New cars (9 Viewers)

speedie87

Well-Known Member
whats everyone driving these days?

looking to change car after 10 years and realising there are hardly any manual gearboxes these days. Anyone else bite the bullet and gone auto, and thoughts?.
 

MalcSB

Well-Known Member
whats everyone driving these days?

looking to change car after 10 years and realising there are hardly any manual gearboxes these days. Anyone else bite the bullet and gone auto, and thoughts?.
Auto is the future, in that EVs don’t have gears. I have a 9 speed auto and it is far more relaxing to drive than a manual. My car also has “flappy paddles” behind steering wheel so can change gear manually- only ever use them going down steep hills.
 

Sbarcher

Well-Known Member
Manual Gear box, manual hand brake and proper spare wheel.
Think these essentials (for me) are now a thing of the past.
 

olderskyblue

Well-Known Member
Depends how you want to drive, but I’ve had Auto’s since mid 90’s and wouldn’t go back to manual for my day to day motor. Just makes driving so easy.

if you want the fun of changing gear as well, the flappy paddles are good, although had them on an Audi, played with them for a few days, then forgot all about them.
 

wingy

Well-Known Member
Just make sure brakes are tip top so you don't get buried of back end of the vehicle in front of you, that is the only thing I have to say as a passenger quite frequently.
 

Razzle Dazzle Dean Gordon

Well-Known Member
I've had a Skoda Octavia as my last couple of cars now and would definitely recommend them. The current one is also an auto/dsg (i'm told there's a diffrence but i've no idea) and i wouldn't look to go back to a manual.
 

Ccfcsj

Well-Known Member
I've been with Nissan for a number of years - had a few QashQai's but this time I went for the new Juke. Lovely car but does miss a few minor features of the Qashqai. It is a lovely car to drive though.

I also changed from Manual to Auto after having a test drive in an auto. I don't think I'll ever go back as it makes driving so much more relaxing. It did take a small (and I do mean small) amount of time to get used to the change - left foot kept wanting to get involved and left hand kept wanting to change gears, but I got used to it very quickly.
 

Macca1987

Well-Known Member
Driving a Nissan Qashqui now, always have autos, don't know if it's because I'm lazy or just the ease of use, sometimes have to drive the wifes manual and I hate it. Looked at a Qashqui many many years ago but the back roof sloped down too much and you couldn't really get back passengers in comfortably, now they are perfect for me, 2 up or 4/5 up.
 

wingy

Well-Known Member
I've been with Nissan for a number of years - had a few QashQai's but this time I went for the new Juke. Lovely car but does miss a few minor features of the Qashqai. It is a lovely car to drive though.

I also changed from Manual to Auto after having a test drive in an auto. I don't think I'll ever go back as it makes driving so much more relaxing. It did take a small (and I do mean small) amount of time to get used to the change - left foot kept wanting to get involved and left hand kept wanting to change gears, but I got used to it very quickly.
Keeps it free for coffees etc.
 

We'll_live_and_die

Super Moderator
I have a classic Jag and an EV both Auto. I wouldn't dream of going back to a manual. Auto's a re such an easier driving experience. Especially in traffic where you're not constantly feathering the clutch.
 

Nick

Administrator
I remember the first time I ever drove an auto, it was a range rover on a stand I was working on at a car show back in the day. Nearly blew the fucker up not realising it will roll gently by its self!

At the minute Ive got a manual but not against an auto for the next car, EVs sound nice when you look at a decent tariff and how cheap it can be to charge, It's just the cost up front, how long they might last and getting the charger and everything sorted,

It's not about climate, just cost. I'd happily have a v6!
 

SBAndy

Well-Known Member
I remember the first time I ever drove an auto, it was a range rover on a stand I was working on at a car show back in the day. Nearly blew the fucker up not realising it will roll gently by its self!

At the minute Ive got a manual but not against an auto for the next car, EVs sound nice when you look at a decent tariff and how cheap it can be to charge, It's just the cost up front, how long they might last and getting the charger and everything sorted,

It's not about climate, just cost. I'd happily have a v6!

