[Scotty69]

Just a quick Question. What type of cars are more popular in NZ, Manual or Automatic? i want to know because I'm about to start driving lessons but I'm hoping to be out in NZ by Xmas. If automatics are popular over there i won't bother learning to drive a manual.

[peebles16]

Loads of automatics - that's what I'm hoping to learn how to drive in very soon :D

Karen

[Georgebulldog]

For me it has to be an automatic as living in Wellington & all the hills to get up it makes life easier.
Have a look on trade me to see the ratio I'm not certain as everytime I see a car I want it's manual, typical, buit loads of autos around
Good luck

[migratory birds]

Sounds like you may be just learning to drive for the first time? If so, and you have the opportunity to learn to drive a manual, I'd suggest learning how to drive the more challenging of the two. If you can drive a manual, you can drive an automatic. But if you can drive an automatic, you won't know how to drive a manual (unless you make the effort to learn).

I learned to drive on a manual VW bug in the 70s. Have driven a manual ever since (they're easier to get out of a snowy stuck spot than an automantic) - but rented an automatic while visiting NZ as driving a manual with the opposite/non-dominant hand while ALSO driving on the opposite side of the road would've been too much. After 30 yrs of driving a manual, my next car will likely be an automatic though.

If someone needs to borrow my car but doesn't know how to drive a manual, they need to do a bit more looking around to find a car they can borrow. Knowing how to drive only an automatic can be limiting at times. If you learn to drive a manual you can drive anyone's car, snowplow, dumptruck, etc.