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In search of an automatic

Posted: Sun Aug 06, 2017 1:37 pm
by GTR1400MAN
I wonder if anyone has some ideas/suggestions for me?

Unfortunately an elderly relation was hit from behind at a set off red traffic lights by a big Mercedes van. His little automatic Suzuki Ignis has been written off. Now armed with the small payout from the insurance company, through no fault of his own, he needs to spend a chunk of his money to find a suitable replacement.

His requirement is something like a Citroen C3 Picasso or Fiat 500L, so that he and his wife can "sit up high". They both struggle to get out of a 'normal' hatchback.

I've been searching around and everything 'small', non-prestige, is now a semi-automatic with robot clutch (and pages and pages of stories of mechanical woe on the forums). Buying older with a true automatic box, they are classed as 'dirty' and have astronomical road tax.

Any suggestions for a second hand, small, high, true auto (with torque converter)? Or am I worrying too much about the various flavours of robotic clutches?

Re: In search of an automatic

Posted: Sun Aug 06, 2017 2:21 pm
by crr003
GTR1400MAN wrote:I've been searching around and everything 'small', non-prestige, is now a semi-automatic with robot clutch (and pages and pages of stories of mechanical woe on the forums). Buying older with a true automatic box, they are classed as 'dirty' and have astronomical road tax.

Any suggestions for a second hand, small, high, true auto (with torque converter)? Or am I worrying too much about the various flavours of robotic clutches?

How high? And why torque converter? Toyota Yaris CVT. £30 VED. Bullet proof. I've got a '63 I might sell........... Petrol, not that planet killer diesel crap. Average 43mpg with a motorway run of 75 :shock: One careful owner.......... :lol:

Re: In search of an automatic

Posted: Sun Aug 06, 2017 3:29 pm
by angus
Budget?

Re: In search of an automatic

Posted: Sun Aug 06, 2017 4:11 pm
by GTR1400MAN
crr003 wrote:How high? And why torque converter?

Citroen C3 Picasso or Fiat 500L high. ;)

The driver is used to slush boxes with their smoothness and built in creep and kick down. It was on the job sheet I was given. ;) Driving a CVT is not the same. A different technique that many never 'get' or master. Personally I think they are the future given the way that the manufacturers are cramming more and more gears into conventional automatics and dual clutch 'boxes. How many gears is enough? An infinite number with a CVT! :)

angus wrote:Budget?

£8k. 9 at a push.

That's 6-7K they are having to spend due to a blind, inattentive, white van driver, who wasn't in the least bit concerned. :evil:

Re: In search of an automatic

Posted: Sun Aug 06, 2017 5:06 pm
by crr003
GTR1400MAN wrote:
crr003 wrote:How high? And why torque converter?

Citroen C3 Picasso or Fiat 500L high. ;)

The driver is used to slush boxes with their smoothness and built in creep and kick down. It was on the job sheet I was given. ;) Driving a CVT is not the same. A different technique that many never 'get' or master. Personally I think they are the future given the way that the manufacturers are cramming more and more gears into conventional automatics and dual clutch 'boxes. How many gears is enough? An infinite number with a CVT! :)

Yes I did read that but you can get adaptations to improve getting in and out - a little spinner thing for the seat (not a full blown rotating seat).
CVT is well smooth; it creeps and it's got kickdown - has he tried one or is this the equivalent of "I do Pull Push and you can keep your new fangled malarky"?
How far do they need to go - what about electric? Can't get much easier/smoother than that. Just saw some used ones for your budget.

Re: In search of an automatic

Posted: Sun Aug 06, 2017 5:28 pm
by angus

Re: In search of an automatic

Posted: Sun Aug 06, 2017 5:54 pm
by GTR1400MAN
angus wrote:Renault Modus?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/ ... 500&page=1

or Fiat 500L

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/ ... 500&page=1

These are in Colchester so not far away

Yes, I'd found this nice one too (500L) in Ipswich

http://www.drive24.co.uk/vehicle/details/46200554/srs

But we are back to the original post. Fiat 500L has a robotic clutch on a conventional gearbox and the Renault Modus is 'dirty' with road tax of £240.

Has anyone driven a robotic clutch vehicle or have any views on reliability?

Re: In search of an automatic

Posted: Sun Aug 06, 2017 6:00 pm
by GTR1400MAN
crr003 wrote:Yes I did read that but you can get adaptations to improve getting in and out - a little spinner thing for the seat (not a full blown rotating seat).

It's the getting up "from sitting on the ground", not the spinning. He also likes the view sitting higher when driving.

crr003 wrote:CVT is well smooth; it creeps and it's got kickdown - has he tried one or is this the equivalent of "I do Pull Push and you can keep your new fangled malarky"?

Funny you should say that. Old dog, new tricks and the same goes for the following (though they did have a little Honda with TWO CVT boxes many many years ago.) ;)
crr003 wrote:How far do they need to go - what about electric? Can't get much easier/smoother than that. Just saw some used ones for your budget.

Re: In search of an automatic

Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2017 7:43 am
by sussex2
You say your relatives are elderly.
I wonder if introducing them to modern technology may be a mistake. It may be hard for them to adjust to it.
Would it not be better to buy a 'normal' automatic at a reasonable price and put up with higher road tax.
They have also been used to a small car and newer cars, even the likes of the 500 are big by comparison (hard to see the corners?).
I could suggest something along the lines of a Citroen Nemo Multispace (comes in Peugeot and Fiat versions as well) if they want to sit higher. The cars come with an auto options though what type I'm not sure.

Re: In search of an automatic

Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2017 8:05 am
by GTR1400MAN
sussex2 wrote:You say your relatives are elderly.
I wonder if introducing them to modern technology may be a mistake. It may be hard for them to adjust to it.
Would it not be better to buy a 'normal' automatic at a reasonable price and put up with higher road tax.

That is the conclusion I am coming to. An older (cheaper) 'real automatic'. Different use of their funds.