Questions about automatics

[zulander]

I have never been interested in cars or in driving at all. However the gf is now starting to nag away at me 'cause she does all the driving and i could do with a new job and being a driver may help (just so i can get to places further away). Is learning to drive an automatic much easier than learning on a manual? I know id be limited to what i could drive but that wouldent bother me at all. Ive been told i wont have the patience for gears (confidence boost eh?) The only other question would be do automatic cars cost that much more than a manual? Just for a small run about nothing big, cheers

[J4MES]

they cost more to run ('cos generally they're less economical) and you'll have less choice if buying a used car (as there aren't as many 'cos they're less popular) and you wo't be able to drive your mate's car if you need to if you pass on an auto...

learning to drive is learning to drive - i can't imagine an auto would be much easier tbh - once you've got the hang of gears/clutch which isn't difficult. my opinion? manual.

[Guy]

In the long run Id say you should learn in a manual, it really isnt that hard, and once you pass then, you can drive a much bigger range of cars, and wont be stuck driving an automatic.

[chriswood_7]

Id say manual too. The most difficult part of driving is the practice and approach, being on roads and knowing what to do (which comes with practice). It takes a few hours to get used to a manual, but you will regret it in a few years time once you have some experience on the roads. You will be able to drive an auto, if you pass your manual. And you will always have the choice

[Gordy]

I'd say go for a manual everytime, it isn't hard to learn on one. Frankly if you can't get gears you shouldn't be driving anyway.

[kickstart 1]

If you havent got the patience for 'gears' then maybe you shouldnt learn at all. Driving is all about patience!

[[GSV]Trig]

Manual, unless your fat american and lazy that is..

[zulander]

"If you havent got the patience for 'gears' then maybe you shouldnt learn at all" thats what someone else has said ive only ever had a brief go in a car and if it wasnt for possibly needing it for work i wouldent bother at all, ho hum something to think about

[schmunk]

How can you 'not have the patience for gears'? Do you have ADD?



I apologise that the 'confused' emoticon looks like it could be 'spacker'. I don't mean it that way, honest..!

[GrahamGarside]

If you think gears will test your patience try having a car decide what gear to use, slow, thumping changes, a delay when you put your foot down to accelerate and good look reverse parking

Seriously everyone struggles with a cluth and gears at first, but once you've learned them it's as natural as using the steering wheel to decide which way to go. Whoever told you you won't have the patience for gears is talking out of the wrong end. Some of the least patient people I know drive just fine.

[mike_w]

I'd say go for a manual - using an automatic cuts down on your choice of car, increases the cost, and gears really aren't that difficult to learn.

[Akwaaba]

I agree with the others - learn in a manual, and then when you pass you have the choice of what type of gearbox to use.

Also, if you need to hire a van or to take a child to the doctors, or whatever - you'll be able to drive whatever is available

It is true that some people aren't cut out for driving, my partner took her test so many times. Having passed, she had a go driving a Jeep off road last week ... and loved it!

[Rave]

It's easy to learn to use a clutch and gears- find an empty carpark (or field if you have a robust car and landowning friends/relatives) and practice away. It soon becomes second nature. Driving is all about patience and remaining calm though, especially when you're learning. My wife is a lovely woman- but highly strung, and I'm not at all sure it would be a good idea for her to try and learn to drive. She could probably pass her test, but that wouldn't make her a good driver....

My category D (bus) licence is only automatic (because that's what I took my test in), and I'm tempted to take my manual test in my own time and at my own expense- not because I'll ever need to drive a manual bus in my current job, but because I don't like having a limited licence. I just like the idea that I'd have a licence to get behind the wheel of a double deck, 3-axle monster coach even if actually driving it would scare me witless.

[Ommid]

driving an automatic is like a toy, you MUST learn in a manual

also i recommend from my experience, not to practise at home unless you have the same car as your instructor, this is because it is good to get used to 1 car and not having to keep adapting in early days