Cars manual vs automatic

frank

frank

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Had my manual licence 47 yrs now. Will soon be buyiing new car 1.6 or less. Mostly for town driving and only the two of us now as kids have flown from the nest. Considering a automatic now after driving a auto hired car on holidays. Any pros and cons I should look at before buying ?
 
I too recently went from driving manuals to an auto after having a courtesy car for a month that was an auto last year. I spend most of my time sitting in traffic queues and its just so easy with the stop/go of an automatic not riding the clutch all the time. As an added bonus I dont have to put my mug of tea down to change gear either. :)
These days as well the economy on an auto is near as dammit the same as a manual. The only thing that isnt so good so far Ive found, is when you are slowing/stopping and coming up to a junction, foot off the gas, you see a gap or its clear and accelerate, mine doesn't respond immediately when you expect it would, there's a lag. This means I cant go for as small a gap as I could with the manual due to the uncertainty of the power arriving. With a manual you know that as soon as the clutch is biting, and you hit the gas you're moving. Whether this is me driving it wrong or is normal for auto's I dont know. Anybody?

As for more technical pro's and con's of auto's dont know really. Maybe yves geza or somebody more knowledgeable will drop in and expand a bit if there are any issues.
 
Automatic. Cons is they are more likely to break/need repairs as the car gets older. A manual box bar a new clutch maybe at 100,000 onwards really needs very little maintaince. You can <shudder> get away without changing the oil in the transmission.

Not in an automatic and some are more reliable than others but they are worth the extra IMHO.
 
Depends on the car.

Some auto boxes are awful.

Although Audi (and I'm assuming the other VAG variants) seem to have nailed it in at least their newer models.

It always used to be that mpg suffered on autos. Not sure how much of an issue that is on modern cars.
 
I've not driven an auto since 2007, however I did try a couple when on business & holiday then (Volvo, Ford and Infiniti).
The volvo was tolerable, and although there was a significant reduction in control over vehicle speed and handling because of the vagueness of the box, I could have lived with it.
The Ford (a Focus with a large engine in Canada) had unpredictable and delayed power delivery, to the point where overtaking (on Canada's empty roads) felt like taking your life in your hands. The engine didn't lack power (3L IIRC) so much as a sensible connection between the engine and wheels.
The Infiniti was somewhere between, with somewhat delayed power delivery and vagueness, but not dangerous like the Ford.

Personally I couldn't image choosing to drive a full auto, though I guess one can get used to anything, but the vagueness makes traffic driving very stressful for me. At one stage when we lived in London we owned a Citroen 'clutchmatic' GSA, and that seemed to have the issues of connection between engine and wheels completely sorted, so I don't really know why traditional auto gearboxes are so bad.
 
The autos iv had dealings with (ranging from dead cheap to massive money) have all been a touch thirsty but mega reliable and relaxing , manuals are for the connected driving experience and autos for leisurely mooching IMHO
 
Where auto is an option I've always had auto, I can and have driven manuals but I much prefer driving an auto that said I hated the gear box on my VW Touran, it was the work of lucifer, semi auto boxes should be banned at least as poorly designed ones as that one is....I was forever knocking it from full auto to manual and I hated it, the one think I hated about the car....
 
Many years ago I would have said I would never have an automatic.

I have had an automatic now for approx. 12 years and swear by it. I have a Volvo and it has got geartronic, which gives me a manual over-ride. I would not like a full automatic with no control.

Ken
 
We were hoping for a small auto hire car here to see how good (or bad!) modern small autos are - they used to be absolutely terrible some years ago. However, we've got a manual Aygo. At home, we both now drive largish capacity autos, neither of which have a (standard) manual option so we can't make any comparisons directly. Can't say I've found any problem with acceleration in either of ours - pickup is pretty good and I have flappy paddles to select whatever ratio I wish (revs depending!). We're considering a small car for using to nip into town rather than use the big ones (easier to park and less worrying about inconsiderate pedestrians...) so I may well be testing a few options in both types of 'box. Have to say that I'm liking the little Aygo (for what it is). Wouldn't want to spend all day on the motorway in one but at legal speeds and round town it's great.
 
