Message Forums

Quote: Originally posted by langleys on 04/4/2007

---

Even if you do use 1,2,3 manual modes on the gearbox, the power transfer is still the same just that the box will not change out of that gear.  In-fact, some auto boxes will change up if you drive them hard enough just for their own protection.

Thats an old auto box, ours has 6

9 months ago I would have agreed with all the positive points made about autos. I owned one and was about to get another.

I had the worst year of car ownership I have ever had, and it was because of an auto gearbox! They are great when performing correctly, but if something goes wrong you will wish you had a manual!

had an auto once and cost me a lot of money when it blew up,when towing, with an oil cooler fitted as well.ruined a holiday put it that way.

never again, ever.

Quote: Originally posted by jeepster on 04/4/2007

---

They are great when performing correctly, but if something goes wrong you will wish you had a manual!

---

Not at all really, OH would pop it into the dealer and gets it fixed under warranty

next........

I love autos because its easier, thats why I bought the current one, but usually, for me anyway, if I am going to have a problem with a car it is usually the auotmatic gearbox ( including my current car which is presently showing signs of problems with the auto box ).  Generaly with the manual cars I have had something else go wrong or the car sold long before the gerabox has any problems.

I have had one manual car that had a problem with the gearbox and this was easily fixed.  Usually with the auto boxes, the garages will only ever do one thing as its the cheapest option, and that is put a reconditioned box in.  I have never had a problem yet with an auto box which has cost me less than £600.  Its certainly different if you have a warranty but any car I have is generaly out of warranty.  I have been reasonably lucky with cars and don't generally ever have to spend a lot but using my own experiences the majority of problems I have had have been with auto boxes ( but  still live them and always think the next one will be different ).

Its even worse with the newer ones.  The technology is higher so there is a lot more to go wrong.

The comment above 'Not at all, OH would pop it into the dealer and gets it fixed under warranty'.  If a car was stilll under warranty, I would not expect the gearbox to have a problem in that short space of time .

Quote: Originally posted by langleys on 05/4/2007

---

The comment above 'Not at all, OH would pop it into the dealer and gets it fixed under warranty'.  If a car was stilll under warranty, I would not expect the gearbox to have a problem in that short space of time .

---

If the gearbox didn't last the length of the warranty I would be rather concerned about other major components!

Mechanical problems are easily fixed when all you do is pop the car to the main dealer. And to think I did 10 years in mech engineering and all the time it was really just that simple!!

Not at all really, OH would pop it into the dealer and gets it fixed under warranty

next........

very nice too if you are in that fortunate position of being able to do that money no object on a new or nearly new car blah blah blah. im definitely going to get an auto when im so old and knackerd i cant do the clutch anymore but til then ill stick to the manuals ta

Owning both, I much prefer the slush-box (auto) for towing and daily driver. Considerably more relaxing, stopstart traffic is a breeze. I cannot draw a comparison as to the fuel economy (the auto is on a 4.0 v8 and the manual on a 2.5D) however I do know from past experience that for some drivers the difference in economy can be amazing. My partner traded a 1.0 fiesta for my 2.0 merc auto for her commute to work for a while, and used LESS fuel in the auto because she simply has no idea how to use a manual box properly (forever red-lining it or labouring it, never letting it work in the mid of the power band)

There is no less control in the auto with its lockdown facility and I would happily put an auto in my off-roading diesel if it was economically viable. For my particualar makes & models of vehicles the auto has proved the more reliable box for most drivers lasting 200k plus, with the equivalent manuals being nothing more than pieces by 130k

Quote: Originally posted by EJB986 on 04/4/2007

---

Acceleration is better with auto's which amounts to pulling power?

---