As I go through the configurators it becomes ever clearer that we are being punished for having the cheek to look for a manual gearbox, petrol engine car. I suppose now Skoda like so many are now more in the business of infotainment systems. Current car Octavia III SE Sport 1.4 tsi manual. Something of a sweet spot as far as I am concerned 150ps in a reasonably light car, reasonable performance, space, economy, range, still trusted to change gear myself. Had it from new, coming up for 10 years old - what in the current range even comes close? Funny how fast 2016 became the good old days.

My vRS is my 2nd automatic after the Cupra Ateca I had before it. These are my first automatic cars and I wouldn't go back to a manual now and lots of people say the same. There might be still a demand for manual gearboxes but it's certainly decreased.

Maybe just the car industry's way of preparing/converting drivers to what might be coming along next, that EV thing.

I still think that I am a "manual gearbox" person, but there again I've never driven an DSG or EV.

+3 for manual, did not like the DSG when I was shopping for current Octavia - quite liked the TC boxed Passat I drove in Ontario, especially when using in manual mode.

If the DSG manual mode was reversed so that it was similar to sequential, perhaps.

52 minutes ago, rum4mo said:

Maybe just the car industry's way of preparing/converting drivers to what might be coming along next, that EV thing.

I still think that I am a "manual gearbox" person, but there again I've never driven an DSG or EV.

I've little doubt your right about that, that EV thing is already being rammed down our throat, it's just not legally enforced quite yet. We know it is going to be enforced, it has to be, despite the hardest of hard sells very few people want them.

13 minutes ago, Warrior193 said:

+3 for manual, did not like the DSG when I was shopping for current Octavia - quite liked the TC boxed Passat I drove in Ontario, especially when using in manual mode.

If the DSG manual mode was reversed so that it was similar to sequential, perhaps.

Thing is I do know a few people who could be described as automatic enthusiasts - but they all want proper old school automatics with torque converters.

There’s definitely still demand for manuals, but manufacturers also have a clear incentive to push automatics — they’re simply more profitable. In my case, the difference would have been about €2,500 more for the DSG/mHEV variant.

I do think the comfort argument holds for most people — modern automatics are generally easier and more enjoyable to drive (from my experience, having tried one). So it comes down to how much people value that convenience. Personally, I don’t value it at €2,500, which is why I went with a manual.

Also, since I’m not leasing and plan to keep the car long term, I’m not keen on the potential for higher out-of-warranty servicing costs.

Edited 27 March27 Mar by FilipSljeme

30 minutes ago, FilipSljeme said:

modern automatics are generally easier and more enjoyable to drive (from my experience, having tried one).

Easier...without doubt. More enjoyable ?..... I enjoy deciding when I change gear.

Like you say, cost will be less for servicing. Personally, I enjoy driving therefore I enjoy having total control .

1 hour ago, JohnMack said:

Easier...without doubt. More enjoyable ?..... I enjoy deciding when I change gear.

I also enjoy being in control, but here I meant that more as a general point for most people 🙂

4 hours ago, FilipSljeme said:

There’s definitely still demand for manuals, but manufacturers also have a clear incentive to push automatics — they’re simply more profitable. In my case, the difference would have been about €2,500 more for the DSG/mHEV variant.

I do think the comfort argument holds for most people — modern automatics are generally easier and more enjoyable to drive (from my experience, having tried one). So it comes down to how much people value that convenience. Personally, I don’t value it at €2,500, which is why I went with a manual.

Also, since I’m not leasing and plan to keep the car long term, I’m not keen on the potential for higher out-of-warranty servicing costs.

You may well be right about the profit motive. What manufacturers don't get (and perhaps I need to say this quietly, is that I would pay more for a manual compared to a DSG, or perhaps put it another way, I would pay less for a DSG. Also prepared to pay more for a car with the luxury of a manual handbrake and wouldn't risk serious money on a car with a roof made of glass.

Always hated auto boxes, every time I was in the US it was the dreaded slush box. After 40 years of manual gearboxes I reluctantly bought a dsg Octavia. The reason was I had some loose cartilage in my left knee and operating the clutch while driving around 33,000 miles a year was causing problems. Another dsg Octavia followed and that was eventually replaced with the dsg L&K Superb. When we last changed Mrs Moley's Fabia combi manual it was with a Kamiq dsg.

I wouldn't go back to a manual as these modern autos are really good and you can shift manually.

I wouldn't go back to a manual for my daily. For a fun, weekend car, then yes - there is no option other than manaul. However, stick a really good DCT in car and it's effortless.

My vRS does, of course, have a manual mode. Do I use it? Aside from when pushing on no, not really.

