What car should I get?

mollymartin
mollymartin Member Posts: 4
edited 25. Feb 2025, 18:05 in Living with arthritis

Hi, I am a 19 year old girl with rheumatoid arthritis in her hips (and predicted in the knees too), I have my driving test in march, and was looking at cars to buy. I just need advice on whether I should be looking at buying a manual or automatic car, and advice on what other people have and how it effects/benefits them, as i know many recommend automatic for issues with hands/shoulders, but since mine is more legs I am unsure if manual or automatic would be best.

Many thanks for any advice given

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  • Naomi33
    Naomi33 Moderator Posts: 540
    edited 23. Feb 2025, 12:57

    Morning @mollymartin personally I would go for automatic I have a susuki S4 which suits me as higher seats.

    I am however looking at Susuki Ignis for new car when I can afford but would advise you to test drive and sit a few to see what suits you and explain your condition to salesperson. I found them very helpful and thankfully not pushy with selling.

    Good luck and keep posting I am sure others will connect with you soon. @

    Need more help? - call our Helpline on 0800 5200 520 Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm


  • Mush
    Mush Member Posts: 12

    Had a manual car for 27 years, 2007 i got an auto X5, now on my second X5, won't go back to manual, it's like sitting in an arm chair.

  • N1gel
    N1gel Member Posts: 163

    Hi Molly, Silly question I know but have you looked at the Motability website? Lots of impartial info and advice on driving and getting a car for anyone with a disability.

  • mollymartin
    mollymartin Member Posts: 4

    Hi yeah im eligible for a motablity car but still unsure if i should get a manual or automatic, going to probs visit next week and ask questions about it in person

  • Arthuritis
    Arthuritis Member Posts: 521

    @mollymartin I am so sorry to hear that. How long have you had RA in your hips, and is the medication working adequately? I stopped driving (I use uber/pub transport instead) but if I resumed I’d go for a smart EV with good driver assist. The tech is getting better all the time and I need all the help I can get. A manual for me would be a def no-no, the gear shift is fine for non RA wrists, but an RA sufferer’s wrist does not have the same resistance as a normal person. Even if RA not currently tangibly attacking your wrist, the moment it undergoes wear, it will begin to deteriorate.

    The problem in my case, and every case is different, is it spread from feet to hands to elbows to knees & hips so bad I needed frozen gel packs wrapped round those joints every night just to sleep. I was on 25mg/week mtx.

    Hopefully yours stays stable.

  • MrDJ
    MrDJ Member Posts: 328

    Hi @mollymartin

    I would say defo go for automatic.

    Will you be in a manual or auto for your test. in a manual you can drive both but pass on auto and you can only drive auto.

    I had my left total hip replaced back in 1996 and i think it would of been a nightmare using my left leg for the clutch. with a auto you only use your right leg/foot for brake and accelerate. Its so much easier. and if as mentioned you do decide on a motability car then you can get addaptions with hand controls if you cant use your legs. only problem is you have to pay seperate for them to be installed and then removed after the lease.

    Luckily ive got some savings so have always gone for a bmw on motability. had 3 series for many years but during covid i went for a x2 petrol and after 2 years wait they cancelled it and said i could only have a x2 hybrid. great if you park on your drive where you can charge but for me i had to go to tescos every time i needed to charge it and it only had a poxy 30 mile battery. everything started failing with it within the first year and i phoned motability and cancelled it and ordered a 2 series coupe which is brilliant especially as im back to petrol.

    there are plenty of cars on there with zero upfront payment and all you lose is your monthly high amount of pip/dla to pay for the lease. tax, tires, service, breakdown all included in the price.

  • N1gel
    N1gel Member Posts: 163
    https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/comment/731563#Comment_731563

    There's various driving assessment centres round the country, if you're eligible for motability you should be able to self refer at no cost.

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