First Time Driver, Manual Or Automatic? - Page 2

MevagisseyMedic · 20th March 2015, 07:51

I would suggest getting a manual, as a newbie driver trained with a manual car I would suggest staying with that for a few years to get your self more confident with road conditions and basic car handling, learn how your driving improves. Once you have mastered the manual and your responses are better then you can think about a Auto.

Grumpy1 · 20th March 2015, 10:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by rosephus

Or go the whole hog and get a chauffeur!

It might not be too long before I need one Joe!

Chad.

Woof25 · 20th March 2015, 11:03

I think the advice given has been good and probably best to go manual at first to gain experience or buy a steptronic zr 120 which would give you options of auto and manual. Living in London I would never go back to a manual gearbox last time I had a loan car while mine was in dock I made 84 changes in just 3 miles ! I am too old to be a boy racer or his older equivalant so the smooth jatco autobox suits me perfectly

thundercat · 20th March 2015, 11:04

There was a time that if you took your driving test in an automatic you could not drive a manual, but if you took your test in a manual you could drive an automatic, has this now changed.

Jordan Apex · 20th March 2015, 11:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by thundercat

There was a time that if you took your driving test in an automatic you could not drive a manual, but if you took your test in a manual you could drive an automatic, has this now changed.

Still the same

chiron_myth · 20th March 2015, 11:29

As a first car, is strongly recommend a manual. Taking lessons will teach you how to pass the test, but you won't develop your own driving style until you've been driving by yourself for a couple of years. In that time you'll develop the standard reactions for driving such as predicting what other cars on the road will do, turning on your indicators without having to think about it, etc. One thing you'll develop is the ability to change gear without having to think about it. Of you have an auto as your first car, you'll never develop that reaction which will make it had more difficult if you have a manual car in the future.

I know a couple of people who made this mistake and they all moan about how difficult it is to find a 2nd hand carry they want because they "can't" drive a manual even though that's what they took their test in.

Heddy · 20th March 2015, 12:20

Auto's do take the stress away, but they are around £80 more p/y to tax and the fuel economy is not so good as a manual, this is offset by having no clutch to fail. Depends really on your criteria

Rickoshea · 20th March 2015, 12:44

Well a contrary view. For 80% of my 47 years as a driver I have had manuals and enjoyed them. However you can't buck progress and know drive automatics. I know their is a growing trend towards automatics and indeed some manufacturers now only supply auto. It is a more relaxed experience and a relaxed driver with few distractions is likely to be a safer driver. The killer for automatics used to be less fuel efficient that manual. However the latests ZF 8 speed autos as used by Jaguar, Land Rover and BMW are more fuel efficient than manuals.

If people do want the vintage feel of driving a manual then I think the manufactures should only supply them with a starting handle and a non synchromesh gearbox for the full feeling of old fashioned driving!

Dallas · 20th March 2015, 14:48

It would be best to learn to drive in a manual as you are doing, you need the experience. Then once you have got your license, you are free to choose either option.

I think some cars are better suited as an auto, the Rover 75 and ZT are one of them.

When learning to drive, it does get easier as the weeks go by, its the theory test you need to study hard for... good luck.

rosephus · 20th March 2015, 15:04

you will be surpised how quickly your ability builds up towards the end of your lessons.

i was shocked when my instructor said i was ready for my test, even more shocked when i passed 1st time. i couldnt beleive they were letting me drive on my own!! i didnt feel ready at all but i was.

20th March 2015, 11:29	#16
chiron_myth Loves to post Rover 75 Tourer Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Shifnal Posts: 422 Thanks: 57 Thanked 80 Times in 66 Posts	As a first car, is strongly recommend a manual. Taking lessons will teach you how to pass the test, but you won't develop your own driving style until you've been driving by yourself for a couple of years. In that time you'll develop the standard reactions for driving such as predicting what other cars on the road will do, turning on your indicators without having to think about it, etc. One thing you'll develop is the ability to change gear without having to think about it. Of you have an auto as your first car, you'll never develop that reaction which will make it had more difficult if you have a manual car in the future. I know a couple of people who made this mistake and they all moan about how difficult it is to find a 2nd hand carry they want because they "can't" drive a manual even though that's what they took their test in. __________________ Done so far... loads. Special thanks to Arctic, Lord_Skyrunner John_H, Holland314, JamieWelch and Drewski for their help so far. Left to do... loads!!!

