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Automatic Transmission or Manual?

Discussion in 'Life in the UK' started by Anon220806, Mar 9, 2015.

  1. Anon220806
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    Anon220806 Well-Known Member

    For the first time ever I bought a car with automatic transmission. For no other reason than my wife wanted an automatic...she is learning to drive you see.
    Last edited: Mar 9, 2015
  2. walesrob
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    walesrob Administrator Staff Member

    I have an auto gearbox Merc sprinter at work and to be honest it's not very refined - very jumpy in lower gears.
  3. aposhark
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    aposhark Well-Known Member Lifetime Member

    In cars, the difference between auto and manual is small as there is not much weight to pull, IMO.
    I had a Ford Explorer - auto - and that was OK.
    I have a Honda Accord - manual - and it is OK.
    I don't feel the level of comfort or ease of driving in cars, vans or 4x4's is very different in manual or auto.
    4, 5 or 6 gears in manual is easy.

    If people pass their test in an automatic car they are not allowed to drive a manual, not the other way around.
    Last edited: Mar 9, 2015
  4. aposhark
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    aposhark Well-Known Member Lifetime Member

    Sometimes I would love to drive vans like that, Rob.
    How many drops a day do you normally do?

    Is the sprinter jumpy in low gears with a good load on?
    Last edited: Mar 9, 2015
  5. Maharg
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    Maharg Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    The problem with learning in an automatic is that, even if you pass your test, you're still not qualified to drive a manual car.

    My wife is learning at the moment too. We got her a little car to learn in and went with manual for that reason.

    Some of her friends said she should learn in an automatic because it's easier, but how many more lessons do you really need to get used to changing gear? Just one or two.
  6. Aromulus
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    Aromulus The Don Staff Member

    Automatic.............AAAARRRGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.............

    Increased fuel consumption, unable to tow or push out of the way in case of break-downs.

    Only bad experiences there for me............
  7. bigmac
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    bigmac Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    my previous car was a steptronic auto--i liked it a lot. in fact--if i did a lot of city driving i would prefer an auto.

    i liken auto transmission to--power steering--servo brakes--a starter motor. windscreen wipers.
  8. Anon220806
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    Anon220806 Well-Known Member

    Exactly. A friend of hers ( Filipina ) has an automatic. And they all seem to drive automatics in the Philippines?

    But yes, she knows that she wont be qualified to drive a manual if she passes her test in an automatic.
  9. Dave_E
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    Dave_E Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    Is an automatic easier to drive than a manual, when you have had one pint too many?
  10. Methersgate
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    Methersgate Well-Known Member Lifetime Member

    In the 1970s Mr Honda came up with a 400cc (iirc) motorcycle that was an automatic. It had the remarkable habit of changing gear in mid-corner.

    In the 1980's Mr Volvo made an automatic station wagon. It had the remarkable habit of changing up just as you pulled out to overtake.

    Don't ask me how I know this.

    But I drive a manual.
  11. bigmac
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    bigmac Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    manual for when driving is a pleasure

    auto for when its a chore

    my steppy was best of both worlds.
    • Agree Agree x 1
  12. walesrob
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    walesrob Administrator Staff Member

    I normally do 15 - 20 in a 4 hour period covering a 10 mile radius, its good money but its very repetitive, same roads, same people day after day.

    The Sprinter seems to be jumpy in low gears whatever the load, so I can only assume its because its new - it seems to settling down, but at times its a bit of a beast. Ours is a 2.2Cdti MWB with high roof, and front wheel drive, meaning its useless in muddy conditions and very steep hills, as we have in Aberwristwatch (as Dom calls it!). Fuel economy is terrible, I don't know the exact figures, but we average 600 miles a week with 2 full tanks each week at £90 a time. Its all that stopping, starting and waiting in traffic, and on top of that its an auto gearbox. I'm sure our old manual Transit was more economical.
    • Useful Useful x 1
  13. Anon220806
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    Anon220806 Well-Known Member

    Well, Mrs Ash gets her wish.
  14. Anon220806
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    Anon220806 Well-Known Member

    You make a good point.
  15. Anon220806
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    Anon220806 Well-Known Member

    I used to have a closed mind on automatics. It would always be a manual for me. But over the years, at different times I have been "forced" to drive an automatic ie hiring of cars to get to Aberdeen ( only an automatic left for hire ) or in the USA where it isvall turned on its head and automatics are preferred. And I have test driven about 6 or 7 automatics over the last month. Apart from the initial familiarity issue I never found anything about them to complain about. Eventually I concluded that it was just a case of what one had been weaned on.

    http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2014/09/11/manual-transmissions-getting-rarer-in-us/

    I do believe that there have been issues in the past. Heavy fuel consumption, over revving and mechanical issues but time has moved on and the systems appear to have become refined. In many cases automatics have a manual option built in.

    Reading this summary gives us some modern day thoughts on the topic.

    http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/advice/buying/2013/september/automatic-versus-manual/

    Going on the basis of whats on the second hand market, it looks as if about 1 in 10 cars in the UK are automatic.
    Last edited: Mar 10, 2015
  16. bigmac
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    bigmac Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    my auto box was the same as used in BMW minis---6 speed. manual mode was a very quick change--a sequential shift--yet you couldnt change down if it would over-rev the motor. i still got over 30 mpg out of a 1.8 litre.
  17. Anon220806
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    Anon220806 Well-Known Member

    Which car was that, Bigmac?
  18. Anon220806
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    Anon220806 Well-Known Member

    At a quid a gallon, fuel economy becomes less of an issue. Also we arent going to be doing anymore than 6000 miles in the next year. I walk to work each day.
  19. bigmac
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    bigmac Well-Known Member Trusted Member

    it was a MG ZR 120

    [​IMG]
  20. aposhark
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    aposhark Well-Known Member Lifetime Member

    At least you don't have to find your drops every day!
    Something that I would like ;)

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