Manual v Auto: What should you buy?

What’s the difference between a manual and an automatic car?

The difference between manual and automatic cars is all about transmission – a manual car requires you to change gears yourself while driving, while automatic cars will do this for you.

A manual car has three pedals – one for accelerating, one for braking, and the clutch. This allows you to change gears using the gear stick, and most manual cars will go from one to five or six – plus another gear for reverse.

Automatic cars only have two pedals, one each for accelerating and braking. There is no clutch as the car changes gear itself depending on the speed you’re going and the condition of the road. The gearstick generally only has four modes – park (P), reverse (R), neutral (N) and drive (D).

Semi-automatic cars are also available.

The majority of cars in the UK are manual, though this isn’t the same everywhere.

Pros and cons of manual transmission cars

Here are the basic advantages and disadvantages to buying and using a manual car:

Pros:

• Manual cars are better at transferring power from the engine to the wheels – so you accelerate faster. However newer automatic vehicles with dual clutches are beginning to close that gap
• You also have greater control over the car as you’re changing the gears – which can be useful in difficult driving conditions
• It’s usually cheaper to maintain a manual car as the gearbox technology is less complex than in an automatic

Cons:

• Having one hand off the wheel when changing gears can affect your concentration. In an automatic, you can focus fully on the road ahead
• Driving a manual car can also be uncomfortable, especially in high-traffic areas or over long distances, as your left foot will constantly have to be working the clutch

Pros and cons of automatic transmission cars

Here are the pros and cons of cars with automatic transmission:

Pros:

• Automatic cars are more convenient and easier to handle, as you only need to change gears for parking or reversing – and they also offer a smoother ride
• Without having to think about gears and clutches you can concentrate more on driving – and give your knee a break
• If you need to learn to drive quickly, it might be easier to get your automatic-only licence first to get yourself mobile

Cons:

• Automatic gear boxes are more complex than manuals, and you’ll generally find that automatic cars are more upmarket anyways – so you should expect to pay more for one
• This can also mean insurance premiums are often higher for automatic cars, as the repairs involved are more expensive
• If you have an automatic-only licence you won’t be able to drive manual cars – and in the UK this may be an issue as most cars are manual. You’ll need to retake your test to qualify for driving a car with manual transmission

Which would you prefer to purchase?