We changed to an auto last year as both of us have increasingly dodgy knees, which constant use of clutches don't help. I don't have any experience of small-engined autos though. We bought a Jaguar XF 3 litre diesel, which only comes in auto anyway, but we both love it! The gear changes are seamless, it has power constantly on tap and it's pretty decent on fuel...currently getting an average of 36mpg including a fair bit of use round town and we've seen 42mpg after a long, mostly motorway, run.
 
What sort of automatic and what sort of use around town, Frank? Lots of modern automatics are manual gearboxes with automatic, electronic operation. Either way, they're inherently heavier in the car and less economical ... there has to be some element of "clutch slipping" and burning fuel if only while it interprets what you're trying to do. The upside is [obviously] that they're more convenient in stop-start traffic the downside is that with more weight and less engine braking, brake wear will be more expensive - although not really a significant cost issue if it's mainly low speed town driving.

The other downside is that old-fashioned, torque converter fully automatic gearboxes [the ones that don't let the car roll backwards] don't like short town journeys; they like their oil to get warm and viscous if they're to enjoy a long and happy life, and equally, especially if for example you live at the bottom of a steep hill or have to pull out of a busy junction, the first mile or two away from home might be horrible every morning!
 
My C4 Grand Picasso is manual and my Discovery is an Automatic

I'm pretty used to switching from one to the other but I much prefer the auto.
 
Go drive a car that has DSG. VW invented these and released them across their range - Audi, Skoda and Seat. So much so that at the time, it changed gear faster than the auto gearbox in the Ferrari at the time.
 
I'm obviously in the minority here, but I hate autos :hungover:

I've driven a few when I've used pool cars for work and I've come to the conclusion that I'm just too much of a control freak for them.
If I'm driving a car, I want to be driving a car - not having the car make decisions for me.

I also have a pathological hatred of reverse parking sensors (for pretty much the same reason) but that's a whole other thread in itself!
 
Yves Geza said:
The other downside is that old-fashioned, torque converter fully automatic gearboxes [the ones that don't let the car roll backwards] don't like short town journeys; they like their oil to get warm and viscous if they're to enjoy a long and happy life, and equally, especially if for example you live at the bottom of a steep hill or have to pull out of a busy junction, the first mile or two away from home might be horrible every morning!
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My Pontiac GP uses this type of auto gearbox, and for about a year I used to drop the wife off at work............at the top of a very long, steep incline, which was just a short 3 minute ride from home. The smell of burning auto fluid due to not being hot enough was not nice, and was worrying at times. No longer do that run and I've never had that burning rubber smell return. The car is a lot happier.

I do find that most people who aren't used to driving auto's always just stick it in D mode, which in my car at least, acts as an overdrive and really lowers the rpm at certain speeds. So, when driving around and wanting to overtake, there is a lag. I keep mine in 3 so there's instant drive to overtake. On the 70km/h road to work, D drops the revs to 1200rpm, whereas 3 keeps it around 1800 to 2000rpm. I also haven't really noticed any difference in mpg using 3 mostly.
 
mindcrime said:
I do find that most people who aren't used to driving auto's always just stick it in D mode, which in my car at least, acts as an overdrive and really lowers the rpm at certain speeds. So, when driving around and wanting to overtake, there is a lag. I keep mine in 3 so there's instant drive to overtake. On the 70km/h road to work, D drops the revs to 1200rpm, whereas 3 keeps it around 1800 to 2000rpm. I also haven't really noticed any difference in mpg using 3 mostly.
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I have the fancy DSG magic gearbox in the Skoda. I just stick it in D and it drives beautifully. On snow I use the paddle shift. From bride's house to ceremony I use "S" :)

The Smart is a totally different matter. It's not a true auto and it's a bit jerky. But I still prefer it around town to using my left leg.
 
