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• Ford Focus II (2004 - 2007) - 07 1.8 DMF again and vehicle decision 12 Dec 2009 (Forum)
  I'm waiting to have a test drive in an Octavia. I hope to try a manual, which I understand has a dual mass flywheel, and a DSG automatic, which I have been told does not. I am a bit worried about the DSG gearbox because of my drive, which involves backing out uphill through a 90 degree turn. My current car withits torque converter is fine, but I worry about having to slip the clutch(es) in the DSG or on a DMF car.
• My dad is back to buying a car, so... 6 Aug 2009 (Forum)
  In short, he has decided he wants to change it while the scrappage scheme is in force as his car more than qualifies and he is fearful of more running repairs, but more over, he cant be bothered to think about it anymore and wants a totally hassle-free ownership experience now. So, what to buy? His criteria are: spacious, long warranty, easy to get in and out of, automatic ( proper box not auto-manual ) and comfortable seats. He also wants a boot that can easily fit a wheelchair without folding seats down. His budget with the scrap discount is £10k. the car will only do 5000 miles a year so a diesel isnt worth it but the car will be his until he either dies or gives up driving, then will pass to my mum to fullfill the same role.
• Ford Fusion (USA) - mini road test 14 Sep 2008 (Forum)
  They're very cheap at Hertz (I got mine for approximately $30/day). Spec: 3.0L 221HP V6 6 speed automatic gearbox Sports pack Climate control Cruise control etc. Microsoft Sync with Sirius Satellite Radio I think the Fusion is a USA specific car, but it's broadly equivalent in size to the Mondeo. Cabin is roomy and comfortable with enough cubbyholes and sufficient buttons to keep most people entertained.
• Chrysler PT Cruiser (2000 - ) - Tried one in the USA. 19 Jul 2008 (Forum)
  A 2.4 LTD automatic in a sort of ivory with leather and power seats to be exact. Underpowered dreadful auto transmission, between 17 and 18 mpg (US gallon), no handling to speak of (not needed on US roads in New England from what I saw).
• NIP - who was driving? 11 May 2007 (Forum)
  If my wife does as the NIP suggests and contacts the Camera Processing Unit so they can check if the photographic evidence can be of assistance in identifying the driver, will this automatically lead to the Conditional Offer being voided and therefore a court hearing as the leaflet "Speed and Red Light Detection ............" seems to indicate? Any thoughts on this would be much appreciated ??
• second hand car problem 9 Apr 2007 (Forum)
  I have now had the car back and up and running since the beginning of March. However, this evening the automatic gearbox appears to have given up - it wont go into first gear, and jumps straight into second, no accelleration, and the ems light is on again. Ive looked at the 3 month warranty I bought with the car, and it only covers me for up to 500.00 of work.
• My Almera brakes are worn out already 2 Dec 2006 (Forum)
  The service manager tells me that's not a bad mileage, which is where I start to get suspicious. What do others think should be expected life of brake discs? I know that automatic cars are harder on brakes than manuals, but even I so I always try to drive gently, slowing gradually rather than braking shaply, and generally anticipating the road. So I don't honestly believe that my driving is any harsher on the brakes than an average driver, and probably less so.
• Accord Tourer '06 facelift review 13 Sep 2006 (Forum)
  Other than that, I don't personally find the volume adjustment on the radio to be useful, I still find myself adjusting it. The automatic lights are quite nice, but I overrode them several times. I'm very glad I didn't spend the extra money on the satellite navigation system. It is shiny, but it's not really terribly superior to my TomTom system, and was insistent on diverting around supposed traffic jams even when asked not to.
• B-class - first impressions 27 Mar 2006 (Forum)
  Front passenger seat backrest will fold down (for when I take a dislike to a passenger....). I don't like: - Engine noise - the drone is probably typical of 4-cylinder diesel automatics, but it serves me right for being rude about Mercs as German taxis all these years - this one sounds very like a London taxi when accelerating - Over-complex information display - much more info than I need and harder to get at.
• Finally got Her back behind the wheel! 10 Jun 2004 (Forum)
  With my starting up a business and working on our house, my time was precious enough without having to be the only family taxi as well. About 18 months ago, I muted the idea about getting a small automatic for her. Although she was not keen on the idea she didn't dismiss it outright, then there was another problem - I lost my job. The idea was then shelved. As most of you know, my mother passed away some 3 weeks ago.
