Changing from a Manual car to an Automatic after driving manual for around 50 yrs

I’ll never go back to driving a car with gears, easily the best thing I ever did was switch to automatic.
My neighbour said she likes to drive a proper car- one with gears 😂
Maybe a bit of jealousy going on.

Rosie51

I found myself constantly going to put it in first gear when pulling away for a couple of weeks, after that I'd adjusted. From hating the concept I now love my automatic.

Ha that was me too😂

I was 'forced' into it when the courtesy car I booked turned out to be automatic. 'I can't!' I cried to the girl on the desk dangling the keys. 'It's easy,' she said, 'I'll show you.' As I sat in the drivers seat, full of trepidation and knowing I was at least ten miles from home, ' she said 'Just forget you have a left foot.'

Off I went, scaredy cat, and after a mile I was converted. So easy to drive, coasting along, no worries, I was sorry to reach home and was already looking forward to the return journey.

Go for it. I definitely would if only him indoors would agree.

I’m 73 and I downsized my car last year to a hybrid automatic. Took a while to stop reaching to change gear but love it now, especially as I get around 70 mpg!

I changed from Manual to Automatic, about 5 years ago. I have an Audi A1 it is a game changer love it.
My DH has had one years, both my Kids also have Automatic cars, on thinking I can't think of any of my chums who still drive Manual cars.
My DH car also doesn't have a Handbrake and the Car key is used just to open the door not start the car.

I’m perfectly happy driving manual or automatic cars, but I prefer towing with an automatic.

I’d never driven an automatic until this week ( I’m 72!) and was amazed at how easy it was 🙄
I’m looking at a Micra next week, bright orange so everyone will see me coming!

Our hybrid was cheap to tax when we first got it in 2023 but this year it was £160+

My disabled friend has an automatic and I am insured to drive it. It's lovely! I drove her to hospital the other side of Scotland recently and though we had a problem with the satnav the car was a joy to drive.

I have always gone from manual to auto.
Auto is so easy b

honestly new automatic cars are lovely to drive. I understand how you feel but it will be fine

I bought an automatic for first time 4 years ago having driven a manual car all my driving life. I’m 67.
Best thing I ever did! I wouldn’t drive anything else now.
I bought a Renault Clio diesel automatic. Cruise control is amazing.
Go for it.

I still have a manual car but would certainly consider an automatic when I eventually change it. 4 of my friends have changed to automatics and once they were familiar with it, they said it took just a few weeks they wished they had changed years back. Good luck with your next choice.

I changed to auto after forty-odd years of manual cars. I’d never go back to manual, I love the auto, it’s great both in busy towns and on long motorway hikes esp when negotiating road works. I drive using one foot for both brake and accelerator, my left foot just rests on the little area where the clutch would be on a manual car.

I've been driving for over 60 years, can remember having to double de-clutch!

Changing to an automatic is great, should have done it a while ago.

Someone said to me recently that he didn't like automatic cars because there was no gear stick to rest your hand on. I told him that my hands are both on the steering wheel all the time now.

We've had automatic cars for years, up and down with the clutch around town was just too painful. We'd never go back to manual.

Automatic for years, but occasionally I get a manual courtesy car. It's great fun for a couple of days, but that's enough.

I can manage either but automatic is so much easier for a hill start. Ours is a 24 year old Mercedes A class. My husband is a chauffeur and drives massive cars but he is really happy with our little old banger. So easy to park in Central London. Many people tell me driving an automatic is not really driving. I have been driving since a very early age, tractors, buses etc but off road. Don’t bother too much now. Had an Etype when 22 which was manual. Now happy to let someone else drive or just pootle along with an automatic. Whatever is easiest.

My automatic car has flappy paddles which I never use, although I was certain that I would, because I loved driving and using the gears on my manual cars.
The cruise control button is the best though, no chance of speeding anymore.
My automatic car has a gearstick Alirra

bikergran

Anyone done this.
I passed my test around the age of 20(so yes now 70) renewed licence this year.

I have come to the time when I am able to change my car, not new but decent used one.

I keep being told, " ohh get an automatic etc etc)
Easier to drive, less stress full(but I don't really get stressed driving anyway)

I don't do long journeys as only have Tiny Suzuki splash, so not built for motorways, long journeys also it is 18 yrs old. but in good condition low milage etc.

So has anyone changed to an Automatic later in life after only driving manual.(I have driven automatic as I used to work at a garage but that was many years ago).

If you did , did you adapt or did you revert back to manual.

Would be interested in any advice/comments

Please be ready to train yourself to stick your left foot out of the way.

David49

Small cars aren't really suited to automatic, my wife had a Kia
Picanto automatic and MPG was awful, so many are self changing manuals or hybrid.
Hybrids are a very good choice because they are cheap to tax and very economical

Automatic minis are great. Mine was 14th en I had to change it for something that can take mums wheelchair.

My sister is test driving cars at the moment she said it’s like changing a twin tub for an automatic washing machine.

I can’t drive a manual. I learnt in an automatic in the 1970s and never drove a manual. 90% of cars here would be automatics. They once offered me a manual hire car to drive in Europe and were surprised I refused it in favour of an automatic. I wouldn’t know where to start !

Not having to change gears constantly is also very helpful if people have knee or hip problems.

My son's automatic Audi we borrowed in California a couple of years ago was amazing. It's similar to our own with manual gears but actually more responsive!
Great acceleration. Really easy. Nippy.

My mother-in-law's automatic is altogether slower but perfectly good enough.
Sports mode for city driving so you can slip into traffic quickly if you need to.

You maybe should try a few.
I'd be 100% delighted with my son's!

I drove manual cars for years but changed to autos without a hitch. My present Audi has a slide switch between D, R and Park rather than a lever. I'm getting used to it: one switches back to Drive and forward for Reverse.