Automatic second car

[Z4MCSL]

Hey Y'all,

I'm interested to know if other people have found themselves in a similar situation.

I have never owned nor wanted to own an auto car. Ive always though that all the fun is in changing gear and so it has kept many cars off my radar and that is an ever increasing issue in some ways.

Now I am getting more into trackdays with my little clio 182 I am wondering whether it is a good time to explore a nice relaxed auto daily.

Tbh after getting out of a totally stripped clio even much faster cars feel a little boring, the drama is not there and you feel less connected to the car without all the rattles and bumps.

So it got me thinking maybe I should try out an auto daily - this starts to open up some very different options e.g. M5, M6 various mercedes and audis etc etc which is appealing in some ways.


Has anyone else done this and have you regretted it?

I

[ScoobyChris]

I think I must be getting old as I had a similar outlook when I got rid of my Focus ST manual. Drove the M135i back to back as a manual and auto and thought the manual was the more engaging and entertaining to drive ... and then put down a deposit on a new M140i auto.

And the weird thing is, 4 years later, I don't regret it at all. It takes the effort out of the day to day grind of stop/start traffic but also with the ability to override using the paddles in manual mode to feel like I'm driving the car when the road opens up and I want to have some fun.

YMMV

Chris

[Paul_M3]

It's definitely a case of horses for courses.

I would in no way ever want a manual car as a daily driver again. My drive to work will not be fun or entertaining regardless of what I'm driving. Therefore I want it to be easy and relaxing.

For a weekend / track car I'd much prefer a manual, but wouldn't totally discount a dual clutch vehicle.

I've actually gone one step further recently than just having an auto as a daily.

I had a Porsche 911 as my only car for the last three and half years.

I've swapped it for:

A fully electric Peugeot e-2008

&

A Lotus Exige Sport 410

I don't think you could get two cars that are much further apart, but I love both of them for what I'm intending to use them for.

[SAS Tom]

I have an MX5 for track days and an RX300 for daily duties. I think it’s a great mix. Daily driving an MX5 is crap imo. Getting in the Lexus is nice with it’s big comfortable seat, auto box, good sound deadening and mark levinson sound system.

It’s also great for carting around parts for my MX5.

[brillomaster]

What does your daily commute consist of? If its a schlep up a motorway or stop start traffic through town, get an auto daily.

If its a cross country blast on nice b roads, then stick with a manual.

[HustleRussell]

Whenever I drive an auto I am just frustrated that it doesn’t change gear exactly when I would’ve, with the advantage of sight and anticipation. If you want an auto, go for it- but they aren’t for everyone.

[Emily's dad]

I’d echo the horses for courses comment above.

3 cars in our household, 2 manuals and one auto.

For running the kids about and daily tasks like shopping the wife’s auto Mokka X is one of the least PH cars you can imagine, no fun at all to drive but ideal for its role.

Wouldn’t swap either of the others for an auto though.

[Cambs_Stuart]

I'm in a similar situation. I've got a clio 172 as a track/fun car and a VW CC 3.6 V6 as a daily/family transport. Before getting the clio i swore I'd never buy another manual, but now the clio takes the brunt of the enthusiastic driving, and the CC is just for wafting. Now I'm starting to see the appeal of automatics and big soft barges. As long as i have two cars i think I'll stick with a manual for fun and an auto for everything else.