Automatic or Manual..

[Globalti]

I don't think I've ever heard a good word spoken about CVT. Now the DSG box in VAG cars and several high-performance cars, on the other hand, is fantastic. It's effectively two direct drive gearboxes each running off its own clutch, one geartrain does 1, 3 and 5 and the other 2, 4 and 6. While you're accelerating the other box is moving into the next gear and the power is transferred over seamlessly. An excellent system and very efficient and robust.

 

[Profpointy]

Was it an urban myth that it could go as fast in reverse as it could going forward ?

I believe not. It certainly went bloody fast in reverse when it did the running away thing with the choke out. The acceleration pushed my dad's foot onto the accelerator and it had gone 50 yards on the playing fields behind before he managed to stop it. He'd been trying to back up a few inches with the door ajar to look, resulting int the door bent back the wrong way, but thankfully no one hurt or killed. It didn't have a neutral, other than an ill defined in between position on the lever. I believe one couple had zoomed off a cliff in one in similar circumstances

 

[mustang1]

Golf.

Golf is one of my favourite cars, especially a mk7. The build quality and cabin are excellent, beyond reproach. I was kind of thinking of getting one as I'd like something that's easy to park and now that you've mentioned it, I might start looking into it again.

I will go with a stick shift but test drive an auto to see what it's like. I'll probably go with a dont-look-at-me colour like silver or dark blue, alloys, either a 1.0 engine or the next one up (I think 1.4?). Maybe a sunroof, who knows.

 

[Drago]

No data for the MKVII yet, but if one views the MKVI data the Golf's "quality" is slightly under average.

http://www.reliabilityindex.com/reliability/search/176

The Focus beats it hands down for less money

http://www.reliabilityindex.com/reliability/search/65

Buy a Golf because you like the Golf. Don't buy one because of the marketing or journalistic bullpois about "quality" or "legendary reliability", because its a fairy tale.

 

[MrPie]

Currently in the USA with a Dodge Journey hire car. What a bucket of scrap! Auto box is truly appalling and engine totally gutless. Classic example of building cheap, piling high.

 

[rugby bloke]

My Mercedes R Class only came with an auto box. Generally works really well, occasionally there is a bit of lag when waiting for the kick down, although it does have flappy paddles if you want the fun of semi automatic. With regard to fuel consumption, with its weight and 4 wheel drive it struggles to get above 30 mpg on a good day I don't know what difference it makes !

 

[mickle]

Good god man, a Ferrari with a torque converter automatic? Are you insane? What will they think of next.. a Ferrari SUV!???

Edit: ps that was a 3 speed auto wasn't it?

Yup, 3 speeds. Trundle, 60mph and 124mph

 

[Salar]

My Subaru had CVT, but the "belts" were chains and the constant whine got to me.

 

[Racing roadkill]

If it’s on a track, manual. Everyday road driving, automatic all the way.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

My car is a CVT, revs like an F1 when you accelerate, it's pretty good though.

 

[Flying Dodo]

Electric is the future! Just press & go. No wasting time for stop-start/ gear changes / turbo lag. Even my heavy electric non aerodynamic van beats most cars away from the lights.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

Electric is the future! Just press & go. No wasting time for stop-start/ gear changes / turbo lag. Even my heavy electric non aerodynamic van beats most cars away from the lights.

That's you that is.

Probs with all electric is the range for some of us. I'm ok with hybrid though.

 

[Flying Dodo]

Bearing in mind 60% of all car journeys are 5 miles or less, for the vast majority of people, they don't actually need a car at all. However especially in urban locations, electric cars make far better sense than a conventional petrol or diesel car.

 

[Piemaster]

Another plus for electric cars as well as the instant torque and seamless auto gearbox type effect is fuel consumption. Not the argument over where it comes from, but sat at lights today in one it occurred that I was using no fuel. None. No engine idling burning dead dinosaurs, no fancy stop/start nonsense.
OK, actually thats not quite true. I did have the radio on. But as its that quiet I could just have wound the window down and listened to the one in the car beside me .

I really like the electric car, but the one with the carburetor in the garage isn't being given up.

 

[I like Skol]

.....Now Mrs Skol drives an Audi A4 Tdi with 190hp and the CVT auto box. They don't do this box in the current range but it is bl**dy amazing. Goes the instant the accelerator is pressed but is smooth, calm, quiet and always just right. Also holds back on the engine nicely when going down hill. Touch wood it doesn't ever go wrong though.......

I’m surprised more hasn’t been said in favour of the CVT system. It’s the only truly automatic box. Most others try to mimic a manual but the CVT is step less and can also cope with hills which can confuse other boxes.
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I did

I don't think I've ever heard a good word spoken about CVT.

Did you not hear me?

My car is a CVT, revs like an F1 when you accelerate, it's pretty good though.

If it does that then there is something wrong with it!