Automatic car buy options

Goudy

There are small engine Torque Converter autos, like the Hyundai i10 and Mazda 2.



The trouble that automated manuals ran into was the clutches.
They prematurely wear (compared to a normal manual operated clutch) due to they way they are operated and driven, they just aren't suited to small car, town and city environments that require more frequent changes.



With a manual, owners will in the event of a prolonged stop, select neutral and release the clutch, but would more than likely leave an automatic in gear with their foot on the brake.
With a proper torque convertor, this isn't a problem, but with an automated manual this will wear the clutch, overheat the pressure plate and flywheel causing damage as there is an element of clutch slip still being applied.





Because clutches are wearable parts, no manufacturer warranties a clutch beyond a few months, neither automated or manual, so owners are left with big bills to repair when they wear out.



The prospect of replacing one or both clutches in as little as 15 or 20 thousand miles isn't something owners considered "good value".


They were initially introduced to reduce the overall Co2 output of manufacturers ranges to allow them to comply with emissions regulations (total Co2 of their entire range has to be regulated) as they generally produce less Co2 per mile than traditional torque converters and allow them to release "impressive" mpg figures.


The manufacturers left the customers to foot the bill for their mistakes as they didn't explain the differences between the two and owners treated them as normal autos.


Now manufacturers have realised there's little market for them and they are giving them a bad name, so are now reverting to traditional torque converter autos, though there are many problematic automated manuals still out there on the used market which are best avoided.

Goudy

The 1.2 Dig-t (same 1.2 tce engine in the Renault/Dacia) was originally a problem, though I believe is have been addressed.


The Nissan/Renault 1.6 petrol was never much of a problem.

buglawton

James2k wrote: »

What do you define as big engined..

On holiday last year I had a 1.2L petrol auto and a 2.0 petrol Toyota Corolla (recent Australian model not yet available in UK AFAIK).
It was chalk and cheese, THe 2L car was smooth and controllable with no race-away revving, the 1.2 not very pleasant. Both cars were in the Fiesta/Focus size bracket.

James2k

buglawton wrote: »

On holiday last year I had a 1.2L petrol auto and a 2.0 petrol Toyota Corolla (recent Australian model not yet available in UK AFAIK).
It was chalk and cheese, THe 2L car was smooth and controllable with no race-away revving, the 1.2 not very pleasant. Both cars were in the Fiesta/Focus size bracket.

oh, for me 2l is a small sized engine:)

AnotherJoe

Do you really have 2 buggies or is it a 2-child buggy?

2 child buggies

Fitting that/those in the boot will be your main issue in a small car.
Don't discount the option of a car that is perfect for you except it wont fit your current buggy/ies, then if you can replace them with one(s) that fit, regard it as part of the cost.
Please dont get a diesel, its NOx emissions will be poisoning everyone including your children.

oldagetraveller

Pedant alert! "Constant Velocity". No - continuously variable.
Wherever you searched for your post is incorrect with that.

harshitguptaiitr

Do you really have 2 buggies or is it a 2-child buggy?

2 separate buggies...

hollie.weimeraner

agrinnall wrote: »

That's a gross exaggeration. Somewhere around 2,000 of 600,000 cars have had a problem.

I wouldn't touch an ecoboost engine at all. There are too many failures and when they go it's a £6,000 repair bill. It's like playing Russian roulette.

hollie.weimeraner

buglawton wrote: »

A colleague at the office was waxing lyrical about his recently acquired Nissan Quashqai. His has the birds eye parking aids making tight spaces a doddle. Nissan have refined automatic technology if you believe this review
https://www.topgear.com/car-reviews/nissan/qashqai/16-dci-acenta-5dr-xtronic/road-test
Despite it being a diesel I'd be tempted.
Their petrol turbo engines do not bode well though and I'd avoid any petrol turbo.
https://www.theguardian.com/money/2017/jan/28/nissan-qashqai-engine-failure-mechanical-oil-problems

My son has an auto Quashqai and it's great although it is diesel. Nice quality car but your budget may be prohibitive.


We have a couple of Toyota Hybrids which are great especially the Auris estate.

facade

hollie.weimeraner wrote: »

I wouldn't touch an ecoboost engine at all. There are too many failures and when they go it's a £6,000 repair bill. It's like playing Russian roulette.

Absolutely. 2000 out of 600,000 is a huge number for a failure rate, (especially a £6000 failure, we are not talking about a £50 spring breaking) and remember, there is usually a reason why a car is second hand, so your chances of picking up a problem car are a lot more than the 1 in 300 that it appears to be...