Auto vs Manual transmission?

Naikon

Ok, I have been driving for some time now, but am still
waiting to take the driving test. Still inexperienced.

I am looking for a new car, and the transmission
is one of the considerations.

As I am not that experienced, I just want a small vehicle which
is not expensive to maintain and run.

I understand most cars in this country are sold with a manual
transmission, simply because Ireland is not part of the US.

Now, I really enjoy using a manual transmission, but are there
any real benefits when compared to a automatic?

I know fuel consumption and control are the big ones, along
with the fact they tend to keep you more alert when driving.

Have automatics improved over the last 20 years, to the point where
there is little difference other than the fact I am always more
alert when driving a manual?

Generally, do manuals still offer the best fuel consumption in comparison
to the torque converter setup in auto's of a similar model?

I take it maintenance/running costs are lower than the
equivalent auto, even if the car has similar parts?

Would it be best to invest in an auto, simply because they are
more commonplace nowadays, and resale may be higher?

Now, before flaming me, yes, I have done some homework, but
would appreciate any insight from the experienced drivers in this
regard.

Holsten

I dunno about anything about the differences in costs, but I'd advise you to do the test in a manual car.

If you pass in a manual car you can drive anything, where as if you pass in an auto you are only licenced to drive autos.

Naikon

Holsten wrote: »

I dunno about anything about the differences in costs, but I'd advise you to do the test in a manual car.

If you pass in a manual car you can drive anything, where as if you pass in an auto you are only licenced to drive autos.

Sound advice. Could be very problamatic in an emergency if I didn't do
the test in a manual.

darcy.jonny

previous poster is bang on dont limit youself as far as a test is concerned

one from driving manuals for years into an autotronic recently . its an automatic with a triptronic gearing addition ,,, allows you to manual drive without the need for a clutch or the need to release the accelrator when changing gear . look then up might be of intrest to you .

my g/f is driving a 1.2 punto with an autotronic gearbox and she loves it ............ dont ask me why anyone would love a punto but there ya go

netwhizkid

Naikon wrote: »

I understand most cars in this country are sold with a manual
transmission, simply because Ireland is not part of the US.

Ireland not being part of the US has nothing to do with our preference for Manual.

Now, I really enjoy using a manual transmission, but are there
any real benefits when compared to a automatic?

It depends on how you view a car is it a transportation tool or something more enjoyable? Both have their pros and cons, Manual drivers will tell you they have more control over their cars which they have, but is it control you really want or need?

Have automatics improved over the last 20 years, to the point where
there is little difference other than the fact I am always more
alert when driving a manual?

Automatics boxes have come leaps and bounds in the last 20years and we are at a point now where there is no reason for wanting a manual other than the liking of Manual driving.

Generally, do manuals still offer the best fuel consumption in comparison
to the torque converter setup in auto's of a similar model?

Manuals offer better Fuel consumption than older Auto's but once you have and enjoy an auto you will be happy to pay it. Modern CVT and Torque are much lighter on juice and the new DSG autoboxes are far more fuel efficient than any manual.

I take it maintenance/running costs are lower than the
equivalent auto, even if the car has similar parts?

If an auto box goes wrong it is costly, however if you are sloppy manual driver you will need to change the clutch often so there is no difference really.

Would it be best to invest in an auto, simply because they are
more commonplace nowadays, and resale may be higher?

Resale values are down all over and it can be dearer to buy an auto and harder to sell in a tradein as Dealers charge a premium for Auto boxes as they are rarer and give you low tradein value saying no one wants them.

