Will the 2012 Honda Civic be available with a better gearbox than the i-shift we currently have?

Between 1985 and 2008 I had three petrol Honda Accords and covered over 500,000 trouble-free miles. Excellent. In 2008, aged 70, I decided to downsize to a Civic ES I-VTEC S-A 1800cc but after only three...

Driving automatics in stop/start traffic

Please could you comment on this statement on the IAM website as I always assumed you should put an auto into neutral at a standstill to minimise wear. 'When stationary in traffic, even for many minutes,...

Mondeo won't engage gears

I have a 1998 Mondeo V6 Auto. 74,000mls. Clean car with full history. I have owned it for four months and it has been absolutely faultless. However, whilst driving couple of days ago, without any warning...

I'd like to replace my KIA Sorento with a smaller car with a high seating position - is the Skoda Yeti suitable?

I am looking to change my KIA Sorento, bought 15 months ago. I have now had to give up caravanning and am looking for a smaller car with high seating and have looked at the Skoda Yeti which I am very impressed...

Does my Volkswagen Passat DSG have a dual mass flywheel?

I have a Volkswagen Passat diesel with DSG gearbox. I believe that you have suggested that there is less likelihood of damage to a DMF with an automatic gearbox. Does this apply also to a DSG? You have...

A new mid-sized car

Do you know of any forthcoming changes to VAG diesels, such as chain cam and/or less problematic DPF? Are DMFs used on automatics/DSGs by VAG or Hyundai? Will VAG be introducing the more efficient 7-speed...

Focus or Golf?

I'm due to change my motability car and have narrowed down the choice to the new Focus 2.0 Diesel Titanium Powershift and the Golf Match 1.6 diesel DSG. Currently have the 2008 Focus 2.0 diesel Powershift,...

Second hand family car

Many thanks for your help on buying my last car. I have a £5k budget and I have no prejudice against any particular car maker; I do however require plenty of interior space and an automatic transmission....

I would like to replace my 2004 Vauxhall Astra automatic - should I get another Astra or try a Honda Jazz?

My current car is an August 2004 1.8 Astra automatic purchased a year later, which I am now considering replacing. My two previous cars were also Astra automatics and I have been well pleased with them....

Which are the best and smoothest of the automatic transmissions currently available?

I would appreciate your opinion on the pros and cons of the automatic transmissions currently available and which you consider to be the smoothest.