Is there a point in learning to drive a manual transmission?

redcup342

If you ever want to rent a car you'll pay a ton more being stuck with automatic only.

I can rent a manual for 8-9 euros a day in Ireland and an automatic can be double or triple the price.

They normally ask me if I want an automatic, but i've seen people being absolutely screwed with an Automatic only license.

Same day, same rental company I paid 55 euros for the weekend, the guy next to me with Auto only paid 255 euros.

In the end I got an Automatic anyway, guy was absolutely raging.

jackofalltrades

listermint wrote: »

If this is the case, you probably should not be on the road.

Or, and less harshly, they should probably just drive an auto.
Some drivers just don't get gears. They're perfectly fine drivers otherwise.

Clareman wrote: »

My sister only learnt how to drive an automatic, worst decision she ever made (when it comes to driving), she can never borrow a friends car, their decisions for new cars are very limited and if they ever go on holidays automatic rental cars are often more expensive.

Are they? I know things were bad 20 years ago, but there's definitely better choice now. Especially with the availability of hybrids and EVs.

John Hutton

What happens if you have an auto license and want to get qualified for manual, you hardly need to go down the whole 12 lessons route again?

Or is it just the case of doing the test again but in a manual?

Montage of Feck

Why would you limit yourself when initially learning to drive? Driving isn't like a videogame, learning to use a clutch and manual gears will give an absolute beginner a far better understanding of car control and finesse.

Tij da feen

redcup342 wrote: »

If you ever want to rent a car you'll pay a ton more being stuck with automatic only.

I can rent a manual for 8-9 euros a day in Ireland and an automatic can be double or triple the price.

They normally ask me if I want an automatic, but i've seen people being absolutely screwed with an Automatic only license.

Same day, same rental company I paid 55 euros for the weekend, the guy next to me with Auto only paid 255 euros.

In the end I got an Automatic anyway, guy was absolutely raging.

Really only applys if you're renting cars in Ireland. Most rental companies on the continent and in the US will primarily stock autos (so they can cater to the American market)

redcup342

Tij da feen wrote: »

Really only applys if you're renting cars in Ireland. Most rental companies on the continent and in the US will primarily stock autos (so they can cater to the American market)

Not where I’ve rented, only countries where automatic was standard was Israel and the US.

Most of Continental Europe manual is the cheapest option but you’ll almost always be upgraded to auto (unless it’s a local rental company and not one of the big ones)

Think I must have rented in around 30 different countries and done a few hundred rentals.

antodeco

A big benefit for me with manuals is the ability to drive older cars. A 44 year old is not going to be an automatic, so I can still enjoy that hobby. Plus, my daughter will be learning to drive in the coming months and I asked her what her preference is. She said manual, as if she's ever stuck somewhere, or needs to borrow someone else's car for an emergency (or if her car broke down), she can still drive it if it's a manual

mikeecho

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWTcPdYfsAc

This is what it will be like in 15yrs time trying to explain to someone, how to drive a manual.

ShadowHearth

If you young driver that is learning now, or in next 2-3 years and your parents are not loaded, then I would suggest learning manual.

Reason is that, if you are young and have to buy your own car, chances are, your budget is small and you will go for older car, which will be manual. This argument goes out of the window, if your parents can buy you new/newish car for you.

jackofalltrades

There are autos out there for people on a small budget.
Sure you mightn't get the exact spec or colour that you want.
But if you need a banger to last you a few years you'll be able to fine something.

coylemj

The biggest argument for a young person doing their instruction and the test in a manual is that when you go to places like the Canaries and want to rent a car, you don't want to be restricted to an auto. Because the bulk of the fleet on the day will be small cars with manual transmission.

Clareman

coylemj wrote: »

The biggest argument for a young person doing their instruction and the test in a manual is that when you go to places like the Canaries and want to rent a car, you don't want to be restricted to an auto. Because the bulk of the fleet on the day will be small cars with manual transmission.

That and if you ever want to borrow a car you'll only be able to borrow an automatic, for example if you are getting your car serviced.

The biggest argument is that by learning to only drive an automatic you are restricting your driving to automatics only whereas if you learn in a manual you're able to drive all cars, the breakdown of manual vs. automatic is just a way of highlighting the argument.