Do these automatic small cars give any more trouble than you would expect from a gear change car and also are they more expensive to service. Any other observations would be helpful. Thanks.

[bhg481]

There's no reason why they should give any more trouble than a manual car. In fact, as a second-hand car, it is potentially more reliable than a manual; boy-racers don't buy automatics, the electronics monitoring the gearbox will not permit you to over-rev or labour the engine and there's no clutch to ride for people too idle to use the handbrake, so there's far less chance that the car has been abused.
For inexperienced drivers there's less to worry about as they can't get caught in the wrong gear, no hill-starts to catch them out and it's almost impossible to stall them.

[DJHawkes]

it will be a dream to drive, I've been driving automatics since i was 18 and passed my test in an automatic mini in 1974 and i've never understood how people manage to drive and change gear at the same time. The bits they service are nothing to do with the gearbox except they have to check the fluid in something to do with the automatic gear box.
If your daughter has been driving a manual for a while she may need to get used to just using one foot but it won't take long.

[horseshoes]

I've driven both, and would have an automatic any day! Most people who say "oh I'd never have an automatic have never driven one"! I also drive a Yaris: I was upset at first because I gave up my classic Mini Cooper, but now I LOVE it. I've never had a day's problem with it in the 5 years I've had it. (apart from the recent manufacturers recall to inset the passenger airbag). I'd definitely say go for it. They're great little cars.

[Kathyan]

I've been driving an automatic for 14 years as I passed my driving test in Canada. I find it much easier to drive and I always have two hands on the steering wheel. My husband has taken to driving automatics so that we can both be insured to drive either car.

[tali1]

Automatics drink far more fuel than a manual and also depending on age will have far higher road tax post 2001
No handbrake needed on hillls - but they do creep up
Also they can "hunt" and easily be caught in wrong gear esp up hill and any overtaking at motorway speeds requires kickdown - the equivalent of brutally dropping a gear -or two in a manual

[Hopkirk]

I drive automatic lorries and buses, but by choice would always have a manual car.

With a manual gearbox you can select the gear you are about to need, while an auto gives you the gear you just needed.

[chas2008]

drive one before buying, Toyota auto boxes especially Yaris are not the greatest in the world.
As part of my job i drive many vehicles manual/auto, i recently drove a Yaris auto and it was by far the worst auto i have ever driven...

[woofgang]

I have driven both and prefer manual. I agree with the comment about autos giving you the gear you just needed and manuals giving you the gear you are about to need!

[Kathyan]

"No handbrake needed on hillls - but they do creep up"

Mine must be unique then because it doesn't!

[tiggerblue10]

I have a manual licence but I prefer automatic. I find gear changing quite annoying so I'm sticking with auto. I nearly bought a Yaris but got a Fiesta instead.

[SpikeyBush]

I love my automatic. Ince my back went I find driving a manual very uncomfortable especially in the heavy traffic of Dublin.
BTW I thought the Toyota Yaris was sold in Japan as the Toyota Echo

[tamborine]

manuals are maddening when driving roads with linked lights, no such probs with autos