Manual or automatic transmission, your preference?

[Keyolder]

Was talking with an old friend recently, he has only ever owned cars with automatic gearboxes/transmissions and would never buy a manual car. Many years back I remember a similar conversation with him where I stated I much prefer manual gearboxes as you have more control over the vehicle.

I did once own a car with an automatic gearbox, must admit I found it easier, and never lost any perceivable control of the vehicle.

Fast forward to today and I now much prefer cars with an automatic gearbox, and really cannot see the point of a manual gearbox anymore. Maybe it's an age thing?

So, what is your preference?

[thecaretaker]

With having 2 EVs now, it seems really strange getting in my wife's car to park it for her when she says a space is too tight.

[Nigel]

I was looking at getting a yaris hybrid but the auto gearbox and electronic handbrake put me off so I got a Fiesta mild hybrid, manual gearbox, proper handbrake

[skirbeck]

my main concern with an automatic, is that i often have to drive on wet grass which - like snow - can mean starting in 3rd gear, something which i don't think is possible in an automatic.

[jholden]

I have just changed my car, going from an automatic back to a manual. Having an auto has been a change over the last 5 years, they are great in traffic, but it is nice to get back to old fashioned driving!! By the time I come to change cars again, I'll probably be wanting another auto.

[Maverick]

I was looking at getting a yaris hybrid but the auto gearbox and electronic handbrake put me off so I got a Fiesta mild hybrid, manual gearbox, proper handbrake

I drive a manual and have done all my life. I like the interaction of feeling you are doing something whilst driving as in making decisions for yourself. My wife has a Yaris Hybrid. Great car to drive as it does everything for you bar indicating. You can even lift your hands away from the steering and it will follow the line of the road to the point where it tells you off and to put your hands back onto the steering wheel.

So I really can't answer the question either way but the day is coming that they will all be automatic.

[thecaretaker]

Thinking about this, automatics with a combustion engine have gears that automatically change (they do have kick up/down), but an EV has no gearbox as such. Just a single drive gear. So maybe I should not have ticked automatic as my car doesn't have to change any gears so isn't technically an automatic.

Comparing a manual with an automatic with a combustion engine, automatics are usually more thirsty than manuals.

Manuals are still very much a UK thing, in the US (Trout land) you'll be hard pressed to find many manual shift cars.

[Vera]

Gearbox all day for me.
More control over what is happening and it makes you more aware of the speed you are travelling, options to bump start the engine as well.

[Vera]

Thinking about this, automatics with a combustion engine have gears that automatically change (they do have kick up/down), but an EV has no gearbox as such. Just a single drive gear. So maybe I should not have ticked automatic as my car doesn't have to change any gears so isn't technically an automatic.

Comparing a manual with an automatic with a combustion engine, automatics are usually more thirsty than manuals.

Manuals are still very much a UK thing, in the US (Trout land) you'll be hard pressed to find many manual shift cars.

Add a third category for CVT or EV (no changeable gears).

[Dragonrider]

I've only ever owned Manual transmission cars, Fords, Renault and a recent model Skoda.
However, I have driven several Automatics for work. I used to work for a certain dealership here in Ilkley which specialised in, shall we say, rather nice motors! I had the pleasure of collecting some automatic Jaguars, including an awesome XJS, what a motor! Then I used to pop down to Crewe to collect brand new Rollers, now, THAT was a privilege!