FabSwingers.com > Forums > The Lounge > driving advice time.....
driving advice time.....
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By *abio OP Man
over a year ago
Newcastle and Gateshead |
okay.... as you lot know... had a few driving lessons..... and i have come across an issue....
the rest of the family drive automatics, after I pass, whatever i do it in I am going to flee for an automatic anyway...., I am finding learning in a manual to be very frustrating.....
Should i just flee for an automatic now... or stick at the manual.....
I am more and more tempted to just flee for the automatic now....... |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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If you pass in an automatic you can only drive an automatic. If you pass in a manual you can drive either. Learning to drive a manual gives you a much better feel for the road with regards to inclines, declines, weather conditions etc as you have to make the decision as to which gear to be in, not the car.
Once you've found your 'wheels', as we drivers say, you can opt for an auto if you find them easier to drive.
Good luck Fabs. |
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If you learn (and pass) in an automatic it means you have a limited license, or at least that's how it used to work.
i.e. in the future if you ever have to drive a manual car for what ever reason you will be breaking the law.
I'd persevere if I were you. I don't think they make automatic Ferrari's  |
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"If you learn (and pass) in an automatic it means you have a limited license, or at least that's how it used to work.
i.e. in the future if you ever have to drive a manual car for what ever reason you will be breaking the law.
I'd persevere if I were you. I don't think they make automatic Ferrari's "
It's actually quite rare to find a Ferrari that isnt an auto these days...strange, but true. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Learn to drive in a manual car, once you have passed, you will have the freedom to choose whatever car that takes your fancy.
Personally, I find driving automatic cars boring, manuals are far more fun!  |
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if you pass your test in an automatic,thats all you'll be allowed legally to drive...pass it in a manual and you got the best of both worlds...saying that a female friend of mine had a similar problem,finding gear changing,clutch control etc and she took the automatic route and passed with flying colours,drives an automatic and never looked back...i'd give it another months worth of lessons,then if you're really struggling,at least you got an alternative...good luck with whatever you choose |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I've always driven a manual, once you get the hang of a manual, it's not problem..Ok we've all stopped at the lights or junction, and forgotten to change back into first..Lol, i'd say stick with Manual. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Persevere with the manual. Aside from anything, decent automatic cars are harder to get hold of, so unless you're off to the showroom to buy brand new you won't have as much choice. |
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"If you learn (and pass) in an automatic it means you have a limited license, or at least that's how it used to work.
i.e. in the future if you ever have to drive a manual car for what ever reason you will be breaking the law.
I'd persevere if I were you. I don't think they make automatic Ferrari's
It's actually quite rare to find a Ferrari that isnt an auto these days...strange, but true."
Aren't they semi-automatic? With paddles? |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"okay.... as you lot know... had a few driving lessons..... and i have come across an issue....
the rest of the family drive automatics, after I pass, whatever i do it in I am going to flee for an automatic anyway...., I am finding learning in a manual to be very frustrating.....
Should i just flee for an automatic now... or stick at the manual.....
I am more and more tempted to just flee for the automatic now......."
If you have an automatic licence then you are not legally able to drive a stick shift so its something you have to think about. And most of the flashy cars are manuals. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"If you learn (and pass) in an automatic it means you have a limited license, or at least that's how it used to work.
i.e. in the future if you ever have to drive a manual car for what ever reason you will be breaking the law.
I'd persevere if I were you. I don't think they make automatic Ferrari's
It's actually quite rare to find a Ferrari that isnt an auto these days...strange, but true.
Aren't they semi-automatic? With paddles?"
They are but you can drive semi automatics with an automatic licence |
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"If you learn (and pass) in an automatic it means you have a limited license, or at least that's how it used to work.
i.e. in the future if you ever have to drive a manual car for what ever reason you will be breaking the law.
I'd persevere if I were you. I don't think they make automatic Ferrari's
It's actually quite rare to find a Ferrari that isnt an auto these days...strange, but true.
Aren't they semi-automatic? With paddles?"
Not really. They are more semi-manual if anything.
There's no clutch pedal, and if you don't flick the paddle it will change gear itself.
It's mostly a marketing gimmicky type thing to give middle aged wankers the feeling they are Schumacher as they tool down the road listening to Brachman Turner Overdrive... |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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From a slightly more practicle side, automatics (second hand and new) tend to cost more, and in certain classes of car (A and B) are a lot harder to find second hand and often have a much longer waiting list if you buy new. |
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"If you learn (and pass) in an automatic it means you have a limited license, or at least that's how it used to work.
i.e. in the future if you ever have to drive a manual car for what ever reason you will be breaking the law.
I'd persevere if I were you. I don't think they make automatic Ferrari's
It's actually quite rare to find a Ferrari that isnt an auto these days...strange, but true.
