FAO owners of automatic transmission cars

Looking at getting a new car in the next few months, something like a newish Focus, not the most exciting car but fairly reliable and cheap to fix when they do go wrong BUT I'm seriously thinking about getting an automatic.

I've never driven an automatic, only been a passenger in an automatic a couple of times and don't know anyone who currently has one.

Are there any major drawbacks to them? The fact that only a small amount of UK cars are automatic I wondered if there was a big reason for this when in some countries they are the norm?

I'd imagine fuel economy is slightly better, especially with me as I'm very lazy with the gear lever, but is there anything that might make me regret getting one?

 

i drove my first automatic when i moved over here USA.
If you get one chop your left foot off cause for the first few months you wont know what to do with it.

other than that they seem ok and over here its the norm

 

best move you'll ever make,

 

My last 3 cars have been automatic. I think they are rarer over here as automatic gear boxes are quite a costly upgrade from new.
Savings on fuel will be minimal.
They take the fun out of driving - but if like me you churn up loads of motorway miles they are a god send. Try get one with the flappy padels.
I wouldnt switch back to manual.

 

I always thought that fuel economy was generally worse in an automatic. Which means more CO2, which means higher road tax.

I've been looking at new cars recently, and the one I have a brochure for, for example, quotes combined mpg for the manual at 55mpg, but the same spec / engine size auto it's 47mpg

I've never driven an auto either - always worried that if I got an auto that after a few years I'd forget how to drive a manual. Silly really.

 

I love automatics but unless things have changed the fuel consumption was always considerably worse than manual,the biggest snag is that for a while you'll still try and press the clutch and catch the ridiculously large brake pedal,which is fun....but you get used to it after a while

 

I drive a ford focus auto with the new gearbox called powershift. Its drives lovely and the fuel consumption is only slightly worse than the manual version.
I've also driven the new VW golf DSG and found that brilliant. Auto's are no where near as bad as they were years ago and get a lot of bad press from so called real drivers. I'd never change back.

 

Some interesting points cheers.

With regards to fuel consumption, I've never got anywhere near the brochure mileage on any car I've had even on long motorway runs...no doubt down to my driving style. I would imagine it would be easier to get the brochure mileage in an automatic given that is in charge of gear changes.

I was just wondering if there was any fundamental differences when driving - like what happens if I put my foot down from being stood, will the wheels spin or will it pick up revs slowly? Sorry if this sounds daft but I have been completely oblivious to automatic cars.

 

What year is that mate? Looking at a focus but my budget will probably only stretch to a 2010 model at best.

 

wife been driving 20 years but never in a automatic, went to Cyprus last year i had a drink so she drove slipped it into drive then reving it,s balls of kept saying it wont move after 2 minutes so she had left foot on brake dozy sod. First time she braked mi head nearly hit wind screen

 

My Focus is the 2010 2.0 tdi powershift. Diesel. If you put you foot down from stand still it will shoot off and probably spin in wet weather. While going if you put your foot down it will knock the auto gear box down a gear so you can quickly over take or what ever. Once your use to it you'll love it.

 

Always said I'd never have one but my last 4 have now been autos and I'd never go back. Yes they are a bit worse on economy but as a rep I spend a lot of time in traffic and an auto is a lot easier besides as others have said you can always drop it into manual if you want a bit more control and at junctions roundabouts etc you never have to worry about stalling.Tucking your left leg in is a good move to start with though to avoid simultaneous braking and accelleration1 but as Farnham said you never lose the manual knack as soon as you get in one it comes straight back

 

Cheers for that insight, sounds like they take a bit of getting used to but after that they are a lot more comfortable to drive.

Just found it strange that they are still quite a rare thing in this country and thought there may have been some reason for that...doesn't seem like there is.

 

out of interest, have a look for more opinion on this thread

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=99227

it is a petrol heads forum - so probably some detailed responses - couldn't be bothered to read them all!

 

After driving an automatic, you will never go back to a manual. Depending on the mileage you are more refreshed because you are not working clutch and sit back and relax in traffic build ups. Not keep , clutch in clutch out etc. when you come to rest the clutch on an automatic is not same as a manual. So it does not harm anything sat there idling in traffic get one mate you will enjoy it

 

I've got Powershift on my XC60, it was a joint project developed by Ford and Volvo. Love it, would never ever go back to a manual. I know what you mean about the wheelspin though, imagine that when pulling out onto a snowy Russian road! I was shocked when I managed to do that in an auto!