I chose an DSG box for my Superb (I know only available as a DSG, however if I’d have wanted a manual I’d not have bought a Superb).

I owned a DSG A3 in the past, nice to drive and the gearbox worked very well. I swopped it out for. Passat estate after 9 months as it just didn’t have the internal or boot space to accommodate family holidays and my hobby.

Hi all. Been driving various Euro manuals for fifty years (Renaults, Peugeots,Alfas, Skodas -even a Lancia) Loved them all. Then I needed a new estate.Guess what ? No manuals in Australia. I bought a Peugeot 508. Asin eight speed slushbox.Thought I would get used to it. No way, box was whiny and unintuitive. Steering was computer game light and feelless. Put up with it for two years and traded it in on a 2022 VRS. Bliss.I drive it exclusively in manual mode and with the DCC I can fine tune the suspension to just the way I like It. I would love a manual but down here car choices are limited.

Fortunately for those that hark back in time there are Millions of vehicles already built all around the world, manual, auto, semi-auto, cvt etc, just buy a used / cherished vehicle, and in the EU / UK a pre 2024 vehicle if there is compulsory 'safety features you do not want. As to EV,s just say no if not for you and there will be ICE vehicles available used for 'long time mister' and new ones still being build for years to come yet and allowed on the roads.

Edited 28 March28 Mar by Evolution13

10 minutes ago, shempy said:

..........but down here car choices are limited.

Yes, that's the annoying point. There was a time when the manufacturer/designer gave you what they (often an individual) decided was good for you, then there was an era where manufacturers realised that giving customers choice was good for sales. Choice is being taken away from buyers again, other people know what is good for us. Then of course when we buy the thing or use the service we have been given little option but to buy this is being interpreted as a real consumer choice demand. Think smart products, DSGs, internet banking, EVs sure you can add to the list .... OK this might be about more than Octavias at this point

12 hours ago, FilipSljeme said:

I also enjoy being in control, but here I meant that more as a general point for most people 🙂

👍

All there is extra is a clutch pedal, and maybe you have modes to select, maybe a manual handbrake. For those Scandinavian flicks, J turns and Hand Brake turns that never get done on the road. You drive roads with the same speed limits / restrictions as everyone else. Some drivers are seemingly in a parallel universe. Hooning things the size of Airport Transport and the weight of an elephant. For control and choices a Semi Automatic or full automatic might have the same mode choices, paddles and a gear shifter for manual changes. @OctyOggy It looks like the world moves on, or parts of it, including the EU and UK have Average Emissions figures to meet because of Climate change / global warning etc and politicians taking actions. Good that there are still choices even if not every choice that some might want to make.

Edited 28 March28 Mar by Evolution13

Missus Mac is on her second DSG Arona.

I’ve driven a bit, it’s not terrible, though the lag from stamping one’s foot to the box kicking down to pull away can be a tad long.

But… knock it over into semi auto and prime it yourself to hold the revs where you want and it’s fine. My only gripe is my brain says if your accelerating you should be pulling the lever back to change up not pushing forward against the vehicles “g-force”.

Other than that I’ve no issue with autos, May even get one next myself.

Missus mac will never go back to a manual, in fact 6months after buying the first auto she was driving my car for the first time again and she pulled in after 2 miles, told me I could drive, she’d rather feel a bit car sick as a passenger than be arsed with remembering how to do gear changing.

Horses for courses eh?

I've gone from a 6 speed manual 1.4 Octavia to a 7 speed DSG 1.8 Octavia, The DSG is definitely more relaxing to drive both in town and on long journeys. Finding the 2 gear kickdown (even when not in S mode) has added fun to many roundabout exits. The biggest surprise is that the 1.8DSG actually gives a higher mpg (better economy)than the 1.4 manual.

19 hours ago, FilipSljeme said:

Also, since I’m not leasing and plan to keep the car long term, I’m not keen on the potential for higher out-of-warranty servicing costs.

You have a point there, I have never leased only ever bought - not because I'm well off. When I could only afford a ratty old car, I drove a ratty old car. The Octavia was first new car (strictly speaking not quite new, pre-registered 3 months and 100 miles before I bought it) and bought outright with the intention of keeping it a good long time, I suppose that brings with it a different perspective and order of priorities.

I've driven autos since a Honda Accord Aerodeck in 1990 & would never choose a manual again. I was living in London at the time & the sheer number of gear changes just commuting to the office was ridiculous.

I do do chuckle a little, in a good natured way, at claims that a manual box is essential to be "in control". I don't know if there are any statistics available but I'd be surprised if the vast majority of cars found upside down, wrapped around a lamp post or in a ditch weren't manuals. Might just be me, but I found the relaxed experience of moving to auto calmed my driving significantly. To the point where I wonder if they should be compulsory for new drivers?

