Had my Skoda Superb in for it's first MOT the other day and was given one of the dealers VW Up! courtesy cars.

 

It was an auto.

 

My first impressions (during the 5 mile drive from the dealer to work) was oh my goodness, this is horrendous! Even during gentle acceleration the gear changes had me headbutting the steering wheel and then the headrest with each change. Who would ever buy one of these I thought!

 

Then driving the 65 miles from work back home I started to understand how it worked and that a light lift off the accelerator initiated the up change which at least prepared me for the lurching. After playing with the manual gear change on the approach to high speed roundabouts (5th to 3rd) I was able to ensure the engine was perky enough to exit the roundabout instead of it sticking to the default 5th gear exit and labouring painfully along to the next roundabout. 

 

Driving back into work the next morning I'd actually grown to quite like it, the gear changes were just as in a manual (instantly coming off the gas and then back on it after lifting the clutch pedal) but without the hassle of pressing the clutch and stirring a gearlever. A DSG box still has it well and truly licked though!

 

It was as steady and sure footed at 80mph than my Superb, and if anything the suspension noise over bumps was as equally suppressed, mightily impressive!

 

There were a few times when sat in traffic on a slight incline that the car would roll back which I wasn't expecting from an auto. A foot on the brake pedal or a lift of the handbrake soon cured that.

 

It was quite slow to set off at junctions when attempting to nip into gaps. I'd assume that it would be primed and in 1st gear but it felt as though after stamping on the accelerator it was first having to select a gear before engaging drive.

 

Well, by the time I handed it back I'd grown quite attached to it. It wasn't until yesterday when I was back at the same dealer whilst my wife's Octavia was in for service I got another VW Up! This time a manual.

 

It was like a different car, an absolute peach to drive smoothly. I never thought that I'd be able to change gear more smoothly than an auto but I could. Great little cars. These city cars have come on in leaps and bounds recently. If it wasn't for my lengthy commute I'd consider a Mii, Citygo or Up!

 

Just not an automatic version

 

 

 

 

Oh, and why do courtesy cars always have their aerials missing!?

Edited 23 July, 201411 yr by silver1011

I breezed down to London yesterday in my Citigo. 260+ round trip just stopping to pick up a set alloy wheels and have a cuppa then back home. The car was brilliant, infact it feels better on the motorway than in the city/town. I don't know why I am thinking of changing it for a Rapid.

I've done a few 200 mile trips in mine and agreed they are great cars.

 

I know they got some stick on the general motoring forum a couple of times but cant see why. With the lowered suspension on the elegance and sport models they handle fantastically well, good enough that i dont miss my old beemer!

 

I occasionally think of changing but i doubt i will. My pocket loves the citigo too much, although i'll probably change for an upGT.

 

Although they will probably cost silly money, VW will fix the residuals really high to make a PCP on one really attractive. Thery have done something similar on a Golf R. Silly list price but a 2 year PCP is set to retain 80% of its value, our local dealer offered me one for £249 per month! not bad on a £30odd K car.

. I don't know why I am thinking of changing it for a Rapid.

Me too but I'm getting a Rapid also as I don't want to lose the Sport

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Is the auto box a getrag, like on the smart? I used to have a smart and I loved the semi-auto gearbox. Like Silver1011 says, you learn to anticipate gear changes and ease off the accelerator. Foot flat to the floor and you get a rapid change down of two gears for a quick overtake or whatever. Especially nice in an unfamiliar busy city where changing gear is one less thing to worry about!

The ASG is the same gearbox as the manual, it just has the auto parts bolted onto it to operate the clutch etc.

 

We have two at home now, and both have been great cars thus far. This may change to three at some point in the not to distant future.

Me too but I'm getting a Rapid also as I don't want to lose the Sport

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Are you going for the black edition rapid. I saw it the other day and it looked really good.

Considering all the options at the dealer the Rapid Sport worked out the cheapest

I went for the Race Blue colour. Should be about 3 to 4 weeks

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