For those who like to drive there is nothing like the analog. Press for comfort, the automatic takes advantage. But both have their respective drawbacks.
Does it pay more to buy an automatic or manual car? The answer varies from person to person and in the end it comes down to your personal taste and your wallet. If driving is a pleasure for you, you must choose a type of box. If you consider the car only a means of transportation, you must choose another.
Nowadays practically all manufacturers give you the option to choose to buy a car with automatic or manual transmission and some, namely the higher ranges, are only available with automatic transmission.
It is also common to say that a car with manual changes is more engaging to drive than a car with automatic changes, or that an automatic car consumes more than a manual car, however this is another myth of the automotive industry.
Manufacturers have spent millions and millions on the development of automatic transmissions and today it is wrong to think that a human being can be faster or more effective than a computer, so an automatic car can be much faster at changing gears and saving more fuel than a manual car.
Know then all the differences between these two types of boxes and the advantages and disadvantages of choosing automatic or manual changes.
AUTOMATIC AND MANUAL CHANGES: THE DIFFERENCES
Although the theory is the same in both types of transmission, in a manual transmission the driver has to control three pedals, and in an automatic transmission the driver has only two pedals at his disposal.
This is because an automatic mechanism activates the clutch (or clutches) for you and automatically makes the selection of the best gear for the speed at which it circulates or for what it requires from the engine at a given time.
Typical manual boxes are still the most common on Portuguese roads. They are equipped with a clutch pedal that needs to be pressed to change gear, usually by moving an H-shaped handle that contains 5 or 6 speeds forward, plus reverse gear (although there are some 7-speed manual cars, such as the Porsche 911).
There are also semi-automatic manual gearboxes, which differ from manual gearboxes in that they do not have a clutch pedal, but which still require the driver to change the gearbox, or using tabs on the steering wheel (as is the case with the Ferrari F355 , F360, F430 or even Smart) or via the handle on the center console.
Within the fully automatic boxes there are several types as well. In the past these boxes were very slow in the transition of relationships and had only 4 speeds. Nowadays the mechanisms have become much faster and are equipped with 7, 8, 9 or even 10 speeds, as is the case with the Lexus LC500h), significantly improving consumption and performance.
Many of these boxes give the driver the option of deciding when to shift. Japanese cars are often equipped with a CVT-type automatic transmission (continuously variable transmission). This transmission, theoretically, allows the engine to always be kept at the ideal speed, maximizing its efficiency and thus improving consumption.
More recently, double clutch gearboxes, which resemble a normal automatic gearbox, have been invented, but the fact that it has two clutches, one for even shifts and one for odd ones, allows a computer to pre-select the shift next, making changes much faster and almost imperceptible.
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF HAVING AUTOMATIC OR MANUAL CHANGES
Manual changes

Benefits
Manual gearboxes are much cheaper than automatic gearboxes, so if you are thinking of saving on buying a car, this will always be the best option for you;
Maintaining a manual gearbox is also significantly cheaper than maintaining an automatic gearbox. In fact, manual boxes rarely need any intervention;
With a manual transmission you will have greater control over the vehicle, both over the available power and over the mechanical grip in curves where you need to use the gearbox.
Disadvantages
They can make traveling in traffic quite tiring and boring due to the fact that you have to constantly press the clutch and change gears;
They need you to remove your hands from the steering wheel to change gears, and whenever you remove your hands from the steering wheel, your safety is jeopardized, even if it is only for a few moments.
Automatic changes
Benefits
Automatic shifting makes the task of learning to drive a lot easier, without requiring a person with no experience at the wheel to worry about so many pedals and things as complex as the clutch point;
They make the trip much more relaxed, especially in traffic and stop-start situations;
They allow significantly lower consumption, especially on the highway, as a result of having 3 or 4 more changes than a manual car, allowing the engine to be less stressed;
Faster gear changes, thus reducing acceleration time;
Prevents you having to take your hands off the steering wheel to change speed, thereby increasing safety levels.
Disadvantages
The maintenance of an automatic box is much more expensive than the maintenance of a manual box, and although they are less subject to repairs, once you have to do it, the bill will easily amount to thousands of euros;
A car equipped with an automatic transmission will cost on average € 2,000 more than one with a manual transmission;
Some older, or current, single-clutch gearboxes can be quite slow and unpredictable in gear changes, and can become a little irritating, especially if you want to overtake faster;
Automatic gearboxes consume more oil than manual gearboxes, and you should always be aware of lubricant levels to avoid costly upsetting.
SHOULD I CHOOSE AN AUTOMATIC OR MANUAL CAR?
Basically, automatic transmissions are easier and more comfortable to use, but manual transmissions are a lot cheaper, more fun to drive, and can either make driving a tedious moment if you're on the road, or can put a smile on your face. ear if you are in a car with some power on a mountain road.
The only way to know which is the most suitable for you, whether automatic or manual changes, is to test drive the same model with both types of box and see which one you are most comfortable with. Then you should weigh the pros and cons to decide (according to your portfolio) which will best suit your interests.
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