Manual vs Automatic cars. Main pros and cons.

[BernieDavid]

what do drivers usually see as the pros and cons of manual and automatic cars. I'm learning to drive and want to know why people have preferences (other than the ease of learning on an automatic).

[Pinotage]

If you're learning, its best to pass your test in a manual car. If you pass in an automatic then you can't drive manuals. For driving pleasure an automatic cannot be beaten' especially along our congested stop-start roads. However, fuel consumption is higher on an automatic, but that doesn;t seem to be a factor any more considering the amount of huge 4 wheel drive jeeps and SUVs about.

[Farrukh]

I agree with Pinotage. Automatics are certainly easier to learn to drive, though independant instructors are far fewer than those who teach on manuals. Also 2nd hand automatics are not as easy to get as manual cars. Far easier to drive than manuals on congested roads, but a manual licence has many hidden advantages. If you need a courtesy car, the chances are that it will be a manual. Put in the extra effort and go manual, then you have plenty of choice later

[Stewart]

I agree with Pinotage and Farrukh. Automatics are certainly easier to learn but it is well worth the effort to get a licence for a manual, then you have the choice. Automatics are more difficult to find, more expensive, sore on fuel and expensive to repair. Also if you are ever fortunate enough to be offered a specific car on "advantageous terms" eg gift, company car, prize, loan, you may want to be able to make use of this, rather than be forced to reject it because it is manual.

[AndyAvery]

Driving pleasure is greater in a manual, you have far more control, especially when slowing down, You end up using brakes far more in an auto which can be feel odd coming up to a corner. With a manual you can pre-empt the gear you need rather than the car deciding as you put your foot down.

[boognish76]

I agree with Andy - automatics take all the fun (and skill) out of driving - they're less responsive and tend to be driven by 'a to b' people. 'Drivers' drive manuals, automatics drive themselves.

[rekstout]

I have both a manual and an automatic car and have to say that they each have their place.
Manuals are cheaper to buy and service, are more economical and deliver more power and are certainly the choice for smaller engined cars which otherwise end up sounding rather revvy.
Automatics are great for driving around town and any sort of stop-start driving as they take away all the clutch work. My auto has a large engine so I do not notice a performance lag and (like many modern automatics) it has a tiptronic option so I can use it like a clutch-less manual in order to extract better performance where necessary.
Many luxury cars have no manual option anyway (e.g. Mercedes S Class) because they are powerful enough that the economy difference would be negligible and they are smoother on gear changes.

[Pinotage]

I'd like to know where AndyAvery and boognish76 drive if they find it fun. As someone who has to commute 50 miles along the M25 past the M1, M40 & M4 junctions and onto the M3 all I want to do is get there safely and comfortably, knowing I'll have to do the return trip at the end of the day.

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Fun? What fun is there waggling a stick, considering when to change gear in stop start traffic?

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Using the gears to brake is a fallacious argument, since an automatic does exactly the same when you take your foot off the accelerator and apply the brake.

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When my geared car broke down the garage loaned me an automatic. I didn't want to give it back when my car was repaired, and shortly afterwards changed it for an automatic and haven't regretted it once.

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My dad used to start his car with a starting handle (gives you a feel for the engine, he said) and had to change gears by double de-clutching (real driving skill needed, he said. He thought synchromesh was for girls.)

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Your kids will feel the same about manual gear changing. If we're still driving cars by then.

[Viv]

Interesting arguments, for me, I drive 30k miles a year mostly in heavy traffic and on fast motorways. Driving an automatic means that my hands are on the steering wheel and my mind is free to concentrate on the road. The cost is about the same in fuel, the car has the same performance (E200K) so it seems to be a winning combination.

[1mrcabbage]

I have one very good reason for preferring automatics. Drive-thrus! How can I eat my burger and fries and drink my coke if I have to keep changing gear?

[davver]

Automatics are for girls! As are ordinary cars. Get a Land Rover and feel the gearbox crunch its way around, the clunk as the turbo kicks in and the scrape as you don't quite get it into reverse even though the gearstick is in the right place. Actually although I sound sarcastic I do love my Landy and wouldn't part for it for the world - although maybe a nice old Series III or IIA... For the record I had my lessons in a VW Lupo and a Ford Focus, whilst driving at home in a Landy. Slightly different cars, which was fun!

[rubyraven]

well im almost on my ps and from my point of view the automatic is the easier car to go through traffic with. As a manual needs more concentration on gears and when ur wondering why the idiot in front of u w/o ps has cut you off u dont really have time to change gears as well as break and avoid everybody else. Although i learnt in a manual and they are nice and trustworthy cars on the road. Although i think u should deffinately get a manual license, then decide ur choice of cars.