It all depends on the car....By my previous experiences I'd find a little 1.6 too underpowered for a decent automatic...But I guess it also depends on where you live and your roads....

Automatics can be great, but I've never been a fan of them on small engines...unless perhaps the fiat MTA but the clue is in the name as it isn't really an automatic...

It is bloody brilliant on my VW Golf R, 300Hp with DSG farts on the upshift, lovely instant downshifts with rev matching....it is fantastic...
it is also very good in my wife Mercedes GL AMG, very different character to the Golf DSG box but lovely and butter smooth to handle all that power....

As I said, and a few on here...it all depends on what car, engine, gearbox....one automatic is not the same as the next....1.6 and old style auto box with torque converter would not be my cup of tea for a driving experience...
 
dinners said:
Does anybody use hill decent ?
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I've used it when going off-road.....and I've used it on a snowy hill....Otherwise, not really found it necessary in the UK...
 
dejongj said:
I've used it when going off-road.....and I've used it on a snowy hill....Otherwise, not really found it necessary in the UK...
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I've only bothered with it off road but it's a very odd feeling of trust.
 
dinners said:
I've only bothered with it off road but it's a very odd feeling of trust.
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It is, but also super impressive...With Land Rover I went on an experience day part of the buying experience and what that Discovery 4 with automatic gearbox can do is mighty impressive. Sure I hear Kevin the purist with his nasal voice shout from the back that you can do it with more control and involvement blah blah blah...when the rain is pouring down, and I don't have to get out to lock my hubs, straighten the wheel and reverse a bit to get the gearbox to bit into low and into gear, blah blah and can press a button whilst sipping my Starbucks coffee that is fine with me....Although in the end I actually got the Mercedes instead of Land Rover, which is even better ;)

The technical aids do take a bit of getting used to...but I do like them....I use the automatic cruise control a lot in my Golf R as well, set the distance to short, and all you have to do is steer....it is brilliant, even deals well with those that like to push in the gaps
 
SarahLee said:
I'm obviously in the minority here, but I hate autos :hungover:

I've driven a few when I've used pool cars for work and I've come to the conclusion that I'm just too much of a control freak for them.
If I'm driving a car, I want to be driving a car - not having the car make decisions for me.

I also have a pathological hatred of reverse parking sensors (for pretty much the same reason) but that's a whole other thread in itself!
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No you're not I hate them too :wave:

and as for reverse parking sensors, try reversing a van in a tight space, damn things drive you nuts:runaway:
 
I don't particularly like driving (prefer someone else doing the "donkey work") but if i did have to drive I'd much prefer not having to faff about changing gear all the time! The only downside is they might use more fuel and cost more to buy and I'd rather stick with zero VED cars if at all possible.
 
Drove manuals always. Then was persuaded to buy my latest car with an 8 speed auto box with paddle shift. Brilliant. Less CO2 than the manual box and more economical
 
dejongj said:
It is, but also super impressive...With Land Rover I went on an experience day part of the buying experience and what that Discovery 4 with automatic gearbox can do is mighty impressive. Sure I hear Kevin the purist with his nasal voice shout from the back that you can do it with more control and involvement blah blah blah...when the rain is pouring down, and I don't have to get out to lock my hubs, straighten the wheel and reverse a bit to get the gearbox to bit into low and into gear, blah blah and can press a button whilst sipping my Starbucks coffee that is fine with me....Although in the end I actually got the Mercedes instead of Land Rover, which is even better ;)

The technical aids do take a bit of getting used to...but I do like them....I use the automatic cruise control a lot in my Golf R as well, set the distance to short, and all you have to do is steer....it is brilliant, even deals well with those that like to push in the gaps
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Mine is a Disco 2 TD5 so not as fancy.;)
 
