Quote: Originally posted by bessie500 on 26/4/2019
I totally get the towing with a auto bit as it’s probably easier just like driving with auto lights and wipers, it’s just another convenience.
They just seem to have extortionate repair bills attached to them and from the limited people who I know that’s got them, reliability seams to be a issue, a big issue
But hey we’re all different
Bessie
I agree with you here Bessie,
It seemed every 'wanna be' auto I looked at was either of a certain age or mileage where it made me wonder if previous owners had gotten rid of the vehicle before the trouble started, hence passing on a big bill to the next owner.
------------- Vans' of the past
1986 Sprite Musketeer. sold
1989 Swift Corvette. sold
1998 Merc Sprinter self build camper. sold
2006 Peugeot, Elddis 100 Sunstyle. sold
2002 Swift Challenger 400. sold
2008 Fiat, Timberland Destiny. sold
2003 Peugeot, Leisuredrive Calypso. sold
2011 Sprite Finesse. current
“it made me wonder if previous owners had gotten rid of the vehicle before the trouble started, hence passing on a big bill to the next owner.”
Trouble is you can say that about any aspect of a second hand car, there is always a reason why they are being sold. Some serious some trivial. Modern cars are complex beasts. I have a Skoda Superb as a company car. The amount of technology in it is both amazing and frightening, it has also been totally reliable I do wonder what it will be like when it is 10years old will it be just too complex to keep on the road?
I suppose another question for you is simply this. You said you wanted an automatic so your OH can drive it. Obviously it is going to be bigger than a Picanto. Will your OH have the confidence to drive it because of the increased size? That’s probably not a question you should answer on a public forum. But maybe you would be better sticking with a manual towcar and a small auto?
Ps Just in case anyone thinks that by make the above comment I am being totally sexist. I would just point out . We have a 3l Touareg as our tow car. It is registered in my OH name and she is quite capable of, and does,using it to tow our 1900kg 8m long caravan. But we are all different.
Quote: Originally posted by bessie500 on 26/4/2019
I totally get the towing with a auto bit as it’s probably easier just like driving with auto lights and wipers, it’s just another convenience.
They just seem to have extortionate repair bills attached to them and from the limited people who I know that’s got them, reliability seams to be a issue, a big issue
But hey we’re all different
Bessie
I agree with you here Bessie,
It seemed every 'wanna be' auto I looked at was either of a certain age or mileage where it made me wonder if previous owners had gotten rid of the vehicle before the trouble started, hence passing on a big bill to the next owner.
An auto gearbox is more reliable than a manual, always have been. I went into the motor trade in 1974, doing my 4 year Motor Vehicle Technology Apprenticeship. I can absolutely assure you that I stripped out far more manual gearboxes than auto boxes.
Yes of course, back in those days there were far more manual boxes than autos, but I moved onto working on fleet vehicles in the early 80s and the whole fleet went Auto due to better reliability.
Manual gearboxes are a totally pointless waste of time, Auto is far superior. The only people who say different.......Don’t, or have never driven one.
I have been driving for 44 years, 30 years manual, I would never go back to manual. As for towing...........Absolutely no comparison, auto every time.
Don’t buy the “auto gearboxes are not as reliable” because it is total rubbish.
Quote:
Most buses and even 40 tonne trucks have automatic gearboxes these days.
Every 'automatic' truck I've driven is actually an automated manual. Yes they work ok in theory (motorways) but have you ever tried to ease a 45ft trailer into a small gap with a clutch that is either in or out, it makes for very jerky manoeuvres, & lots of expletives from the driver about the truck. Whereas having a proper clutch the driver can always 'feather' this somewhat. And when they go wrong as I had one do it was a tow truck. Just glad my employer had to pay the bill
I totally get that Skarla, it's why I don't like autos without a torque converter. I don't drive large trucks but I have driven all sorts of buses and coaches with auto boxes. These tend to have fluid flywheels rather than torque converters. I must admit I don't like automatic buses like they all are today. They tend to have very jerky gearchanges. I prefer the older semi-autos, as you can get a lovely smooth change with those if you do it properly. The older ones that I sometimes drive have pre-select which is good too. I learned back in 1973 on a bus with a crash-box, and I certainly wouldn't want to drive one of those today, especially in traffic! I only drive them for a hobby these days anyway as I'm long since retired.
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Topic: DSG tow cars
