What automatic gearbox for a small car?

Freakbro

Freakbro

Freakbro

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A friend of mine is just taking her test (automatic only) and is looking for a small car to buy, currently looking at a Mazda 2 or Toyota Yaris, probably around 3-5 yrs old.

So I have a basic understanding of the types of gearbox there are from reading around and it seems to go from worst to best

MMT
Torque Converter (Hydraulic) or CVT
DSG

Now is there much difference between the Torque Converter and CVT for this type of small car?

The 2011 Mazda 2 she was looking at is a TC with a 4 speed box, which doesn't sound great to me, whereas the Yaris is a CVT I believe.
 
I'm in roughly the same position. Looking for a car for the missus, small one, automatic.

I would buy something with a DSG, as that is the only automatic that for me is good enough. Anything else (at that car category/size) is just not good enough.

Test drove a DSG yesterday and it was really good! Smooth and quite responsive.
 
Had little Hyundai hatchback as a hire car the other day. Small petrol with a automatic (guessing it was a torque converter). Obviously not a patch on DSG but it wasn't terrible and did the job.

I'd look for a approved used Polo/A1/Fabia with a dsg box if it's in her budget.
 
Used to have a Yaris with the CVT , works extremely well for the engine and car.

I actually prefer it to the DSG as it is so so smooth as it doesn't have a set gear only steps/ratios . Most people will dismiss the CVT as the way it revs and staying quite high when you are pressing on. Also the power delivery is very linear as well
 
I have a Micra k11 with cvt auto. Suits the car perfectly and is super easy to drive and fairly robust. Has given me no issues so far even when I thought it did!
 
I've never been a fan of automatics.. But a couple of years ago I had a courtesy car with a DSG. I was genuinely impressed and would consider one in the future.
 
Hades said:
I've never been a fan of automatics.. But a couple of years ago I had a courtesy car with a DSG. I was genuinely impressed and would consider one in the future.
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Dont plan to go back to a manual. The DSG is best of both worlds, allowing me to hoon it in manual when needed. The 7 speed dry clutch used in smaller engines/cars is a little less refined compared to the 6/7 speed wet clutch system.

Throw in adaptive cruise and on long drives up and down the motorway the car does all the work :D.
 
Not much advice but I had a 1.2 automatic Fiat 500 hire car in Italy.
It was horrible really, the lag between changes was just dangerous at times joining fast roads, so whatever that has don't get it :D
 
matthab said:
Dont plan to go back to a manual. The DSG is best of both worlds, allowing me to hoon it in manual when needed.
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No manual mode, only semi-auto with DSG. They do appear to work very well though, I'm quite impressed with how smooth the changes are on step mothers Fabia 1.2 TSi, also goes very well for a small engine.
 
Hmm, for a learner, I would say a proper Torque Converter auto is best and that's all we have owned. I have occasionally driven other cars (but never CVT) have found the automated manuals have not been great on things like reversing slowly up a hill, they can juddder and you lift off the throttle a bit and suddenly they declutch and might roll forward. For a learner I would say TC auto, but can't comment on CVT as no experience.
 
Dogbreath said:
No manual mode, only semi-auto with DSG. They do appear to work very well though, I'm quite impressed with how smooth the changes are on step mothers Fabia 1.2 TSi, also goes very well for a small engine.
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Depending on the car DSG can one with either or both a forward/back option on the gear stick and flappy paddles. My courtesy car only has the stick but I just left it in auto.
 
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