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Automatic or manual - and why?

38K views 73 replies 30 participants last post by  Anonymous 
#1 ·
What did you go for, and why?

I'll probably go the for the manual because I prefer being in control but also it's a damn site cheaper! :? :lol:
 
#3 ·
I went for DSG partly for convenience, but also you have to have DSG for some of the extras like adaptive cruise control bringing the car to a complete stop and traffic jam assist etc. It's incredibly smooth and have no regrets. You can also put the DSG in semi-manual and control gear changes if you really want to be in control, but I've never felt the need!
 
#4 ·
I think it's personal preference and cost. Manual for me. It's only the 1.4 TSI where you can choose gearbox and at nearly £1400 extra would rather spend that on other extras than a DSG.

I also went for the 1.6 TDI which like the 1.0 TSI is only available in manual.

The Ateca isn't available in a big range of gearbox and engine choices so the engine or gearbox you want dictates the other. If you want the 190ps 2.0 TDI you have to have DSG and with the other 2 diesel options available only in manual. It's only the 1.4 TSI where you can choose gearbox.
 
#5 ·
DSG technically isn't really conventional auto it is more robotised manual.

DSG every time for me, you can drive it manually too if you like with the paddle shifts
 
#6 ·
DSG - because I've got better things to do than change gear..... imagine a typical commute.... how many times are you on and off that clutch... auto / dsg (or single speed reduction gear on my ev) all the way!
 
#8 ·
Mine is a Motability carcsoni had a limited range of vehicles to choose from. I wanted 4x4 so the only option at the time was the manual 150BHP diesel.
 
#9 ·
DSG for me too. The manual gearbox is an antiquated old fashioned contraption and no longer relevant in the 21st century in my opinion. If the manufacturers scrapped manual gearboxes altogether they could bring down the price of DSG too. As for the "control" argument on the manual gearbox F1 cars use a semi automated gearbox because its so much faster, I doubt if the drivers would argue that they are not in control.
 
#10 ·
My last 3 cars have had DSG or S-TRONIC so it was a no brainer for me when ordering my Ateca.
 
#11 ·
Coincidentally sprained my left ankle yesterday. So glad I have an automatic :D
 
#12 ·
Mine is an automatic and with the ability to engage manual shift and use the "paddles" there can be no sense of loss of control over which gear you are in. As it's my first automatic it took a wee bit of getting used to but now very glad I went for it.
 
#13 ·
If God had intended you to drive a manual, He would have given you three feet!

Seriously though, the only reason for not having DSG is the price. Any arguments about being more in control in a manual are rubbish. With the 7 speed DSG box with paddles you have far more control than you do in a manual. Incidentally, the VW DSG box changes up faster than an F1 car. It takes 8 milliseconds which equates to 125 changes in one second. It's impossible to even imagine how fast that is.

I have driven manuals most of my life and the occasional drive in an old fashioned 3 speed auto put me off until I recently drove a VW Polo with the DSG box. That was a revelation and one of the main reasons why I exchanged a 10000 mile Leon mk3 for the Ateca.
 
#14 ·
I love my DSG, it's my first automatic and still getting used to it. Auto Hold messes up with me, because when switched off you can release gradually the brakes and that will equate to clutch slip on a manual. However when switched on, this doesn't work and you have to blip the throttle and the the car suddenly starts moving a bit quicker than I would expect and I need to jump on the brakes! I can't just look constantly whether auto hold is on/off and I'm thinking of turning it off constantly and never use it.

Yet, I miss my manual for maneuvering. Using both throttle with one foot and clutch with another gives very fine control where you can apply more throttle to overcome some obstacle and immediately after that release the clutch slightly to disengage that momentum, but also apply brakes if needed. Well, I can't do that on my DSG. Mind you, I used only mi right foot as most people recommend, so I need to switch my right foot between throttle and brake pedal and that is very awkward.
 
#15 ·
DSG for me hands down. We do a lot of around town driving and it's just so much easier. 5 out of my last 6 cars have been either auto or DSG. I doubt I will ever want to go back to manual. The Ateca Is smooth and has great performance. No regrets at all.
 
#16 ·
I almost never use autohold as I find it much easier to use the brakes. In tight manoeuvres the last thing I want is to have to blip the throttle to get it moving. When I am backing out of my drive through the gates, I just take the parking brake off and it just drives it out through the gap without any use of the throttle at all.

The only time I ever use it is on an incline where the "creep" may not be enough to stop it slipping back.
 
#17 ·
With the benefit of hindsight I do now wish I had gone for the DSG, however, like Fred said, it came down to financial decision. I had already exceeded my initial maximum budget by jumping from the SE to the SETech and then to the Xcellence :roll:. The DSG was a push too far. I don't find my manual as good to use as I was expecting. It's doesn't feel very refined. Hopefully that might change with more miles.
 
G
#18 ·
cbcdesign1 said:
The manual gearbox is an antiquated old fashioned contraption and no longer relevant in the 21st century in my opinion.
Well said. Once upon a time, a windscreen wiper was used with a hand crank. I don't think that's a relevant equipment for the 21st century, either. :lol:

In the future, we'll all drive electric cars. They don't have gearbox at all.
 
#19 ·
In truth, I'd get the automatic if I could afford it; after all, my knees aren't great (not age - old sports injury) so jumping on and off that clutch every 2 mins in traffic can be quite aggravating. Plus I think they make for smoother rides over all. If there's a semi-automated feature then that's a bonus and addresses the issue of my liking to be in control. :p
 
#20 ·
cbcdesign1 said:
The manual gearbox is an antiquated old fashioned contraption and no longer relevant in the 21st century in my opinion.
'
In my opinion an automatic is for those who can't use a manual gearbox properly. :lol:

Funny how reading all the above comments, not one person mentions the DSG's low speed jerkiness or hesitating when you put your foot down. Rose-tinted specs me thinks.

The other issue with DSG's is like manuals, they have clutches - two of them actually. And when clutches fail / wear / give problems? It's a bad enough shock to the wallet when a manual clutch wears/fails/gives problems but if you're unlucky enough to experience this with a DSG :eek:
 
#21 ·
I had rose tinted glasses prior to my first DSG car.

I've not experienced the jerkyness in low gears. It does have slight hesitation but because I left foot brake you can lift off the break while applying a throttle creating a point similar to bite and you loose any form of hesitation

I was forced to transition but would now never go back. My wife can drive manual but also had DSG ever since our first exposure.

No rose tinted specs here
 
#23 ·
I have absolutely no problem with any jerkiness having chosen not to use Start stop or Autohold. The car moves away perfectly and immediately when the foot brake is released.
 
#25 ·
DavidP said:
I experience no issues with either autohold or stop / start.
The Autohold and Start Stop combine to produce jerkiness at restarts.
 
#26 ·
DavidP said:
I experience no issues with either autohold or stop / start.
It's not an issue. They both do exactly what they are supposed to and very well. It's just that it's a bit smoother without them.

If you are not stressed about a smooth and quick getaway, it works well enough.
 
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