HELP!!! Small Automatic Wanted

Citroenmad · Post by **Citroenmad** » 18 Sep 2009, 22:20

Saxo is a decent choice, we had one from 2001 when it was new for 6 years, a 1.1 Desire, it never went wrong, despite havig over 70K miles on when it was traded in. Very nice little car to drive too, if a bit cramped.

I would have suggested a Xsara, but maybe thats not small enough. I remember reading a good article in the Citroenian about someone buying a Xsara automatic, might have been the editor actually. A couple of years back now i think, but they are nice small-medium cars and very good value too.

Chris.

Post by **CitroJim** » 18 Sep 2009, 22:58

DickieG wrote:Not wishing to be a killjoy here Jim but invariably unless your Dad has recent experience of driving an automatic the chances are that he'll find it very difficult to adapt, he'll either go for the clutch and stand the car on its nose and get rear-ended or forget the creep element and crash into whatever is ahead of him.

Those things does worry me Richard, especially in speaking about it to him this evening, he said that just having two pedals meant he had one for each foot. I carefully explained that the left foot is completely redundant when driving an auto and it's dangerous to use both. I also said about the creep.

DickieG wrote: In my experience the term "Old dog new tricks" is most relevant when it comes to driving, once someone is 40+ the time it takes to adapt to a new skill takes significantly longer.

Hey Richard, I'm 10 years older than that and I've taken to an automatic with no problems at all and no problems in switching between an auto and manual. This old dog learned a new trick OK

DickieG wrote:Be very careful with this one is my advice.

I will be Richard and I really do appreciate your wise words

I'm seeing him tomorrow and we'll speak further. I've offered him a drive of my V6 just to see how an automatic feels but he's reluctant. Size of car and size of engine combined is his worry.

If he does proceed, I reckon I'll have to sit with him for a while and do some retraining.

andmcit · Post by **andmcit** » 18 Sep 2009, 23:04

Age is a weird old thing.

I remember not being able to contain my impatience to drive and had my
father sitting in with me teaching me to drive when I was old enough to get
a provisional licence.

Now there's talk about sitting in and teaching your father to drive again!!

I agree you can't take chances mind!

Andrew

Citroenmad · Post by **Citroenmad** » 19 Sep 2009, 00:35

Since i started driving our cars around our house, only on our land, at 11 my dad tought me in a manual - (mainly to save himself putting the cars away i think!). So when we had an auto i thought well, two pedals two feet, so used both feet to park the automatic.

Now i vary between using one foot or two in the auto Xm. Usually when im parking or driving around town i use both, but any other time i usually use one foot. Quite odd i guess but i dont even think about it.

An automatic is much easier to drive, just press and go, im sure it wont take your dad much time to get used to it, so long as he does only use his right foot, or you might be through the windscreen!

Chris.

andmcit · Post by **andmcit** » 19 Sep 2009, 00:45

Over the years regading autos I've regularly heard the addage to 'keep the
left foot tucked under the left pedal - obviously not so the pedal cannot
move but enough to be out of the action leaving the right foor to do all the
work - it sounds obvious to say but as a mantra to get into the habit of
thinking when driving an auto after many manual years it's not a bad
thought to have when getting into the car every time.

I've messed around and hopped from so many cars to the other that the only
thing that generally catches me out aren't the foot pedals but the handbrakes
from a 2CV/GS/XM to the Xantia and non existent CX!!

Andrew

jgra1 · Post by **jgra1** » 19 Sep 2009, 08:42

I only use one foot in the V6, and like everyone this is how I was taught.. its no problem

but in the chevy.. almost always both feet

it really is the only way to drive it especially at the moment.. idleing speeds, a foot operated parkbrake, delayed pickup from the engine and driving position conpsire to require both feet...

jumping between 2 cars, the van and then a bike is ok now

except when refuelling!

I think I use 5 different types of fuel !

citronut · Post by **citronut** » 19 Sep 2009, 09:09

John wrote
"I think I use 5 different types of fuel !"

only five John
and what about your cars/bike/s

TEA HE

regards malcolm

jgra1 · Post by **jgra1** » 19 Sep 2009, 09:52

addo · Post by **addo** » 19 Sep 2009, 10:13

Of course you need both feet - how else can you stall it up?

jgra1 · Post by **jgra1** » 19 Sep 2009, 10:22

KP · Post by KP » 19 Sep 2009, 20:13

Or get it kicking down mid corner to leap out of corners like a scalded cat..

Gregg1100 · Post by **Gregg1100** » 02 Oct 2009, 20:29

Hi Jim,
A Fiat punto has a good auto box-except mine

. The Punto is a tidy little car,- I enjoyed driving mine-with 2 feet being used- nippy and easy to park. The clutch engagement side of the box was a letdown on mine, but not all are iffy. I don't know if Lexia's work on Fiats, but would probably tell me the problem I have on my Punto if they did.
Greg

Gregg1100 · Post by **Gregg1100** » 05 Oct 2009, 22:05

Hi,
I seem to have stopped this thread dead in it's tracks
Greg

Post by **CitroJim** » 06 Oct 2009, 07:16

Gregg1100 wrote:Hi,
I seem to have stopped this thread dead in it's tracks
Greg

Not at all Greg

It's all gone a bit quiet on this front as dad and I have been dealing with more urgent matters recently and the subject of his car has gone into the background a little.

My feeling is that dad will need an auto if he is to continue driving as his legs are giving him some problems, making clutch work a bit tricky for him.

I'm slowly still on the lookout for a nice little auto for him.

citronut · Post by **citronut** » 06 Oct 2009, 07:47

but are you OK Jim
i know you are snowed under with trasfering the forum and every thing elss you are doing at the mow, but you seem fairly qiute and subdued at the mow, and dont seem to be your usual self,

kind regards
malcolm

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