automatics cars?

Now, what about a petrol automatic vs a diesel manual?

Would the argument about 'don't be swayed to buy a diesel just because they get good mpg' counter the 'don't buy an automatic as they're bad on mpg' argument?
 
My advice to the OP.

Test drive a few cars you like and try the auto and manual versions, then see what you get on with the most.

Bigger bills will happen if it goes wrong, but realistically it probably won't assuming the car is serviced and the autobox fluid has been changed before.
 
Probably because he's assuming, if it's got FSH or comprehensive history, that the transmission fluid has been changed regularly - it's the lifeblood of the transmission and if it's not been changed per the routine then it can shorten its life dramatically.

I usually find most people overlook it though. Tends to be what gets most of them in the end.

I've owned a few automatics that, due to my usage, were actually more efficient than their manual counterparts - due to overall higher gearing and thus more relaxed cruising.

The difference in economy between some manual and automatic variants is pretty slim in a lot of instances too, say between 1-3mpg, but this does vary. Just pointing out that it's not going to be a crippling difference in some cases - just a case of checking out the figures.

The majority of modern autos are virtually no different, in terms of economy, from their manual equivalents these days. Some manufacturers are still useless with theirs though.......

Good general rule of thumb to treat them as marginally less efficient, though.
 
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Lashout_UK said:
Probably because he's assuming, if it's got FSH or comprehensive history, that the transmission fluid has been changed regularly - it's the lifeblood of the transmission and if it's not been changed per the routine then it can shorten its life dramatically.
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Most servicing regeimes dont have an autobox fluid change. So a car can have FSH but never have the gearbox oil changed. BMW are particularly bad for this - numerous perfectly historied cars out there on original fluid. Even the dealers tell you it doesnt need doing....
 
Yea - that's why I said he's probably assuming - and why I find it's practically always not the case :p

BMW are terrible for it now these days as you observe......Even Chrysler manage to spec intervals and adjustments for more aggressive usage!

If it's still driving alright and the fluid's clean (relatively) and not burnt then, touch wood, you'd probably get on OK with it. I'd change it as a matter of course though......
 
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Robbie G said:
So what for you differentiates an automatic Picasso from other cheap automatics?
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It's not Picasso specific.

It was just that from some posts on the other page I got the feeling that it was slowly being implied a blanket of "If it's cheap and has an automatic gearbox it'll be rubbish" which I can't say I agree with.
 
[TW]Fox;17862446 said:
Most servicing regeimes dont have an autobox fluid change. So a car can have FSH but never have the gearbox oil changed. BMW are particularly bad for this - numerous perfectly historied cars out there on original fluid. Even the dealers tell you it doesnt need doing....
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Yeah 'sealed unit, fluid doesn't need changing', though I've heard it's a right ballache to do.
 
[TW]Fox;17862295 said:
What has the cars service history got to do with the likelyhood of autobox failiure :confused:
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90% of all autobox failures are due to excessive heat, in a lot of these situations its because the ATF hasn't been changed in accordance with recommendations (or in some cases because the manufacturers service intervals are actually too far apart) or an indy garage has used lower quality ATF than the box needs.
 
Witor said:
Will give a mini-review of the Citroen Xsara Picasso 1.6i tomorrow. Picking one up as a courtesy "car" for the next 2-3 days whilst parts arrive.

Happy days? :)
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Ignore, was/is a normal Xsara 1.6i.

Like the fact you can push yourself about 2 inches into the seats themselves, the electric window switches push about 2 inches into the dashboard. Can also move the steering about 2 inches either way before anything happens. Common theme :D
 
I do like a big automatic beast like an Omega estate or something similar. Proper automatic, not those newfangled automatic manual gearbox rubbish they bring out these days. :)
 
LeeUK said:
I do like a big automatic beast like an Omega estate or something similar. Proper automatic, not those newfangled automatic manual gearbox rubbish they bring out these days. :)
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Driven a new Ford Powershift box? You may change your mind!

Renault's EDC box is terrible, mind, although borderline acceptable for your average in-town driver.
 
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Robbie G said:
Mine does, and it holds on hills. I think they changed its behaviour at some point, as customers were confused by the fact that it didn't behave like an automatic.
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Hill assist aside, DSG boxes don't creep IME!

I test drove a number of (brand new) DSG-equipped cars and in all of them there was the characteristic teeny tiny "thud" as the clutch engaged as you pulled off.
 
mate test drove a Fabia VRS with a DSG gearbox the other week. Thats the same 1.4 Twincharged engine thats in Robbie's Golf and that creeped as well apparently.
 
It creeps in that first gear is engaged when you take your foot off the brake but if you don't use the accelerator then you wont get very far, there is a difference between DSG and torque converter in this regard.
 
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