Downsides / Upsides of Having An Automatic

This is a stupid comment. There is no similiarity or analogy in the world for how driving a manual is like using Windows 95.

Manual gearboxes are a very endangered species anyway. Barring some specialist and high end petrol cars and also diesel light commercials, you won't really be able to buy a new one in a mainstream car for much longer.

It's a pity in a way, because with the right car, like an old Z4 2.5 I used to have, they were a pleasurable part of driving.

But now, as even your run of the mill Peugeot or Skoda petrol will come with a 7, 8 or even 9 speed auto, which is close to the efficiency you would get with a 6 speed manual, why have a dog and bark yourself?

You think there is no good (enjoyable) driving closer than the Italian alps...

" Driving" and a "car" are out of date technology.

Guess time to give up playing the piano and let AI music take over.

I think very few of this "company" are exceptions to that. Considering this is the motors forum that's quite something.

If even remotely considering going automatic then it's a no brainer. They are faster, more fuel efficient and a smoother to drive. Engine braking can be done with them too as most allow to control what gear you're in.

Manual is fun for an engaging weekend drive but the vast majority of people use their car as a transport tool appliance. Haven't met anyone going back from automatic to manual.

When I got my auto there simply wasn't any decent manuals in that car model.

There are people driving today who will never drive a manual or fossil fuel (ICE) vehicle.

If all your doing is sit in traffic and mundane commutes an auto is perfect. If I could let self driving car do that, I would let it.

You can that do in an auto with a manual mode as most have these days.

When your car is about to struggle in an incline it will change down a gear

When you accelerate into an overtake it immediately changes down a gear, selecting the right gear depending on how hard your accelerating.

Surely you knew this already?

They generally have normal mode and sport mode and a manual mode. Which implies (in my opinion, open to correction) there isn't one "perfect" setting. Its implies normal mode is slower than sport mode. Also gear boxes don't read the road ahead, the driver does, or if is a car with autonomous driving modes, the car itself might do it.

Personally I find the older DSG (6 speed) slow pulling out in fast traffic etc, I always put it into sport and blip it. Even then I prefer the manual. Its just preference. Some days I deliberately take the auto. Horses for courses and all that.

My manual diesel will probably be our last, but until electrics and automatics are ubiquitous in the EU I'd still recommend learning on a manual.

My wife's car is semiautomatic and it's a pleasure to drive, manual gear shifting without a clutch is a great option to have. .