manual or auto?

[willsp2007]

hi there i have a terrano 2 2.7 tdi se lwb manual which i upgraded to from a maverick they have always been great and never really let me down
the problem is the mrs can only really drive an auto i was wondering if this would be ok to tow my 1600kg fully laden twin wheel caravan as i heard the autos are not as good towing is this right ? i do like the idea of the lazy driving etc its just ive been offered a 2001 plate 2.7 tdi auto lwb fully loaded at a very good price cheers and thanks for all your help again :thumb2

[lacroupade]

http://www.parkers.co.uk/advice/TowingWeightCalcResult.aspx?Unbraked=True&model=606

As you can see the auto can tow 1700kg braked as against 2800 for the manual.

BUT - in my opinion the auto is a much nicer car to drive, maybe 1-2 mpg heavier on fuel depending on how you drive it but a lot less work! How much are you being quoted for this 51-plate truck and with what mileage?

[willsp2007]

1600 with 92k full service hist, leather elecs etc full spec what do you think?

[lacroupade]

1600 with 92k full service hist, leather elecs etc full spec what do you think?

If you really meant £1600 I'd get down there now and bite his arm off before I jump in my car and buy it out from under you! I'm deadly serious; unless there's hidden trouble, thats a terrific price. Check service history, oil leaks etc...and any possible accident damage, but you clearly know these trucks well already so I don't see an issue.

Just make sure the gear change is smooth (no juddering, especially when it goes into top) and the overdrive works OK (should drop half a cog when you switch it off).

Just an expansion on towing with an auto; my second truck was (is, the wife has it now!) an auto - 160k-odd miles on it now and towed some very heavy stuff without problem and engine still going like a sewing machine.

I always found that if you wanted to get up to speed briskly with a load on, best to do it with overdrive switched off then turn it on again when you're at the right rate of knots - also useful if you want to 'change down' uphill. But as I said, as an all round excellent ride with minimal effort, the auto has it...no rowing the bloody thing along with the gearstick like the manual.

Keep us posted!!

[willsp2007]

yes hes agreed price with me its a part ex at a local garage (i wont till you where but managers a friend) just in process of selling mine tonight mines got 110k on and is still going strong my dads actually buying it as wouldnt really get much for it but its got one owner before me and its trully imacculate sad to see it go but an auto is needed!! it will be my first ever auto so a bit worried and excited as long as it tows the caravan ill be happy

[lacroupade]

yes hes agreed price with me its a part ex at a local garage (i wont till you where but managers a friend) just in process of selling mine tonight mines got 110k on and is still going strong my dads actually buying it as wouldnt really get much for it but its got one owner before me and its trully imacculate sad to see it go but an auto is needed!! it will be my first ever auto so a bit worried and excited as long as it tows the caravan ill be happy

You won't regret it so long as the thing runs well now. Should be at least as, if not quieter than, your current truck...auto gearbox takes a lot of harshness out.

[willsp2007]

have looked through the service history havnt driven as yet ,tomorrow will be driving had a service 1000 miles ago which inc turbo release rise and nut replaced? what is that? would that indicate a problem of some sort? will find out tomorrow