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British Expats (https://britishexpats.com/forum/)
-   Australia (https://britishexpats.com/forum/australia-54/)
-   -   Driving Manual vs Automatic (https://britishexpats.com/forum/australia-54/driving-manual-vs-automatic-427534/)

ed_the_lad Feb 18th 2007 6:37 am
Driving Manual vs Automatic
 
I've heard alot of people talking in the past about automatics being alot easier than manual to drive so today i decided to give the automatic a test.
I'm in Melbourne at the moment staying at my friends house while he's on holiday and his car isnt.
I havent drove a car for about 5 years and i decided its about time i got back behind the wheel.The car in question is a white cadillac,looks more like a boat than a car if you ask me.Anyway fairly nervous i start her up, a few hiccups to begin, but i guess i dont need to worry about the gears just use D,(i had to run inside to check this on the net) . As soon as i pull off from the curb i realise this may not be such a good idea as the cars to big and i cant judge the width or length and i keep getting confused with the feet and the indicator on the left instead of the right, the indicator really annoyed me.
Maneuvering this car around the car park was a disaster, it has a hugh tail end that i couldnt see, also the drivers side mirror was broken.
This 20 minute drive and park has definitely been the most stressful experience since i've arrived.I was sweating buckets, give me the manual any day as i never felt i was fully in control without the gears.
I must rest now and contemplate about round 2 tomorrow, stay tuned!

Ransi Feb 18th 2007 6:40 am
Re: Driving Manual vs Automatic
 
Originally Posted by ed_the_lad (Post 4417818)
the indicator on the left instead of the right, the indicator really annoyed me.
indicators on the right here!

ed_the_lad Feb 18th 2007 6:41 am
Re: Driving Manual vs Automatic
 
Originally Posted by Ransi (Post 4417820)
indicators on the right here!
Ops, i meant on the right instead of the left!

Teliko21 Feb 18th 2007 6:52 am
Re: Driving Manual vs Automatic
 
Originally Posted by Ransi (Post 4417820)
indicators on the right here!
Actually depends on the car. I think Japanese cars tend to have indicators on the right whereas the European cars have them on the left. My boyfriend has 2 Japanese cars ( a Honda and a Toyota) and the indicators are on the right but my VW has indicators on the left.

seanandmaria Feb 18th 2007 7:58 am
Re: Driving Manual vs Automatic
 
Originally Posted by ed_the_lad (Post 4417818)
I've heard alot of people talking in the past about automatics being alot easier than manual to drive so today i decided to give the automatic a test.
I'm in Melbourne at the moment staying at my friends house while he's on holiday and his car isnt.
I havent drove a car for about 5 years and i decided its about time i got back behind the wheel.The car in question is a white cadillac,looks more like a boat than a car if you ask me.Anyway fairly nervous i start her up, a few hiccups to begin, but i guess i dont need to worry about the gears just use D,(i had to run inside to check this on the net) . As soon as i pull off from the curb i realise this may not be such a good idea as the cars to big and i cant judge the width or length and i keep getting confused with the feet and the indicator on the left instead of the right, the indicator really annoyed me.
Maneuvering this car around the car park was a disaster, it has a hugh tail end that i couldnt see, also the drivers side mirror was broken.
This 20 minute drive and park has definitely been the most stressful experience since i've arrived.I was sweating buckets, give me the manual any day as i never felt i was fully in control without the gears.
I must rest now and contemplate about round 2 tomorrow, stay tuned!
I'd never drove an automatic car until i arrived here, when i started working for the District Nursing Service, i had no choice, all their cars are automatic, after 10 mins i wondered why the hell i'd never bought one before, ok i reached for the gear stick a few times, or looked for the clutch, but after a few days i thought it was like driving a dodgem car, you just steer !!!
its so easy, my next car will definantly be automatic! :D

northerner Feb 18th 2007 10:20 am
Re: Driving Manual vs Automatic
 
Originally Posted by seanandmaria (Post 4417917)
I'd never drove an automatic car until i arrived here, when i started working for the District Nursing Service, i had no choice, all their cars are automatic, after 10 mins i wondered why the hell i'd never bought one before, ok i reached for the gear stick a few times, or looked for the clutch, but after a few days i thought it was like driving a dodgem car, you just steer !!!
its so easy, my next car will definantly be automatic! :D
Don't like autos unless it's a big, layed back type car. Personnaly I much prefer manuals anyway - you have much more control over the car and what the engine's doing. They also use less fuel and are faster as you have less 'slip' with the auto clutch (new fangled VW etc DSG aside).

