First Car: Manual or Auto

[Centronix]

I want to buy a car for my wife next month. It's her first car and she's not used to driving. I know a manual will benefit her in the long run but I'm thinking about her safety on the road. I think it's easier to drive an automatic then a manual car.

What's your take?

 

[KalMaverick]

What car does she want to ride?

 

[Chevron]

Manual. Shell get used to it in a month.

 

[BrokenLink]

Auto i`d say....especially if she is going to be driving in traffic. And it does tend to be safer in emergency conditions such as hijackings or things, few newish drivers would have the presence of mind to be able to do an emergency pull away with a manual without stalling when they are surprised.

 

[Centronix]

What car does she want to ride?

She left that up to me to decide

 

[Centronix]

Auto i`d say....especially if she is going to be driving in traffic. And it does tend to be safer in emergency conditions such as hijackings or things, few newish drivers would have the presence of mind to be able to do an emergency pull away with a manual without stalling when they are surprised.

You make a good point there, thanks

 

[Packet-Kollector]

BrokenLink posed an extreamly good point, would change my mind

 

[Chevron]

And what happens when she needs to drive your car or a friends car for whatever reason?

Manual cars are also more fuel efficient.

 

[DominionZA]

I also vote auto. So over driving sticks.

 

[KleinBoontjie]

This is South Africa, not America, get her a manual.

 

[Hamster]

This is South Africa, not America, get her a manual.

Most autos come with a "manual mode" so there is no reason to get a manual if you use it in the cities except for the price. Clutch driving when there is an accident or when it is peak hour traffic is not fun at all.

 

[Chevron]

Guys. Don't recommend on your preference. I'm sure most people her that drive auto already know how to drive manual well.

We're now talking about someone that can't really drive manual. So saying 'so over driving sticks', isn't helping.

She needs to learn how to drive manual. Next car can be auto.

 

[Hamster]

She needs to learn how to drive manual. Next car can be auto.

I agree with you that everyone should know how to drive a manual and go pass their driver's license in a manual, BUT let's put 10 people who switched to automatic and drove only that for 4 years in a manual and see how many don't stall or over rev the car.

The point made above about getting out of a hijacking situation is a very good one. We all think that this is very unlikely to happen - until it does.

My personal preference is manual (because I can be a racing driver) but for ease of use in a city automatic all the way!

 

[Type RSA]

I would say get her an auto

 

[Quantum Theory]

My SO got her license in a manual, but bought herself a little automatic. She never wanted to drive my manual car, so when we went away/out, I had to drive all the time. Also, I drive in traffic a lot, so I decided my next car will be an auto too. Got myself a CVT last week and loving it... I don't know why car journalists are always so negative about CVT's.

Get an auto, if she prefers an auto...

 

[Naks]

Auto FTW, esp if there's lots of stop-start traffic in her commute

 

[motloutsi]

i think a manual is the best option...as it wil benefit her in future'what will hsappen if she gets a new job where she will have to use a car that's manual...get her a manual brother

 

[Fudzy]

I'd have to agree with the manual first, if she is a new driver it's an important element to master. Automatic is just a perk really.