FloatingFatMan Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 Op, it's up to you if you want to switch to automatic, but if you do, and take your test in an auto, you will not legally be allowed to drive a manual. This could easily leave you right up poop creek in the future as you have no idea what could happen. Best to just grit your teeth and learn it... It's really not hard at all... neo158 and +E.Worm Jimmy 2 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gerowen Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 Op, it's up to you if you want to switch to automatic, but if you do, and take your test in an auto, you will not legally be allowed to drive a manual. This could easily leave you right up poop creek in the future as you have no idea what could happen. Best to just grit your teeth and learn it... It's really not hard at all... You have to have a special endorsement on your license to drive a manual transmission in the UK? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FloatingFatMan Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 You have to have a special endorsement on your license to drive a manual transmission in the UK? Manual and automatics are different classes of vehicle, with manual being the higher. If you pass in a manual, you can drive an automatic without issue, but not the other way around. Automatics are simpler, so it makes sense. neo158 and Gerowen 2 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAZMINATOR Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 Absolutely. Top Gear is a car show, where they show fast (and slow) cars. The fast cars these days have automatic transmissions - the McLaren P1, Porsche 918, Ferrari LaFerrari, etc. Performance cars also usually have a launch control mechanism to achieve the best launch possible. A computer can and will shift much faster than a human can. Porsche Cayman has automatic transmission. I drove once. Not bad at all. I learned shift in 30 mins. It's damn easy when I was young. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tsupersonic Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 Porsche Cayman has automatic transmission. I drove once. Not bad at all. I learned shift in 30 mins. It's damn easy when I was young. If it was a PDK, then it must have been a fantastic experience. I came close to buying a Cayman - such a fun car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gerowen Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 Manual and automatics are different classes of vehicle, with manual being the higher. If you pass in a manual, you can drive an automatic without issue, but not the other way around. Automatics are simpler, so it makes sense. Oh I agree that it makes sense, I just didn't know that about the UK. +E.Worm Jimmy 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAZMINATOR Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 If it was a PDK, then it must have been a fantastic experience. I came close to buying a Cayman - such a fun car. Yes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SierraSonic Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 Move goalposts much? First its, just recently, then its just luxury, then its gotta be all mainstream vehicles? So this SierraSonic sure does post some BS to justify his arguments... If you want to be technical the technology existed in 70s. My basic point is that until recently the bulk of middle class buyers couldn't afford it (luxury market) or it was only available in specialty cars. Only recently has it become so main stream almost all basic models cars are equipped with it. For example, cars are now coming with electric motors on the non powered wheels while the others are powered with the gas engine. This trend is currently available in high end luxury cars, but I would still say its far from being available main stream. As hybrid tech became cheaper it became available on almost any model car, same with start/stop. I'm sorry if you think I am trying to twist this into something more, I'm not saying your wrong, I'm just saying that it doesn't matter til the technology has enough market penetration. Back on topic, watch more older episodes top gear, learn that there is no way to convince you that manual is better, you will either grow to appreciate and love it, or grow tired of it and move on. My suggestion is to keep with it so you can get your license so you can drive both, after that it's up to you to decide if you want to commit any further. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vhane Posted August 13, 2014 Share Posted August 13, 2014 Porsche Cayman has automatic transmission. I drove once. Not bad at all. I learned shift in 30 mins. It's damn easy when I was young. The Cayman is also available with a manual isn't it? I've driven a 911 turbo with a PDK, also an F430 with paddle shifts. Fun, but the thought of doing a heel and toe in the F430 excites me more than pulling a finger to downshift... It's all about personal preferences though. I think that automatic vs. paddle shift vs. manual is a touchy subject because some elitism comes into it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haggis Veteran Posted August 13, 2014 Veteran Share Posted August 13, 2014 Everyone is different as stated already I only did 13 lessons and passed my test so 13 hours worth My Sister did 65 Lessons before passing so 65 hours worth As said already stick with the manual then once you pass if you dont like it u can still drive an automatic But really an automatic is not driving like you think it is, there no manually dropping gears to match the road, no fast fun gears, it bores me to tears Maybe try a different Instructor? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gabe84 Posted August 13, 2014 Share Posted August 13, 2014 I can tell you about my experience. I was absolutely terrified by the manual transmission, mostly because of the 1st gear, if you don't coordinate the movement of clutch and gas the car will stop, that's on a petrol engine, that's why driving schools here all use diesel engines, they're easier for the guy who's learning, after you put the car on 1st gear you just need to release the clutch and the car will start moving. However here most people have manual petrol cars, so while taking lessons with your instructor you're also learning at home with a relative using a different car, most instructors will tell you this is not good, you might end up confused, but actually it's good because after you get your license you will have to drive your family's car. What I used to do after I got my license was to give the car more gas, release the clutch slowly while giving the car more gas than it's needed, this way the car will start moving, albeit this can be dangerous if you're driving a powerful car because it will go to 40/50Kmh in no time and this can be scary if you're just starting driving, but we had, and still have, a Fiat Stilo 1.2l, so there was no danger involved with that. Eventually you will develop this skill and you will be able to start and drive a manual car absolutely hassle-free, it will take some time though. I took 10 1h lessons with the driving school but they were using a diesel car and they didn't actually care about you learning how to drive, they just wanted to teach you the skills you nedded to pass the exam, then when you're by yourself you realize you can't actually neither drive nor, above all, park your car. Now (I got my license in 2007) I have no problems with the transmission, I still have problems parking my car, but because the Stilo is designed in a way that you really don't see anything while parking, but while driving in my town the manual transmission still is a pain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tsupersonic Posted August 13, 2014 Share Posted August 13, 2014 But really an automatic is not driving like you think it is, there no manually dropping gears to match the road, no fast fun gears, it bores me to tears I guess you've not been introduced to modern automatic transmissions where you can shift manually? Why do you think high performance cars are all basically using automatic transmissions? A Honda F. IT (Fit) have a paddle shift transmission. High performance cars have even better performing transmissions (faster shifts). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAZMINATOR Posted August 13, 2014 Share Posted August 13, 2014 The Cayman is also available with a manual isn't it? I've driven a 911 turbo with a PDK, also an F430 with paddle shifts. Fun, but the thought of doing a heel and toe in the F430 excites me more than pulling a finger to downshift... It's all about personal preferences though. I think that automatic vs. paddle shift vs. manual is a touchy subject because some elitism comes into it. Yes.. it has PDK ... Go to the dealer with Cayman on the lot and ask for a test drive and see how you like it... it is great to drive. I drove once about a year ago. Everyone is different as stated already I only did 13 lessons and passed my test so 13 hours worth My Sister did 65 Lessons before passing so 65 hours worth As said already stick with the manual then once you pass if you dont like it u can still drive an automatic But really an automatic is not driving like you think it is, there no manually dropping gears to match the road, no fast fun gears, it bores me to tears Maybe try a different Instructor? I didn't have an instructor.. I learned it myself in 30 mins. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomo Posted August 13, 2014 Share Posted August 13, 2014 After learning and driving for 12 years in a manual I find that I have to actually concentrate in an automatic. I can jump into any manual car and get from A-B without having to think about it but as soon as I sit in an automatic I have to tell me left leg to not move if my right leg is doing something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FloatingFatMan Posted August 13, 2014 Share Posted August 13, 2014 Personally, I can't abide automatics... I just don't feel comfortable driving them... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts