Need help please....manual or auto???

[monkeymagic]

Hi,

Im totally new here and would really appreciate any help anyone could give me!!! i am a typical 'girl' who knows not alot about cars (no offense to all the girls out there who do know alot......but you know the stereotype im putting myself under here!).
Ive passed my test recently and am on the lookout for my first car.
im opting for a nissan micra (cheap and reliable) but could anyone answer me this one question....
....should i go for manual or automatic???? is there a huge cost difference to do with maintenance and repairs or what? im not worried about speed of offset and so on i was just wondering.

any help id be sooooooooo greatful

[adamfraser]

Automatics are usually a £1,200 option on some cars

Really depends on what you like. Take both out for a test drive.

Autos are better on M'ways from what iv heard , but for the occasional "fun" bit of driving,a manual is a hell ofalot batter

[monkeymagic]

cheers for the advice......

one more lil thing............what is more likely to go wrong an auto or manual or is it just the luck of the draw? say both were to go wrong, manual the gears and an auto....whatever makes it automatic!....any idea on whether there's a big difference between cost of repair?

[PerfAdv]

If you're not into performance driving and don't want to squeeze the last possible mile out of the every gallon, go for the automatic. I know for enthusiasts it's sacrilege to not choose manual but for daily commutes and stop-and-go in traffic an auto is better, especially if you're not concerned about speed.

[rev440]

Welcome to ucp! If your for learning no things id say buy the stick it also gets better mpg.

[coolieman1220]

with manuals u can burn out your clutch

[:Exige:]

Originally Posted by coolieman1220

with manuals u can burn out your clutch

Yeah, if you're an idiot.

Go for a manual because there are less components to go wrong, normally cheaper to buy and cheaper to run. My sister has an original Nissan Micra which cost her £200 ... it's still running perfectly Micras are definitely the best student cars ... spend the money you save on beer

[nota]

Originally Posted by monkeymagic

cheers for the advice......

one more lil thing............what is more likely to go wrong an auto or manual or is it just the luck of the draw? say both were to go wrong, manual the gears and an auto....whatever makes it automatic!....any idea on whether there's a big difference between cost of repair?

If driven properly and not abused, the manual transmission itself often lasts for the lifetime of the car, usually never requiring any repair or replacement. You might want to change the gear-oil once if buying a used car but that's about it. Manual gearboxes are simple devices, much less complex than autos

However manuals also have a clutch (the pedal on the left!) which does wear out eventually and need replacement. Very much depending on operator care and driving environment (eg: heavy traffic with lots of stop-starts, vs motorway cruising with few gearchanges) you might expect a clutch to last from between 3-4 to 7 years at a guess. Though not familiar with Micra specifically, clutch replacement is a moderately expensive thing to do - perhaps 250 pounds at a minimum (?) or a bit more

Also, some cars use a cable mechanism to operate their clutch - like a pushbike brake - and this mechanism itself needs adjustment although it seldom does and is ultra cheap to do. Others use a hydraulic system which is self-adjusting, so no adjustment

To extend their life, most autos need to be serviced, often at 2-yearly intervals. The mechanic will adjust it, change the trans oil and replace the filter. This might cost 80 pounds (?) or a bit more

It's very hard to say how long a new auto transmission will last. Depending on good maintanance, vehicle make and operating conditions, you might expect anything between 4-5 years (rotten luck) to 8-10 years as a broad average. As an extreme example, the auto in my wife's car is 20 y/o and still going - just!

But when replacement of a modern auto is required it can be very expensive indeed. Again like my other price-estimations this is only a basic guess from afar, but replacement usually costs upwards of 1000 pounds for a quality job, and sometimes extends to 1500 or 2000+ pounds for expensive cars. If buying a used car, this is yet another reason why it's well worth getting it inspected by a good mechanic before purchase!

Finally, there is a another type of auto transmission which is called a CVT or Constantly Variable Transmission. These are not a conventional auto and might be the type of auto fitted to newer Micras - I'm not sure as Micras aren't sold in Oz. CVTs have some advantages over 'normal' autos, especially for small cars. To be honest I don't have any experience with them nor do I know their service requirements or how much they cost to service or repair/replace - others might advise ..?