20th March 2015, 12:44	#18
Rickoshea Loves to post Jaguar I Pace Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Surbiton Posts: 342 Thanks: 10 Thanked 74 Times in 47 Posts	Well a contrary view. For 80% of my 47 years as a driver I have had manuals and enjoyed them. However you can't buck progress and know drive automatics. I know their is a growing trend towards automatics and indeed some manufacturers now only supply auto. It is a more relaxed experience and a relaxed driver with few distractions is likely to be a safer driver. The killer for automatics used to be less fuel efficient that manual. However the latests ZF 8 speed autos as used by Jaguar, Land Rover and BMW are more fuel efficient than manuals. If people do want the vintage feel of driving a manual then I think the manufactures should only supply them with a starting handle and a non synchromesh gearbox for the full feeling of old fashioned driving! __________________ Miss the 75

20th March 2015, 07:51	#11
MevagisseyMedic Avid contributor Rover 75 Club Tourer 2002 Auto Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Mevagissey, Cornwall Posts: 234 Thanks: 19 Thanked 19 Times in 14 Posts	I would suggest getting a manual, as a newbie driver trained with a manual car I would suggest staying with that for a few years to get your self more confident with road conditions and basic car handling, learn how your driving improves. Once you have mastered the manual and your responses are better then you can think about a Auto.

20th March 2015, 11:03	#13
Woof25 Passed Away Rover 75 Saloon CDti Se A Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North London Posts: 2,500 Thanks: 5 Thanked 401 Times in 287 Posts	I think the advice given has been good and probably best to go manual at first to gain experience or buy a steptronic zr 120 which would give you options of auto and manual. Living in London I would never go back to a manual gearbox last time I had a loan car while mine was in dock I made 84 changes in just 3 miles ! I am too old to be a boy racer or his older equivalant so the smooth jatco autobox suits me perfectly

20th March 2015, 11:04	#14
thundercat Posted a thing or two Rover 75 Club SE Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: saxmundham Posts: 1,438 Thanks: 289 Thanked 173 Times in 121 Posts	There was a time that if you took your driving test in an automatic you could not drive a manual, but if you took your test in a manual you could drive an automatic, has this now changed.

20th March 2015, 12:20	#17
Heddy This is my second home None Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: None Posts: 5,556 Thanks: 465 Thanked 1,161 Times in 924 Posts	Auto's do take the stress away, but they are around £80 more p/y to tax and the fuel economy is not so good as a manual, this is offset by having no clutch to fail. Depends really on your criteria

20th March 2015, 14:48	#19
Dallas This is my second home 1979 Capri 1.6L, 1982 Capri 1.6L, 2016 Dacia Stepway Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Dorset Posts: 8,595 Thanks: 3,496 Thanked 3,397 Times in 2,218 Posts	It would be best to learn to drive in a manual as you are doing, you need the experience. Then once you have got your license, you are free to choose either option. I think some cars are better suited as an auto, the Rover 75 and ZT are one of them. When learning to drive, it does get easier as the weeks go by, its the theory test you need to study hard for... good luck.

20th March 2015, 15:04	#20
rosephus Posted a thing or two MG ZT 2.0 CDTi 135+ Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Manchester Posts: 1,122 Thanks: 480 Thanked 213 Times in 145 Posts	you will be surpised how quickly your ability builds up towards the end of your lessons. i was shocked when my instructor said i was ready for my test, even more shocked when i passed 1st time. i couldnt beleive they were letting me drive on my own!! i didnt feel ready at all but i was.