Automatic or Manual..

[potsy]

Having a dodgy left knee I am seriously thinking of getting an automatic as my next car.

Not had one since the early 90's which was a 3 speed, hideous thing.

What are the pro's and con's of the modern auto?

 

[petek]

Oldest lad has a Skoda Octavia automatic and it is a breeze to drive. Gotta be easier on your knee than constant left-foot work. We've never bought an automatic yet but I'd do so if needed. Not sure how they pan out for costs. Lad got a deal on his, new; and it came cheaper. Hence he bought it, he was an automatic newbie but says he'd not go back to stick shifts now.

 

[Fnaar]

I've got an American pal who lives over here... he simply will not drive a manual shift car!

 

[jefmcg]

They are fine these days. Only downsides I can think of

1. It doesn't feel so much like driving, just steering
2. The next time you end up in a manual you'll inevitably stall it.

 

[petek]

I've got an American pal who lives over here... he simply will not drive a manual shift car!

Yep. We couldn't hire a manual rental car in America. They only had automatics.

 

[Profpointy]

Thing about automatics is they don't half stop quick if you press the clutch !

Joking aside, I dislike them because they always change up as you ease off for a bend or whatever and your control of the car suffers. I tended to fight them by using it in semi-manual mode which is then jerky and horrid. It is claimed modern ones are better but doesn't feel like it when I'm a passenger. All that said, I don't have a bad knee, in which case I might think different.

 

[Markymark]

Had an expensive and very new automatic hire car last year. Hated it. Had 9 gears and it was always the wrong one. Constantly changed itself up down.

 

[Hugh Manatee]

They are fine these days. Only downsides I can think of

1. It doesn't feel so much like driving, just steering
2. The next time you end up in a manual you'll inevitably stall it.

You can't rev an auto up at the traffic lights either!

My current company car is an auto and like @potsy I hadn't driven one since the late 90s. My Mercedes, although horribly uncomfortable is a breeze to drive. It will be a real struggle to go back now.

 

[potsy]

Had an expensive and very new automatic hire car last year. Hated it. Had 9 gears and it was always the wrong one. Constantly changed itself up down.

This is my worry, lack of control.

I need a test drive, been offered a go in a friend's Golf R, not sure that would be wise with my fear of speed

 

[MichaelW2]

I hired a Hyundai automatic and had no problems with it which was fortunate because the country was notorious for bad roads and worse driving. Just another thing I didn't have to worry about.

 

[MacB]

This is my worry, lack of control.

I've had 4 autos and have driven frequently another 3, lack of control never crossed my mind. Never seemed to suffer from this being in the wrong gear thing others complain about.

The car I've most enjoyed driving was a Nissan Leaf - but I would fall into the category of a car being a tool for A to B way above all else.

 

[mustang1]

Having a dodgy left knee I am seriously thinking of getting an automatic as my next car.

Not had one since the early 90's which was a 3 speed, hideous thing.

What are the pro's and con's of the modern auto?

One day, all cars will be auto. Well, most of them.

If knee is dodgy, auto is great.

 

[Levo-Lon]

My first car was a 73 mk3 1.6 auto cortina .I know but I only paid £100 for it and it needed work.it was ok as it happens but the box was basic.
The latest autos are brilliant

 

[welsh dragon]

Automatics these days are fantastic. Easy to drive, smooth, and no more constant changing up or down. Pulling away on a hill is a dream.

 

[Markymark]

This is my worry, lack of control.

I need a test drive, been offered a go in a friend's Golf R, not sure that would be wise with my fear of speed

...and those silly flappy gear thingies are rubbish.