Best used torque converter automatic

[womell]

Hi there,

Hoping the knowledge on this forum can help me out!

I'm looking for recommendations on what used cars still have a traditional torque converter automatic gearbox? I believe I need to look for things like a Vauxhall Agila, Suzuki, Nissan based on old forum posts but looking for some up to date recommendations on what my options are and what is most reliable.

Budget of £10k max and hatchback or similar size.

Looking as my 2003 semi automatic clio is needing to be scrapped and really didn't like the semi automatic gearbox on it hence looking for something more traditional.

Many thanks for your help!

[Olivergt]

Why does it need to be a torque converter auto?

What's wrong with DCT or any other type of Auto?

Any Hybrid Toyota will be an automatic?

[womell]

Olivergt said:

Why does it need to be a torque converter auto?

What's wrong with DCT or any other type of Auto?

Any Hybrid Toyota will be an automatic?

Didn't like the semi automatic on my current car and have heard about so many issues with ford powershift and the like so trying to avoid the new DCT's etc

[mmm-five]

Something like a BMW 1-series with a ZF 6-speed auto?

[TheInternet]

Civic 2012+ has a TC auto.

[SteveR1979]

Isn't the Zf8 in a lot of modern cars?

[bigdom]

mmm-five said:

Something like a BMW 1-series with a ZF 6-speed auto?

Anything 1 series after 2012 will be ZF 8 speed, that's still a TC set-up. The auto gearbox of choice for most premium applications.

We have ZF 6 speed & 8 speed cars, and one is a VW DSG. I'll take the ZF box anyday.

[LeeM135i]

Had a BMW 1 series with the ZF8 and it was lovely, super smooth. Used the same gearbox in a few other cars and there is something special in the BMW program / set up. I have driven a few DCT's which are very on or off compared to the torque converters.

[PlywoodPascal]

bigdom said:

mmm-five said:

Something like a BMW 1-series with a ZF 6-speed auto?

Anything 1 series after 2012 will be ZF 8 speed, that's still a TC set-up. The auto gearbox of choice for most premium applications.

We have ZF 6 speed & 8 speed cars, and one is a VW DSG. I'll take the ZF box anyday.

Apart from the newer fwd 1 series models.

[rosejem]

Mazda use a torque converter auto. Mazda 3 2.0 skyactiv could be an option.

[braddo]

Mazda is a good shout. Minis are all TC autos too I think.

Toyota Hybrids are all CVTs aren't they?

[Master Bean]

Shortening torque converter to TC could be confusing as so could twin clutch.

[oakdale]

The Kia Venga and Hyundai IX20 both have torque converter gearboxes and are good cars, the early ones were 4 speed and a bit thirsty but from around 2016 on are six speed and better on fuel.

I think some late 2015 ones were 6 speed but you'd need to make sure, even a 2016 car could be 4 speed if it was old stock when sold.

[ZX10R NIN]

Astra Elite Nav:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311163...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202312204...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202312154...

Mazda3 Sport Nav:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311234...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202312124...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311224...

Might be to big, Infiniti Q50:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311033...

IS250 Luxury:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202311204...

[M4cruiser]

If you're looking for similar size to the Clio then try a Mazda 2.

I totally get the desire for a torque-converter. I've tried the others and I agree Torque convertor is the best.

Of the others mentioned above, the Yaris Hybrid could do the job, but the move-off feel just isn't like a torque converter.

[biggbn]

Kia C'eed...just pick the wrapper and the engine. Dad's on his second, good box.

[oakdale]

Suzuki Swift is another car with a proper auto box, earlier models 4 speed, later ones 6 speed.

[oakdale]

biggbn said:

Kia C'eed...just pick the wrapper and the engine. Dad's on his second, good box.

Early models were torque converter boxes but not later models, if remember correctly, when the later shape came out in 2012 they had a proper 6 speed auto for a short period but then changed to dual clutch in 2013/14.

[biggbn]

oakdale said:

biggbn said:

Kia C'eed...just pick the wrapper and the engine. Dad's on his second, good box.

Early models were torque converter boxes but not later models, if remember correctly, when the later shape came out in 2012 they had a proper 6 speed auto for a short period but then changed to dual clutch in 2013/14.

My dad's is torque convertor and it's a much later model than that I'm sure. His is a diesel, dunno if that makes a difference? Old duffer might be driving a dual clutch but he always tells me it's a seven or eight speed torque comvertor?

Edit...dct only available on 1.6 petrol models.

Edited by biggbn on Thursday 21st December 21:34

Edited by biggbn on Thursday 21st December 21:37

[oakdale]

biggbn said:

oakdale said:

biggbn said:

Kia C'eed...just pick the wrapper and the engine. Dad's on his second, good box.

Early models were torque converter boxes but not later models, if remember correctly, when the later shape came out in 2012 they had a proper 6 speed auto for a short period but then changed to dual clutch in 2013/14.

My dad's is torque convertor and it's a much later model than that I'm sure. His is a diesel, dunno if that makes a difference? Old duffer might be driving a dual clutch but he always tells me it's a seven or eight speed torque comvertor?

Edit...dct only available on 1.6 petrol models.

Edited by biggbn on Thursday 21st December 21:34

Edited by biggbn on Thursday 21st December 21:37

if his car is 7 speed it's definitely a DCT, they fitted a 6 speed DCT in 2014 and then later on a 7 speed DTC.

ETA, I think there were some 6 speed torque converter boxes for a short while as well as a 6 speed DCT after the shape changed but I'm not 100% sure but I am sure all 7 speeds are DCT.

Edited by oakdale on Thursday 21st December 22:26