Is there a high percentage of auto(matic) shite?

[Vinylseats]

Searching on the likes of eBay, to me there seems to be a lot of old cars that are automatic - more than you'd perhaps expect seeing as autos have never been mega popular here in the UK. Are autos more likely to be saved as they are rarer than the manual equivalent, or is it just my imagination?

[trigger]

It might just be that more older people buy autos and do less mileages in them so they last longer.

[pogweasel]

Sold to old giffers who keep them forever.

Distrusted by the young / anyone who enjoys driving in a less than pedestrian fashion.

Avoided by scrooges due to potentially high cost of repair / replacement.

Swerved by economy-minded motorists due to heavier thirst.

 

ergo, a higher survival rate.

[Cavcraft]

It's probably because they're usually owned by elderly people and are less likely to get the Max Power treatment and/or hammered about. A good auto is a dream to drive if you like cruising lazily about.

[flat4alfa]

/\ All of the above

 

With increased levels of beige and brown

[Alexg]

Old Giffers buy Autos. They keep their cars forever, in the garage, doing sod all mileage, getting it serviced every year at maindealers, getting all advisory work done when highlighted, resisting the temptation to have a tear-up at the traffic light grand prix, no go-faster engine weakening bolt-ons, no pissed-up drugged-up dash home after the pub, and a wash and polish every sunday.

[warren t claim]

Probably the same reason why about 50% of the surviving Mk3 Cortinas seem to be the top spec 2000E/GXL models.

[Anglevan]

What everyone has said, run by old giffers and hence survived better. My Lancer auto was a one previous owner from new now retired from driving 20k ish. For a D reg it has all the electric toys that the older generation aspired to. Super light power steering, if you dont use kick down and happy to plod around (which I am) then fuel consumption isn't bad. It's sound and it is a great chill out motor. I have other faster cars if i'm in a hurry. I was going to sell it but its worth sod all so when the MOT runs out I think i'll just lay up in my garage and keep it for a while.

[Pete-M]

I like autos, XJR, Heep and 604 are all autos.

 

I probably wouldn't have bought the Jag or Jeep if they were manual. The Jag would be faster manual, but it'd be a pain in stop start city traffic and most of my driving is in the city so it'd be silly to drive a manual when the auto exists and does such a bloody good job. I would have had to row the Jeep to Norfolk to collect the 604 yesterday if it had been manual, and I wouldn't have been a happy bunny doing so.

 

For me, manual boxes are better in cars that are built to be thrashed. Autos are better for everything else.

 

With the XJR you can't use all the power on the road in this country without breaking the law in no time anyway. It'll get to 60 from a standstill in 6 seconds with the auto box, so there's no point in buying a manual 'because it's quicker'. How often do you need to hit 60 in under 6 seconds? Not many on the commute to work. There's also the kickdown factor, mash the right pedal in a decent auto at 40 mph and overtaking is easy peasy.

 

It's just a case of adjusting your driving style to suit autos.

[autofive]

ive also noticed banger racers dont like autos, they usually try to sell them on complete rather than faff about dropping a manual box in

[warren t claim]

Cars without sunroofs usually last longer as well. Especially Fords.

[Shep Shepherd]

I've also noticed that cars with unusual number plates seem to last better than most, especially those with plates which spell three-letter words or have single-digit numbers

[Guest]

ive also noticed banger racers dont like autos, they usually try to sell them on complete rather than faff about dropping a manual box in

 

The office chair I'm sat in now came out of a Piazza HBL banger racer. That was an auto. It did a lap before getting bummed by a P6.

[Vinylseats]

Some good points here - thanks guys.