Gremlin said:
and as for reverse parking sensors, try reversing a van in a tight space, damn things drive you nuts:runaway:
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Just who the hell decided that it was a good idea to have an incessant BEEP BEEP BEEP in your ear when you're actually trying to concentrate on maneuvering in a tiny space?
Thankfully both our cars have a button to switch the damn things off:bat:
 
SarahLee said:
Just who the hell decided that it was a good idea to have an incessant BEEP BEEP BEEP in your ear when you're actually trying to concentrate on maneuvering in a tiny space?
Thankfully both our cars have a button to switch the damn things off:bat:
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Unfortunately our vans don't :banghead:, to add to that the latest spec is a voice that reminds you to put the handbrake on everytime you open the door
even if you already have and that includes when you get back in them :banghead::banghead:
 
SarahLee said:
Just who the hell decided that it was a good idea to have an incessant BEEP BEEP BEEP in your ear when you're actually trying to concentrate on maneuvering in a tiny space?
Thankfully both our cars have a button to switch the damn things off:bat:
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I love the rear parking sensors. Love being able to park the car in spaces I never would have attempted without them. If only the missus had them on her car! :shifty:
 
fabs said:
I love the rear parking sensors. Love being able to park the car in spaces I never would have attempted without them. If only the missus had them on her car! :shifty:
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Nope, you won't convince me :p
They're the work of the devil I tell you !!!

I know where my car ends without some little electronic irritant telling me about it.
I just hope I haven't jinxed myself by saying that now :eek:
 
SarahLee said:
Nope, you won't convince me :p
They're the work of the devil I tell you !!!

I know where my car ends without some little electronic irritant telling me about it.
I just hope I haven't jinxed myself by saying that now :eek:
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Cars seem to have bigger bums and smaller rear windows than ever before. Whenever it looks like I'm an inch from the car behind, I get out and look and a bus parks in the gap! :lol: Mind you, better than the other way around. :D
 
SarahLee said:
That's very true.

If I'm honest, I think it's because I don't like with being told what to do (and haven't done since I was about 4 years old) :LOL:
And if I won't take it from a person I'm definitely not going to listen to a machine!
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Actually, it can be fun if you have a passenger who doesn't know how they work. They start to get twitchy when the beeps get quicker and you're still reversing, especially when it flatlines. :D
 
fabs said:
Actually, it can be fun if you have a passenger who doesn't know how they work. They start to get twitchy when the beeps get quicker and you're still reversing, especially when it flatlines. :D
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It took me by surprise the first time I drove a car with one too - couldn't understand why it had flatlined when I was sure that there was still plenty of space behind me! (and reassuringly I hadn't heard a crunch either)

What really used to get to me with my last car (where I couldn't switch it off) was reversing on a hill.
Wales is hardly known for being flat, and if I was on a particularly steep hill the thing would pick up the slope behind me and start going off for no reason whatsoever.
 
I had to start looking at Autos when hunting out a Mitsubishi FTO, so may autos out there. Shortlisted two, drove the manual first to get a baseline and hated it so much I never bothered with the Auto as they are 4 speed with longer ratios to keep the overall reduction the same. They are all tiptronic though at least which means they can be shifted manually too. In the end I was incredibly lucky and picked up my GPvR Aero with a manual box, so I have been spared the horror of relinquishing control to an electronic bag of tricks.
 
Alan Clogwyn said:
I had to start looking at Autos when hunting out a Mitsubishi FTO, so may autos out there. Shortlisted two, drove the manual first to get a baseline and hated it so much I never bothered with the Auto as they are 4 speed with longer ratios to keep the overall reduction the same. They are all tiptronic though at least which means they can be shifted manually too. In the end I was incredibly lucky and picked up my GPvR Aero with a manual box, so I have been spared the horror of relinquishing control to an electronic bag of tricks.
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To be fair, even in its day that was a hopelessly ancient automatic gearbox...It wasn't representative of good automatic gearbox 1.5 decades ago...let alone today...Hence unless the op actually states what the interest is it will be very difficult to provide a properly informed opinion...
 
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