Manual or Auto - which do you prefer?

[galloot633]

Originally Posted by 159john

Apologies if this is covering old ground; but why not a geartronic? In a big car I always prefer auto's and currently have an S60 2.4 Geartronic - because I also like having the tiptronic function. I think the geartronic has some serious shortfalls in tiptronic mode; just wondered if your dislike of them ties in with what I see as it's shortfalls.

yes , I'd like to know what he specifically dislikes about the geartronics, hopefully he'll get back to us
dave

[faffi]

My Mondeo had a 5-tronic, which I'm led to believe is the same as the Geartronic.

Dislikes:
- Slow reaction compared to an old style automatic, takes forever to change gear. That goes for normal shifts in general, but kick-down in particular.

- Cannot skip gears in kick-down mode; sit in 5th and stomp on the loud pedal and it's 4th, 3rd and eventually 2nd gear. Old school autoboxes usually jumps directly to the required gear.

- It is actually possible to come to a compete stop and take off again without the box shifting into 1st gear until you've moved 10 yards. Very annoying.

- Inefficient. Consumption in city mode worse than traditional autos and much worse on the motorways compared to trad autos with lock-up.

- More compex due to electronics that also tries to read your driving style - and since I drive either hard or very gentle, but rarely in between, it's constantly confused as in too lazy the odd time I want sport performance - that can lead to failures and certainly more cost over time.

In theory, functionality from the 5-tronic should be superior to the sort of "plain" autoboxes we've had for decades, but in actual use it is inferior in virtually every way IMNSHO.

[159john]

Originally Posted by faffi

My Mondeo had a 5-tronic, which I'm led to believe is the same as the Geartronic.

Dislikes:
- Slow reaction compared to an old style automatic, takes forever to change gear. That goes for normal shifts in general, but kick-down in particular.

- Cannot skip gears in kick-down mode; sit in 5th and stomp on the loud pedal and it's 4th, 3rd and eventually 2nd gear. Old school autoboxes usually jumps directly to the required gear.

- It is actually possible to come to a compete stop and take off again without the box shifting into 1st gear until you've moved 10 yards. Very annoying.

- Inefficient. Consumption in city mode worse than traditional autos and much worse on the motorways compared to trad autos with lock-up.

- More compex due to electronics that also tries to read your driving style - and since I drive either hard or very gentle, but rarely in between, it's constantly confused as in too lazy the odd time I want sport performance - that can lead to failures and certainly more cost over time.

In theory, functionality from the 5-tronic should be superior to the sort of "plain" autoboxes we've had for decades, but in actual use it is inferior in virtually every way IMNSHO.

Doesn't sound like it is the same as Geartronic - my box doesn't display any of those problems. My only real grumble with the Geartronic is that the torque converter won't feed in full torque unless the revs are over 2,500.

[RCR]

I will buy a manual every time I can get one. I will even take a manual in heavy traffic any day however it's getting really hard to find anything with a manual in the States to buy though.

[horsk]

I had 8 Volvos over the years and all have been autos but I will swap my V40 XS auto for a V40 Diesel Manual soon just for the fuel economy.

Will miss the auto in traffic but the attraction of 50 plus to the gallon Verses 25 to 30 will outweigh that.

H

[Chrali]

You don't move your car manually, so why bother changing gear manually

[XC60MY12]

Originally Posted by Chrali

You don't move your car manually, so why bother changing gear manually

Not sure I agree. You have to accelerate and brake. Even with adaptive cruise control you still have to steer (manually) for the time being.

My own preference is still for auto. In my opinion the only reason to opt for a manual is economy. When test driving before ordering my XC60 (still waiting for confirmation of delivery date), I tried both but still came back to the auto. I found that several things came more easily in the auto, notably the electronic handbrake. I know the handbrake is not strictly necessary if the car is in "park" but old habits die hard.

As far as I am concerned anything that helps reduce stress when driving is good, as stress can lead to frustration. I can't wait to have the Driver Support pack. OK you may think it takes away driver control, for example checking mirrors before any change of speed or direction. However if you are paying attention, you will still do that before the car decides to slow down or speed up.

[George Holmer]

Auto every time, although currently I am stuck with a manual. I still remember the first time I drove an auto, it was a revelation and I remember laughing from excitement, almost like the first time I came to England and realised that it was home. A feeling you cannot explain to other people.

[pdrvolvo]

Auto for me everytime.


peter.

[galloot633]

" My only real grumble with the Geartronic is that the torque converter won't feed in full torque unless the revs are over 2,500. "


is there anyway around this , or is it a " feature " we're stuck with ?
dave