automatic or manual

[Dougy1]

Hi Ray

I had a look at the X-Trail before I got the Mazda and I could get into it. The biggest problem for me is the price of the road tax on the 4X4's now and I don't see it getting any better.

I am looking at a Mondeo or Passat but I have read good and bad about both so I am stuck right now for choice.

 

[Barmoor]

Hi Ray

I had a look at the X-Trail before I got the Mazda and I could get into it. The biggest problem for me is the price of the road tax on the 4X4's now and I don't see it getting any better.

I am looking at a Mondeo or Passat but I have read good and bad about both so I am stuck right now for choice.

Dougy, we too are looking for our next motability car. We have found the Hyundi Sante fee 4x4 Diesel automatic. Initial deposit well under

 

[Tapestry]

Hi

Our previous tow car was a Mondeo 1.8l tdi Ghia estate 53 plate manual.It towed our previous caravan a 5 berth Swift Alloutte 1995, really well. Our previous car to the Mondeo was a Passat for the same caravan. The Mondeo estate was a far better tow car.

We still have the Mondeo, I drive it as my car, its a really good car. We changed our caravan to a 6 berth Bretangue, the Mondeo can tow the Bretangue but we felt we needed a bit heavier tow car and the option of 7 seats for kids friends/ family etc, we are a family of 5, hence change of tow car.

We can recommend the Mondeo, having had petrol and diesel cars we now prefer diesel.

Dougy, the Mondeo estate has room for your wheelchair and other holiday gear etc. The height from floor to boot should also be ok. Have a good look at the Mondeo, we have an S Max because we need the option of 7 seats. We would have a mondeo estate diesl again

Annette

 

[B16DGY]

Dougy, we too are looking for our next motability car. We have found the Hyundi Sante fee 4x4 Diesel automatic. Initial deposit well under

 

[B16DGY]

Hi

Our previous tow car was a Mondeo 1.8l tdi Ghia estate 53 plate manual.It towed our previous caravan a 5 berth Swift Alloutte 1995, really well. Our previous car to the Mondeo was a Passat for the same caravan. The Mondeo estate was a far better tow car.

We still have the Mondeo, I drive it as my car, its a really good car. We changed our caravan to a 6 berth Bretangue, the Mondeo can tow the Bretangue but we felt we needed a bit heavier tow car and the option of 7 seats for kids friends/ family etc, we are a family of 5, hence change of tow car.

We can recommend the Mondeo, having had petrol and diesel cars we now prefer diesel.

Dougy, the Mondeo estate has room for your wheelchair and other holiday gear etc. The height from floor to boot should also be ok. Have a good look at the Mondeo, we have an S Max because we need the option of 7 seats. We would have a mondeo estate diesl again

Annette

Many thanks Annette for the information on the Mondeo. The biggest problem I am having is locating one. I would rather have a top of the range model, Ghia X or Titanium but they have either done intergalactic miles or they are sold within a day or so. I am still looking but I have a couple of other cars I am looking at now.

 

[David_374407831]

Interesting comments on the VW DSG box. I'm dithering whether to go for one or stick with the manual with my next purchase. There's no comparison when driving solo - the DSG wins hands down every time & I've not heard any horror stories related to the DSG / towing / reliability. One wonders whether a separate oil cooler might be a sensible precaution - as a conventional auto. Any ideas out there ??

 

[Lutz]

You may even lose warranty coverage if you have an additional oil cooler fitted to a new car.

 

[Guest]

Many automatic gearboxes have an oilcooler fitted as standard especially if the car is younger in age than about 2000'ish. I am not convinced that fitting a supplementary one would have any adverse effect on insurance though as it does nothing to enhance engine performance etc. Kenlow are the experts in this field.

If you are looking at a secondhand car that is automatic and has been a tugger, then check the colour of the trasnmission fluid. It should be bright red. If it is brown then burning has occurred and could be expensive. Also when towing it is sometimes advisable to 'lock down' the transmission a gear to avoid the box hunting up and down and getting hot. When stopped at traffic lights for any length of time switch to neutral again to avoid the box overheating. However some Volvo's do this automatically for you.

As a long time auto tugger I can confirm they are the best way to tow, unless field hopping is your choice of venue.

 

[Heethers]

Towed with both manual with my Shogun that the wife use's, and now have 2.5 v6 Rover 75 club Auto, since towing with this, Auto every time.

Nigel H

 

[Herv]

Towing 1440kg MTPLM with a Passat TDI 170bhp with DSG gearbox - no problem at all. The engine does not get any hotter towing than solo. 25-28mpg towing, 40-45mpg solo.

No problem manoeuvring either, although it can get slightly jerky due to limited clutch slipping.