Nice automatic box in an affordable car?
Discussion
I have been driving manual for 20 years... I need a break 
Looking for a second hand car with an auto that will fit my needs.
Drove an electric - yeah that's exactly what I need - responsive, real-world acceleration - but I can't afford a new one and don't have a drive or any place to put a charger from my house to where it will be parked.
Read that the ZF-8 is an amazing good old fashioned Torque Converter auto that is really good - but that's for BMW's and above... My budget is £12k, which is about enough for a decent used car.
Which one of those will have a responsive, smooth and not-slow auto box?
Looking for a second hand car with an auto that will fit my needs.
Drove an electric - yeah that's exactly what I need - responsive, real-world acceleration - but I can't afford a new one and don't have a drive or any place to put a charger from my house to where it will be parked.
Read that the ZF-8 is an amazing good old fashioned Torque Converter auto that is really good - but that's for BMW's and above... My budget is £12k, which is about enough for a decent used car.
Which one of those will have a responsive, smooth and not-slow auto box?
- I did test drive a DSG and felt it was "lurchy" and told it's not very fun when it needs repairs.
- Drove an ix35 with an auto and it was SLOWW - although not sure if it's just the box or the engine was a little short for that car
It's worth remembering that there are many different DSG boxes in use even just within VAG, there are dry clutch, wet clutch, 6 speed, 7 speed and various generations within. The 7 speed wet clutch in a C7 A6 is different to the 7 speed wet clutch in a B9 A4 etc.
The Mercedes 9G tronic, ZF8 and DQ380/381 are probably the best gearboxes around and you could just about get into any of them for £12k.
The Mercedes 9G tronic, ZF8 and DQ380/381 are probably the best gearboxes around and you could just about get into any of them for £12k.
also car reviews are so skewed towards the manual. Yeah, I get it, it's more "fun" or whatever.
If my job was to "feel" cars and take them for a spin - sure...
I just had enough fun. I want to reach somewhere with my car, that's all
I guess having the worst engine-gearbox combo in my current car doesn't help.
I got a 2015 Astra 2.0 Diesel, 6-speed.
The engine is alright but needs a very precise gear selection.
The 6-speed is so mushy and clunky and loooong... Can't do anything decisively with that car.
Probably needs a little work but, by now, I am just done with manuals for a little while!
Thanks in advance for your suggestions!
If my job was to "feel" cars and take them for a spin - sure...
I just had enough fun. I want to reach somewhere with my car, that's all
I guess having the worst engine-gearbox combo in my current car doesn't help.
I got a 2015 Astra 2.0 Diesel, 6-speed.
The engine is alright but needs a very precise gear selection.
The 6-speed is so mushy and clunky and loooong... Can't do anything decisively with that car.
Probably needs a little work but, by now, I am just done with manuals for a little while!
Thanks in advance for your suggestions!
Mustey said:
...
Read that the ZF-8 is an amazing good old fashioned Torque Converter auto that is really good - but that's for BMW's and above... My budget is £12k, which is about enough for a decent used car....
A leggy 3-series with the ZF box starts from £5k, so well within budget.Read that the ZF-8 is an amazing good old fashioned Torque Converter auto that is really good - but that's for BMW's and above... My budget is £12k, which is about enough for a decent used car....
Jag XEs also with that same box are from £8500.
Edit - List of vehicles with the ZF box => https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ZF_8HP_transmission
Edited by Truckosaurus on Thursday 26th August 13:10
£12k would just about squeeze you into a W213 Mercedes E220d with the 9G box, I think the C class also but I've not looked into them. There are all manner of ZF8 BMWs within budget, I think you might get a Jaguar XF with the ZF8 within budget, there are a few Audis also (C7 A6 BiTDI, A8) with the same gearbox. For the latest 7 speed wet clutch DSG which is supposed to be excellent you would be looking at a B9 Audi A4 2.0 tdi, a Golf 7.5 (2017 onwards) with 150PS+ or more or a 2017 onwards A3.
I believe there is an Aisin Warner 8-speed torque converter transmission for transverse applications which is found in all sorts of things from about 2015, Volvo, Citroen, Peugeot, Toyota etc. I've no idea if it's any good or what any of these cost these days though. Wiki link
I believe there is an Aisin Warner 8-speed torque converter transmission for transverse applications which is found in all sorts of things from about 2015, Volvo, Citroen, Peugeot, Toyota etc. I've no idea if it's any good or what any of these cost these days though. Wiki link
Thanks for the ideas so far!
I just need to refine: We are two small people and a tiny dog. We barely need a back seat as it is.
So, while the XF and W213 are lovely, I am not sure I should be lugging that extra weight around for nothing (unless they are just simply better than the smaller ones).
Also, not too keen on anything older than 2018. It sounds like luxury-car territory and I am scared of luxury car maintenance.
One thing I hold for my current Astra is that the few things I had to fix on it were like 100-200 pounds and any local garage could get done.
I just need to refine: We are two small people and a tiny dog. We barely need a back seat as it is.
So, while the XF and W213 are lovely, I am not sure I should be lugging that extra weight around for nothing (unless they are just simply better than the smaller ones).
Also, not too keen on anything older than 2018. It sounds like luxury-car territory and I am scared of luxury car maintenance.
