Motability car with Torque Converter

Wibbles

I am considering a motability  car - having been entitled to one since being assessed for PIP, 18 months ago - I was given my enhanced rate award for 10 years !!

I currently have a small hatchback that is now over 6 years old but still has only 15,000 miles on the clock  - is an automatic (Torque Converter) and I prefer this to an "automated manual" / CVT / DSG / DCT or any other type of automatic gearbox.

I have tried them all

Motability does not differentiate between automatic gearbox types, To them an Automatic is an Automatic  but it is certainly not !!

Any advice welcome.

OverlyAnxious

There aren't many TC autos left now as I'm sure you've found.  Even fewer available on Motability!

I think the best bet you'll have is the EAT8 gearbox, fitted to many Peugeot, Citroen and Vauxhall cars.  It does depend on engine type as well as model though, so you'd have to check each one.  Would the Peugeot 208 be too small for your needs?

Some Fords have also now gone back to an 8-speed TC gearbox.  Again, depends on model and engine type.

66Mustang

I believe some automatic Minis have a torque converter as well

Have you considered electric?

Wibbles

66Mustang said:

I believe some automatic Minis have a torque converter as well

Have you considered electric?

Yes and decided to avoid EVs because of the difficulty in charging etc

OverlyAnxious

66Mustang said:

I believe some automatic Minis have a torque converter as well

Have you considered electric?

Only the auto JCW as far a I know, which is no longer available on MB.

Wibbles

OverlyAnxious said:

66Mustang said:

I believe some automatic Minis have a torque converter as well

Have you considered electric?

Only the auto JCW as far a I know, which is no longer available on MB.

What about Renaults - they have used TC boxes for many years - do they still ?

My present Suzuki is a superbly smooth, quick changing  6 speed box - but Suzuki changed to CVT a few years ago

poppy123456

I used to have a Peugeot 3008 with an EAT8 auto gearbox and it was very smooth. Very nice to drive too! It was a motability car. 

FedUpandSad

BMW and MINI still use torque converters in almost all of their cars.
Audi does in many too, while the 'EAT8' gearbox in many Peugeot, Citroen, Vauxhall and DS models  also a torque converter.

Can I ask why you don't like about the DCT?
I found that in all situations except lots of stop-starting in traffic they worked perfectly.

OverlyAnxious

Wibbles said:

OverlyAnxious said:

66Mustang said:

I believe some automatic Minis have a torque converter as well

Have you considered electric?

Only the auto JCW as far a I know, which is no longer available on MB.

What about Renaults - they have used TC boxes for many years - do they still ?

Most larger Renaults now use dual-clutch. 

Some of the hybrids (Clio & Captur at least) use a 4 speed clutchless autobox (branded Mulitmode).  It has no torque converter, but also no clutches, and no synchro's either.  It won't drive like a conventional TC, drives a bit more like a CVT where revs don't quite match acceleration.  I've also seen complaints about the gear ratios being too far apart, creating unnecessary engine noise in some situations.

2oldcodgers

Wibbles said:

I am considering a motability  car - having been entitled to one since being assessed for PIP, 18 months ago - I was given my enhanced rate award for 10 years !!

I currently have a small hatchback that is now over 6 years old but still has only 15,000 miles on the clock  - is an automatic (Torque Converter) and I prefer this to an "automated manual" / CVT / DSG / DCT or any other type of automatic gearbox.

I have tried them all

Motability does not differentiate between automatic gearbox types, To them an Automatic is an Automatic  but it is certainly not !!

Any advice welcome.

Call me old fashioned but in my opinion a TC gearbox is far superior to any of the others.
That is the main reason that I went for the Mazda CX5 auto. The whole set up is old school - no turbo and a tc gearbox - just love it.
 

Wibbles

2oldcodgers said:

Wibbles said:

I am considering a motability  car - having been entitled to one since being assessed for PIP, 18 months ago - I was given my enhanced rate award for 10 years !!

I currently have a small hatchback that is now over 6 years old but still has only 15,000 miles on the clock  - is an automatic (Torque Converter) and I prefer this to an "automated manual" / CVT / DSG / DCT or any other type of automatic gearbox.

I have tried them all

Motability does not differentiate between automatic gearbox types, To them an Automatic is an Automatic  but it is certainly not !!

Any advice welcome.

Call me old fashioned but in my opinion a TC gearbox is far superior to any of the others.
That is the main reason that I went for the Mazda CX5 auto. The whole set up is old school - no turbo and a tc gearbox - just love it.
 

That is the reason why I will remain with a TC gearbox as long as possible.

poppy123456

I thought the same but after having a self charging hybrid and seeing the seriously high fuel economy I will never go back. 

Wibbles

poppy123456 said:

I thought the same but after having a self charging hybrid and seeing the seriously high fuel economy I will never go back. 

Do hybrids - when running purely on electricity - use a gearbox? 

noman

All hybrids have automatic gearboxes, which are operated in an almost identical fashion to conventional autos. Some may have an additional mode that raises the power of regenerative braking, increasing the rate at which the car slows when the accelerator is released, and sending more power back to the batteries.

poppy123456

noman said:

All hybrids have automatic gearboxes, which are operated in an almost identical fashion to conventional autos. Some may have an additional mode that raises the power of regenerative braking, increasing the rate at which the car slows when the accelerator is released, and sending more power back to the batteries.

On Toyotas there’s an option to use that feature by switching to “B” mode instead of “D” I never use it personally. 

During warmer months I get about 65mpg. Winter months it drops to about 53mpg. 

Wibbles

So its only pure EV's that don't have a gearbox ?

ie) The harder you press the GO pedal, the faster you go ?

Albus_Scope

My sisters pure EV has a gear button. It's very odd, but seems loads simpler to drive.