Manual Or Automatic

[davewill]

As i posted in a previous thread, i am looking to change my 2002 Manual Gal

 

I am unsure whether to go for an Automatic this time, and just wondered what the concencus of opionion was amongst the "knowledgable" :D

 

I have driven automatics before, and quite like them. My driving at the moment covers around 20k per year, across all types of roads (Motorway, A Roads and Minor roads).

 

I will keep the Diesel version as economy is important to me (it will also be the Mkll version and not the "New Galaxy")

 

I don't tow caravans or trailers

 

It will mostly be me driving, but at weekends its 4 to 5 up with family etc

 

Thanks, and i look forward to your comments

[mumof4]

My pref is manual..I believe the MPG is slightly lower in an auto.Even so..a manual would win hands down for me.Ive never driven an auto so cant comment on them.

[seatkid]

I can understand the attraction of an automatic but consider these points

 

1. Initial purchase price will be higher

 

2. Running costs will be higher - significantly higher fuel consumption (~20% more I reckon) - higher VED and insurance - higher repair bills

 

3. The JATCO box seems to be unreliable/borderline in the Galaxy, you'll not get much for a galaxy with a dead box.

 

4. If buying second hand, can you be sure the previous owner was kind to the box?

 

Maybe the next generation of Sharan will have a DSG box (and a CR engine) - that maybe worth looking at......

[NikpV]

I drive an auto galaxy (not a personal choice - price was a giveaway due to a relation who was i the trade at the time) and I can confirm that fuel conumuption is worse - we get an avere of about 43mpg from ours although SK could probably boost that to 48mpg with careful driving :D

 

It was replaced under warranty with a new *(not refurbished box) after 35K annd although I quite like it it seems to develop a lazy driving style :D its easy on the left foot when stuck in a traffic queue

 

I would not buy another unless the same deal came up again

Edited September 7, 2007 by NikpV

[big_kev]

Automatics much nicer to drive.......why have a dog and bark yourself !

 

Can be expensive if they go wrong, and if buying secondhand you don't know what state its in.

 

Have seen issues with gearbox overheating when towing.....

 

Little difference on economy.....you tend to drive less aggresivly and use less throttle.

The difference in mpg is minimal.

 

Given the choice I would go for an Auto........I currently drive a manual Gal and my last one was an Auto......I made a bad choice there.

[Grumpy]

I love the auto (until it goes wrong of course!)

 

As has already been said, an auto will probably use more fuel and it will cost more to tax. But when you are in a traffic jam on the M25 (yes they do happen sometimes!!) in a manual, you would sell your kids to be in an auto. I find my driving style much more relaxed when driving the Gal, my other car is a manual so I constantly switch between the 2.

 

My first choise would be auto although having said that I do tend to worry when pulling my caravan with it.

[zeplin43]

well guys i have an auto but had a manual before both mk2. I prefer the auto because it is much more confortable to drive in any situation but when the trafic jams come along then it is heaven.The auto does consume more diesel about 1liter/100klms.I do agree with a few points also mentioned abouve but still i think that the auto is the best choise.

[mandychoccy]

I have just got an auto and I love it! I loved the manual one I had previously but I find this one more relaxing to drive. My gearbox has so far been good and it has 144000 on the clock! Mind you having just put the death knell on it it will probably blow up now!

The fuel consumption seems around the same, just slightly less economical maybe. The tax and insurance are the same.

I am glad I went for the auto.

[Emily's dad]

Manual v Auto is a choice only you can really make. Those who like autos will recommend them and those that have never owned or driven one are generally manual fans.

 

At home we've got a auto Alhambra and a manual toyota avensis

My wife and I both use both cars and I have no preference as to which one I drive. The wife much prefers the auto, mainly for the reasons others have outlined, more relaxing drive etc etc. Auto does suit the Alhambra as although you hear people say manuals are more involving to drive a big old MPV is never going to be a "drivers " car down to its size and weight and as we bought ours to ferry the kids around in its perfect.

 

At work our cars are automatics and when you are stuck in traffic they are a godsend, what is your typical journey like ?

 

Any chance of test driving both a manual and auto to see what you like better ?

[phils beast]

Hi all Im new to the site. I have the Auto version of the Gal tdi all I can say is it's great.Fuel its around 40-45mpg It also has the tiptronic 4 speed box so down country lanes where I find a manual version much better you can switch over, you then get the best of both worlds with manual control. We also have a manual car, I have found after driving both and the increasing traffic jams I would have a Auto anyday. No more left leg twitches..

[fedupwithjunk]

We have the auto and trundling in and around town it only averages around 40mpg or lower if the trip is short.

 

But when I drive to work, 25miles on the A47 I get 43mpg on the way there and 50+ mpg on the way home (more downhill)

 

If you drive agressively it'll drop to 35mpg but I have had it well over 50 mpg when driving carefully.

 

BTW I think the tiptronic is 5 speed, well mine is!

[Emily's dad]

BTW I think the tiptronic is 5 speed, well mine is!

 

So's mine, but I never bother with it, stick it in drive and off I go.

[davewill]

I have now had my 1.9tdi Automatic for 8 months, and enjoy driving it much more than the manual

 

I do Midlands to London / Reading on M40 three or four times a month, and find the journey using cruise control where possible very easy

 

My fuel Consumption is 40-45 on a long run and 38 - 40 on short journeys

 

Only down side to Auto over manual is higher road tax due to higher CO2 emissions, and getting more over next few years