What are the advantages and disadvantages of owning an automatic car?

Question

and which do you prefer?

Answer 1

Advantage of automatics:

No real maintance except fluid changes (as manuals have to have the clutch changed occasionally depending upon how you drive about 100k miles)

being able to go quicker due to the electronics shifting you thru the gears quicker.. allowing for better passing

having anyone be able to drive your vehicle

smoother shifting without killing your vehicle if you forget to let off the clutch right at the right moment of accelerating.

Better gear ratios (at least on Fords) than manuals.



Disadvantages:

More to go wrong with a automatic and usually a automatic will need a rebuild compared to a manual, if receiving care when shifting will usually last the life of the car (if no one doesn't shift it like a 18 wheeler and doesn't clutch between shifts.. it can be done with no harm but most don't and wind up blowing up the transmissions)

Can can be driven if the starter goes out

Better fuel economy on a manual (even though that distinction is going smaller each year)

being able to control your own shifting better


And I'd probably have another manual in a weekend car or if I didn't commute occasionally in the city where I find having a automatic is the only way to go (with not having to shift and being able to go quicker) as I had a choice when I bought my truck and it came down to the wire with the automatic winning out only due to the commute to the city occasionally.

It's up to your driving habits IMO however

Answer 2

i prefer stick. I have had 2 automatics i had transmission problems with both. i have only worn out 1 clutch and that was on my first stick because i rested my foot on the clutch pedal and wore it out we have had 10 cars with stick over the past 25+ years so now i just sift without thought. i also like having a stick for hill climbing you can put it in a lower gear and not have the up and down shifting that an automatic does plus you can shift to a lower gear going down hill so you don't go too fast. Make sure you get your tranny fluid changed at regular intervals on an automatic.

Answer 3

i own a repair shop ,and with today's cars there's more advantages then disadvantages,to owning one of them for instance like driving in real heavy traffic,a standard shift car will work you to death from shifting back and forth in it, and an automatic doesn't mind it at all, also stopping on a hill can sometimes be hard to do with a standard shift car,with an automatic that's easier also,and starting it when its cold and letting it warm up,you don't have to worry about it rolling away on you because it will be in park,and most of the automatics now days will get as good of mileage as the standard shift ones will,some will actually get better gas mileage,i like a standard shift car,but i also like the ease of a good automatic in town,especially from red light to red light,and in heavy traffic an automatic cant be beat sometimes you only get to move a few feet at a time,and again, a standard shift will work you a lot in conditions like this,i own one of each but i really like my standard shift for most of the driving,except when i get in traffic,and i wish i had drove my automatic car,but both are good and if taken good care of,an automatic will last as long as a good standard shift one will,good luck,i hope this helps.

Answer 4

With an automatic you don't have to worry about wearing out your clutch, but you do lose a little fuel milage.
I drive an automatic and the 1958 chevy panel truck that I'm building will be an automatic.

Answer 5

Automatic's are a lot more comfortable to drive but they burn more gas. I prefer them.

Answer 6

I'm too lazy for a stick.