Automatic or Manual..

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mrandmrspoves

Middle aged bald git.
Location
Narfuk
It always amazes me that so many people are so anti auto boxes.....they may be the same people who wish they could still buy twin tub washing machines or complain that power steering has removed the "feel of the road"!
A few years ago when most auto boxes were 3 speed jobbies with torque converters impacting on their efficiency and reliability, I would agree that they were not the best option, but new dual clutch boxes running 5 or 6 gears are a different proposition.
I liked automatics years ago - but since my shoulders deteriorated they have become a necessity for me.
The remarks about loss of control when cornering due to being in the wrong gear do not mirror my experience. Years ago when we were taught to use engine braking that might have been the case - but modern driving advice is to slow down using the brakes and in an automatic the driver can keep both hands on the wheel. Correct advice is to brake prior to entering the bend and then to keep the engine so it is just pulling round the bend - and an auto does that just fine.
For those that enjoy all that clutch and stick work you're welcome to it!
 

Drago

Legendary Member
They are indeed a different proposition, especially when its time to pay to mend them! The real beauty of a proper torque converter slush box was its robustness - the component subject to the most wear and tear was the fluid. At the moment its still a toss up between a DSG box which is great when it works, but diabolically expensive when it doesn't, or a power sapping slush which (with occasional fluid changes) will still be working when archaeologists eventually did it out of the ground.

The standard manual doesn't suffer any of these shortcomings, and when you have to shell out North of a grand for two new clutches for your DSG box you'll suddenly become nostalgic for them.
 

MacB

Lover of things that come in 3's
The standard manual doesn't suffer any of these shortcomings, and when you have to shell out North of a grand for two new clutches for your DSG box you'll suddenly become nostalgic for them.

If we had majority autos on the road would the repairs still be so expensive?
 

mrandmrspoves

Middle aged bald git.
Location
Narfuk
A standard dual mass clutch for a manual is hardly a cheap replacement item....
I am not worried about having to spend £2k for a replacement gearbox, but then I drive a Kia with 7 years/100000 miles mechanical warranty.
 

Profpointy

Legendary Member
Even if I were to accept that modern automatics are fine (and I remain unconvinced), they solve a problem I don't have (inability / dislike of changing gear) for which there's a ruinous cost to fix when these dual clutches (whatever they be) or whatever eventually needs replacing.


"include me out" is my view
 

Drago

Legendary Member
A standard dual mass clutch for a manual is hardly a cheap replacement item....
I am not worried about having to spend £2k for a replacement gearbox, but then I drive a Kia with 7 years/100000 miles mechanical warranty.

Dual mass on a diesel manual (with a couple of extremely rare petrol exceptions, such as the Focus ST170 with the Getrag box) and diesels are quickly going the way of the dynosaur anyway. A warranty won't cover wear and tear to your clutch any more than it would to your tyres.

I wish I could fit in a Ka...
 

mrandmrspoves

Middle aged bald git.
Location
Narfuk
Wonder what sort of difference we are talking?

Currently get around 50 mpg out of my manual, if the same car was the auto version how much lower would that be?

If using a standard autobox with 4 gears and a torque converter you will lose somewhere in the region of 20% compared with the same car running a manual gear box.
Torque converters work more efficiently if you have a light right foot so driving style is still.a factor that impacts on economy.
Most new automatic cars now have a dual clutch rather than a torque converter and there is no loss of efficiency so mpg will be similar. Some also have mode settings so you can select economy/normal/sports which will adjust the gear shifting to either increase economy or performance.
 

mustang1

Legendary Member
Location
London, UK
If using a standard autobox with 4 gears and a torque converter you will lose somewhere in the region of 20% compared with the same car running a manual gear box.
Torque converters work more efficiently if you have a light right foot so driving style is still.a factor that impacts on economy.
Most new automatic cars now have a dual clutch rather than a torque converter and there is no loss of efficiency so mpg will be similar. Some also have mode settings so you can select economy/normal/sports which will adjust the gear shifting to either increase economy or performance.
I thought most auto gear cars are the torque converter type rather than dual clutch. The dual clutch cars are still a tad "off" at walking speed; I'm not sure why.

For town traffic, I'd still go with a torque converter auto.
 
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