• Omega rammed, lessons learned 3 Oct 2003 (Forum)
  Recollection of mantra from my bike days, namely "it doesn't matter how good a driver you are, someone else can still hit you" Lessons: 1. Previously I've doubted HJ on automatic left foot braking, but he has it right, so I'm going to learn left foot braking, or it might be me in the car behind one day. 2. Size does matter. I was in my Omega, he was in a Lexus. Had I been in a small hatchback, I believe I'd have been much worse off. 3.
• Downsizing one car - which and to what? 27 Mar 2022 (Forum)
  Toyota Yaris 1.5 VVT-I hybrid, new model – the wild card.   DB has driven a few automatics and liked them - I’ve never driven an automatic so lessons and practice required.  Would have to feel not too cramped inside. Top of the budget (and some) for a 2020 car but might be worth spending.
• Banger(ish) shopping in Ayrshire 9 Aug 2025 (Forum)
  I do quite like the 1.6 Astra J petrol as a budget family hatch or estate, whether it’s a manual or automatic. They’re a bit dull, but they’re cheap, simple and pretty robust… fingers crossed.
• SEAT Ibiza 1.0 TSI (115) - 20,000 Miles and 17 Months on 3 Jan 2022 (Forum)
  Nice responsive touch screen integrated into the dash. A really nice feature is that you can disable the automatic wipers and have the variable intermittent option instead. So what would I criticise about this car? There is no interior light for the rear seat passengers; the rear of the car really is in darkness.
• Peugeot 307 - 2 litre Petrol (2002) - Engine runs roughly 20 secs after cold start 18 Nov 2021 (Forum)
  Hi, I have a Peugeot 307 (2002) 2 litre petrol automatic.  My problem is as follows. On a cold start (first thing in the morning) motor start fine, after approx 20 secs  the motor then starts to chug as though it is running on 3 cylinders.
• Help me choose a used car please… 11 Aug 2021 (Forum)
  My main requirement is a large enough boot (with the back seats down) to fit 2 bikes, so I have been thinking something like a VW Golf, Ford Focus, Vauxhall Astra. Ideally, I would like a petrol automatic. I have been slightly put off the Focus after reading about the issues with PowerShift. Money isn’t an issue as I have savings and so wouldn't need finance. I know absolutely nothing about cars so would like something that is reliable and low maintenance, but equally I am reluctant to spend unnecessarily on a car that will spend most of its life sitting on the road outside my frontdoor gathering dust and only be used for 2k-3k miles per year.
• Small/mid auto SUV - any recs? 10 Aug 2021 (Forum)
  Big enough for 2 adult sized people (her plus a tall teenager), ideally with space for a 3rd in the back - but not often. Automatic is strongly preferred. Heated seats! (Don't laugh... she really feels the cold, and heated seats make a big difference to her in the winter!) Budget - around about 20k? If I have to spend more to get something which'll be more likely to last, then so be it.
• Kia Ceed Sportswagon - (another) time to change? 21 Jan 2021 (Forum)
  Others have said that the Vauxhall Astra is at fire sale prices, though looking around it only works out about 1,000 pounds cheaper than other makes. The fact that I want a reliable automatic does limit the choice a bit, but quite a number of cars on 66/67 plate car with under 30k miles would cost 10 - 11k which I can afford. For this age of car, the best value remains a KIA as most other makes would only have a couple of months left on the warranty.
• Vauxhall Meriva - Vauxhall Meriva '04 - Failure to start and F code 2 Jan 2017 (Forum)
  I've got a bad feeling that the gearbox is screwed but I'm hoping if anyone has any insight as I'm not use to these automatic/semi-auto cars at all.
• Renault Clio II - Clio 1.2 16v expression toxic fume warning light 18 Nov 2012 (Forum)
   A few weeks ago the Toxic Fume Warning light (is this just another name for the Engine Management Light I've seen mentioned elsewhere?) started flashing again in my automatic 02 Clio 1.2 16V.  It first did this maybe 2 or 3 years ago one cold January morning but after a mile or two of running as if it was on its last legs it was fine and the light went off and stayed off.