Cars with mechanics and automatic: what to buy?

One of the important questions to ask yourself when looking for your next car is whether you want a manual or automatic transmission. In this case, you might be wondering what exactly is the difference between the two, what are the pros and cons of each, and if there are different types of automatic transmission. To help you answer all this and more, here is our serious guide.

How is a manual transmission different from an automatic?

In a car with a manual transmission, you change gears yourself. In an automatic transmission, the transmission shifts gears for you.

With a manual transmission, the clutch pedal is to the left of the accelerator and brake, and the shift lever is between the front seats. You change gear by simultaneously depressing the clutch and shifting the shift lever, shifting gears up and down as needed.

On the contrary, the machine shifts gears for you. There are only accelerator and brake pedals, as well as a gear selector between the front seats or behind the wheel. When you want to start moving, you simply shift the gear selector to D (Drive) or R (Reverse). Once you start driving, you do not need to touch the gear selector again until you want to change direction or stop and want to shift into N (Neutral) or P (Park).

What are the pros and cons of manual and automatic transmissions?

Manual transmissions can give you more control over your car because you decide which gear you need at any given moment. They are great if you enjoy driving because the shifting process makes you feel more involved in the car. Manual transmission vehicles also tend to be more fuel efficient than automatic transmission vehicles and are often cheaper to purchase.

The main benefit of an automatic transmission is that it makes driving easier as you don't have to make any physical effort to change gears. This can be critical if you do a lot of city driving or are limited in traffic. Some cars are not even available with a manual transmission, such as luxury cars or hybrids. On the other hand, some automatic models tend to be less fuel efficient than their manual equivalents and may cost more.

Which is better, manual or automatic?

It depends on your priorities. If you really love to drive and enjoy shifting yourself or want to lower your purchase price, a manual transmission car might be a better fit for you. But if you want a car with less effort to drive and don't mind paying a higher price, an automatic transmission should be the way to go.

Is an automatic or manual transmission more reliable?

As a rule, the simpler the car, the more reliable it is. A manual transmission is a less complex piece of equipment than an automatic, which can have all sorts of electronics and hydraulics that change gears inside the gearbox. However, there are many makes and models of transmissions and many variables that can affect reliability. Whether you have a manual or automatic transmission, regular vehicle maintenance is the key to its longevity.

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Are there cars most likely to have a manual or automatic transmission?

Generally speaking, new cars costing over £40,000 are likely to have an automatic transmission. There are two main reasons for this: cars at this level have more powerful engines that tend to work better with automatic transmissions, and buyers with that kind of money prefer them. All hybrid and electric cars are also automatic. But there are exceptions in the £40,000 range, especially sports cars that focus on being fun to drive.

Below that £40,000 mark, the car is more likely to have a manual transmission. Again, there are exceptions because slot machines are becoming more popular, so there are many cheaper options. But at this price level, the automatic is likely to be available as an option rather than a standard feature.

What are the types of automatic transmissions?

While all automatic transmissions are broadly the same in how you operate them, there are actually several types of automatic transmissions that operate differently.

The most common is the torque converter transmission, which uses hydraulics for the smoothest shifting possible. 

Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) transmissions do not have gears as such. Instead, they have belts that move up and down a set of cones as the vehicle's speed increases and decreases, effectively providing an unlimited number of gears.

Automatic manual transmissions, as the name suggests, are essentially the same as manual transmissions, but have electric motors that change gears for you when needed, so there is no clutch pedal. Dual clutch transmissions work in much the same way, but have two clutches, one of which is always ready for the next gear, resulting in faster and smoother gear changes.

What is a semi-automatic transmission?

Sometimes you will see automated dual clutch manual and automatic transmissions called semi-automatic because they combine elements of both manual and automatic transmissions. They are automatic in the sense that they do not have a clutch pedal and use electric motors inside the gearbox to automatically shift gears. They are otherwise mechanically the same as a manual transmission.

Is it possible to change gears automatically?

Most automatic transmissions have a feature or mode that allows you to shift gears yourself if you wish, using buttons or levers, known as paddles, behind the steering wheel or using the shift lever. How you go into manual mode depends on which gear selector is installed in your vehicle. 

If your car has gear buttons, you simply press them to change gears as needed. The button with the sign "+" shifts the gear up, the button with the sign "-" - down. The same principle applies to the paddle shifters, which are usually mounted on the back of the steering wheel.

If your car has a gear lever, you move it to the position marked "M" (manual) or "S" (sport). There will also be "+" and "-" signs indicating which way you move the joystick to shift gears as needed.

I hope our guide has helped you decide if you want to buy a manual or automatic transmission as your next vehicle. You will find a huge range for both sale and subscription on Cazoo. Use our search tool to find the one that's right for you - you can search according to your gearbox preference by clicking the "Engine & Gearbox" tab. When you have chosen your car, buy it online or subscribe to it and it will be delivered to your door or you can pick it up at your nearest Cazoo customer service center.

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