hey guy's.

Just out of interest what are Automatic cars like to drive?

From those of you who have driven both types,

Alot of cars I want to buy on autotrader have got auto boxes, they are big cars like 2ltr to 3.5 ltr turbo's. What are autos like?

All I know is they have different ratio's for hills, and the main mode Drive, reverse, neutral, and park. (why do they need park if they have neutral?)

AND OMG why did they make semi automatic cars, they are rubbish (in cheap cars they are anyway)

I've driven a few autos over the years, owned mostly manuals, but now drive a DSG Leon (which is strictly semi-auto, I suppose, but drives like an auto).

Autos are much more relaxing in traffic, but less involving in the twisties, though arguably a DSG is as good, because you keep control and there's no torque convertor churning away.

Park locks the gearbox, to hold a car still, like leaving a manual in 1st when stopped.

Conventional autos work best in biggish, large engned cars with lots of torque.

The different ratios (3, 2, 1 or L) are there for engine braking (eg. down a long hill) Some have a tiptronic mode like DSG instead.

I now drive a DSG because my bad back gets aggravated by the clutch work in traffic, but to be honest, I'd choose the DSG anyway, having had one.

will an auto gearbox, prevent a vechile from doing its top speed it could in the same manual version?

Im thinking along the lines of a toyota supra here.

See I dont like the idea of autos because you dont have to clutch to control the power.

Semi autos sound like a good idea, but its like having a manual with no clutch.

(its good i suppose if like you, can use your clutch leg well anymore)

I spose i have driven loads of fully automatics, but they are scooter's, and it only went 70mph. (quite impressive from a 70cc lump) That wasn't strange, but i've driven manual bikes and cars ever since then and it was quite a few years ago.

As posted, an auto is fine if you have enough power/torque to keep you

going. They will use more fuel than a manual but you have the convenience of an easy life in traffic.

Just remember not to try and start it in drive (It won't)

Top speed will only be a couple of MPH down on a manual...

as len says its ok if its got a bit of power.

i never feel like i am involved tho , not really for me .

My first auto was a 1300 MKII Cortina, what a load of crap that was. Not enough power

and heavy on petrol. I only bought it because i needed a car quick

The next auto was a BMW, joy of joy, and a kick down to play with

will an auto gearbox, prevent a vechile from doing its top speed it could in the same manual version?

Im thinking along the lines of a toyota supra here.

It will be a little slower, and use a bit more fuel.

See I dont like the idea of autos because you dont have to clutch to control the power.

But you can use the throttle. The torque converter absorbs/cushions drive a bit. Slipping the clutch to control power will wear it anyway

The main disadvantage is not being able to choose the exact gear all the time. DSG/Semi-autos almost allow this, but not completely. For example, DSG always pulls away in first.

I have a Octy II 2.0 TDi DSG

Wifey has a Kia Picanto 1.1 auto (conventional)

Kia is a nicer box than the DSG in traffic. Either way an auto of some sorts is nice. People say a manual is the only way to drive a car - in what circumstances? Gone are the days of a blast along a country road - you will hit a scamera van in no time so have an auto, save your left leg in traffic and enjoy the luxury of motoring. Years ago when cars had half the power of today an auto sapped so much power but today, there is not a huge difference in speed figures between an auto and manual.

I have an automatic as a second car for Town work its a Yaris and has the 4 speed box and is a conventional automatic (with creep).

I have to say its very relaxing in traffic and ok on the open road. My other car is an MX5 manual and is a great car.

Depends on what you want really. A manual will 99% be the choice of a "drivers" car but with traffic congestion, speed cameras etc an automatic may suit you better.

Give both a try and see how you get on.

Modern autos are not quite as heavy on fuel as they used to be, but still not as good as a manual. Auto for town driving makes for a more relaxed drive. Problem is, if an auto box goes faulty, it can be very expensive to put right. If the starter motor packs in, you cannot bump start an auto or even tow start it.

I do mostly B road driving/Motorway so manual is the best for me.

I've driven versions of the same car with manual and auto box. Unless you spend a lot of time in really stop-start traffic the auto is more thirsty and slower than the manual, even with something like a Supra IV TT.

Oh and Runboy, there are large parts of the nation which aren't choked by traffic or blighted by Greed Scameras.

Imagine you are going for a meal, the manual guy serves dinner, the auto guy eats it.

Auto's always bring the refinment up of any car, if fuel worries you walk away cos it will ruin the experience for you, but if you are prepared to spend 25% more on fuel then the auto is the only choice.

