The Debate Between Manual and Automatic Cars
A car is no longer just a mode of transportation for going from point A to point B. When it comes to buying a car, the general drive and how it feels to drive are huge factors. For some people, the distinction between a manual and an automatic vehicle is crucial, and one can be off-putting to the buyer. Let's look at the benefits and drawbacks of both transmission types before you buy your next car, and maybe you'll be able to figure out which is ideal for you.
Many people who are learning to drive opt for an automatic gearbox. It is easier to learn to drive when you don't have to worry about changing gears or controlling the clutch with one foot. This is not for everyone, and it might be challenging to adjust to an automatic vehicle if you have learned to drive a manual car, simply because the left foot sitting idle while driving will seem awkward.
From a safety perspective, being able to hold both hands on the steering wheel when driving without moving them is a massive positive. This is physically impossible in a manual vehicle due to gear changing. If you're a less experienced driver, driving steep inclines with a manual transmission might be challenging, especially starting from a dead stop. Automatic gearboxes solve this problem, allowing your vehicle to run smoothly no matter how steep the climb is.
A driver with less experience will benefit from an automatic vehicle's ability to avoid stalling the engine. You can't physically work the engine enough to create a stall or select the wrong gear since there's no clutch pedal to operate.
Manual vehicles, on the other hand, have numerous advantages. A manual car may appeal to a broader range of drivers by returning control of the speed to the driver. Cars with manual transmissions require significantly less maintenance, and general maintenance and repairs are much less expensive. Keeping an automatic gearbox functioning may ultimately cost more money with all of the different machinery that goes into them.
Also, being less complex gearbox inner workings, used manual cars are cheaper to maintain and, in most cases, more affordable to purchase when compared to used automatic cars. So what cars are available for a newly passed driver?
A few cars to consider if you are a newly passed driver
So you have just passed your test, and you have the option to drive a manual and automatic car. Let's look at some fine examples of used manual cars and used automatic cars for a newly passed driver.
The Renault Clio is one of the most excellent first cars you can buy on the used market. It's not only a very safe compact car, with five stars in Euro NCAP safety tests when it was first introduced, but it also feels upmarket inside and rides very comfortably. An example of a Clio in the used automatic cars category would be a 1.6L VVT Expression. A fantastic little car for getting about town with a sleek appearance. A 1.2L Dynamique Nav, for example, is a used manual Clio available in beautiful colours like electric blue with matching black trim.
Another example of used automatic cars to consider would be the Peugeot 107 1L Urban 2 Tronic. This five-door car is both practical and comfortable with its agility and eccentric look. A fantastic small car for a newly licenced driver looking for an automatic. A very low annual road tax of £20 and excellent fuel efficiency of 61.4mpg. A 1L manual version is also available, with various colours to select from, including flash red and dazzling blue.
Any novice driver should consider the Vauxhall Corsa. When it comes to an easy-to-drive vehicle with a stylish design, the Corsa is one of the most popular options. With air conditioning, part-leather seats, alloy wheels, cruise control, and tinted windows as standard, it's easy to understand why a Vauxhall Corsa is the best value for money. There is also an extensive range of manual and used automatic cars available when purchasing a Corsa. Many recently passed drivers consider the Corsa to be Vauxhall's best car.