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Car dilemma. Hoping someone can help!

(64 Posts)
Wiser Tue 26-Sept-23 16:45:23

For 12 years my husband has driven our Volvo automatic diesel car. Due to Ulez it is being scrapped this week. He loves his car but always had a problem since we got it as a two year old car. It has double clutch transmission (dct). Sometimes when going at low speed it judders. Four times coming up to big junctions it has nearly caused an accident. This is something he really wants to avoid. He still prefers automatic.Apparently you can get cars with torque (??) and they may be better. He prefers a petrol car. Any knowledge you might have would be great. I don't drive but am now truly fed up of looking at cars.

Sadie10 Thu 28-Sept-23 16:37:40

Hi I think the lag issue occurs in semi automatic cars (where you can opt to go into manual). You need a fully automatic car. I have a Toyota Yaris automatic and it is fab. You can pull away very quickly at a roundabout or junction. It is 6 years old and petrol and is a dream to drive. It is very spritely and definitely no lagging.

Boolya Thu 28-Sept-23 17:06:27

I drive a self-charging Qashqai. I love it!

rosie1959 Thu 28-Sept-23 17:15:03

Never noticed any lag with my husbands automatic and its eleven years old certainly not ULEZ compliant as its Jag XF but a newer model would be. We will change it eventually but it is in very good condition. It moves away very quickly at junctions and lights but it does have a 3 5ltr engine.

Nanatoone Thu 28-Sept-23 17:43:47

I drive a Honda Civic automatic. It’s the best car I’ve ever had, very responsive and I’ve never noticed any kind of lag and am often first away from the lights. It’s wonderful and it’s petrol driven.

Thisismyname1953 Thu 28-Sept-23 21:20:45

I drive a Toyota CH-R hybrid . It is a 1.8 petrol car with partial electric, self charging. It is also automatic . It drives like a dream . Average mileage is 62 miles per gallon and when driven at 30 mph it can do as many as 99 mpg . I love it but my daughter who was totally against automatic cars loves it too and won’t drive their car unless she absolutely has to .

4allweknow Thu 28-Sept-23 23:30:16

Beibg a caravanner always had a large diesel engine with manual transmission for really good torque. Your DH coukd perhaps benefit from a few driving lessons in whatever newer car you buy to familiarise himself with different systems and receive comments on best practice to get the best out of the vehicle. Not criticising his driving only emphasising that vehicles have changed massively in recent years and do need getting used to.

Mallin Fri 29-Sept-23 01:45:56

I’ve driven one automatic car in the whole of my driving career which is over 60 yrs. I said “never again “ afterwards and have never been tempted.
Mind you, it might have been due to the caravan it was towing.

Katie59 Fri 29-Sept-23 08:27:15

Modern automatics are fine DCTs are manual with a clutch and computer to change gear much more complicated if they go wrong it can be very expensive. They are not favoured S/H

NotSpaghetti Fri 29-Sept-23 09:27:11

My son says his old automatic Mustang convertible did the lag thing.
He uses a lot of hire cars on his (work) travels and says it's the only car he's driven that has ever done it.

I am certain he will not be slow at junctions! 🏎💨

nipsmum Fri 29-Sept-23 11:12:02

I drove a Nissan sunny automatic for years, no problem. I now drive a Mazda automatic that I've had for approx 10 years. Absolutely no problems
I don't know about your problem with your car.. I have never heard of that.

grannysyb Fri 29-Sept-23 11:37:03

I drive an 04 Vauxhall astra automatic, it never lags,very speedy at traffic lights and best of all ULEZ compliant! I would never go back to a manual.

PamelaJ1 Fri 29-Sept-23 13:57:58

Mines a mini, DH has. Renault, both automatic, neither of us has any problem with either. My mini is 13.
Sure it’s not your husbands driving? 😂😂😂

NotSpaghetti Fri 29-Sept-23 22:57:00

Would be interesting to know what you decide to buy, Wiser.