VW up! - VW ASG v smart Softip manual shifting - rmaxibiza

My family and I still have the last two of the four smarts we've owned. It started because my partner's left leg became numb but she still wanted to drive something very small and still change gear. Eventually it's down to our (me, really) still having 2 x toy Roadsters, both tuned. So, we are used to and reasonably content with the manual mode shifting, but we fancy an up! with ASG transmission and are concerned by the horror stories we read in reviews. It's difficult to make out whether we can expect, in manual mode, something the same as in the smarts or something worse. The reviews tend to consider full auto only. Obviously I will test drive one, but we are a long, long way from any dealer...anyone got a first hand opinion? I am a petrolhead, so I don't need and expanation of what an automated manual is vis a vis DSG/PDK/BBKing whatever, just anyone's impression. And to restate, we are not at all interested in driving one in auto mode. Thanks.

VW up! - VW ASG v smart Softip manual shifting - Collos25

By all means test drive an Up,Mii or Citigo but you are in for a big disappointment I have purchased a VW Up BM for a relative its the worst car I have ever seen the paintwork is crap the finish is very poor and all materials are second rate.They are not a patch on Forfours in any respect, look on UK VWup forums for a second opinion but the number with gearbox faults is unbelievable these cars are made down to minimum quality and price in a contract factory in Eastern Europe.The one I bought spends most of its life in a VW agents I have lost count for the number of times its been recovered and if you look in the agents the workshop is full of these things.

VW up! - VW ASG v smart Softip manual shifting - rmaxibiza
Right, thanks. Have you used the ASG in manual, have you driven a softip? It's not clear that you are answering my question exactly! Thanks.
VW up! - VW ASG v smart Softip manual shifting - Collos25

Yes thats what it is an awful vehicle, but you make up your own mind.

VW up! - VW ASG v smart Softip manual shifting - rmaxibiza

I can easily understand your antipathy towards this car, but unfortunately a medical condition really narrows our choice. I am a complete petrolhead with many excellent highpowered cars behind me over a 40 year period - I am completely focused on this single issue, so I am sorry to be completly pedantic.

So you've driven both the smart softip in manual and the Up! ASG in manual, and the Up! ASG in manual mode, and the ASG manual shifts slower, correct?

Thanks.

VW up! - VW ASG v smart Softip manual shifting - rmaxibiza

SORRY (IDIOT-ME) MEANING!

So you've driven both the smart softip in manual and the Up! ASG in manual, and the Up! ASG in manual mode shifts slower, correct?

VW up! - VW ASG v smart Softip manual shifting - Collos25

I have owned both and driven both but please make you own mind up.

VW up! - VW ASG v smart Softip manual shifting - Collos25

I believe the Mitsubishi colt is available with the same gearbox as the Smart they are identical cars under the skin in fact the Smart Forfours were made by Mitsubishi,

VW up! - VW ASG v smart Softip manual shifting - daveyK_UK

collos25

why did you go for the VW Up over the Skoda Citigo? The badge?

VW up! - VW ASG v smart Softip manual shifting - Collos25

Because the VW bm soft touch came from a VW agents 50m from my SIL and the car was for her.Personally the Skoda to me has the better dashboard the piano black on the VW is not very good just my opinion.Plus the VW was cheaper (I get good discount from the VW agents not so from the Skoda agents) and available in the trim she wanted.

Edited by Collos25 on 05/01/2014 at 15:19