The Doctor wrote:

AndyC lives in Norway Remind me not to go to Norway

 At work
At home

"I can't always believe facts I read on the web" - Charles Dickens

winner by default of the tractor vs caravan race

Quote:

Far from cheap over here Andy C. Fuel duty and tax increase has just hit us hard. Shell near me are now at £1.32 per litre. So manual savings are worth it plus it costs £1500 less to buy in the first place.

Bill Turner wrote:

See the PM on the Andrew Marr show (BBC 1) back tracking on fuel tax regulator. Typical politician.

Bill Turner

There's a suprise

As this thread is about Man V Auto....

What is everyone getting to the gallon??

between 38 and 40 from the Freelander, which I'm happy with.

18 if I'm very lucky with the Audi, which I'm not happy with at all.

twodogs wrote:

between 38 and 40 from the Freelander, which I'm happy with.

Quote:

18 if I'm very lucky with the Audi, which I'm not happy with at all.

What is it, an R8???

weirdfish wrote:

twodogs wrote:

between 38 and 40 from the Freelander, which I'm happy with.

Auto or Manual?

and...

Quote:

18 if I'm very lucky with the Audi, which I'm not happy with at all.

What is it, an R8???

Just what I was wondering??

Mind you I got 18 if I was lucky and 8 if I tonked a Subaru Impreza Prodrive I had!!!!

The Freelander is a manual.

The Audi is a RS6 Avant and I'm looking at changing it.

Diesel today in CH is selling at CHF1.78 / Litre that on current FX is GBP£1.11p Litre.

Auto much better suits the FL2 IMHO - why would anyone want a spirited drive in an FL2?? Its a big lazy (slow) car that deserves to be driven gently along (you get fast good handling cars with manuals for that). As for it reving to much... a laboured engine will use more fuel than one that is not!!!

In terms of the auto, I was always a sceptic of all auto's but they are so good now that it really is not a problem... The auto on the FL2 generally holds the right gear and its kick down is smooth and pretty quick.. It also works very well in the snow (in GGS) as the torque converter will slip probably better than inexperienced clutcher pedeller and you avoid the potential cost of replacing clutches.

As for the cost... no one buys a landrover to be economical

Oh and I get at least 29 combined and nearly 35 on a run - which on 8k miles per year cost me about £15 a month more than a manual... I know what i'd rather  Freelander 2 TD4 Auto, SE, Narvik Black, Alpaca full leather, Rear Headrest Entertainment System, 6 CD, 18 HSE Wheels, Privicy tints

twodogs wrote:

The Audi is a RS6 Avant.

yeah, that'll do it

I had a moment of madness about 5 years ago
and got a TVR Sagaris, the wife went wild

I had to change it as you can't get two kids and
the the dogs in it.

So I went mad again and got the Audi

It cost an arm and a leg to run so I'm thinking of
changing it, are you interested.

My HST FL2 is the first auto I have had and I would never revert to manual again. I tow a caravan and was a bit uncertain about going to auto but I have found it makes the towing experience all the better. No holding the caravan on the clutch and handbrake simply engage drive and its done for you. Also the issue of reversing a caravan - no problems with auto - previous FL1s often filled the cabin with clutch burn smell when attempting to reverse van up the slightest of inclines or on soft ground. Don't forget you have the manual select option on the auto which from an engine braking point of view is needed when towing. In the snow and ice - auto no problems - never felt more confident. Not having that extra pedal and gear shift to worry about possibly helps as you can simply concentrate on the steering and braking when needed bit a whole lot better?
Also need to consider the trade in aspect - speak to any dealer and they will say the upper end FL2's (HSEs and the like) resell best as autos, the manuals do sell but as S & Gs trim levels.

[b]You pays your money its your choice in the end - Good Luck
[/b]

Captain Worm wrote:

its kick down is smooth and pretty quick.

Its hideous. So damn jerky. As for the manual only costing a little more to run, well its cheaper to tax too and £1500 less to buy in the first place.

The manual is a nice smooth change. When accelerating down a slip road in the auto I end up shouting "Change up for gods sake"! We know diesels cant rev but the auto carries on regardless.

TOWING AND OFF ROADING MEANS AUTO IS BEST.

OTHER THAN THAT THE MANUAL TRIUMPHS.

Quote:

no one buys a landrover to be economical

The Doctor wrote:

Auto ownership gets you an FL2. Manual does too but with cash savings too. Unless the above two tasks really matter then other than good old fashioned preference there is NOT a valid argument for choosing the auto.

I agree its down to preference but when I've driven a manual FL2 I cant say its nicer than the auto - it just aint. The clutch pedal is high a spongy and the biting point is sharp - Yes its a bit cheaper and you can choose the gear you want and if need be heal/toe or match the revs to keep it smoother, but without doubt the AUTO is the nicer drive.

maybe the auto's you have driven have 'learn't' bad habbits (I have had a couple of rent cars like this as they are generally driven badly) or perhaps you've just not had time to get used to the FL2 auto as it does need some practice - just like a manual - to get it doing what you want  Freelander 2 TD4 Auto, SE, Narvik Black, Alpaca full leather, Rear Headrest Entertainment System, 6 CD, 18 HSE Wheels, Privicy tints