Similar thoughts on EV. I’ll likely get one as my next car through a work lease scheme but wouldn’t buy one myself. The other half can have my VW Tiguan to replace her Seat Leon. Recently had our first child so the boot space helps.
 

MalcSB

Well-Known Member
I remember the first time I ever drove an auto, it was a range rover on a stand I was working on at a car show back in the day. Nearly blew the fucker up not realising it will roll gently by its self!

At the minute Ive got a manual but not against an auto for the next car, EVs sound nice when you look at a decent tariff and how cheap it can be to charge, It's just the cost up front, how long they might last and getting the charger and everything sorted,

It's not about climate, just cost. I'd happily have a v6!
Look very carefully at cost. Public charging would cost more than a V6, insurance very high but all peanuts compared to rampant depreciation- even if you buy second hand. Charging infrastructure leaves a lot to be desired and just because they show on ZapMap doesn’t mean they will be working.
 

eastwoodsdustman

Well-Known Member
I changed mine earlier this year. Always had Manual Skoda diesels then went to a Seat leon 1.5 petrol manual and loved it. Ran it for 4 1/2 years and over 100k miles without any trouble.
I was avoiding getting an EV for as long as I could but did so on my accountants advice and have to say I love it. I got a Hyundai Ionic 6 and Its the first auto I have had and it makes things so easy. Depreciation isn't an issue for me as I will run it for 5 years and then see where tax/BIC is at the time. Its cheap to charge from home and I can get 290 mile range in the current weather and 325 in the summer when its warmer. Plus its Rapid when you floor it in sport mode :LOL: .
 

Sandgroper Skybluel

Well-Known Member
I have 03 V6 Toyota Hilux been an incredible vehicle one of my mates has just got a brand new Tesla, would happily bet him any amount of money my V6 is still going when his Tesla is no longer working. But yeah personally don't think you can beat Japanese stuff such a Toyota and Honda etc, the cheaper chinese EVs that are flooding the market are frankly laughable. Not a chance in hell they will stand the test of time. Same goes for the new Hyundai's and Kias they make look nice but I'm not sure I'd be trusting them on the mechanical side things.
 

We'll_live_and_die

Super Moderator
I changed mine earlier this year. Always had Manual Skoda diesels then went to a Seat leon 1.5 petrol manual and loved it. Ran it for 4 1/2 years and over 100k miles without any trouble.
I was avoiding getting an EV for as long as I could but did so on my accountants advice and have to say I love it. I got a Hyundai Ionic 6 and Its the first auto I have had and it makes things so easy. Depreciation isn't an issue for me as I will run it for 5 years and then see where tax/BIC is at the time. Its cheap to charge from home and I can get 290 mile range in the current weather and 325 in the summer when its warmer. Plus its Rapid when you floor it in sport mode :LOL: .
I have the Ioniq 5 and wouldn't change it. Hyundai seem to be making nice cars at the moment. Like you say rapid when you floor it, even in eco mode Combustion cars struggle to keep up. I wish I got your range though, I'm more around 200 at this time of the year and 230 in the summer, albeit only the 55kw battery.
 

eastwoodsdustman

Well-Known Member
I have 03 V6 Toyota Hilux been an incredible vehicle one of my mates has just got a brand new Tesla, would happily bet him any amount of money my V6 is still going when his Tesla is no longer working. But yeah personally don't think you can beat Japanese stuff such a Toyota and Honda etc, the cheaper chinese EVs that are flooding the market are frankly laughable. Not a chance in hell they will stand the test of time. Same goes for the new Hyundai's and Kias they make look nice but I'm not sure I'd be trusting them on the mechanical side things.
Being electric there not really too much mechanical stuff on them that can fail. They have a 5 year 100k warranty so must have some confidence that they wont go wrong. Before I got it I looked at Tesla's, VW ID5's and Cupra EV's and the Hyundai was the best by far that I looked at.
 

