Car & Bike Why are used Automatic cars frowned upon ?

raksrules

raksrules

Elite
Although I am not really in market for a car, I am extensively checking websites like Team BHP and Automotive forums India and read various threads that catch my eye. I am in general also checking other random websites.
One thing i saw at some places is that people generally do not suggest others to go for a USED Automatic.
Now i would really love to buy an automatic but plonking 7-8L on a brand new especially for a first timer like me is a very big deal and I have to think 100 times before spending that kind of money. Also I am a non driver, I will even need to take a driving class before i can get behind the wheel. Basically a car noob.
So this brings me to another and sometimes better looking option of getting a used car. I know many people make this statement that i will first get a used "Haath saaf karne ke liye" and once I am used to driving a car, i will get a brand new car sometime later. I also think it this way only.
I love the convenience of automatics and would any day prefer them. So basically, why are used automatics not really suggested and if I really want to go for used automatic car to save money and such then what all things I need to check.

I am not talking about really old automatics like Honda city 1st gen from 2003 (you see a lot of these on olx and such for like 1.5-3L Rs) but the newer ones like Astar automatic and such.
 
Because automatics are for disabled people.

Any self-respecting person with two fully functional arms and legs should be at the very least embarrassed while driving an automatic.

And lets not forget that most of the automatics are dreary to drive, because of the poor quality gearboxes and they shift slowly, give bad Fuel Efficiency.

Some of the cars have a CVT, which is not really a gearbox, but your gear ratio is getting adjusted every second.
 
AMG said:
Because automatics are for disabled people.

Any self-respecting person with two fully functional arms and legs should be at the very least embarrassed while driving an automatic.

And lets not forget that most of the automatics are dreary to drive, because of the poor quality gearboxes and they shift slowly, give bad Fuel Efficiency.

Some of the cars have a CVT, which is not really a gearbox, but your gear ratio is getting adjusted every second.
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I see that you are a car enthusiast and want 3 peddle and have opinion that people driving automatics are not real drivers. But here the question is not really what you are mentioning.
You see not everyone wants a "performer" and convenience is of more importance than the slow shifts and what not.
 
gauravH said:
I thought used manuals would be more problematic because of inefficient use of clutch by previous owners. Automatics wouldn't have much options to let the owners abuse the system. What negatives did you read about used autos?
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I did not read any specific negatives. But most people seem to be worried about the transmission. And yes I too am thinking on your line that with manuals, the abuse is more possible due to clutch and inefficient gear shifting. But with automatics, it is sort of fool proof (well not entirely). Just put in D and drive and don't worry about the shifts.
 
I have put up a thread on TBhp regarding a used automatic i10 hatch that I recently purchased in Mumbai. You could have a look and understand what are the things you need to be aware of. If you need to have a conversation, PM me.
 
axeman said:
I have put up a thread on TBhp regarding a used automatic i10 hatch that I recently purchased in Mumbai. You could have a look and understand what are the things you need to be aware of. If you need to have a conversation, PM me.
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Please PM or mention here thread link.
 
AMG said:
Because automatics are for disabled people.

Any self-respecting person with two fully functional arms and legs should be at the very least embarrassed while driving an automatic.

And lets not forget that most of the automatics are dreary to drive, because of the poor quality gearboxes and they shift slowly, give bad Fuel Efficiency.

Some of the cars have a CVT, which is not really a gearbox, but your gear ratio is getting adjusted every second.
Click to expand...
LOL

I understand the enthusiasm, but most people use cars for transportation, not to enjoy the drive. In fact, driving manual in city conditions is akin to torture once you've got used to an automatic .

As far as mileage is concerned, the newer dual-clutch automatics have almost the same fuel efficiency as their manual counterparts.
 
But however how many affordable cars have DCT anyway?

We are here talking about affordable automatics which I still believe are horrible.

Otherwise even 90% Ferraris are sold as automatics.

And they say that a man just cannot match the speed of their shifts.


As a general rule: sub-18 lakh automatics in this country are utterly useless.
 
I disagree.

I like to be in control of a vehicle. I like to make decisions. I like to feel in control. Some chip making decisions for me is utterly unacceptable to me.
 
axeman said:
I have put up a thread on TBhp regarding a used automatic i10 hatch that I recently purchased in Mumbai. You could have a look and understand what are the things you need to be aware of. If you need to have a conversation, PM me.
Click to expand...
Link?

raksrules said:
I did not read any specific negatives. But most people seem to be worried about the transmission. And yes I too am thinking on your line that with manuals, the abuse is more possible due to clutch and inefficient gear shifting. But with automatics, it is sort of fool proof (well not entirely). Just put in D and drive and don't worry about the shifts.
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Yeah torque converters are difficult to mess up. But I guess their worry is that if there is a problem with an auto box, fixing it would require someone skilled and/or you might end up spending close to a lakh to replace it; whereas a manual transmission in most cases just needs a clutch or flywheel overhaul which is easier and relatively cheaper.
 
AMG said:
I disagree.

I like to be in control of a vehicle. I like to make decisions. I like to feel in control. Some chip making decisions for me is utterly unacceptable to me.
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That's a personal preference. I prefer manual too, but I know how advantageous an automatic can be for someone who's only aim is quick and easy transportation.
 
AMG said:
Any self-respecting person with two fully functional arms and legs should be at the very least embarrassed while driving an automatic.
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That's what people told me when I bought an activa. This is just egoistic bullshit. Get what you like and what works for you. IMO gear shifting is a pain in the ass. I'd rather not waste my time and energy over it when it can be automatic.
 
AMG said:
Because automatics are for disabled people.

Any self-respecting person with two fully functional arms and legs should be at the very least embarrassed while driving an automatic.

And lets not forget that most of the automatics are dreary to drive, because of the poor quality gearboxes and they shift slowly, give bad Fuel Efficiency.

Some of the cars have a CVT, which is not really a gearbox, but your gear ratio is getting adjusted every second.
Click to expand...

Maybe thats why most of the so called developed countries have an overwhelming majority of automatics. Also perhaps thats why the newest age buses from Volvo, Scania etc are also automatics. BTW is the car in your DP a manual? I sure hope so.
 
It is just a personal preference. My brother loves the convenience of automatics for city driving but prefers manuals for long distance travelling. I, on the other hand, love manuals. I guess my left hand and leg is conditioned over the years for that gear lever and clutch pedal. IMO every driver should know how to drive a stick shift. Nowadays people learning on automatics, more often than not, appear clueless when asked to drive a stick. Case in point my sister-in-law.
 
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