Automatic or Manual????

[Allan]

Are manuals cheaper to run, use less petrol?

 

[Pie 1]

Are manuals cheaper to run, use less petrol?

Marginally. Although actually, I doubt there's much in it these days.
My father has a VW Passat TDi Auto and it's really superb. Full tank returns 600 - 650 miles.

 

[FruitandNut]

Automatic gearboxes have improved a lot in the last couple of decades. I would even hazard a guess that some of them may be more economical than their manual counterparts in certain urban situations. I would like to be able to afford a car with a good combo-box. I have a Rover 420 STDi Turbo manual and that pushes 60mpg on a run (I drive light on the pedal).

 

[tobyjug]

Are manuals cheaper to run, use less petrol?

It used to be the case that manuals were more economic than automatics but there is now very little difference.

 

[nogoodboyo]

I wouldn't want an autobox on a race track, but 99% of the driving I do - town or motorway - it's the sensible choice. If I lived in the highlands or something I might think differently, but it's pretty pointless having a manual in stop-start traffic.

The benefits are largely theoretical for people who drive on UK public roads I reckon. I can shift 'manually' on the auto just as easily (albeit the changes are slower), so there is engine braking available, or gear selection if you want to hold 2nd, say, through a corner.

I used to be in the 'autos aren't proper driving' camp, but then I grew up a bit. Get whatever suits you, I say, and bollocks to street racers.