Sandgroper Skybluel

Well-Known Member
Being electric there not really too much mechanical stuff on them that can fail. They have a 5 year 100k warranty so must have some confidence that they wont go wrong. Before I got it I looked at Tesla's, VW ID5's and Cupra EV's and the Hyundai was the best by far that I looked at.
Understand EVs have a lot less going on mechanically will be interesting to see how long batteries last and cost to replace etc. And how they will be recycled. Just find it disappointing these days that cars have become such a high turn over commodity. Rare folk have the same car for long now I get that's driven by leasing deals and so on. Regardless of how efficient they make fuel/charge economy's, it doesn't seem very sustainable or beneficial if things don't actually work a few years down the line. Just a general annoyance of mine at how most things are pretty much designed to fail after a certain amount of time now.
 

Terry Gibson's perm

Well-Known Member
I have a Renault Megane EV I like the idea of no petrol station visits. It’s a decent car but very pricey we get it on motability so it’s no more than many other cars on there. Only had one problem with it, one day it just stopped at the lights and wouldn’t go again, the garage had it three weeks but couldn’t find the problem, at that time I had a Dacia then I realised I have a decent car in the Renault
 

Covkid1968#

Well-Known Member
Vespa 300, Vespa 150 and a Fiat 500. I like my vehicles like I like my women...Italian and cheap. :)
 

rob9872

Well-Known Member
My last three cars have all been Skoda. Two Octavia's, wife has taken on my last one now, and my current Kodiaq. Loved them all, never given a moments trouble and can't see myself ever having anything different again. Not sexy, not sporty, but reliable, economical tanks!
 

tommydazzle

Well-Known Member
Really enjoy driving my EV (first auto I’ve ever owned). Get paid to charge it via my solar panels. Insurance about the same as my previous ICE car. Have only used public chargers twice just to learn how to use them. Octopus Energy do a cheap rate overnight tariff 7p per kilowatt I think so that’s less than 2p per mile. I certainly wouldn’t buy an EV if I couldn’t charge from home though.

Also enjoy the instant heat now that the weather’s cooling - no need to wait for an engine to heat up. Also the phenomenal acceleration as soon as you hit the pedal.
 
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stay_up_skyblues

Well-Known Member
I have a 330e through work and love it. Only 30 miles on pure electric but the EV element is a bit more than a gimmick as that covers the school run etc.

My first auto and I wouldn’t go back. It does have a manual setting and the flappy paddles but I’ve never used them.

On the back of this experience I wouldn’t be against a full EV in the near future but it would need to shift like this one does ideally. The rub seems to be that public charging is more expensive than petrol now so a proper home charger would be a given.
 

wingy

Well-Known Member
Get used to the upgrades or downgrades bloke on the web reckons it's a subscription or ransom depending on how you look at it, thing's like a dedicated guide to chargers and their availability,other stuff as well?
 

rob9872

Well-Known Member
Currently driving a new Fiat 500 hybrid courtesy car after a woman ran a Red light and T-boned our car (Wife was driving,and is injured), our car is a total loss .... dealing with the constant phone calls etc is a pain in the arse.
Hope she's ok mate
 

nicksar

Well-Known Member
Any idea how it happened, other driver etc?
Luckily for us the man behind the woman who ran the red light had a dash cam and he has been kind enough to supply the footage to us...it was nine seconds after she hit my wife that traffic lights turned green.
Like many on the forum my son is very good with I.T. and supplied the footage to our insurance and the police...
I tried but failed dismally .
 

Houchens Head

Fairly well known member from Malvern
I got myself a new Hyundai Ionic 5 Hybrid two years ago. Best car I've ever had. Last 5 cars over 13 years were (working backwards and all new), Suzuki Vitara, Skoda Yeti, Ford Focus and Citroën Picasso. Worst one ever was the poxy Ford Focus. I'll never have another Ford. Pile of shite! Current Hyundai is fully auto, loads of boys toys and amazing fuel economy. Sadly, they've stopped making that model, so I might have to bite the bullet and go for a full EV, which I'm really trying to avoid! I'll be taking a look at the Ionic 6 I think. Either that or blow my savings on a Lambourgini Revuelto.
 

ovduk78

Well-Known Member
If I didn't have such a long drive to home games my next car would be a classic car from 60s or 70s. I hate all the technology on modern cars & will never have an EV as I'm not convinced they are the green option they are supposed to be
 

Sbarcher

Well-Known Member
Ford Kuga for me. Loads of room for the dog and my fishing tackle.
 

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