Changing from a Manual car to an Automatic after driving manual for around 50 yrs

I have driven an automatic in recent years and would never go back to a manual. It was very simple to get used to. By the time I had left the garage forecourt I was confident.
You will never worry about a hill start, and never find that you are in the wrong gear at a junction. Best of all is that you will never stall!

My DH drove as part of his job for many years, we started taking road trios in the USA and many cars over there are automatic so he decided to get an automatic when he was in his late fifties and we have had automatics ever since, they are so much easier to drive.

I don't have any trouble with either. Never really thought about it. I think I remember that automatics used to be higher in consumption but that may have improved over the decades.

Once, in the US, we had a huge Nissan (far too big in my opinion). I was a bit confused by the gears and checked the instruction book. It could be used either as a manual or an automatic! I was glad of the choice because at one point we were negotiating some really steep and windy roads and I used the manual gears to manoeuvre around them. For the long stretches on the American roads, automatic was OK though.I

On visits to the UK I have had both manual and automatic and have always adapted quickly.

The advantage of having driven both comes when the garage can only offer you a manual as a courtesy car, as I found out recently.
“Sorry we can’t offer you an automatic courtesy car until mid May.”
No problem, I can drive manual.

Saved me a 5 week wait.
I was grateful for any car, but really pleased to get our automatic back after being fixed.

I had been driving for 30+ years when I changed to an Automatic last year, we went hybrid, I have found my particular car great to drive, I have only been the main driver for the last 8 years due to DH not driving anymore, and wasn't a confident driver before that only local journeys to and from work etc. I am a more confident now and I can honestly say I wouldn't go back to manual.

Be careful for a bit. You’ll tread on the brake a few times thinking it’s the clutch!

You won’t regret it! I was sceptical and nervous about the change after also only driving manual (about 40 years) but within a month I knew I would never revert!

I loved my Nissan Leaf (electric and automatic), which I drove for eight years. When we decided that we didn’t need a second car, it had to go. I really missed it and hated having to change gear again. We have now bought another electric car, and I am very much looking forward to driving that one.

After driving manual for 50 years, I took the family out in my first automatic - in full conversation while approaching a tee-junction, as normal I reached for the gearstick and stamped on the clutch (which wasn't there)!!!!

- The car came to a screeching halt, as I had stamped on the oversized brake-pedal.

Tested the seatbelts though! Hohoho!

My daughter says since she swcitchedto an automatic ,her knee pain has gone…

Changed to an automatic at the age of 73, because of DH’s left shoulder problems. I have driven ever since I was 17.
It took a little while to get used to the automatic as I found that some actions, such as changing gear! were ‘hard coded’ into my brain. So that I did then without thinking. I would say it took about 3 months of daily driving to unlearn manual driving completely, I wouldn’t change back.

You will not regret buying an automatic- such ease of driving all round. Do it !
👍❤️

I changed from a manual to automatic several years ago. I have no regrets at all. Initially I did keep moving my foot towards the clutch but soon adjusted!

You are same age as me. I changed to automatic 2 years ago. I love it but I drove automatics when I lived in USA 40 years ago. Would not have anything else now.

I had been driving a manual car for over 30 years when I changed to an automatic . It is so much easier .
The first automatic that I got was hated by my daughter who said it was sluggish starting off but my present one is a Toyota Yaris and she loves it . In fact she hates using their manual diesel car now .
I hate being behind a manual car at the traffic lights , they are so slow .
For the PP who said she would book a driving lesson if she bought an automatic , you don’t need to . Driving one is as easy as falling off a log . The garage will explain the controls to you and then off you go , just point it in the right direction.
In my Yaris I can put the wipers and the lights in automatic mode , even the main beam .
I also have an app on my phone where I can put the climate control on in my car while I’m still in the house. I can also lock the car from the house . Mine is a petrol/ self charging hybrid and very economical.

Love my automatic. You just point and press . It’s smooth, relaxing and a dream.
We also have another car a manual I can no longer drive. Changing gear seems such a faff and I have to say I’m not v good at it now.
When getting a newer car make sure you have parking sensors or a parking camera they are so helpful as you become stiffer .

I changed to an automatic about 2 years ago after driving a manual car for nearly 50 years. Absolutely love the automatic gears and don’t know why I didn’t do it sooner. No more hill starts or stalling. Go for it!

I passed my test on a manual and for years drove one. If you drive in traffic or in a city then do not hesitate to get an automatic- I for one will never go back to a manual. As Graham Norton said it is like having an old fashioned TV when you have to press the buttons to change channels.

when I applied for my motability car in 2023 I opted for an automatic hyundai i10 and I love it.
I have been driving since 1976 and all but car one was a manual.
but having problems changing gear promoted me to have an automatic and it has certainly changed my driving habits.
I am due to renew my motability car and have signed up for another automatic - a kia picante - and i'm looking forward to getting it in June.
apart from not having to change gear manually there has been no difference in "oomph" as I can still make a quick getaway from traffic lights and junctions as I did in my manual car - better in fact as I no longer have to "juggle" with pedals!
go for it op - you'll wonder why you didn't do it before.

I drove a manual for a long time Been driving 48 years. Decided to buy a new automatic around 25/30 years ago (can’t remember exactly) was doing more long distance driving at the time. Love my automatic, so much easier on all journeys not just long ones. Would never go back and wish I’d done it earlier .

I changed to an automatic when I was 72, once you stop looking for the handbrake , after a few drives, it’s the best way to drive, wish I had done it sooner, and will never have a manual again ! It’s great, go for it, you won’t regret it x

We both have dodgy left knees so it was essential for us to get an automatic. It’s a Mini Cooper, so a small car and we are very happy with our MPG. It took a few trips for us to both get used to it, but we love it. Especially when stuck in traffic and we aren’t having to hold the clutch whilst in agony.

NotAGran55

My automatic car has flappy paddles which I never use, although I was certain that I would, because I loved driving and using the gears on my manual cars.
The cruise control button is the best though, no chance of speeding anymore.
My automatic car has a gearstick Alirra

Mine has manual gears as well, which I use to get up our steep hill in the snow.

I drive my old, small, manual for local journeys but for long, motorway ones I'm happier with my husband's large, automatic. When our eldest GC passes their test they can have my car. They'll need it to get to college which isn't on a convenient bus route. If I buy another car I'll go for a automatic although I have always had manual ones in almost 60 years of driving.

Ugh .. an automatic!