Prompted by your submission I had another look at the Venga.

Now comes with a dual clutch automatic transmission. I see that as a good thing personally. The conventional 4 speed torque converter in my i10 is smooth in use but takes a big toll on emissions and mpg.

They seem to be pushing the SR7. First 3 services for £99 and a grand off.

But it's a 2010 car. One wonders when a replacement is due.

Good NCAP figures and loads of toys on the top models.

Point taken - but was it not a cosmetic facelift though? Correct me if I'm wrong. It's the extra height that appeals here. And it would prob. be the "2" spec. too. But with the new DCT transmission though. Much prefer autos theses days.

The auto is what we would have. That or nothing. If it was half as good to use as the DSG (7 speed) it would be OK. But if it was anything like as bad as the VW ASG, as fitted in the Up/Citigo/Mii then it wouldn't pass muster. It remains to be seen if they would allow an extended drive. Especially as it's a automatic Venga with a new type of transmission in it. A manual Picanto is one thing - this is another. I think they would be likely to suck air through teeth and say there aren't any of those in the system yet sir. However, it won't be straight away. There's a bit longer left on the i10 warranty therefore I'm keen to take advantage of every penny's worth of that before it goes. My relationship with Hyundai in the early days was tenuous, to say the least.

Edited by KB. on 01/02/2016 at 22:24

I readily admit to using a word that can be taken to have a diversity of meanings. My mistake - I used the wrong word.

My relationship (yes, it WAS a relationship) with the Hyundai dealer and then with Hyundai UK in the early days, weeks and months of ownership wasn't as you describe. Agreed, we, ideally, WANT the experience you have been fortunate to have had in your own case. Others are not so lucky.

It would take far too long to indicate the regrettable events in my own case and you probably wouldn't want to hear them (why would you?) but not everyone has the uneventful experience in owning a new car that you have been blessed with. If you HAD then you WOULD want some sort of relationship with the people you've just paid many thousands of pounds to, and who you look to for a degree of responsibility to fix it if problems occur or if they haven't given you the sort of service you reasonably expect.

Edited by KB. on 02/02/2016 at 11:47