Aren't they semi-automatic? With paddles?
Not really. They are more semi-manual if anything.
There's no clutch pedal, and if you don't flick the paddle it will change gear itself.
It's mostly a marketing gimmicky type thing to give middle aged wankers the feeling they are Schumacher as they tool down the road listening to Brachman Turner Overdrive..."
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I'd say do the manual test, all the reasons
folk above have given are sensible. Consider
there are far less automatics around so
finding a cheap second hand one is harder.
Most of your mates will probably drive
manuals so if you're automatic you won't be
able to borrow their cars or share the driving
if you go on a long trip in their car. If you are
in an accident and your car is off the road its
not always possible for the insurance
company to replace your car with an
automatic in the same time frame they'd be
able to provide a manual.
And automatic gear boxes are very
expensive if there's a problem with yours
and it needs replaced.
I'm good with manual and automatic. Can
use my hand or my vibrator. I'd feel I was
missing out if I could only use the vibe
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By *-and-KCouple
over a year ago
Back of Beyond |
Spoken like a true yank Fabio  Leave the easy option in the U.S and learn to drive like a real man (or woman) 
Seriously there is only one way to learn and that is the manual option. After that drive whatever takes your fancy.
By the way, as was once told me by an instructor. I am teaching you to pass a test. You only learn to drive after you get your license and are out by yourself. |
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By *harpDressed ManMan
over a year ago
Here occasionally, but mostly somewhere else |
"By the way, as was once told me by an instructor. I am teaching you to pass a test. You only learn to drive after you get your license and are out by yourself."
I was told this too. Although my licence is British...;-) |
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Yeah, C'mon Fabio - You'll be a legend back home when they find out that you can "drive stick" as they say in the good ol' U S of A.
The girls will come a runnin', trust me!!
On a more serious, but related note, if you can't drive a manual car you will not be regrarded as a real man. Anywhere in Western Europe.
You can DO it big guy, 'cos your 'Merican, and 'Mericans kick ass...
(apart from when they get their asses kicked in wildly misjudged foreign policy "initiatives", but that's a whole other series of threads)
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By *abio OP Man
over a year ago
Newcastle and Gateshead |
I am leaning more and more towards an automatic....it is the yank in me and I know what car I am after so just a case of twisting the bank managers arm... or you all chipping in to the "_abio driving tour".... promise to all let you have a go of my toyota prius when i pass (yes i know a)hippy wagon... and b) the issue they had in the past!)
seriously though.. feel a lot more confident in an automatic than i do in a manual.. so working out what is best for me now....... |
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"I am leaning more and more towards an automatic....it is the yank in me and I know what car I am after so just a case of twisting the bank managers arm... or you all chipping in to the "_abio driving tour".... promise to all let you have a go of my toyota prius when i pass (yes i know a)hippy wagon... and b) the issue they had in the past!)
seriously though.. feel a lot more confident in an automatic than i do in a manual.. so working out what is best for me now......."
This isnt about what's best for you.
It's about what WE WANT!!
Seriously, pass your test in a manual, you will never regret it. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Learn to drive in a manual car, once you have passed, you will have the freedom to choose whatever car that takes your fancy.
Personally, I find driving automatic cars boring, manuals are far more fun! "
+1 driving auto's is very dull.great for towing though |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I am leaning more and more towards an automatic....it is the yank in me and I know what car I am after so just a case of twisting the bank managers arm... or you all chipping in to the "_abio driving tour".... promise to all let you have a go of my toyota prius when i pass (yes i know a)hippy wagon... and b) the issue they had in the past!)
seriously though.. feel a lot more confident in an automatic than i do in a manual.. so working out what is best for me now......."
If you are confident in a manual do it, if your more confident in an auto then do that. As long as you pass there are plenty of both available. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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im afraid i have to dissagre with most of the posters about this one.
modern autos are far better than they used to be and lets face it driving today you are either in traffic, in which case the advantages of a manual are outweighed by the ease of a auto, or on a motorway, in modern life an auto will be the best option, however take your test in the manual just incase, you never know when you will need to drive one.
for instance a rental car or loaner from the garage when yours is in for repair. |
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By *ollie_JCouple
over a year ago
London |
If you plan long term to stay in the uk go with the stick, thinking of going anywhere else go with the auto
It is a dilemma i faced to, i learnt to drive at 32 and seriously thought about an auto because manuals were just to difficult
I decided to bite the bullet and go with the manual.. The first year of driving i did 43000 miles and have been doing roughly the same since |
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By *ugby 123Couple
over a year ago
Forum Mod O o O oo |
"I am leaning more and more towards an automatic....it is the yank in me and I know what car I am after so just a case of twisting the bank managers arm... or you all chipping in to the "_abio driving tour".... promise to all let you have a go of my toyota prius when i pass (yes i know a)hippy wagon... and b) the issue they had in the past!)
seriously though.. feel a lot more confident in an automatic than i do in a manual.. so working out what is best for me now......."
