Long distance runs or short trips? Clear roads or stop-start traffic? Sporty drive or a leisurely run? All of these and more are considerations when it comes to choosing your next car’s transmission. Read on as we discuss which is better, manual or automatic...
Automatic cars were once the preserve of the rich and famous. Rolls-Royce, Bentley and Jaguar models all had auto boxes while the rest of us had to make do with a gearstick and clutch pedal.
Not that that bothered most British drivers though – the UK has traditionally been the home of the manual-geared vehicle. While cars were historically built as autos in the US and much of Europe, here in Britain we opted largely to stick with the gearstick.
Certainly, automatic cars have become more commonplace over the last 20 years or so – the growth of electric and hybrid vehicles speeding that trend up – but they are still seen by many drivers as more expensive and ‘higher-end’ than their manual cousins.
Things are changing though as the cost of having an automatic gearbox – with five, six, or even seven gears inside it – gradually comes down. And people are realising that there are plenty of advantages to having a stubby auto drive selector instead of a gear stick and third pedal to worry about.
With electric cars becoming increasingly popular some drivers admit they’ll probably never drive a manual car again. DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) research illustrates this trend: in 2009, 75,000 automatic driving tests were taken. By 2015 the figure had risen to 105,000. But by 2023 the figure was a whopping 324,000.
However, there are still many drivers who prefer the ‘feel’ of a manual gearbox and the control in terms of speed and handling that going through the ratios gives them. These drivers are happy to continue with changing up and down the gearbox.
So what’s best for you? The transmission is a major part of any car – second probably, only to the engine – and as such it’s a vital part of your car buying decision making.
Where you drive, how you drive, the number of hours you spend behind the wheel each day and the kind of traffic you most often experience are all part of the choice process.
Here MotorCheck outlines the features and highlights of both types of gearboxes to help you decide: which is better for me – manual or automatic?
Manual
Cost: Manual cars are usually cheaper than automatic ones, often by several thousand pounds. Much of this is to do with supply and demand, just as much as the technology. Manuals are generally cheaper to build, are more popular than autos and are therefore built in greater numbers.
Choice: There are likely to be more model types and specifications of manual cars on the used market, offering greater choice to second-hand buyers. A bigger selection often means cheaper prices.
Technology: The tried and tested technology that goes into a manual gearbox is simpler and costs less to produce. Manual boxes are tougher and more rugged than autos and are probably less likely to develop a fault or problem.
Control: Being in just the right gear for a turn, getting ready to tackle a steep hill, preparing to overtake – some drivers like to be in full control and know exactly where they are in terms of gear selection while driving. This ‘hands-on’ experience in a manual car doesn’t leave the decision making to technology.
Appropriate: For many, driving a car with a manual gearbox just ‘feels right’. They learned to drive in a manual, and, in everyday driving, they wouldn’t have it any other way.
Automatic
Clutchless: Automatic cars don’t have a clutch pedal which means there is no constant ‘pumping’ of your left leg in congested stop-start traffic. You have only the accelerator and brake pedal to control, leaving you to concentrate on steering.
Stalling: Pulling away in an auto is a smooth and progressive experience even on a hill and it’s unlikely you’ll stall the car’s engine (unless the auto box has developed a fault). Simply press the accelerator gently and the gearbox does all the hard work for you.
Hill start: Moving away on a steep incline is also taken care of with an auto. They hold a car in place on hills to stop them rolling back. And a ‘hill-start’ facility, built into most modern autos, will keep the vehicle held on the brakes until there is enough power going to the wheels to drive forward.
Relaxing: There’s no doubting an automatic car is more relaxing to drive than a manual one. That’s why high-end luxury cars are autos. Start the engine, engage gear and off you go, smooth and easy. They will even creep forward in slow moving traffic without you having to touch the accelerator pedal.
Status: Automatics are smarter, more convenient, with greater technology, and are usually more expensive than their manual counterparts and are considered to have more ‘prestige’ too. They are usually in the mid to higher end of the model specification lists and hold their value well when it comes to selling on.
So which one?
In the end it all comes down to your personal preference. That might be based on previous experience, or perhaps you just want to try something different. It might be that the used car of your dreams has become available and it has one or other of the transmissions already fitted. Find out which gearbox should be there by having a car history check done. MotorCheck’s £9.99 ‘Single Check’ includes a full vehicle identity check, along with other useful information regarding finance, mileage, engine, colour or number plate changes, whether it has been stolen or written off and more.
So if you’re thinking of buying a used car, a history check should be an automatic choice!
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