Personally I think manuals are so much more precise, sporty and involving to drive than autos. Manuals give a driver more control, yet shifting soon becomes second-nature. Whether guy or girl there's continual satisfaction to be had and great fun too when you change gears well, enjoy doing that 'perfect shift', learn all the 'special' tricks (like double de-clutching & heel & toe) and generally relish in your manual-driving skills. Autos are kinda like a detached video game while with manuals you moreso become part of the machine. But if your usual driving conditions are in very heavy stop-go traffic, like 80-90% of the time, then an auto might likely be preferable and make better sense

Good luck!

[henk4]

Originally Posted by monkeymagic

Ive passed my test recently and am on the lookout for my first car.

in a manual? If not then you might have some problems dealing with one....

[Jakg]

Originally Posted by nota

If driven properly and not abused, the manual transmission itself often lasts for the lifetime of the car, usually never requiring any repair or replacement. You might want to change the gear-oil once if buying a used car but that's about it. Manual gearboxes are simple devices, much less complex than autos

However manuals also have a clutch (the pedal on the left!) which does wear out eventually and need replacement. Very much depending on operator care and driving environment (eg: heavy traffic with lots of stop-starts, vs motorway cruising with few gearchanges) you might expect a clutch to last from between 3-4 to 7 years at a guess. Though not familiar with Micra specifically, clutch replacement is a moderately expensive thing to do - perhaps 250 pounds at a minimum (?) or a bit more

Also, some cars use a cable mechanism to operate their clutch - like a pushbike brake - and this mechanism itself needs adjustment although it seldom does and is ultra cheap to do. Others use a hydraulic system which is self-adjusting, so no adjustment

To extend their life, most autos need to be serviced, often at 2-yearly intervals. The mechanic will adjust it, change the trans oil and replace the filter. This might cost 80 pounds (?) or a bit more

It's very hard to say how long a new auto transmission will last. Depending on good maintanance, vehicle make and operating conditions, you might expect anything between 4-5 years (rotten luck) to 8-10 years as a broad average. As an extreme example, the auto in my wife's car is 20 y/o and still going - just!

But when replacement of a modern auto is required it can be very expensive indeed. Again like my other price-estimations this is only a basic guess from afar, but replacement usually costs upwards of 1000 pounds for a quality job, and sometimes extends to 1500 or 2000+ pounds for expensive cars. If buying a used car, this is yet another reason why it's well worth getting it inspected by a good mechanic before purchase!

Finally, there is a another type of auto transmission which is called a CVT or Constantly Variable Transmission. These are not a conventional auto and might be the type of auto fitted to newer Micras - I'm not sure as Micras aren't sold in Oz. CVTs have some advantages over 'normal' autos, especially for small cars. To be honest I don't have any experience with them nor do I know their service requirements or how much they cost to service or repair/replace - others might advise ..?

Personally I think manuals are so much more precise, sporty and involving to drive than autos. Manuals give a driver more control, yet shifting soon becomes second-nature. Whether guy or girl there's continual satisfaction to be had and great fun too when you change gears well, enjoy doing that 'perfect shift', learn all the 'special' tricks (like double de-clutching & heel & toe) and generally relish in your manual-driving skills. Autos are kinda like a detached video game while with manuals you moreso become part of the machine. But if your usual driving conditions are in very heavy stop-go traffic, like 80-90% of the time, then an auto might likely be preferable and make better sense

Good luck!

what is double de-clutching?

[henk4]

Originally Posted by Jakg

what is double de-clutching?

release clutch
put gear in idle
engage clutch-push the throttle
re-release clutch
shift gear (lower mostly)

it is a technique to allow the box to shift with as less friction as possible by already revving the engine to the level of the lower gear.

[Jakg]

Originally Posted by henk4

release clutch
put gear in idle
engage clutch-push the throttle
re-release clutch
shift gear (lower mostly)

it is a technique to allow the box to shift with as less friction as possible by already revving the engine to the level of the lower gear.

ah, thanks for clearing this up

[Rockefella]

I'd say go for the Auto, easier to use in city-streets; unless you're an enthusiast, then go for the manual.

[:Exige:]

Shes driving a Micra ... that shouts STUDENT Let me guess ... university student?

Either way, I think you can buy more calories with the money you save using a manual than how many calories you save with not having to change gear on an auto

[Sweeney921]

Originally Posted by :Exige:

Either way, I think you can buy more calories with the money you save using a manual than how many calories you save with not having to change gear on an auto

Manuals usually get very slightly better mileage, 1 or 2 mpg.

If you take the time to learn and master the manual, it's by far the better choice. Not only does it save money at the dealership and the pump, but it leaves a sense of accomplishment when you get to wherever you were going . City traffic really isn't that bad with a manual, either.