One thing I hold for my current Astra is that the few things I had to fix on it were like 100-200 pounds and any local garage could get done.
Another vote for the ZF8 or 9 speed box. These are great reliable box that works smoothly and without hunting (engine) dependant. Even VW are warming to them. Most European brands and some US brand use them
The VW DSG boxes have got a bad name due to the history of issue, having said that you don't see many issues recently maybe things are a lot better now.
In 10 yrs time we might be asking what is a gearbox.
The VW DSG boxes have got a bad name due to the history of issue, having said that you don't see many issues recently maybe things are a lot better now.
In 10 yrs time we might be asking what is a gearbox.
We had a 2.0petrol 2014 Mazda 3 with an auto - intelligent enough to be in the right gear at the right time and nice gear changes.
As others mentioned the BMW box also good - a rental F11 5 series with the 2 litre diesel was the first auto I preferred to a manual.
Also quite liked the subaru CVT when I lived in Australia in the 2.5 Forester we had but not to everyone's taste!
As others mentioned the BMW box also good - a rental F11 5 series with the 2 litre diesel was the first auto I preferred to a manual.
Also quite liked the subaru CVT when I lived in Australia in the 2.5 Forester we had but not to everyone's taste!
If you're looking for hum-drum efficient and easy to drive....
I have to say I've been impressed with the Hyundai Ioniq hybrid for easy miles. Get the Premium or Premium SE trim and you get Android/Apple integration. Active cruise control on all models. 60MPG driven briskly on the motorway, and gearbox is decent for a economy slush box DCT.
I have to say I've been impressed with the Hyundai Ioniq hybrid for easy miles. Get the Premium or Premium SE trim and you get Android/Apple integration. Active cruise control on all models. 60MPG driven briskly on the motorway, and gearbox is decent for a economy slush box DCT.
Mustey said:
Thanks for the ideas so far!
I just need to refine: We are two small people and a tiny dog. We barely need a back seat as it is.
So, while the XF and W213 are lovely, I am not sure I should be lugging that extra weight around for nothing (unless they are just simply better than the smaller ones).
Also, not too keen on anything older than 2018. It sounds like luxury-car territory and I am scared of luxury car maintenance.
One thing I hold for my current Astra is that the few things I had to fix on it were like 100-200 pounds and any local garage could get done.
We got a KIA Xceed with the 7 speed DCT. The box is nothing short of fantastic, totally seamless and smooth. I can't fault it and I can't see how a torque converter type box would be any better. With a 7 year warranty I am not too worried. I kind of have faith in Korean engineering anyway. Servicing is £133 (each) for the first 3 services. Probably still a bit above your budget but worth a consideration.I just need to refine: We are two small people and a tiny dog. We barely need a back seat as it is.
So, while the XF and W213 are lovely, I am not sure I should be lugging that extra weight around for nothing (unless they are just simply better than the smaller ones).
Also, not too keen on anything older than 2018. It sounds like luxury-car territory and I am scared of luxury car maintenance.
One thing I hold for my current Astra is that the few things I had to fix on it were like 100-200 pounds and any local garage could get done.
Our first family automatic box and I just wonder why we waited for so long. We won't go back to manuals for basic road use.
Mustey said:
I heard DCT's are "noisy at motorway speeds"?
Sorry for the "heard" thing - I barely have time to test drive one car. So, I don't know everything, first hand, about all cars
I have never heard ours make any noise at any speed. On the motorway the noise is essentially tyre roar. Sorry for the "heard" thing - I barely have time to test drive one car. So, I don't know everything, first hand, about all cars
If you want reliable, easy automatic motoring with minimal fuel costs you can’t go wrong with a Toyota Auris Hybrid. Whilst the engine noise is a little intrusive under wide open throttle, 99% of the time when mooching around they are as smooth as silk and very quiet. The auto box doesn’t require servicing and they never go wrong.
GR_WILL said:
If you want reliable, easy automatic motoring with minimal fuel costs you can’t go wrong with a Toyota Auris Hybrid. Whilst the engine noise is a little intrusive under wide open throttle, 99% of the time when mooching around they are as smooth as silk and very quiet. The auto box doesn’t require servicing and they never go wrong.
Agreed, but Auris interior is terribly dated before it reverted back to Corolla.Truckosaurus said:
A leggy 3-series with the ZF box starts from £5k, so well within budget.
Jag XEs also with that same box are from £8500.
Edit - List of vehicles with the ZF box => https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ZF_8HP_transmission
Unfortunately COVID has driven up the price of stuff like the 3 Series at that age - anything with a ZF8 seems to be £7k or more now! Jag XEs also with that same box are from £8500.
Edit - List of vehicles with the ZF box => https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ZF_8HP_transmission
Edited by Truckosaurus on Thursday 26th August 13:10
I was after one, but instead got saddled with an E91 with a 6HP. Not nearly as nice as the 8, I have to say
mattyprice4004 said:
Unfortunately COVID has driven up the price of stuff like the 3 Series at that age - anything with a ZF8 seems to be £7k or more now!
I was after one, but instead got saddled with an E91 with a 6HP. Not nearly as nice as the 8, I have to say
But the 6HP is still nicer to drive than a VAG DSG!I was after one, but instead got saddled with an E91 with a 6HP. Not nearly as nice as the 8, I have to say
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