Automatic Gearboxes

Yazmina

Hi, I'm just about to buy my first automatic and I understand that the gearboxes are more complex and will require more in depth (ie expensive) servicing.  

I've seen two Nissan Jukes, one a 68 with 12k miles and a 19 with 24k miles, both from different branches of the same dealer.  Am I better off going for the 68 with fewer miles as the gearbox will have seen less wear and tear?  Thanks.

Herzlos

a 68 plate with 12k miles seems pretty low, that's under 3k/year. I'd be inclined to go for the 19 plate with the more average mileage.

But you'd be best to go by condition, service history and spec.

Goudy

The Juke 1.6 "Xtronic" is a CVT gearbox and it doesn't have the best reputation.

It's known to suddenly become jerky start slipping and become very noisy due to bearing problems and a rebuild or replacement is very expensive.
I even think there is a law suit in the US over them, but don't take my word for it, have a search around the Nissan forums.

Later cars with the 1.0 DIG-T engine come with Dual Clutch gearboxes and so far seem to be more reliable.
 

Yazmina

Oh dear.  Just had a quick look, and you're right.  Don't want a brand new one though.

I can drive a manual, but hubby can't and we don't need two cars. Any recommendations on automatic small SUVs?  I went for the Juke as it's one of the smallest available.  Currently driving a 1.2 2014 Skoda Fabia.

Yazmina

Goudy said:

The Juke 1.6 "Xtronic" is a CVT gearbox and it doesn't have the best reputation.

It's known to suddenly become jerky start slipping and become very noisy due to bearing problems and a rebuild or replacement is very expensive.
I even think there is a law suit in the US over them, but don't take my word for it, have a search around the Nissan forums.

Later cars with the 1.0 DIG-T engine come with Dual Clutch gearboxes and so far seem to be more reliable.
 

Is the dealer's extended warranty worth paying for to cover this?

Goudy

Warranties are what the dealer wants them to be, there's no certainty they'll cover a gearbox or just blame the driving style if it goes bang.

What about a Seat Arona with the DSG gearbox?
Very early versions of the DSG could be troublesome but later versions tend to be much better.

Seat are part of the VAG group, so same family as your Skoda Fabia but I would say it's a much better car than the horrid Nissan Puke. 

You will also find these DSG, DCT or Dual Clutch auto gearboxes drive much better than CVT's or even old school torque converters.

They tend to feel more connected in gear with less slip for the manual driver but change smooth, super fast and operate just like an auto for the auto driver.

Might mean pushing your budget but a Suzuki Vitara automatic might be worth a look.
They are a bit bigger though.

Stubod

..earlier Suzuki Vitaras have the more traditional "torque converter" auto box  fitted and Suzuki generally have a good reputatin for reliability..??

Goudy

Yes, the 1.6 and 1.4 Boosterjet Vitara engines come with torque converters, but they drive really well.
The later 1.0's I think have an automated manual gearbox (AGS).
I would steer clear of automated manuals, they can drive pretty nasty.

My other half has a 2017 1.6 manual Vitara and it's been bombproof, just needed servicing and tyres. Recently it just had it's first set of front discs and pads.

Again, might be pushing your budget but the Mazda CX-3 is a good car and reliability is very strong. 
I had one on long term loan a few years ago and I'm not generally bothered about SUV's but it drove lovely and was a very nice place to be when sat in it.

lemondrops69

Goudy said:

Warranties are what the dealer wants them to be, there's no certainty they'll cover a gearbox or just blame the driving style if it goes bang.

What about a Seat Arona with the DSG gearbox?
Very early versions of the DSG could be troublesome but later versions tend to be much better.

Seat are part of the VAG group, so same family as your Skoda Fabia but I would say it's a much better car than the horrid Nissan Puke. 

You will also find these DSG, DCT or Dual Clutch auto gearboxes drive much better than CVT's or even old school torque converters.

They tend to feel more connected in gear with less slip for the manual driver but change smooth, super fast and operate just like an auto for the auto driver.

Might mean pushing your budget but a Suzuki Vitara automatic might be worth a look.
They are a bit bigger though.

You will also find these DSG, DCT or Dual Clutch auto gearboxes drive much better than CVT's or even old school torque converters.

I've driven both a lot and I'd take a ZF 8HP over a VAG DSG any day of the week, although i think a TC box works best with a 2l + engine and plenty of BHP

Ibrahim5

So you have a nearly new Skoda Fabia. Is that automatic. Is there a problem with it?

Goudy

lemondrops69 said:

I've driven both a lot and I'd take a ZF 8HP over a VAG DSG any day of the week, although i think a TC box works best with a 2l + engine and plenty of BHP

Yes, as they state they are a manual driver I think they will find a DSG/Dual Clutch drives much better than a CVT or TC.
It will feel far more "in gear", where a CVT can feel/sound a bit mismatched with rpm and road speed and a TC will feel like it's slipping a bit to more than they are used to.

It's wasn't meant to be a sweeping statement, just that one type will likely feel better to them than other types based on their current gearbox.


Older TC's do tend to require a lot of torque to drive them, some newer ones not so much but they still tend to suit larger engines and do increase emissions.