UK: Is driving and automatic far easier than driving a manual?

Question

I hate manual gears. I'm not overly confident with them. is an automatic too easy option or do some people actualy prefer them?

Answer 1

the modern autobox  is better than  a manual, intelligent gearbox that learns your driving style, quicker off away from the traffic lights, NO clutch (try driving for 8 hours through London traffic).

you do need at least a 2.5L engine to make it smooth and quiet, other wise it will be changing all the time..

on a smaller engine you need the gears to get it to move..

Answer 2

Automatics are the easiest to drive. But to have the driving experience, (i.e. "feel" of the car where you are in command of the acceleration and shifting) manual shift is the best. I prefer manual not only because of the feel, but it helps me pay more attention to my driving and the surrounding drivers' habits and accident avoidance. Automatics make the driving experience another of life's "have to do it but I don't want to" chore.

Answer 3

Yes, especially in heavy traffic or mountainous roads. I have been driving a manual transmission car for 30 years, just because I am frugal and want to use less gas. However it is a pleasure to drive a car with an automatic transmission

Answer 4

I have been driving for 30 years and have always had manual gearboxes, But recently, the firm I drive Artics for have started to replace the 9 speed manual Volvo trucks with the new 12 speed automatics. Absolutely brilliant. The only thing I have to worry about now is when I get back into my manual car I have to remember to use the clutch!! Like everything in life, it takes practice to get it right. I heartily recommend you persevere

Answer 5

AUTOMATIC IS EASIER, BUT I ONLY DRIVE MANUAL.

Answer 6

I have always driven manual until I hired a Ford Focus C Max automatic for a long weekend in Ireland, I had two minutes of instruction and drove off. I LOVED IT!!! If I could afford it I would buy one right now. I drive a manual Focus at the moment.

Answer 7

Auto is easier to drive particularly in urban conditions. Auto's are not quite as nippy as equivalent manual ( acceleration) and autos are slightly less fuel efficient. Also expect more wear on brakes as you cannot use gear box to slow down, unless you get triptronic, which is basic a shift gear without a clutch. Finally if your battery is dead you can jump start a manual but not an auto.

Answer 8

Old timers prefer tested things and not risky , high tech things . They arenot sure what software or measurement go in to gear shifting logic. In crowded traffic i think manual gear is better choice

Answer 9

It is in London! Because the traffic is so bad you very rarely get past 3rd gear and you've constantly got one hand ofn the gearbox.

I've got a manual but I'm definitely getting a automatic next year. Its actually better for the gearbox if your car changes automatically.

Answer 10

I would say an automatic is definitely easier - it's not that much harder than driving a dodgem! However, manual drivers tend to be much more competant drivers, and it does give you far more control over the car. Also, it's easier internationally and if you're renting, because there are far more manual cars on the road here and in Europe than in the US. In summary: if you love cars, then go manual, but if you just want to get from A to B then go automatic. You can always 'upgrade' to a manual licence later.

Answer 11

d**n right, get an automatic and save you hair from falling out. Theyre so much easier and safer to drive. im gettin 1

Answer 12

While driving a "stick" is a lot more fun, especially with a high performance car, driving an automatic is much easier, in particular when climbing steep hills and in stop-and-go traffic.

Answer 13

Men should always use a car with manual gearbox. Automatics were introduced for the simple minded, disabled and other women.

Answer 14

yes they are loads easier to drive,

been driving for 20 years & recently had an auomatic for health reasons , and the ease in driving & especially traffic is unbelievable.

if you pass your test in a manual you can drive manual & automatic,

but if you test in automatic, thats all you can drive legally.

Answer 15

Go for it they are so easy to drive. I took my test in a manual car but once i passed I drove a automatic for a while. It gave me so much more confidence whilst becoming used to driving. I then went back to a manual.

Answer 16

yes...there is no shifting involved so you just put you foot on the pedal and drive...

Answer 17

Have been driving for a lot of years and just two years ago got a automatic. So much nicer to drive, i would recommend it to anyone.

if you want to race a bit there is no engine braking unless you got steptronic, so as long as you act your age in the car an auto would be perfect

Answer 18

i`ve been learning to drive an manual and now find it easy, i think an automatic is fine but you should also know how to do it manually, so i`d stick with the manual if i were you just so your not limited to automatics.

Answer 19

i've driven both.. auto is easier as it's one less thing to do... I hate the way the auto takes time to pick up when accelarating..

not sure about fuel consumption..

but i own a manual. better to get a license with both auto and manual.

you'll get the hang of the biting point , changing gears given time.

one big disadvantage is that you can't push start an automatic..  also i'm pretty sure they cost more to fix if they go wrong.

so sometimes more hi-tech is more headaches.. same for engine management systems etc.. although a good idea, they go wrong, you have to pay a lot more to get things fixed.

Answer 20

I've always driven a manual but a couple of times cars I hired were automatic, and I just couldn't get the hang of it. I didn't think it was any easier than a manual - you still have 3 or is it 4 positions - park, drive, reverse etc.

Answer 21

It is a little more relaxed especially when driving in heavy traffic. No constant gear changing as all you do is accelerate or brake. The down side, in these days of high fuel prices, is that you can get up to 7% higher fuel consumption from the automatic.

Automatics were once considered a luxury for the big cars. Now it is available on very small cars.

Answer 22

No Manual every time...   I like to get a bit of enjoyment out of driving and changing gear at the right time is part of the enjoyment...   Have used an auto,   didn't like it....No one I know has an automatic,,,,  Have been driving for 55 years now....PS   if you find  using gears difficult  and your confidence wanes,   should you be driving at all?

Answer 23

ive had both and i will happily drive either i must say the auto is much less demanding to drive, but pass your test in a manual then you can drive a manual if you need to. oh and auto cars are cheaper to insure..

Answer 24

yes it is........ but u will be at a disadvantage through life in a way..... and realistically no one should be driving if they cant be arsed or cant do a manual test.........

Answer 25

it is easier - you haven't got to worry about stalling.  both my parents drive automatics out of choice.

Answer 26

I only drive with a manual gear box because it is one think less to go wrong. It is easier with an auto as long as you know how to do a kick down to change gear and to lift your foot slightly to go up a gear. i hired an auto some years ago in Australia for the Ocean Road. It was brilliant the car and the journey

Answer 27

you'd fall alseep at the wheel if you drive automatic, too easy.  why not stick with the stick shift. learn to drive manual now or miss all the fun.  It's easy to learn.  Took me 5 minutes to learn(I was drunk at that time) and I mastered it. never went back for the automatic. I would go back to the auto matic if I lost my left leg.  Don't limit yourself to just an automatic.

Answer 28

Yes actually driving an automatic is easier than a manual. Well, i havent tried manual but people say it is complicated!!

Answer 29

Automatic is easier BUT you should at least know how to drive a manual.  You never know when you might get caught in some kind of emergency situation and only have access to a manual shift   Know manual / drive auto.

Answer 30

i like hot rods and prefer a standard/manual tranny it that case.but an automatic is great when driving around town having to stop and go all the time.

Answer 31

I would only drive automatic.  There is no way of damaging you gear box, etc.

Plus, you have your hands free to drive w/o shifting.