Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Ellis]

I will sum up my opinion of automatic cars simply as follows :

Every automatic car I have bought over the years has been moved on or traded in against a manual within weeks of purchase.

I'm afraid that I just cannot adjust to no clutch and not being in full control of a vehicle.
I drove a BMW 335D before Christmas with the "paddles" either side of the steering wheel. It was a novelty, yes, but not for me.
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Starting Handle Expert

1964 Jaguar Mark 2 3.4 litre
1962 Land Rover Series 2a 88"
2002 BMW M3 E46 Cabriolet

[D4B]

I loved my Automatic Mitsubishi Pajero, such a lazy drive.

[ukdave2002]

My modern is a 7 speed auto, it has paddles on the steering wheel too but I have never used them!

I wouldn't want any of my oldies with an auto box, but for a more relaxing commute in peak time traffic congestion, an auto is my preference

Dave

[kevin2306]

I have a new 5 series with auto box and it was my preference, absolutely love the relaxing drive.
My Singer has a Borg Warner auto box and that's a great drive too, I much prefer them to manual.

Kev

[Keith D]

Almost all cars in Australia are autos nowadays unless you buy a small Asian cheapie. My moderns are all auto, but I must admit to preferring manuals.
I make a point of hiring a manual when I'm in the UK.

Keith

[lowdrag]

I had my first auto in 1980, and since 1992 nothing but auto boxes. So easy and restful especially in traffic. on the other hand I had a 1965 S type Jaguar with an auto box and found it dreadful. A vast difference between a Borg Warner 3-speed and the 7-speed Mercedes box! Both my classics are manual boxes.

[Peter_L]

I have done 100k's of miles in both auto and manual and have no problem driving either. I drive the auto using both feet, although on the few occasions when a quick reaction is required, the right foot instinct kicks in.

I was brought up in an age when folks in the UK would fear auto's my first was a Ford Scorpio and I grew to like it. Left foot braking helped scuttle the beast through county lanes.

Our latest modern has paddles, takes a bit of getting used to but good for the long and twisty mountain passes when the gearbox can't see the road ahead.

[Bitumen Boy]

As far as classics are concerned, I prefer manuals. However, if I was on the lookout for another modern for everyday use I'd definitely be looking out for an auto, particularly if I was anticipating much town driving - after years of driving oldies I can't seem to get used to the tall first gear that seems to be pretty much standard with modern manuals. The Corsa I'm driving to the shops lately has the additional "refinement" of naff all low down torque, meaning that in slow traffic it often needs changing down to first - and possibly even some clutch slip - to get going where the Herald is quite happy to pull away in second barring a complete halt. That's not my idea of progress...

[Rick]

I like both, in their place.

Old car - manual without doubt.

Newish car - so long as it has a decent size engine, auto all the way especially if used on a regular commute. I'd only really opt for a manual if it was something sporty, or with a tiny engine. For A-B, non-enthusiastic driving, autos are so good nowadays that they take some beating IMO.

RJ
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[peter scott]

Automatics are not yet the equal of a manual simply because they don't anticipate road conditions.

I prefer to be in the right gear in advance of need and not just after the point of need.

Furthermore they never inspire quite the same level of confidence when you need a fast take-off from a road junction.

I've driven quite a few mid-sized current models in the US but they are all second best to a manual.

Peter
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https://www.nostalgiatech.co.uk
1939 SS Jaguar 2 1/2 litre saloon

[ukdave2002]

20 years ago a mate of mine was a salesman in then a recently opened Honda car dealership in Chester. At that time Honda didn't have a huge car presence in the UK. Like all vehicle manufacturers they churn out specific customer orders but also produce a load of cars that they think will sell, they assumed that within the UK we loved autos! forgetting that we had been subject to underpowered stuff that had the option of a 3 speed auto box that added extra weight ! at that time they would sell you an auto cheaper than the manual.

Dave

[BigJohn]

The early Hondamatic was a lovely gearbox, my 1982 Accord was a joy to drive. A lot of modern autos aren't strictly automatic in the old sense, my 7 speed DSG box, once mastered is very quick of the line, usually having traction control banging its brains out to prevent wheel spin. The old BW35 on the P6b was a right slug in comparison. I will always drive an auto by choice in a modern car as my left side is a bit selective in its labour when it gets tired (very quickly). My Mk1 Escort is a manual, but long technical runs are causing great consideration for an auto to use instead. My Standard 12 usually left me with an inability to walk properly after a relatively short driving time, but it's brakes also needed a mighty shove as well.

[Riley Blue]

I bought my first automatic car almost a year ago. Arthritis in my knees made it a necessity for long journeys (I drive to France and Germany a few times a year) and I have to say, it's much easier with an auto box. I've replaced the Mercedes E320 with an Audi A8 4.2 so stacks of power when needed and much less painful on my knees.

I can knock it into Tiptronic mode and change manually whenever I wish though I seldom do and it has a sport mode that I used for the first time last week - a great piece of kit.
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David

1963 Riley 1.5
1965 Riley 1.5

[Ellis]

Reading your views I feel like a Luddite "raging against the machine".
Would you believe that I actually enjoy driving my S2a Land Rover with no synchromesh on first and second gear?
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Starting Handle Expert

1964 Jaguar Mark 2 3.4 litre
1962 Land Rover Series 2a 88"
2002 BMW M3 E46 Cabriolet

[V8 Nutter]

I love Autos. The first one I had was a '54 Oldsmobile 88 back in the early sixties. I think a lot depends on the make of the auto box does any one else remember the dreadful Smiths Easydrive Rootes used in the sixties. Probably the worst idea was the automatic clutch on the Citroen I.D. I could not get used to that it was neither one thing or another