When deciding to buy a car, one of the things most people consider is the transmission, which for most cars is either manual or automatic. Although manual cars are gradually phasing out, they’re still popular in Nigeria.
Apart from personal preference, the nature of Nigerian roads and the traffic system are also important when deciding on the type of transmission to get, even though both automatic and manual transmissions have their pros and cons. Generally, automatic cars are better because they are smoother and more effortless on Nigerian roads, while manual cars are better when you want a car that gives greater control and is more fuel-efficient.
A complete guide on which is better- Automatic vs Manual Cars
Automatic Transmission Cars
With automatic cars, your car shifts between gears without requiring any effort or operation from you. Based on the engine load and speed, the car selects and changes gears. All one has to do is control the steering wheel, accelerate, or press on the brakes.
The automatic transmission is best for beginners and drivers who do not want stress while driving. It is also great for potholed roads and busy traffic.
Here are the key pros of Automatic cars
1. They are easy to use
When compared to manual cars, automatic cars are easy to learn and use. This is because they do not require you to master switching between complex gears while having to worry about how to use your clutch and brakes.
2. Automatic cars are good for all kinds of roads
Whether you are driving on a straight path, hilly ground, or a slope, it is always easier to drive with an automatic car since it automatically adjusts the gear to fit whatever load the engine is taking.
3. Easier to drive in heavy traffic
In heavy and congested traffic, such as you would find in many Nigerian cities, automatic cars give the advantage of smooth driving without worrying about having to keep changing gears in slow-moving traffic.
4. Higher Resale Value
Automatic cars have a higher resale value compared to their manual counterparts because they are in higher demand. Also, they offer more advanced features.
Cons for Automatic Cars
1. Automatic cars are expensive
When compared to manual cars, these cars are expensive to buy and maintain because of their advanced features and more complex mechanical components.
2. The fuel consumption is higher
Automatic cars need more power to function efficiently since they do everything automatically. This means that they burn more fuel than manual cars.
3. After driving automatic cars for a long time, it becomes difficult to drive a manual car
One of the disadvantages of an automatic car is that when you learn to drive using an automatic car, it becomes difficult for you to later drive a manual car.
See Also: Top Fuel-Efficient Cars for Nigerian Driver- Best 8
Manual Transmission Cars
Unlike automatic transmission cars, manual cars require gears to be changed manually using the stick shift and clutch pedal. You are required to change gears when you are either speeding or slowing down.
Key pros of manual cars
1. Lower Purchase Price
Manual cars are more affordable to buy and maintain than automatic cars, even if you are getting the same car with a different gear system.
2. They offer better control
Manual cars allow you to control the car in different conditions more than an automatic car, which automates everything. This means that with the former, you can make adjustments as you keep encountering challenges.
3. Better fuel management
Since they are less complex and do not put so much burden on the engine with the automatic change in gears, manual cars are more fuel-efficient.
Cons for Manual Cars
1. The resale value is low
Since they are gradually being phased out and more people are now preferring automatic cars, the resale value of most manual cars is very low.
2. Manual cars are not easy to drive
For a learner, driving a manual car may be more beneficial than learning with an automatic car. Nonetheless, it is still more difficult to handle a manual car than it is to handle an automatic car.
Conclusion
With the above pros and cons of both automatic and manual cars, the decision on which is better will still come down to one’s preference and the needs you have. You can check the list of our available manual and automatic cars to buy.
