Manual or Automatic car?

Automatic for me - would never go back to a manual again

Love my automatic.

I got another car 3 years ago and it is a manual and the next one will certainly be an automatic. I’ve had really bad Covid, then Sciatica and then the hysterectomy 5 weeks ago. Not looking forward to changing the gears when I get back to driving soon.

We have an automatic Skoda as we both have problems with knees. Otis a dream to drive and allows you to concentrate on the road, the junction etc with also changing gears etc.

As Tanith and others have said, the automatics score in heavy traffic, or just tootling round town.

BUT -- if you transition to one, having driven a manual for many years, you might in a slightly distracted moment (and we can all have them) press on both 'clutch and brake pedals' together (as you've done so many time over many years), and find you've actually in THIS new car pressed heavily on the brake and accelerator (the only 2 pedals of course!), resulting in a surprise emergency stop!

[I'm referring to the UK pedals layout. So, keep what was your clutch foot out of the action - perhaps if that's the leg with what is now a dodgy knee the process is easier?!]

I have recently bought a new car. I test drove an automatic and hated it. I bought a manual and am happy with my choice. I have driven automatics on occasion but I just prefer having a choice of gears for myself.

Swore I'd never have an automatic, until I drove one. Certainly wouldn't go back to a manual.

I have. VW polo it is manual. I love it . But if I could afford to change I’d definitely get an automatic now. But that won’t happen

I haven't driven a manual car since 1985 and I'm not going to start again now. Automatic only for me.

I didn’t like the idea of an automatic but Hubby changed to an automatic Freelander about 24 years ago when he had sciatica… I ended up driving it more than him…he drove mine… When I had a VW Campervan, I insisted it was automatic… a few years ago I had a Swift Select 184… again automatic… hubby’s cars were manual…I now have Osteoarthritis in my left knee, so he’s just changed to a Peugeot 2008 GT Automatic so that I can drive… just need to get use to the electronic handbrake and the stop start 🤣😂🤣

I have a manual licence which allows me to drive both that and automatic - I would never return to manual. As Graham Norton once said it is like a TV that you need to get up and press the button on the telly to change the channels rather than use a handset.

As an afterthought - I think a lot of people ‘rest their foot’ on the clutch pedal in a manual. Known as riding the clutch, it can cause damage. In addition, others, especially my Sis-inL (!) often finds herself in the wrong gear, labouring the engine, or ends up clonking the gearbox. At least with an automatic, it’s impossible to mis-use the gear box like that.

I have a Mini Cooper automatic and it’s great. I always drove manual cars but since suffering from sciatica an automatic is much easier on the joints and much more comfortable.

I changed to an automatic last year after 40 years driving a manual. I love the automatic and will never go back.

Licensed to drive both and have had both types. Bought a manual coming up fir two years ago. Don't have a problem with either though autos seem to be more expensive for repairs.

We are going to swap our manual for a hybrid. I too am approaching 70 so want to do it now. We live on the edge of a city and use countryside lanes a lot so fed up with going up and down the gears. Test drive booked for next week !

I'm 78 and just bought what I consider to be my last car . (before I am forced into electric)
Definately a manual, I like to be in control and didn't really want to change at this age.
Good luck whatever you decide

I was old school, thinking automatic was not for me. A few months ago I bought an electric car and love the freedoms. It’s fully electric and I just need to plan the overnight charge. It cost over £1000 to install the heavy charger but it gives cheaper electricity from 11pm till 5:30am. The car costs very little to run and a dream to drive.
Go automatic and if you can afford electric go for it. We’re not getting younger and deserve the best xx

It took me a long time to swap to an automatic, but wish I had done it sooner. It's so much easier on the knees.

I've had an automatic for more than 40 years and wouldn't buy a manual.

Automatic, definitely!

I’m just about to collect my new Yaris hybrid (automatic) after driving manuals all my life and I’m really excited about it. Test drive was great! Roll on Saturday! 🚗

Automatic or hybrid. That's what I will be going for next..Ill be 70 next year

I was always sniffy about automatics until we went to change a manual car some years ago & were offered a great deal on one but it was automatic. It was such a good deal so we had it and have had 4 since. The current one is our 2nd Mini Countryman and it's perfect in every way! We do have an old SeAt runabout, it's a manual but is fine for popping to local places. We certainly wouldn't go back to a manual main car.

Septimia, my dad was an engineer too and taught me basic mechanics for my old bangers. I remember the soldering iron. He always drove American cars so they were automatic. I made sure to pass my test with gears for any emergency but much prefer automatic. Husband is a chauffeur and drives whatever he is given but prefers automatic.