Used auto or manual

[macp]

Morning all

I have decided on my next used car brand (Saab) but I notice that there are far more autos available than manuals and I am starting to get desperate.Now I dont mind an auto but Im concerned about relaibility particularly as I use it every day and do lots of short journeys.Taking kids to school and commuting to work and back.Having had an auto let go on me in the past I am concerned repair costs too.Thoughts & comments would as always be most welcome.

Thankyou in advance

[djdestiny]

A manual could go wrong too
I had a clutch cable snap on one of my cars years ago, but I don't now worry that every other manual car I buy will have the same failure.

You're being too paranoid

[Buff Mchugelarge]

I'm using an Omega auto to deliver pizzas at the moment. It's fine so far, not particularly economical, but ok.
I believe Saabs use the same boxes and they seem ok.

[anonymous-user]

Had 3 saabs, 2 auto, 1 manual. Won't bother with another manual. Auto always. They're reliable , £30 will get you a gearbox oil flush/change, that is all the maintenance they need. Yeah so you lose a few mpg but it's worth it for the smoothness of the drive. And the auto's all have tiptronic so you can hold gears for overtakes/spirited driving.

[Claudia Skies]

OpulentBob said:

£30 will get you a gearbox oil flush/change,

Not in the UK any time since 1985 it won't!! And forget flushing. What you need is fluid and screen (filter).

If buying a used auto you need to make sure there are specialists who can do a transmission rebuild for a sensible price "just in case" you need it. This means most of the fairly standard transmissions built in high volume.

In contrast there are some cars which are beyond economic repair as soon as they get a significant transmission problem.

[anonymous-user]

Claudia Skies said:

OpulentBob said:

£30 will get you a gearbox oil flush/change,

Not in the UK any time since 1985 it won't!! And forget flushing. What you need is fluid and screen (filter).

If buying a used auto you need to make sure there are specialists who can do a transmission rebuild for a sensible price "just in case" you need it. This means most of the fairly standard transmissions built in high volume.

In contrast there are some cars which are beyond economic repair as soon as they get a significant transmission problem.

Sorry, wrong terminology, but still stands - local saab guy did my box for £30, although it was in with some other works (sump drop etc).

[macp]

djdestiny said:

A manual could go wrong too
I had a clutch cable snap on one of my cars years ago, but I don't now worry that every other manual car I buy will have the same failure.

You're being too paranoid

Your right I was indeed being paranoid and its excellent that people have taken the time to offer up their thoughts & opinions.

The Saab forums also seem generally to consider the auto boxes as strong and so do the saab specialists I have spoken with.