Purchasing a new car can be exciting and fun, but it is also a huge decision to make. When you’re unsure of what car to get, there are many different aspects for you to consider. Unlike purchasing most everyday products, this expense is a big one and it takes much more consideration than just what colour you want the paint to be.
Often, the first thing you will need to work out is whether you want to drive an automatic car or a manual car. To do this you will need to do two things. Firstly you’ll need to have a good long think about your needs – where does the car need to take you, how many journeys will you be doing a week and so on. Next you need to ensure you are fully knowledgeable about the differences between automatic and manual transmissions. To help you in your search for information and clarity, here’s a simple breakdown that should cover everything you need to know about manual and automatic cars.
The Basics
As you probably already know, modern vehicles have two transmission options. In a manual system, the driver will need to engage with gear changes, while an automatic car will do this for you ‘automatically’, hence the different names and their meanings.
Both of these models offer disadvantages and advantages, but choosing a car that is right for you will ensure that you spend the correct amount of money and receive the best driving experience possible.
When it comes to driving experience, it is important to note that each transmission system has different characteristics relevant to car design, accident ratio and driving differences.
Driving Differences
Automatic cars do mean that the driver does less work, but as a manual driver is responsible for shifting gears, this means that the driver is in full control. Depending on the driver, this can be either a good or a bad thing.
Manual cars are renowned for being more challenging to use and learning to drive in a manual car is likely to be much harder compared to an automatic car that is known for its ease of use.
A manual car driver will have to focus on coordinating between the clutch, throttle and gears, all in the correct order to operate the car, whereas automatic cars require a lot less arm and leg work.
Driving Experience
Automatic cars are renowned for being easier to manage in stop and go traffic, but manual cars are able to give the driver a much better feeling of control over of the vehicle. First time drivers usually find this most appealing, but the novelty is said to wear off fast.
Sadly, automatic cars are also renowned for having high repair costs. Manual cars do cost less than automatic models overall and typically require far fewer repairs. You’ll also find that they are more efficient cars in terms of gas too.
Car Design
The car design is something that really stands out to drivers because it is something that is noticeable from the second you get into a car. In a manual car, the gear shift is located on the floor and although some automatics have a similar layout, others will have their gear shifts located on the steering column.
