I recently decided to learn how to drive, and living in Ireland, almost everybody drives a manual car. I've done four lessons and I can honestly say I'm glad that I'm learning to drive a stick. On the first lesson, I thought it'd be much easier to just drive an automatic, but now that I'm getting used to the gear changes, I think it would be far more boring to drive automatic. I've also heard that automatic cars use more fuel and break down more often, though I'm not sure how true this is. There's something really satisfying about driving on an open road, calmly shifting gears as you build up speed. That said, I've only just started learning to drive, so it's going to be more exciting, and down the line I might get annoyed with the gear stick, especially in towns, where there's so much starting and stopping because of traffic.

So, what are your thoughts on manual vs automatic?

It's much better to learn with a manual. Otherwise you could only drive an automatic.

I should probably learn how to drive at some point. :shrug: however I like the bus more.

I learned on both but it's been over a decade since I was driving a manual with any regularity. Sometimes I miss it, other times I'm stopped going up a hill

Sometimes I miss the manual transmissions.

Other times I remember the fingernails-on-chalkboard feeling of grinding the clutch.

My car is a manual. I think it's a lot more fun to drive than an automatic. Living in the suburbs, it was annoying at first with all the stopping and going due to stop signs and lights and stuff, but you get used to it pretty quick. Now I hardly even have to think about shifting, it's almost instinctive.

I learned on automatic and then learned how to drive a stick. I liked that I could learn the rules of driving without worrying about shifting. Then I could learn shifting without having to worry about the rules of driving. A stick is fun when you are on an open road and everything is going fine, I also feel as though I have more control over the actual car. However it's a pain in stop and start traffic or when the exit to a parking lot is on a hill.

If I could buy a new car right now I'd probably get an automatic, but I can't so I am stuck with the stick.

I actually prefer a manual, but my truck right now is automatic.


So true.

It is really easy with an automatic handbreak.

Learned on a manual. glad to have an automatic now though because of the commute i have, stop and go gets tiresome with a manual transmission. but i agree, everyone shuld learn. theyre also cheaper to buy if youre in the market.

I've never drive anything but a manual. To be honest, I've only ever seen automatics driven by pensioners and disabled people. It wouldn't feel like I was actually driving, if I didn't have to change gear.

I drive an automatic. :verymad:

But I did learn to drive a manual and would have one. I like having the opportunity to drive whatever I want and would never have restricted myself to autos. I drive my boyfriend's car which is a manual.

OP, they do go through more fuel though. I only get about 350-70 miles out a tank of fuel in my Yaris.

Also living in Ireland, I learned to drive in a manual. I'm glad I did it.

That being said, both my parents drive automatics and I've had a go. They're fantastic for urban driving, but I'll take my manual transmission any day overall.

I'm nervous enough driving an automatic, more pointless things to worry about will just break my concentration.


Is that a European thing? I haven't seen anybody with a manual car in years.

Maybe it is. Because, if I had to drive an automatic, my manhood would be questioned.

Oh quite certainly. I only get away with it because I'm a girl. :thumbsup:

Funnily enough, the only 2 persons I know who drive an automatic are my aunty and a female friend. :laugh: So yes, you're right.

I've driven an automatic occasionally, not really a fan, though. I guess I just prefer having more control over what the car's doing, and automatics feel a bit "flabby" somehow. They seem to be somewhat more popular in executive-mobiles, but few other people seem to like them all that much.

The first is true, but discounts the fact that some people drive their manual transmission vehicles rather poorly. Any gas mileage boons they'd have gotten are erased by bad shifting.

As for the second, I do believe that's no longer the case, with automatic transmissions being nearly as robust as the manual ones. What they are is more expensive to repair when they are broken. What always struck me as odd, though, was how some models of cars in North America actually cost more as a manual than as an automatic, despite having the cheaper components. I chalk that up to supply and demand, I suppose.

I don't know how it is outside of Europe, but pretty much everyone here in the Netherlands who takes driving lessons learns to do it with manual shifting, unless they turn out to be really bad at it.

i definitely have to disagree with the manual transmissions lasting longer. i only know a few people who drive stick here but they have all had to replace or repair their transmission. of all the automatic cars ive owned (and all my cars are old beaters) ive only had one transmission go out on me and it was more costly to repair than what i paid for the car in the first place. and i drive like an insane person.

that being said i think people should learn how to drive stick just in case they need to for an emergency. however, here in the state pretty much everyon drives automatic.

edit: be very very careful when switching from manual to automatic. i had a fried who drove manual all the time and then bought a new car with automatic and his first day out driving he grabbed the shifter (it was one of those between the seat shifters) and reflexively moved it. thankfully he only got it to neutral but that would have svcked if he put it in reverse.

I'm pretty sure most people here in America learn on an automatic. I did, first car I bought was a manual and I learned on that. Wasn't too hard to get hang of and soon it just feels natural.

Manual is way more fun. It is said that manuals get better gas mileage because you can control your rpm's better. As for them breaking down less, that is because manual transmissions are generally stronger, I'm guessing to make up for user error.

EDIT: No wait, I think they are stronger because an automatic is a way more complicated transmission. Yeah.

In real life, I've only driven with manual transmission, but I think I'd prefer it to driving an automatic- especially for the greater sense of control and (potentially) greater fuel efficiency- although having said that I would never choose a manual transmission car over an automatic if the latter ever works out cheaper to buy, insure or drive. In video games though, I only ever drive automatic: shifting gear only works well for me if I can hear the engine properly.

(Yay I'm back!)

I guess it is. From what I've seen on these forums most Americans apparently drive automatics, while I in the Netherlands/Belgium know only one person who does not drive manual. And he only gets away with it because he is an old guy

Manuals are way more fun, but I guess an automatic would be more comfortable for driving in cities. But since I only use my legs, my bicycle and public transportation in cities that's not really relevant for me.

Ah. In the UK if you pass your test in an automatic you can only drive automatics. If you pass your test in a manual you can drive both. Given that the cost is the same and it doesn't take long to get to grips with gears, everyone learns to drive a manual.