When I first started learning I struggle big time with the manual for some reason and nearly swopped to an automatic......one day when driving I stopped thinking about them and it just clicked and they were not a problem anymore. I would advise to stick with it.
As others have said, you can drive both then. |
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How many lessons have you had?
It takes a while to get used to a car, and as has been said getting a manual licence makes life so much easier later.
The first few lessons are always difficult, as so much seems to be happening at once, and the sweat factor is immense.
Practice, practice. With dual controls the instructor should be able to help show you where the biting point is for the clutch.
Also ignore the dickheads behind you, they had to learn once, they've just forgotten all about it. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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i passed with manual, but drove automatics for over 15 years then changed to manual.....after 15 years i had forgotten how to drive and had to start from scratch again. so i would say.....stick to your manual
good luck |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I'd go for the manual. Gives you more options. You never know one day you many need that manual licence. I find driving an automatic boring especiall on motorways. |
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My present car is a Vauxhall Zafira easitronic, you can drive it as either a manual or an automatic
I had previously only driven manuals, other than when in the States.
I thought well, I'll try driving it as an automatic and then go back to manual and perhaps use the automatic for long boring motorway journeys.
Err think I've driven it in manual twice |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Most super cars are automatics, never heard many people say driving a Ferrari Enzo or Bugatti Veyron are boring.
But yes better having a manual licence, but still getting an automatic, unless of course you don’t mind 300 gear changes and a stiff leg, and that’s just going to the local shops, just too much traffic jams, roundabouts, speed bumps and traffic lights these days.
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I am leaning more and more towards an automatic....it is the yank in me and I know what car I am after so just a case of twisting the bank managers arm... or you all chipping in to the "_abio driving tour".... promise to all let you have a go of my toyota prius when i pass (yes i know a)hippy wagon... and b) the issue they had in the past!)
seriously though.. feel a lot more confident in an automatic than i do in a manual.. so working out what is best for me now......."
stop being a fud and learn to drive the real way!! 
manual is for amatuers!! x |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Stick to manual as you will have a greater sense of achievement when you pass as its a challenge for you at the moment. If you then decide auto is more for you then you have a choice .
Good luck |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I ended up with an automatic hire car recently on a business trip to France, I have to admit using the automatic a lot more frustrating and annoying than driving on the wrong side of the road!
Best of luck with your test, you'll be fine.
Paddy |
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By *ruitWoman
over a year ago
near kings lynn |
Deffinatel stick with the manual as it means you can drive manual and automatic. If your in this country it is better to be able to do both.
We all struggled when first learning so dont take the easy way out.
Also hire cars and work veichles will be harder to get when you have limited yourself.
You get a job and the company car is manual, you tell the boss you can only drive an automatic!
Stick with it hunny. Most people do it that way for very good reasons. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"If you learn (and pass) in an automatic it means you have a limited license, or at least that's how it used to work.
i.e. in the future if you ever have to drive a manual car for what ever reason you will be breaking the law.
I'd persevere if I were you. I don't think they make automatic Ferrari's
It's actually quite rare to find a Ferrari that isnt an auto these days...strange, but true."
Yea they do make them, my Dad was on the design team to develop the gearbox for the first Ferrari auto |
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By *umpkinMan
over a year ago
near the sounds of the wimborne quarter jack! |
"im afraid i have to dissagre with most of the posters about this one.
modern autos are far better than they used to be and lets face it driving today you are either in traffic, in which case the advantages of a manual are outweighed by the ease of a auto, or on a motorway, in modern life an auto will be the best option, however take your test in the manual just incase, you never know when you will need to drive one.
for instance a rental car or loaner from the garage when yours is in for repair."
After years of driving mauals, I bought an diesel automatic Discovery, not because I wanted an auto but because the manual Discoverys have more gearbox/transfer box problems.One thing`s for certain. Driving in traffic is a breeze and it tows like a dream. The one big surprize was the performance and fuel consumption. It`s almost as fast as the old petrol V8 Range Rover it replaced and it`s far more economical too! I recall a journey back home from Beauleiu one cold spring afternoon. I was cold, hungry and tired and wanted to get home yesterday. During my lead footed journey, I was aware of the fuel guage actually moving  I worked it out at about 8 to the gallon running solo!
But to go back to the bit about hiring a vehicle, I do occasionally hire but I find it nearly impossible to hire autos and anything bigger than a car is a definate no-no for an auto.
I know you`re sold on the auto Fabio, but the reasons I`ve just written, do the test on a manual. You never know when you`ll need it, especially if you`re called on to do a driving job for whatever reason. |
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