I have a2003 53 plate 1.4 16V Comfort h/b with manual transmission with very low mileage, under 30K, as I am a 74 y.o. pensioner. I am thinking under suggestions from a friend (doctor) of changing to a used current model automatic Fabia.

Firstly which trim level comes nearest to the Comfort's?

The suggestion to change comes because I tend to get cramp and other pain in my left leg, so going auto seems sensible. Comments?

However my house has a short steep drive, just long enough to get my car + a half on, and my downstairs windows are level with upstairs over the road. Because of this I ease the car off the drive in neutral in case something happens with my leg and I lose control. :'(

Using an automatic will I have less, equal, or more control in the circumstances?

Edited 18 October, 201015 yr by solidtyre

I have a similar problem to you - duff left hip so I've been a long term (20+ years) owner of auto boxed cars.

I now have a DSG Octavia. The DSG box has different characteristics compared to a torque convertor auto, but I'm very happy with mine.

Some models can have Hill Hold which is meant to help you pulling away from a steep slope. That may be a help for you but I've never found it necessary. In fact one Skoda I test drove which had this device fitted was a real mare to control properly. Holding it on the handbrake whilst the auto box takes up the drive is normally all that is required to achieve a smooth getaway from a steep hill.

By the way, some recommend driving using left foot braking with an auto. Personally I've never been happy with doing that for all sorts of reasons, not least because I drive an auto due to my left leg/hip not being what it should be!

I strongly recommend a test drive using a DSG box. Thats the only way to know if its really suitable for you, but you will need more than a 10 minute test drive to get used to it if you are not familiar with driving one. Give it a go as I think you wil be pleasantly surprised..........

The DSG box can be tricky to control when manoevering. The problem is you don't get any clutch slippage when you are trying to drive or reverse up a steep incline under control. If the incline is steep enough it won't just creep because it detects the torque being delivered isn't adequate so disengages the clutch. Ease a little throttle on and it is moving too fast. You can't balance the throttle and brake because when you press the brake it disengages the clutch also. For me it is the biggest downside to the DSG box. My interpretation of what is happening may be incorrect but things end up jerky when trying to manoevre on a steep hill.

Putting it simply....The DSG box is fantastic and you'll never want a manual again.

Don't hesitate...You wont regret it!!

.....

I now have a DSG Octavia. The DSG box has different characteristics compared to a torque convertor auto, but I'm very happy with mine.

I presume the Fabia has that too? Is that also known as Tiptronic? I would be buying "used"

Some models can have Hill Hold which is meant to help you pulling away from a steep slope

My problem is that I have to reverse down the slope to go out, Coming back isn't so awkward provided I give enough welly and slam the brakes before hitting the garage or neighbour's car

I strongly recommend a test drive using a DSG box. Thats the only way to know if its really suitable for you, but you will need more than a 10 minute test drive to get used to it if you are not familiar with driving one. Give it a go as I think you wil be pleasantly surprised...

.......

May well do, after working on the beloved.

I have driven an Octavia with a DSG box for the last 5 years and would never go back to a manual box.

The DSG box is nothing like the old auto boxes which were a pain and gave very poor fuel economy when compared to a manual box

I have not experienced the problems which Fatbloke described, but others may have

My new Fabia Elegance, when it arrives, will come with a DSG box

"used current model automatic Fabia"

The earlier Fabia II 'current model' aroud 2008/9 used a 1.6 petrol engine and a conventional automatic 6 speed gearbox not DSG.

Depends on your budget but If you can find one of these I would think it may suit you better than the DSG .

The level 2 trim is nearest to the Comfort.