I drive an Auto and have an Automatic restricted licence but would never drive a manual so it doesn't matter anyway. My advice stay away from the autos if you can bear it long enough to get a Manual licence and if you pass then get that auto and never look back. Super machines they are. Manuals are for tractors and farmers really and should only be put in high end powerful cars where they are to be truly appreciated.

darcy.jonny

Manuals are for tractors and farmers really and should only be put in high end powerful cars where they are to be truly appreciated.[/quote]


most high end powerful cars even super cars are automatics arnt they ?

netwhizkid

darcy.jonny wrote: »

Manuals are for tractors and farmers really and should only be put in high end powerful cars where they are to be truly appreciated.

most high end powerful cars even super cars are automatics arnt they ?[/QUOTE]

Alot are mostly for luxury but alot of the sports one that see more racetrack than tesco carpark are manual

darcy.jonny

netwhizkid wrote: »

most high end powerful cars even super cars are automatics arnt they ?

Alot are mostly for luxury but alot of the sports one that see more racetrack than tesco carpark are manual[/quote]


bugatti veryon has a semi auto gear box

colm_mcm

Automatics are quite nice, but for the sake of getting a proper license there is a lot to be said for getting a manual car.

There is a lot more choice out there in manual cars.

darcy.jonny

colm_mcm wrote: »

Automatics are quite nice, but for the sake of getting a proper license there is a lot to be said for getting a manual car.

There is a lot more choice out there in manual cars.

tbh i do think that peole with provisional should be prohibited from driving automatic transmission cars ..... there a lot easier to drive and well i think they give young lads to much confidence ............ at very lest they should stop automatic driving tests and make manual test only

colm_mcm

nah, it's peoples choice whether they want to drive manual or auto, the present system is fair enough. some people can't/don't wanna drive manual too.

don't know too many younglads driving autos.

darcy.jonny

ive alway wondered if the guards have ever enfoced that law , even insurance companies (if you have a full driving liscence automatic and u get cought driving a manual or have a smack )

op stay driving manuals till u at least get your test would be my advice

Big Nasty

OP, lots of pros to an auto however I think it's a waste of time getting an auto in a small car like you're after. Personally I would go manual in anything under a 1.8. Then again, I wouldn't be driving anything under a 1.8 anyhow!

Anan1

MCMLXXV wrote: »

OP, lots of pros to an auto however I think it's a waste of time getting an auto in a small car like you're after. Personally I would go manual in anything under a 1.8. Then again, I wouldn't be driving anything under a 1.8 anyhow!

This is essentially true, but I remember years ago having a 96 Polo 1.6 auto for a few days - the combination of a relatively big engine and auto really made the car.

maidhc

netwhizkid wrote: »

Manuals are for tractors and farmers really and should only be put in high end powerful cars where they are to be truly appreciated.

Tractors generally have far more advanced gearboxes than any cars. A plain maunual transmission in a tractor is more the exception than the rule.

Rowley Birkin QC

maidhc wrote: »

Tractors generally have far more advanced gearboxes than any cars. A plain maunual transmission in a tractor is more the exception than the rule.

Ever driven an auto (not sure what the marketing name for it is!) Claas maidhc?

netwhizkid wrote:

Manuals are for tractors and farmers really

Par72

I drive an automatic and wouldn't go back to manual unless I really had to. I drove manuals for years though and did my test in a manual. As has been said before, you should do your test in a manual so that your license isn't restricted. That way, even if you do end up getting an automatic you will still be able to drive a manual if you ever have to get a hire car or something.

The auto box really comes into play when you are in stop-start traffic as is so often the case in this country. Aside from anything else, this really makes the auto worth the slightly higher fuel consumption.

I don't think automatic would be great in a smaller car tbh but I haven't driven one so I can't really comment.

darcy.jonny

im in a 2.0 ltr and the missus is in a punto 1.2 auto and tbh the small engine auto ant really to much of a problem (thet is has the tritrinic / or auto sequential box .<< i think i seen it called that but dont hold me to it )

i find when im in her car ill be dring it on the triptronic just to get that extra power here and there (not much) but in my own im never that bothered ........

either way in a 1.2 i cant see the fuel consumption being an issue that would affect ur decission , how about taking one for a test drive ..........
u may not like autos at all if uve never drove them