Downgrading from V8 - what to get?

[draculr]

Man, you are making ME sad lol. And I still have my V8

Haha! Well it's all done lads. Got a little silver golf on the driveway now instead of a big black mean SS. Will take some time to get used to it I think.

[BLACK 346]

Haha! Well it's all done lads. Got a little silver golf on the driveway now instead of a big black mean SS. Will take some time to get used to it I think.

Nice one, how about some photos? When you stop driving it of course lol.

[Brendan]

It's a change - I had a huge leap from my '99 VTII SS to my wife's '14 Accent - I actually enjoy driving the fart car in traffic, and it just works, bugger all gas.

We only need one car at the moment so the SS only really comes out when I need to tow the trailer.

Being a 99 it isn't worth anything, but when my wife starts driving and we need 2 cars I'm pretty much decided on the Forester 2.5i-S next.

[draculr]

Nice one, how about some photos? When you stop driving it of course lol.

Here it is! It's just the base model with DSG and metallic paint. Noticeably smaller than the commodore on my driveway. Went silver because after owning two black cars I wanted something easy.

[BLACK 346]

Here it is! It's just the base model with DSG and metallic paint. Noticeably smaller than the commodore on my driveway. Went silver because after owning two black cars I wanted something easy.

Looks fantastic mate. I too could never see myself owning a silver car after loving and having so many black cars. Now my Calais is Silver, the daughters Golf is White and the Wifes Captiva is the only surviving BLACK car. Can't wait for her to get sick of BLACK lol.

[draculr]

Looks fantastic mate. I too could never see myself owning a silver car after loving and having so many black cars. Now my Calais is Silver, the daughters Golf is White and the Wifes Captiva is the only surviving BLACK car. Can't wait for her to get sick of BLACK lol.

It already looks like it'll be so easy to keep clean

I went on a night drive tonight and discovered sports mode on the transmission. It now shifts at the exact shift points I would in a manual car. It's no V8 (especially when it comes to highway overtaking maneuvers) but it definitely does not feel like a slow car. It shifts so much faster than I ever could :P

I can see why people who never have driven a manual would feel uneasy with this DSG. As an example: you feel it downshifting through each gear as you come to a stop. To me that feels great but someone who is used to torque converter automatics might think something is wrong.

Now I just hope the DSG holds up for a few years! I'll definitely make sure i'm not riding the clutch or doing anything else I wouldn't do to a manual transmission.

[BLACK 346]

It already looks like it'll be so easy to keep clean

I went on a night drive tonight and discovered sports mode on the transmission. It now shifts at the exact shift points I would in a manual car. It's no V8 (especially when it comes to highway overtaking maneuvers) but it definitely does not feel like a slow car. It shifts so much faster than I ever could :P

I can see why people who never have driven a manual would feel uneasy with this DSG. As an example: you feel it downshifting through each gear as you come to a stop. To me that feels great but someone who is used to torque converter automatics might think something is wrong.

Now I just hope the DSG holds up for a few years! I'll definitely make sure i'm not riding the clutch or doing anything else I wouldn't do to a manual transmission.

Best thing about the DSG is that even in Manual mode it will shift for you if you don't

[Smitty]

Best thing about the DSG is that even in Manual mode it will shift for you if you don't

.. the funny thing is AUDI and VW have announced they are moving away from this (to a normal 8 speed auto)

As the press release said -
Originally developed for performance cars such as the TT, Volkswagen Golf R32 and Bugatti Veyron,
the technology is gradually being withdrawn from high-torque machines in favour of smoother and more reliable torque converter transmissions.

.. curious that


DRIVE, in picking up the press release also commented :
"Volkswagen and Audi have had a slightly bumpy road with dual-clutch transmissions, recalling thousands of cars equipped with a dry-clutch seven-speed auto "

[redvxr8clubby]

.. the funny thing is AUDI and VW have announced they are moving away from this (to a normal 8 speed auto)

As the press release said -
Originally developed for performance cars such as the TT, Volkswagen Golf R32 and Bugatti Veyron,
the technology is gradually being withdrawn from high-torque machines in favour of smoother and more reliable torque converter transmissions.

.. curious that


DRIVE, in picking up the press release also commented :
"Volkswagen and Audi have had a slightly bumpy road with dual-clutch transmissions, recalling thousands of cars equipped with a dry-clutch seven-speed auto "

Personally I would have no confidence buying a DSG VW or a Ford Fiesta/ Focus with Powershift transmission and also Holden Cruze auto. If I wanted to buy a small auto I just wouldn't have any confidence buying HoldenCruze, Ford or VW, they all have bad reputation. I have a Fiesta 2012 manual myself with no problems (64,000Km so far) but auto is a different proposition in these cars. Hopefully for the OP VW have got their problems with these transmissions sorted now. My sister inlaw has an EOS diesel auto 2010 and they don't seem to have the same issues.

Edit - just adding road tests always have the Golf as the best hatch in this class, and a road test I read (probably Wheels) said something like with the Golf you are buying refinement at a very good value purchase price, but think of the higher servicing costs than other brands as paying for that refinement and quality by instalments rather than in purchase price alone.

[Hi Octane]

I love the DSG box.

[BLACK 346]

I can see why people who never have driven a manual would feel uneasy with this DSG. As an example: you feel it downshifting through each gear as you come to a stop. To me that feels great but someone who is used to torque converter automatics might think something is wrong.

I was just rereading this and was wondering what you mean about feeling it downshift? Do you mean in sports mode? If I drive ours in normal mode it is like a one speed gearbox ie no perceptible indication of changes except for the display in the dash. Sports and manual modes are far more aggressive.

[Angeldust]

If it was me, I wouldn't have sold the V8, just de-registered it and leave it in the garage.

Im soon to buy an eco daily as well, but I will never be selling my v8. These are the last of an era. While there will be plenty on the 2nd and market for a while, in 20 years time you may be kicking yourself....

[redvxr8clubby]

If it was me, I wouldn't have sold the V8, just de-registered it and leave it in the garage.

Im soon to buy an eco daily as well, but I will never be selling my v8. These are the last of an era. While there will be plenty on the 2nd and market for a while, in 20 years time you may be kicking yourself....

In 20 years time I'll be lucky if I'm still kicking.