Graham

thebears Feb 18th 2007 10:28 am
Re: Driving Manual vs Automatic
 
Originally Posted by ed_the_lad (Post 4417818)
but i guess i dont need to worry about the gears just use D,(i had to run inside to check this on the net) .
I must rest now and contemplate about round 2 tomorrow, stay tuned!
Just remember "R" is for Real Fast:sneaky:

Swerv-o Feb 18th 2007 10:29 am
Re: Driving Manual vs Automatic
 
Originally Posted by northerner (Post 4418219)
Don't like autos unless it's a big, layed back type car. Personnaly I much prefer manuals anyway - you have much more control over the car and what the engine's doing. They also use less fuel and are faster as you have less 'slip' with the auto clutch (new fangled VW etc DSG aside).

Graham
I'm with you Autos are just dreadful to drive. You can't perform a decent sustained rev gear change, and the transition from one gear to another is always lumpy at best. Give me a sensible gear stick anyday. It gives you much more control over your car, and is much more effective when involved in properly controlled cornering, evasive maneauvers and high speed pursuits through dense traffic :D

S

Wendy Feb 18th 2007 10:33 am
Re: Driving Manual vs Automatic
 
I had so many driving lessons in the UK, but could never get my head around the gear thing. :o I was that busy concentration on changing the gear I couldn't drive the damn car :D

I've just got my learners permit and thank God for automatics, I might be able to drive sometime this year :D

Whitby whaler Feb 18th 2007 10:48 am
Re: Driving Manual vs Automatic
 
Originally Posted by Teliko21 (Post 4417834)
Actually depends on the car. I think Japanese cars tend to have indicators on the right whereas the European cars have them on the left. My boyfriend has 2 Japanese cars ( a Honda and a Toyota) and the indicators are on the right but my VW has indicators on the left.
Correct

nickyjohnt Feb 18th 2007 10:51 am
Re: Driving Manual vs Automatic
 
We have a manual ute and manual family car, last week we hired a people mover (Toyota Tarrago) an automatic and can honestly say did not want to hand it back it was a dream to drive. It felt like you were sitting in an arm chair, set the cruise control and away you go. The gear changes seemed so smooth. Will definitely consider an automatic when it comes to changing the cars:thumbup:

John

Swerv-o Feb 18th 2007 11:13 am
Re: Driving Manual vs Automatic
 
Originally Posted by nickyjohnt (Post 4418283)
We have a manual ute and manual family car, last week we hired a people mover (Toyota Tarrago) an automatic and can honestly say did not want to hand it back it was a dream to drive. It felt like you were sitting in an arm chair, set the cruise control and away you go. The gear changes seemed so smooth. Will definitely consider an automatic when it comes to changing the cars:thumbup:

John
That's not driving!

Amazulu Feb 18th 2007 1:20 pm
Re: Driving Manual vs Automatic
 
Originally Posted by Teliko21 (Post 4417834)
Actually depends on the car. I think Japanese cars tend to have indicators on the right whereas the European cars have them on the left. My boyfriend has 2 Japanese cars ( a Honda and a Toyota) and the indicators are on the right but my VW has indicators on the left.
I have a VW and a Nissan and always get them mixed up. I often turn corners with the indicators going!

Vash the Stampede Feb 18th 2007 3:42 pm
Re: Driving Manual vs Automatic
 
Originally Posted by Teliko21 (Post 4417834)
Actually depends on the car. I think Japanese cars tend to have indicators on the right whereas the European cars have them on the left. My boyfriend has 2 Japanese cars ( a Honda and a Toyota) and the indicators are on the right but my VW has indicators on the left.
Correct.

I prefer Japanese cars for this reason, and bought one when I came to the UK.

The left-hand-side orientation really bugs me; just can't get used to it. :blink:

Vash the Stampede Feb 18th 2007 3:44 pm
Re: Driving Manual vs Automatic
 
Originally Posted by ed_the_lad (Post 4417818)
I've heard alot of people talking in the past about automatics being alot easier than manual to drive so today i decided to give the automatic a test.
I'm in Melbourne at the moment staying at my friends house while he's on holiday and his car isnt.
I havent drove a car for about 5 years and i decided its about time i got back behind the wheel.The car in question is a white cadillac,looks more like a boat than a car if you ask me.Anyway fairly nervous i start her up, a few hiccups to begin, but i guess i dont need to worry about the gears just use D,(i had to run inside to check this on the net) . As soon as i pull off from the curb i realise this may not be such a good idea as the cars to big and i cant judge the width or length and i keep getting confused with the feet and the indicator on the left instead of the right, the indicator really annoyed me.
Maneuvering this car around the car park was a disaster, it has a hugh tail end that i couldnt see, also the drivers side mirror was broken.
This 20 minute drive and park has definitely been the most stressful experience since i've arrived.I was sweating buckets, give me the manual any day as i never felt i was fully in control without the gears.
I must rest now and contemplate about round 2 tomorrow, stay tuned!
To be fair, it sounds like the problem was not the gearbox but the sheer size of the car.

Yank tanks are not known for their agility. :unsure:


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