Manual or Auto?

[BigMike]

Hi, We have just sold our Nissan Mistral 2.7 TD Auto, which was ok to tow our 1200kg eldiss caravan on a straight road, but when it came to any kind of incline, it was rubbish, despite holding it in gear, so, we are looking to replace it with a volvo V70 estate, 2.4 petrol, the car has 170 bhp, the question is, Which will be best, auto or manual version? as we no longer want to be embarrased when HGV's overtake us on hills!! thanks in advance, Michael.

 

[ShadySadie]

Auto

 

[Martin24]

We always go for auto but having had a petrol auto we would always stick to diesel,

 

[stevebrookman]

Having just driven back from the Vendee - around 430 miles all in-I'm extremely glad that I've got an auto. Mines an Omega 3.0 estate which does around 20mpg towing-I did look at buying the wife a Volvo D5 but decided to save

 

[xtrailman]

If your priority is power, you need the manual.

 

[Heethers]

Auto all the time and if it has the semi auto included like my Shogun, you can use it has a manuel for hill decents or climbs.

NigelH

 

[ProfJohnL]

If your priority is power, you need the manual.

Hi Ray,

I'm sorry but I cant agree, power has little to do with the type of gear box, it all to do with the engine type and size.

 

[xtrailman]

John l

My conclusion was assuming the same engine size and power (and gears), i would expect transmission losses through the auto box, to rob the car of power and economy.

 

[emmerson2]

That's a common fallacy Ray, along with supposed heavier fuel consumption. Any differences are so small as to be meaningless.

 

[emmerson2]

That's a common fallacy Ray, along with supposed heavier fuel consumption. Any differences are so small as to be meaningless.

 

[xtrailman]

emmerson

There is a difference, in some cases on road tests, 5mpg less for the auto is quoted, usually 3mpg.

 

[SteveW77]

Having had 2 Kia Sorentos, 1. manual & 1. 5 speed auto.

I can safely say that the difference in average fuel consumption was 8 mpg 33mpg manual, 25mpg auto. However, I have recently had an update done on the cruise control which appears to have improved the return. since this has been done I have only use 1 tank full so I am unsure if this was a one off or a permanent change.

Steve W