Driving an Automatic - AWFUL!

A 1.2 Corsa with the Easytronic box is pretty much as bad as it gets. It's not a conventional torque converter auto, it has innards that pretty closely resemble a manual box, with an electronically actuated single dry-plate clutch, so it's not particularly smooth or refined. It should have a manual override mode though, so you can at least take control of the gear changes.

Try a good auto (either a decent torque converter or a DSG (or DSG style) twin clutch auto) and you'll change your mind about how pants they are.
 
I actually really like some of the CVTs - the Audi multitronic really suited the 2.0 tdi when I tried it. Owning one would worry me though...
 
I don't like autos. Despite having driven some nice dual clutch systems, which are fast and modern I just find them less engaging.

However it does sound like you've driven a bad auto. Whilst I'm not a fan I think you'd realise they aren't that bad if you drove a good one.
 
I like cvt's too - though generally speaking people seem to hate them. Again not coupled with a completely puny engine though.

I can live happily with auto or manual, but in the right car

The worst "auto" I've ever driven was in the 2003ish punto with a 1.3 diesel engine. Pretty sure it's related to the current essytronic in some way. Had to lift off on upshifts and it slammed down - plus it seemed to be tuned to change outside of the horrible little engines powerband too.

Compared to even a zf 6 speed slushbox or the merc 7g it's a night and day difference let alone the latest 8 speed or dual clutch boxes
 
bradUK said:
A good auto box is sublime.

I was very much in the manual camp until driving a 335 auto and it was superb. Since then I think I'd spec an auto in a new purchase.
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The BMW auto boxes are superb.

I was in the manual camp and was very apprehensive going for a test drive in an auto E39 5 series. Ended up buying it and have always had an auto since then.
 
I love the dsg gearbox in my vrs.most of time I don't feel the gear change. It shift very smooth and alway on right time.

I ain't drive a manual again
 
Op's feelings highlighted by a single diagram.

how-an-auto-works.jpg
 
Neil79 said:
Did anyone else feel the same when driving an Auto?
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Yep, I'm not a fan of slush boxes at all, they just don't feel "right" somehow. I can see the advantages for some situations though. For some reason I do quite like the semi-auto box in my wife's Smart, even though it's a bit slow.

Love the above diagram :D
 
Richie said:
IIRC The Corsa is not a proper auto but one of these crappy ones where you can feel the lurch as it changes gear... Almost like an auto clutch rather than a full auto box... These types of auto are crap :(
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Trust me to get the worst possible auto then as a first trial run :p

Thankfully I'm picking up another manual corsa on the cheap today, why do I buy Corsa? Because at the moment it's really cheap on the fuel and insurance, just £20 a month on ins! Until I move, in which case I'll get a sporty motor

mrk said:
Op's feelings highlighted by a single diagram.
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*Sad Panda* :(
 
Neil79 said:
Thankfully I'm picking up another manual corsa on the cheap today, why do I buy Corsa? Because at the moment it's really cheap on the fuel and insurance, just £20 a month on ins! Until I move, in which case I'll get a sporty motor
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That isn't much cheaper than my 530d insurance to be fair. Once you stop being 18 as long as you don't buy a Ferrari then insurance just isn't expensive for most cars.
 
Raggs said:
Never driven a auto what are like off the mark ? i would hate a sluggish start are they comparible to the manual of the same make 0-60 ect..
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Dis86 said:
Mines faster as an auto than manual
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You have not felt a hard launch, until you have felt 400+ BHP released by a stalled torque converter !

TLDR
Most mid level drag racers use boxes that aren't too far removed from a regular automatic, as it allows you to do something called "Stalling the torque converter". The long and short being you can raise the engine revs to peak power, while in gear but stationary, and also load up the drive line. Its usually done by holding the brakes and flooring the throttle. When your engine is delivering peak power, you jump off the brake and go flying!
 
Raggs said:
Never driven a auto what are like off the mark ? i would hate a sluggish start are they comparible to the manual of the same make 0-60 ect..
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Good autos are quicker 0-60 than a manual. Add in launch control which comes with some autos and you're smoking the manual time.
 
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