Automatic and manual cars each have their own fair share of pros and cons. Despite their differences, today they’re both easily found and bought as a used car NI. Dealerships make sure that everyone has a car that’s just right for them, but only the driver can answer that one crucial question; do I drive an automatic, or a manual vehicle?
Of course, neither is objectively better than the other entirely; what you’ll prefer largely depends on what kind of driver you are and what kind of experience matters to you. Do you like full agency of your car? Perhaps you have certain disabilities, and would prefer something simpler to drive?
There’re so many factors that determine which kind of car is the right fit for the driver. Consequently, let’s run through each option and unearth the advantages and disadvantage of both ways of driving.
Manual
Being able to drive a manual car is often seen as the preferred option when given the choice between driving a manual or automatic vehicle. This is because once you’ve passed your test in driving a manual car, you’re then also qualified to drive an automatic car. The situation isn’t the same in reverse. Therefore, driving a manual car is often seen as the natural way to go as it simply covers all bases and seemingly qualifies you as a ‘fully authentic’, ‘true’ driver.
Still, driving a manual car doesn’t mean you’re automatically a better road user than anyone else; you can still wind up in easily preventable accidents and be a problem on the roads. That said, they can be a cheaper purchase because they’re not as complexly or elaborately built as an automatic. Because of this, there is less chance of a mechanical fault, and therefore less need for the owner to plunge into their savings to cover the repair costs.
However, it is worth considering the arrival of the electric car, and how this might affect the appeal of manual vehicles. After all, half of young people want electric cars as the younger generations are more likely be environmentally conscious, which means the need for manual cars will be phased out gradually in the coming years. Do you want to jump to the future now, or cling onto your manual and drive it around until it’s but a relic of the past?
Automatic
Obvious out of the way first; automatic cars are easier to drive. More pointedly, this isn’t a point of shame either. If you suffer from any kind of physical disability, especially arthritis in your hands, then an automatic car is highly necessary. Even if you have road related anxiety, driving something like this will soothe those nerves somewhat and give you one less thing to worry about.
However, because they do so much of the work for you, this makes them a costlier buy. Unlike the manual car, the complex systems that change gears for you can break and faulter; after all, it’s another piece of gear that needs to work and be maintained. Those mechanics and technological breakthroughs come with some added costs every time, whether it’s at point of purchase or when repairs are needed. Typically, automatic cars are less fuel efficient due to the extra legwork required to run, so you may find yourself spending more money on topping up your petrol or diesel tanks too.
Still, many will find all of this as a worthy compromise if it means they can simply get along on the roads as they please. The fact that more people have the opportunity to use the roads responsibilities will always be a good thing, and if they can afford it, then nothing is stopping them getting out there for themselves!
