Hello! And a car choice question...
Discussion
I’m looking at a car to replace my R55 Mini Clubman Cooper.
I’m planning to use a scheme at work which has an unfortunate 120g/km limit which wipes out an awful lot of cars. I’m not even slightly interested in another turbo diesel. I like a sporty edge to an everyday car - last three have been the current Mini, an Alfa 147 (trouble free and fun - we’ve had many Alfas in the family so not scared of the FUD around them) and an Ibiza Cupra GTi if that helps. I live in the sticks with a fun drive to work and do shifts so I’m often on the road when everyone else is still in bed etc, I rarely need to deal with city traffic. Mountain bike compatibility is important. No kids to worry about.
Right now, I’m considering a new Mini 3dr hatch (Cooper) but the co cap is going to force the 7sp DSG auto. I’m worried by this. The existing Clubman coped with heavy snow just fine on a set of Nokian Weatherproofs. I’m not sure an auto box - especially one that’s trying to outthink me by pulling satnav data for corner predicting etc is going to be an asset in the snow apart from a suspicion it will kill the driving fun. I can verify that last point through a test drive but the snow performance will obviously be a surprise on the day.
The other choice right now seems to be the Leon FR Evo 150. Fewer options but better basic kit, looks like a Spanish dub as Seat’s tend to and seems like it will probably be fine if not quite as engaging as the Mini - but manual. I enjoyed my Cupra (standard apart from Koni struts and springs).
Unsurprisingly the Mini dealer is keener to blow my phone up and I am going to go view both in a few days. Am I right to be worried about the auto box or is this an irrational ‘witchcraft!’ thing?
I’m planning to use a scheme at work which has an unfortunate 120g/km limit which wipes out an awful lot of cars. I’m not even slightly interested in another turbo diesel. I like a sporty edge to an everyday car - last three have been the current Mini, an Alfa 147 (trouble free and fun - we’ve had many Alfas in the family so not scared of the FUD around them) and an Ibiza Cupra GTi if that helps. I live in the sticks with a fun drive to work and do shifts so I’m often on the road when everyone else is still in bed etc, I rarely need to deal with city traffic. Mountain bike compatibility is important. No kids to worry about.
Right now, I’m considering a new Mini 3dr hatch (Cooper) but the co cap is going to force the 7sp DSG auto. I’m worried by this. The existing Clubman coped with heavy snow just fine on a set of Nokian Weatherproofs. I’m not sure an auto box - especially one that’s trying to outthink me by pulling satnav data for corner predicting etc is going to be an asset in the snow apart from a suspicion it will kill the driving fun. I can verify that last point through a test drive but the snow performance will obviously be a surprise on the day.
The other choice right now seems to be the Leon FR Evo 150. Fewer options but better basic kit, looks like a Spanish dub as Seat’s tend to and seems like it will probably be fine if not quite as engaging as the Mini - but manual. I enjoyed my Cupra (standard apart from Koni struts and springs).
Unsurprisingly the Mini dealer is keener to blow my phone up and I am going to go view both in a few days. Am I right to be worried about the auto box or is this an irrational ‘witchcraft!’ thing?
It’s a real question although probably badly phrased.
The Giulietta is an interesting option. I do like and almost bought one when I got the Clubman. Alfa in general aren’t on the company’s list so I’d not bothered to check out CO figures but if correct this is worth a closer look. The company do claim that they’re prepared to look at cars subject to criteria that aren’t currently listed, the list has a lot of 1.0’s and small diesels. Interesting cars are pretty few and far between on it.
Really though, the question I should have asked was, is the dual clutch steptronic going to try to kill me in heavy snow? I don’t have enough experience of slushboxes to answer this myself without buying the car and waiting. Obviously a test drive will answer whether I get on with the auto box in general driving!
The Giulietta is an interesting option. I do like and almost bought one when I got the Clubman. Alfa in general aren’t on the company’s list so I’d not bothered to check out CO figures but if correct this is worth a closer look. The company do claim that they’re prepared to look at cars subject to criteria that aren’t currently listed, the list has a lot of 1.0’s and small diesels. Interesting cars are pretty few and far between on it.
Really though, the question I should have asked was, is the dual clutch steptronic going to try to kill me in heavy snow? I don’t have enough experience of slushboxes to answer this myself without buying the car and waiting. Obviously a test drive will answer whether I get on with the auto box in general driving!
tref_h said:
It’s a real question although probably badly phrased.
The Giulietta is an interesting option. I do like and almost bought one when I got the Clubman. Alfa in general aren’t on the company’s list so I’d not bothered to check out CO figures but if correct this is worth a closer look. The company do claim that they’re prepared to look at cars subject to criteria that aren’t currently listed, the list has a lot of 1.0’s and small diesels. Interesting cars are pretty few and far between on it.
Really though, the question I should have asked was, is the dual clutch steptronic going to try to kill me in heavy snow? I don’t have enough experience of slushboxes to answer this myself without buying the car and waiting. Obviously a test drive will answer whether I get on with the auto box in general driving!
Not at all just remember to turn the traction off if you're talking about heavy snow.The Giulietta is an interesting option. I do like and almost bought one when I got the Clubman. Alfa in general aren’t on the company’s list so I’d not bothered to check out CO figures but if correct this is worth a closer look. The company do claim that they’re prepared to look at cars subject to criteria that aren’t currently listed, the list has a lot of 1.0’s and small diesels. Interesting cars are pretty few and far between on it.
Really though, the question I should have asked was, is the dual clutch steptronic going to try to kill me in heavy snow? I don’t have enough experience of slushboxes to answer this myself without buying the car and waiting. Obviously a test drive will answer whether I get on with the auto box in general driving!
“I don't think an Ibiza GTI is a thing either.”
Guess again. The Cupra Sport GTi was the 8v version of the facelift Mk2 Cupra. It was a cracking little motor. Big on torque, low of headline BHP compared to the 16v and a bit less popular.
Obviously I’ve asked the wrong forum. Thanks for the suggestion on the Giulietta, I’ll delete my account in a bit if all I’m going to get is know it all trolls here.
Guess again. The Cupra Sport GTi was the 8v version of the facelift Mk2 Cupra. It was a cracking little motor. Big on torque, low of headline BHP compared to the 16v and a bit less popular.
Obviously I’ve asked the wrong forum. Thanks for the suggestion on the Giulietta, I’ll delete my account in a bit if all I’m going to get is know it all trolls here.
The Lexus IS300h isn't a bad steer look to see if you can get the F Sport Premium.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
I bought a Cooper S Clubman with the 7 speed DSG box a couple of months ago. I’m not sure it’s clever enough to use satnav fit for its gearchanges, even though we’ve got the ‘Media XL’ pack as well. It is easy enough to use in manual mode if you like, but unless it’s in sport then the gearchanges aren’t as quick as a VW DSG ‘box, IMO. I’d give one a test drive, but I think you’ll miss the manual ‘experience’!
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