Auto's always bring the refinment up of any car

Or to put it another way, badly driven manuals lower the refinement of a car. I've yet to drive an automatic that could change as smoothly and invisibly (in all situations) as a good driver...

Chris

Or to put it another way, badly driven manuals lower the refinement of a car. I've yet to drive an automatic that could change as smoothly and invisibly (in all situations) as a good driver...

Chris

:iagree: - I've never driven an auto that didn't jerk every low throttle upshift slightly, and frequently try to hold a gear too low in 30 and/or 40mph cruising. They're also very prone to holding gears too long or not long enough on full throttle (ok except my mum's current Jazz, but that's actually got a CVT that actually holds the right revs on full throttle).

My new Volvo V70 XC 2.4 T SE (200 bhp) is a dream to drive.............Even in Snow as it's 4 wheel drive..........And it run's on LPG

my last car was my first auto and I swore I would never go back to a manual.......but I did!

The DSG box in the skoda was brilliant but for a number of reasons I was changing brand and decided that no other auto, within my budget, was a patch on the DSG so went back to manual.

I still really miss the DSG at times, not only in traffic as it also worked well when hustling along a country road.

:iagree: - I've never driven an auto that didn't jerk every low throttle upshift slightly, and frequently try to hold a gear too low in 30 and/or 40mph cruising. They're also very prone to holding gears too long or not long enough on full throttle (ok except my mum's current Jazz, but that's actually got a CVT that actually holds the right revs on full throttle).

I was always impressed with the Audi Multitronic box, my Dad had three in various A4 models he owned.

Or to put it another way, badly driven manuals lower the refinement of a car. I've yet to drive an automatic that could change as smoothly and invisibly (in all situations) as a good driver...

Chris

That's very true. But a good one is better than a poor driver.

I was always impressed with the Audi Multitronic box, my Dad had three in various A4 models he owned.

A colleague has one and reckons it's excellent.

:iagree: - I've never driven an auto that didn't jerk every low throttle upshift slightly, and frequently try to hold a gear too low in 30 and/or 40mph cruising. They're also very prone to holding gears too long or not long enough on full throttle (ok except my mum's current Jazz, but that's actually got a CVT that actually holds the right revs on full throttle).

DSG does light-throttle changes perfectly. It sometimes gets a bit caught out under lift off----hard acceleration and gets a bit jerky- if you brake on an island approach and decide to accelerate hard at the last minute, for example.

It basically rewards smooth, progressive driving. It will also choose sensible ratios under acceleration more often if you drive smoothly. Brake late, stamp on the throttle and it gets a little jerky.

HMMM - Autos - lets go Ken o'Neill country (as I guess it ),then go a lot west ,and some north --then in the middle of summer you find you'reself descending some awsome hill in an auto - and all you've got to rely on is brakes .Hit the same hill again in the middle of winter in an Auto - Hello St Peter .:eek::eek:

At least in a manual -you can call the shots .Same going up the hill -

It's like trusting this Labour Government to organise you're pension or opting to sort out thingsfor yourself .:rofl:

:orb_raisi DSG rocks, :orb_raisithe best of both worlds, its a different game.

the only nice auto I can recall driving was a fairly old Jag XJR.

Actually, come to think of it, the 7 speed CVT thingy in the honda jazz felt quite nice, but my Mum opted for the 4 speed more conventional auto micra, which isn't bad - but definitely not nice.... The Jag was very nice. Comfort driving for sure.

cheers for all the responses guy's.

From the sounds of it then a DSG box is the best because;

. You have complete control over which gear you want for hills & acceleration.

. Its great for around town in busy traffic, because there is no constant clutch work.

. They arn't much slower than a manual

. If its icey you can pull away in 2nd

. they have fully auto mode if you want it (CVT)

. auto's in general can use more fuel, but with DSG you can put it in top and save fuel too.

. Great if your getting a difficult to move left leg

I guess its a good thing then, cheers for changing my mind about auto's guy's.

the only downside I still can't get over is the fact there is no clutch to help control a smooth pull away.

Oh and the fact you cant do a bump start, (but you have to find a strong person to bump start a car anyway)

Edited 6 December, 200817 yr by Felicia racer

the only downside I still can't get over is the fact there is no clutch to help control a smooth pull away.

I too have a weak understanding of autos having never driven one, but I believe this is controlled with the brake pedal (could be wrong though)