Final thought, F1 cars have managed without a clutch for 25 years & some teams ran a system that was fully automatic, until paddle shift was mandated. I wonder how much faster they would go if the driver was "in control" with a good old manual? 😉

9 hours ago, Evolution13 said:

All there is extra is a clutch pedal....

Really good point. My DSG has clutches, no torque converter. I'm always in the gear that I want the car to be in. Quicker acceleration and gear changes.

I have an auto only licence, but my first experience was driving a manual (Ford Anglia) on a farm. It came as a surprise and disappointment that I wouldn't be allowed to drive a manual on the roads. And back in the very early 1980's some of the auto's I owned had pretty dire gearboxes, making me dead envious of my mates in their manuals. But times have changed.

8 hours ago, mac11irl said:

Missus Mac is on her second DSG

Missus mac will never go back to a manual

Mrs Gaz is the same - won't go back to a manual.

My Daughter passed her car driving test last year, in a manual. But her first car is an auto and she doesn't want a manual. This is despite her motorbike being a manual.

I don't believe there isn't a demand for manual cars either. But I do think that demand is diminishing, and with some pretty impressive autos/DSG's out there, I can understand why.

Gaz

You really need a car that suits the autobox that is in it, and tbh that doesn't often work. Or the custom gearbox software is terrible.
I've had a number of autos and I think bar one they've all had pretty much the same gearbox

My autos -

BMW 335d, ZF 8 speed - brilliant, felt like a perfect match, only rarely did the box seem to get it wrong with a weird double shift down.
Range rover 3.0 V6 (275), ZF 8 speed - Also really good, no issues or weirdness even off road.
Mini Countryman JCW, ZF 8 speed - Awful, changed down at the drop of a hat, hesitant to up shift. Works best if you drove the car like it was being stolen but even then clunky and rough.
Maserati 3.0 V6d, ZF 8speed (see a pattern), OK not as good as the first two but not bad, occasional sluggish downshift
Subaru Outback CVT - Meh, it's a dull car to drive and the box is also pretty dull, does what it needs but clunky setting off or pulling out at junctions.

We have manuals and autos in the house still. Manual for fun, auto for day to day.

On 28/03/2026 at 10:02, Evolution13 said:

All there is extra is a clutch pedal, and maybe you have modes to select, maybe a manual handbrake. For those Scandinavian flicks, J turns and Hand Brake turns that never get done on the road. (...)

There are scenarios where even a very good automatic isn't ideal, although it's less about it being "worse" and more about it being less predictable — and that's where control comes in. I'm not trying to say (modern) automatics are bad — quite the opposite. In 99% of driving conditions most people encounter, they're faster, smoother, and often more efficient. But as @Aspman mentioned, it also depends on the specific implementation, so results can vary.

On a personal note — as I mentioned at the start of this thread — I would have gone with an automatic, but the price and added complexity of DSG and mHEV deterred me from it. What can I say? Aversion to complexity is a professional deformation, being an engineer 😄

---

Driving uphill on snow or other low-traction surfaces is a good example of when automatics struggle. Systems can sometimes hesitate or "hunt" between gears if the available traction confuses the shift logic—especially at low speeds. Modern gearboxes are much better than they used to be, but they still rely on programmed responses rather than true understanding of the situation.

That's essentially why different driving modes exist — they are in essence modern, more sophisticated versions of the traditional "low gear" options automatics have. The gearbox and ECU don't actually know whether you're on snow, gravel, or dry asphalt—they infer it from inputs like wheel slip, throttle position, ambient temperature, maybe even navigation data. Modes like snow or off-road then adjust throttle response, shift points, and traction control behaviour to better match expected conditions.

So that "extra pedal" and gear lever still give you something no automatic fully replicates: direct, guaranteed control. If conditions change, you can react immediately by selecting the gear you want, and that's it—no interpretation layer in between.

With an automatic, that adjustment can be a bit more indirect. Depending on the system, you might need to switch modes or rely on the gearbox logic to respond, and that can take an extra moment or two. Some cars make this very quick with paddles or dedicated buttons, others less so—but in all cases, the system is still interpreting your input rather than executing a purely mechanical choice.

If you want to hold a specific gear, in a manual you simply do it—no second-guessing. (Even though some automatics allow manual selection, they may still override it in certain situations.)

Automatics may shift faster and often more efficiently, but they aren't fully aware of the environment—they infer it. In edge cases, that difference can matter, especially when you're deliberately operating near the limits of traction.

But as you wrote @Evolution13, in most conditions that additional control means nothing.