Auto vs manual?

[Noggin]

I know I can drive a manual, but it's probably better to buy auto - in the next 6 ish years they'll want to do a full replacement of the metal in my shoulder, which may or may not have problems. Also, there are times that the shoulder is just tired/achy/hurty and driving up the hill in a manual is possible but not always comfortable!


BUT, why are the auto models so damned expensive?? I mean, like 5k more? It's mad - well, to me it's mad!

And annoying cos if they were the same price I'd be looking at maybe extending the budget in October to buy a new version, not a second hand

[Mr. Dazzle]

Automatic gearboxes do cost more to make, but not 5k more.

TBF I don't think the price when new is THAT different, although there are now surprisingly few vehicles where you can actually buy direct auto/manual equivalents for comparison.

[Slenver]

Automatic gearboxes do cost more to make, but not 5k more.

TBF I don't think the price when new is THAT different, although there are now surprisingly few vehicles where you can actually buy direct auto/manual equivalents for comparison.

In some cases, manuals are now a cost option over the default auto.

[Mr. Dazzle]

Automatic gearboxes do cost more to make, but not 5k more.

TBF I don't think the price when new is THAT different, although there are now surprisingly few vehicles where you can actually buy direct auto/manual equivalents for comparison.

In some cases, manuals are now a cost option over the default auto.

Do Porsche do it that way?

When everything is auto it becomes more expensive to make 'a few' of the nominally simpler/cheaper manuals.

That's what they'll tell you anyway

[Noggin]

Automatic gearboxes do cost more to make, but not 5k more.

TBF I don't think the price when new is THAT different, although there are now surprisingly few vehicles where you can actually buy direct auto/manual equivalents for comparison.

I'll probably have to go into a dealer and ask for a quote - but the online thing was 5 k more when I changed from manual to auto - 12k to 17k

I did realise they might be a bit more, but not that much

[Slenver]

Do Porsche do it that way?

Actually, BMW... £1235 option on an M2, not an option on an M3.

Porsche is more complicated... on the outgoing 911s it was a no-cost option on the 'standard' Carrera models, but not offered on the base model. So you had to stump up 20k or so for the 'S' model to have it as a 'free' option

They've just introduced the new models (albeit only a few of the variants for now) and there's nothing with a manual option at all so far. Only one left is the old special-edition S/T which is manual-only..... but £230k+. People assume the GT3 when it comes out will have a manual option but there are no guarantees.

You can still get a manual Cayman for no cost though.

[Ditchfinder]

Is there a motability type scheme in France that you might get some contribution from....?

[Noggin]

Is there a motability type scheme in France that you might get some contribution from....?

I think there is. But I'm a bit scared to go that route tho - if I'm spazz enough to need the scheme, they might think I'm too spazz to ride a moto or to drive a big bus!! Although the doctor has signed me off as fit to do all that, so . . . . .

Ok, the passenger vehicles are auto, so that's ok, but if they take my bike license away I'm not sure I could deal with that, it's been bad enough dealing with being off bikes (mostly) for so long as it is. Although maybe they'd help me get a conversion so I can do the controls on my left side.

Not sure.


I'll chat with a mate in Grenoble as I know he got the help to get a vehicle because he needed an auto (bike accident, leg damage). And they didn't take his moto licence, but it's not his right arm - slightly more important for a moto!!

But, it's a good point. I'll chat with the social worker type person I'm seeing and ask her if it is possible to get help to cover the difference in price.

Other option I guess is to lease, similar price, but small payments. Just not sure if that's actually a good way to go - but having coffee with another mate tomorrow so will ask him about it as they bought their most recent on a lease

[Mussels]

Is there a motability type scheme in France that you might get some contribution from....?

I have no idea about French options but in the UK Motability is not cheap, only really works if you get the full mobility allowance and want to put no thought into running your car.

[Noggin]

Is there a motability type scheme in France that you might get some contribution from....?

I have no idea about French options but in the UK Motability is not cheap, only really works if you get the full mobility allowance and want to put no thought into running your car.

That's interesting. I'll have to talk to Marc and see what the score is here.

[Rockburner]

Is there a motability type scheme in France that you might get some contribution from....?

I have no idea about French options but in the UK Motability is not cheap, only really works if you get the full mobility allowance and want to put no thought into running your car.

IIRC, from talking to "The Englishman" (ex VDer), the Motability scheme is also only applicable to certain manufacturers - I remember him being particularly annoyed one year when the scheme was switched from one manufacturer to another - thus denying them the ability to continue using a car they were accustomed to, and forcing them into swapping into something else that wasn't actually all that suitable for them (can't remember which manufacturers were involved).

[Mussels]

Motability is just a lease company, you can choose them or any other company to spend your benefit on. They do benefit from zero VAT but are so expensive that saving is eaten up.
I was looking for a self funded vehicle with a built in wheelchair ramp, in the end I bought a Transit from Ford and added a couple of bike ramps.

[Mr. Dazzle]

There's a guy on Pistonheads who's had all kinda of fancy cars part funded by disability assistance. He's got two artificial legs and a great personal numberplate.

[Rockburner]

Motability is just a lease company, you can choose them or any other company to spend your benefit on. They do benefit from zero VAT but are so expensive that saving is eaten up.
I was looking for a self funded vehicle with a built in wheelchair ramp, in the end I bought a Transit from Ford and added a couple of bike ramps.

In Englishman's case it may have been that the preferred car-dealership stopped working with Motability? It was a while ago, I can't remember all the specifics.

[Ditchfinder]

Yup we use the mobility part of the DLA to self buy, I guess I should have asked is there a French equiv to DLA.

[Noggin]

Yup we use the mobility part of the DLA to self buy, I guess I should have asked is there a French equiv to DLA.

I don't know. I am only ('only'!) registered disabled for work, so I kinda doubt that I'll qualify even if there is, but it's worth looking into

[ChrisW]

You can still get a manual Cayman for no cost though.

Sign me up!

[Slenver]

You can still get a manual Cayman for no cost though.

Sign me up!

...over the auto