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Topic: Manual vs Automatic

icequeen40

20/5/2011 at 5:18pm
Location: South Somerset
Outfit: nothing at the moment!

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I own and will be towing a lightweight caravan with a VW Golf Plus 1.9 (105bhp) which is a manual 5sp gearbox. VW do an identical version of my car but with the DSG 6sp gearbox. Anyone know what they are like to tow with and if the manual is preferable to the DSG or are they pretty much of a muchness?

If the DSG is equally as good then I may swap my car as after recent left knee surgery, an auto would be a godsend.

Skoda Bob

20/5/2011 at 6:56pm
Location: None Entered
Outfit: Swift charisma Skoda Scout 4x4

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There is not a lot of difference in the MPG between them and they are both well capable of towing max tow 1400kg

You have also plenty of choices of vehicles as Skoda do them as well and they have a bigger boot area

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/search/used/cars/skoda/postcode/td12ly/radius/1500/keywords/dsg/body-type/hatchback/sort/priceasc/maximum-age/up_to_3_years_old/fuel-type/diesel/engine-size-cars/1-7l_to_1-9l

jeff juke

20/5/2011 at 8:52pm
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Go check with VW if they can deliver if its new your buying as you might get a shock on delivery date..

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Animals have feelings..

JEFF................

icequeen40

20/5/2011 at 9:25pm
Location: South Somerset
Outfit: nothing at the moment!

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Oh it's not new Jeff.

johnjory

20/5/2011 at 9:34pm
Location: Lowestoft Suffolk
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The people we recently bought our Alpine 'van from had the exact Golf you mention (inc DSG) and were very happy with the tow.

We've got a 2005 Octavia 1.9 TDI (105 BHP) with DSG (6 speed) which is identical in respect of running gear to th VW Golf you mention. Our Octavia has covered a faultless 60K miles and tows the 1160KG Alpine 2 no problem. .

Only had autos since mid 1970s and DSG is the best auto gearbox I've ever had.

Gram

20/5/2011 at 9:46pm
Location: Padded Cell
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Can't comment about auto, but re Skoda - I have an Octavia; very good towcar, and as said, VW in all but badge and price!

Gram

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icequeen40

20/5/2011 at 10:24pm
Location: South Somerset
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johnjory thanks for that, very useful. I can feel a car swap coming on

Jax365

24/5/2011 at 10:28am
Location: south cheshire
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I tow my very lightweight micro-caravan 650kg with a 1.6 Nissan Almera auto. However, it's the older version with only 3 gears (sort of) and I find it a bit underpowered - ok though, never let me down even on the high hills. Next car I buy is going to have four auto gears!

I haven't driven a manual for 9 years now as I have a back problem. Love autos though, can't stand 'stirring porridge' all the time!

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karter

25/5/2011 at 9:35am
Location: None Entered
Outfit: Trigano Silver 310 TDE

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I have a Golf GTI with DSG. The DSG is great whether towing or not. Smooth seamless gearshifts, very slightly quicker acceleration than a full manual, and also very slightly more fuel efficient than the manual. Also no risk of burning out the clutches when doing any tricky low speed manoeuvring. And of course you can always choose manual gear selection when you think it might be advisable, such as to put it into a low gear for a long steep descent.

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