I think these posts are convincing me that my next car will be an automatic. Fed up with the constant gear changes needed when stuck in traffic.
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it looks like a great vehicle! I wish you many happy miles 
Automatic is definitely the way to go! Especially as we get older 
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Hi DK 
Just got outta jail! 
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How are you enjoying your new car,Caricature?
I read you’ve been out in it quite a bit, do you prefer it to your last car?
Its on par if not better because its brand new,
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I’d recommend an auto now.
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Looks a lovely car, caricature. Congrats and have fun with it. I wouldn’t mind white either especially as a bi-tone colour with black. Very stylish. I’d have liked that, too, but there was no option.
Nothing beats an auto, I agree. Been enjoying it and the new car as well. One thing I realised after having had it for three months is that I need to keep an eye on the 12 V starter battery. Because I don’t drive enough it gets empty after a while so that I’ve had to recharge it twice since. On one occasion I couldn’t start the engine at all and had it started with a booster that a neighbour lent me and which I bought afterwards. That battery seems to be in need of constant attention which actually is a shame because I also have that traction battery in my hybrid. I’ve learnt that after having booster-started the car I don’t need to drive around for, say, half an hour to recharge the battery, what I did, but it does it while standing. Unfortunately, it doesn’t do that before the starter battery gets empty.
Too many features like the constantly alert keyless entry system, e-call and the like seem to suck the battery empty while the car is parked. I found a way of deactivating it but am not sure if there’s a noticeable effect.
Just keep us posted.
Nice car Caricature…I agree once you have owned an automatic you would never go back to a manual drive…whats not to like you just point the car in the direction you want to go in till you get there 
Well, I’ve gone and done it now. I’ve arranged to test an automatic car next Wednesday - an MG ZS. They’ve got good reviews from all quarters, and if I decide to buy one, more than likely it will be my last ever car…
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Let us know how you get on .
Motorway driving was a breeze, got 48 to the gallon , 70 mph at 2100 revs , nice and relaxing.
I’m pleased with it, like I’ve said we went up to the daughters in Lichfield, its got stop start on it , simple to use on this car, I put it in Neutral , handbrake on, soon as lights change or the queue starts to move foot on break engage drive, car starts and away we go . Reversing camera take a bit of getting used to, I’ve driven for over 40 yrs without the help, but I must say I’m getting to like it. lane assist on motorways is fine, overall I like it.
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That’s interesting. I read in my instructions not to use Neutral but to stay on Drive at traffic lights with the foot on the break. Alternatively, to use automatic hold which is automatically released when driving off again. The same applies to the handbreak which is automatically applied and released. The vehicle is always secured from rolling back.
I had a reversing camera in my previous car. Now I have one or more front cameras as well which I find useful when parking the car head-on and close to the wall in the garage. It makes the car automatically break at the last moment to prevent collision, something I haven’t told my wife yet. 
I’m curious how long your battery works if you don’t drive too often.
I wondered what you thought of the car Judd and driving an automatic ?
Don’t think he’s been yet, Summer. I asked him the same, and he said it’s not until this Wewdnesday. 
Choice I guess, what’s the point of neutral if not to be used, looking around on youtube, some driving instructors say to put the car in park at the lights, also theres something in the highway code about stationary cars and brake lights.
Law RVLR reg 27
In stationary queues of traffic, drivers should apply the parking brake and, once the following traffic has stopped, take their foot off the footbrake to deactivate the vehicle brake lights. This will minimise glare to road users behind until the traffic moves again.
Probably. I read that there are differences between automatics, especially between older versions and newer ones. Neutral is to be used when the car is being towed. Using Neutral too long is not good for the gearbox. In the cases described I’d also put the car in park.
Not until tomorrow, Julie, then I’ll give my verdict.
Help! I’m slowly being seduced and led towards the dark side.
Had my test drive in the MG 1.1 turbo automatic, and I have to say that I’m impressed. Good level of trim and gadgets (it’s a man thing), nice clear all-round visibility with door pillars not too obtrusive (not like on my Kia Sportage which makes looking left or right at junctions difficult). The car drove very smoothly, with the auto gear changes not noticeable at all. It was difficult not to go through the motions of reaching for the gearstick and pressing the clutch at road junctions and traffic lights mind, no handbrake to speak of either - an extra step on the brake pedal halts the car and prevents it rolling backwards, just needing to press the accelerator to set off going again.
All in all, an enjoyable, smooth, and comfortable ride. Just need to save up some more pennies. The new 1.1 autos are much in demand and so won’t be available until July of this year, giving me a bit of thinking time…
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