auto or manual for a daily motorway driver?
Discussion
I don't think it matters in terms of convenience if its primary use is on the motorway. If the majority of the driving was to be done in town (stop start traffic), I'd recommend an auto.
I would say however that older autos seemed more thirsty than their manual equivalents (even on motorway runs) so if mpg is an issue, that might be something to consider.
I would say however that older autos seemed more thirsty than their manual equivalents (even on motorway runs) so if mpg is an issue, that might be something to consider.
Depends what the journeys like & how much non motorway free flowing traffic journeys you do, obviously. Autos are good but take away a LOT of interaction. I went to auto last yr on the daily & it suits my 20-25k miles but outside of work stuff I do miss the manual. Only you know the answer.
Getting 35-40 mpg on an auto on a 150 mile each way (mostly M way). 2.3 petrol, cruise control, just set it at the start and get the book out until you arrive. Superb.
Around town though for shopping, terrible.
Edit. got it at 60,000 now over 100,000
Around town though for shopping, terrible.
Edit. got it at 60,000 now over 100,000
Edited by jmorgan on Saturday 17th January 13:23
My old commute was Chiswick, through Hanger Lane, Ealing, North Circular past Wembley, onto M1 to Watford.
Had a manual mk1 MX5 for the first few months, clutching in traffic became such a PITA that I bought a 2nd mk1 MX5 with an autobox. Best decision ever (DD wise).
I imagine given how much of your journey is M1, you'll regularly be in stop-start traffic.
Buy an auto.
If your a life-long manual fan like me, you'll miss the ability to shift when you like, so consider an auto commuter as a daily and a manual toy for your days off, if budget allows.
I never bought a car considering any kind of practicality before I had that commute, and therefore assumed I'd just adapt to clutching and not be a pussy. I was wrong, and it became tiresome very quickly. Don't make the same mistake, it'll drive you bonkers.
Had a manual mk1 MX5 for the first few months, clutching in traffic became such a PITA that I bought a 2nd mk1 MX5 with an autobox. Best decision ever (DD wise).
I imagine given how much of your journey is M1, you'll regularly be in stop-start traffic.
Buy an auto.
If your a life-long manual fan like me, you'll miss the ability to shift when you like, so consider an auto commuter as a daily and a manual toy for your days off, if budget allows.
I never bought a car considering any kind of practicality before I had that commute, and therefore assumed I'd just adapt to clutching and not be a pussy. I was wrong, and it became tiresome very quickly. Don't make the same mistake, it'll drive you bonkers.
Condi said:
TheAngryDog said:
My travelling times are 3am to 6am every day and 1pm to 6pm every day.
Commute is 150 miles. 115 of that is M1.
Thats not a commute, thats a sentence! Commute is 150 miles. 115 of that is M1.
daveofedinburgh said:
My old commute was Chiswick, through Hanger Lane, Ealing, North Circular past Wembley, onto M1 to Watford.
Had a manual mk1 MX5 for the first few months, clutching in traffic became such a PITA that I bought a 2nd mk1 MX5 with an autobox. Best decision ever (DD wise).
I imagine given how much of your journey is M1, you'll regularly be in stop-start traffic.
Buy an auto.
If your a life-long manual fan like me, you'll miss the ability to shift when you like, so consider an auto commuter as a daily and a manual toy for your days off, if budget allows.
I never bought a car considering any kind of practicality before I had that commute, and therefore assumed I'd just adapt to clutching and not be a pussy. I was wrong, and it became tiresome very quickly. Don't make the same mistake, it'll drive you bonkers.
I have a manual M5 for my days off so that takes care of that aspect. I've seen a couple of Accord 2.0's with auto boxes with low miles going cheap....Had a manual mk1 MX5 for the first few months, clutching in traffic became such a PITA that I bought a 2nd mk1 MX5 with an autobox. Best decision ever (DD wise).
I imagine given how much of your journey is M1, you'll regularly be in stop-start traffic.
Buy an auto.
If your a life-long manual fan like me, you'll miss the ability to shift when you like, so consider an auto commuter as a daily and a manual toy for your days off, if budget allows.
I never bought a car considering any kind of practicality before I had that commute, and therefore assumed I'd just adapt to clutching and not be a pussy. I was wrong, and it became tiresome very quickly. Don't make the same mistake, it'll drive you bonkers.
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