Any manual drivers driven Automatics?

[Postdog]

Basically, I've been driving for years, since the 70's, and have always driven manuals. It's what I learned in and what I am used to.

I got a car from a dealers a few months back, but I changed makes to what I have been driving for years and I am not happy (nice car, just not happy driving it) and am looking to trade in for my preferred manufacturer.

He doesn't have much choice at the moment, but pne of those is an automatic, which I have always avoided. Ive never even sat in the driving seat of one before now.

My question is to those who have driven both - basically what was your impression? Did you change from manual to automatic and did you prefer it, was it easier to change, etc etc.

[bednobs]

i have had an auto since january, and previously to that a semi auto, and previously to that a manual, so ive had experience of all three. It was easy to swap between all of them. On balance i think i preferred the tiptronic (semi auto) as you still got to change gear but didn't have to bother with clutch but auto is also ok

[TonyV]

autos are fine - what is your prefered manufacturer of choice? - What is wrong with the current vehicle?

[bednobs]

agree with the hill start thing too- reverse hill starts are my nemesis but not any more

[HomeChef]

I have had several automatics but am a comfirmed manual driver.
first of all there is a power loss in the torque converter ( it replaces the clutch) which is about 10% which means 10% less MPG however if you do a lot of travelling in rush hours it is a lot easier to drive an automatic as stop start is accererator or brake.
if you do a lot of motorway driving you wont feel the benefit as you will not be stop start or changing gears feequently and will loos out on MPG.
The other thing to watch out for as a manual driver is your left foot it wants to press the clutch in as you come to a stop or to change gear as you dont have a clutch pedal just a very wide brake pedal you will probably press very hard on the brake and come to a sudden stop.
Left foot is best kept out of the way until you are really used to driving automatcs i kept mine brought back to my seat so i had to make an effort to actually bring it for ward withn enough time torealise i did not need it
good luck

[Postdog]

I've always driven Vauxhalls, a succession of Cavaliers, Vectras and Astras. I bought a renault scenic because it was very clean and more modern than I'd had, and nice car though it is, something doesn't feel right. My dealer has 3 that I can consider, one being an Astra Automatic, one a (too cheap to consider really) Vectra and a Corsa - only ever driven a Corsa once and it was too small really legroom wise. Some more convincing comments since I last posted but I guess a test drive will really be the only way.

[TonyV]

postdog - first you need to decide what the car needs to do for you (sorry if mother telling you how too suck eggs) how many doors/ space/ power / fuel economy will get you to a model from Vauxhall range?
Whether it is is auto is secondary? Are you tied into this particular dealership?

[Hopkirk]

I drive automatic lorries and buses for a living, and they are brilliant.

However I would never buy an automatic car. I much prefer the extra control that a manual gearbox gives me, in that I can choose the gear I am just about to need. An auto gives you the gear you just needed.

Also I like the extra engine breaking from a manual gearbox, when you take your foot off the gas.

They are more economical, and need less brake pad replacements. This is because you have to use the brakes more in an automatic.

[classylady60]

I never wanted to change from manual to auto but had a bad knee so had to. It is as has been said easier to drive in traffic, but I still think you have more control with a manual and IMO auto's cost more to run in petrol and particularly mine, its emmision category is higher which is annoying re the tax being higher,.

[sherrardk]

I've got an automatic (not through choice - but the car had really low mileage so it was a no-brainer). I don't mind it (I dont drive very far though) but we used it to tow a caravan last year and it was rubbish at it. I am a bit concerned about how I will manage if we change it and get a manual car though.

[Cowtipper]

I have three pickups and two cars, with one each having an auto. The only trouble I have is mashing the brake or slamming the floorboard looking for a clutch when I first get in them.

[237SJ]

I`ve always had manual cars but have driven automatic hire cars overseas. Automatic is so easy but you don`t get the performance from an automatic that you get from a manual. You can`t change down the gears at the crucial moment to get really good acceleration from an automatic car. It depends what you want really. For ease of driving I would say automatic but for performance I would say manual.

[seadogg]

Enjoy both but think the manual has it for driving to save fuel.

[joko]

autos are soooo much easier...you just set the gear and thats it, you stop and start...no constant changing gear up and down, no clutch pedal, and you can concentrate on the road and whats going on around you.

i know gears become mostly second nature its easier not to have to think of speed and what gear you shoudl be in when you are in busy traffic...

(i learnt to drive a manual and would never ever buy a manulal car)

[joko]

im confused, you want a handbrake? i thought all cars had one...my auto does... its necesary as autos have a habit of 'creeping' forward when stationary if you take your foot off the brake


i also have to drive mine with both feet unfortunately - i have very small feet and just found it too awkward to use one

[Answerprancer]

In my experience: forget you have a left foot, good in traffic, not good if you have a flat battery and no jump leads, a bit less fuel efficient than a manual, a write off if the automatic transmission breaks.

[Milvus]

I've just changed to an auto (and diesel) for the first time. What swung it for me was that this combination got better mpg than the manual petrol version and was faster too. I have had it for a couple of weeks and have managed to avoid the double foot breaking trick (so far). I'm glad I changed

[nightmare]

Milvus,
you get better mpg from a diesel ? I would be seriously surprised if you didn't. Its being automatic has nowt to do with it.
You would get even better mpg from a diesel engine with manual transmission.

[Milvus]

Not in this case Nightmare. The manual diesel gets 44.8 (combined) the auto 46.3.
While I agree a diesel will get more mpg than the petrol version, I wasn't expecting nearly 50% better (33mpg to 46.3 mpg combined)

[Postdog]

Joko I have a handbrake, just not the usual kind. it's not a lever by the driver but a pullout on the dash. I don't feel comfy with it, and despite everything said, I don't think I'll feel comfy with an auto.

[welshlibranr]

I have driven both manual and auto over the years, I really like driving an auto, they are so easy, and I found that getting used to it took literally minutes!.........