Why mostly manual cars in UK

I take your point but this thread is primarily a debate about pro's and con's of automatic gearboxes versus manual. The difference in cost has reduced massively in percentage terms compared to many other extra packages available today.

. . . and what about double de-clutching? Synchromesh is for wimps

Russell

On at least two occasions in years gone past I’ve had to drive a manual with a broken clutch cable. It’s quite exciting starting the car in gear in traffic and adjusting engine speed to change gear without the clutch.

There’s not a lot to go wrong in a manual gearbox. I’d hate to see the repair bill for a modern auto box though.

That's OK until one of the ABS sensor fails and then you are up to you neck in the brown sticky stuff! I will stick to my Jeep with manual diff locks rather than rely on dubious electronics!

I've been driving automatics for 30 years.

Modern auto boxes are quite amazing.

Why anyone would want to have to mess around with gears is a mystery to me......

Jim

Statistically auto boxes are extremely reliable....no human being to crash the gears or ride the clutch etc! Same with any gearbox, if they're serviced correctly they go on and on. Repair costs would be about the same as any gearbox. It's labour costs these days and some hourly rates are horrific!

I’d hate to see the repair bill for a modern auto box though.

You probably wouldn't, as increasingly manufacturers are not making parts available to repair them, just supplying complete new gearboxes. In the case of the CVT gearbox on the Toyota Avensis I had that was £4500 + fitting costs around 5 years ago. I had requested (twice) that they change the gearbox oil, but on each occasion the dealer (who had quoted a price to do this) subsequently declined, saying that Toyota said the gearbox was "sealed for life" & didn't require an oil change. When the gearbox bearings started whining at around 80k miles, I was then told about the "no parts" policy. A local auto gerabox specialist had managed to source Chinese made pattern parts to repair a similarly affected Avensis private hire car, but he was still looking at £1500 for the repair. So the Avensis went & I won't buy another Toyota.

The torque converter auto Kia Carens that replaced it did 75k miles without a problem - hopefully the 7 speed DCT Hyundai that has recently replaced the Kia will be as trouble free. The DCT has a different "feel" to the conventional auto, but I am enjoying putting around 10 litres a week less in the tank (mid-50s average, compared to mid-40s on the Kia. Both turbo diesels).

Nigel B

The clutch went on my sons car, he was about 8 miles from home so dad to the rescue, a quick diagnosis and then explained how to drive without a clutch, he was home before me! The idea that this would be a good practical lesson in replacing a clutch soon fizzled out, once again I was rolling around under a car with spanner’s in hand. My enthusiasm has rather waned for working on cars, I used to quite enjoy it but now I just let the local garage get on with it, they are genuine and reasonable charges.

Mike

This is pretty common with main agents these days, they would rather make more from a new box than a few litres of oil. A good independent would have done it for you, good oil is key in all things and extremely important in auto boxes. 60K is the usual change time for most makes I've had/got.

Volvo don't recommend an oil change, unless used as a taxi......

Jim

I'd still change it if it's physically possible. I know Volvo made things difficult when Ford took over.....not sure how they are now under new ownership, perhaps they now have a dipstick again? Car makers don't produce the oil, I'd rather take notice of what the oil people recommend!

Jaguar autobox fluid is £100 a litre!

Maybe if it's got the Jaguar logo on it. For my 22 year old XK8 I can get full spec fluid for around £10 per litre. The problem is getting the old stuff out! Fortunately several Jag forum members have sussed it and put the process on the forum. It will be a while before mine wants changing for the mileage, but I might change it because of age.

I've been driving manuals for 40 years. I now have an 8 speed automatic and it's magic, will never go back to manual. Absolutely suited to our massively congested road systems.

“Sealed for life”, “Parts not available”, “£100 a litre for oil” ... All sound like good reasons to choose a manual unless you buy a new car every few years.

I drive a Honda Jazz with auto gearbox, it’s a dream to drive and with the paddles I can select any gear that seems necessary. The comments in this thread have made me think back to my time in the services when I used to have to drive ancient Bedford de-icer tankers that had awful gearboxes and the steering wheel was about the size of a railway turntable, no power steering in those days just huge biceps.
Dave W

Just wait till the dual mass flywheel quits on your manual box, that'll make your eyes water

I have driven a lot of automatics, but why do I still prefer a manual? As with everything its personal preference, I LIKE changing gear and it also allows me to have the car in the part of the power band I want it in not what the car thinks its wants to be in.

All main dealer hype I'm afraid and simply not true. With most auto boxes you can drop the sump, change the filter and refill with fresh fluid quite easily. Main dealers don't seem to employ engineers anymore, even service reception at my main dealership is 'manned' by young girls who haven't a clue about cars. They always say leave the car for a day even for the simplest thing. It's all geared up to selling complete units and preferably a new car!

My car doesn’t have a dual mass flywheel.