Question from a numpty

[glocko]

We are looking for a car for Mrs Glocko under the motability scheme.
She has Multiple Sclerosis and left sided weakness.
As such, only automatic transmission cars are on the shortlist.
Question is... what is semi-automatic??? we've seen cars with auto clutch etc.
Would these be okay for a person with little strength in left arm or leg??
Thanks guys...and no left hand drive solutions please!!!

[anonymous-user]

There are a number of cars with "geartronic" or such like transmissions which are basically an auto with a manual shift option. I have it on my Volvo. You can drive it as a full auto but can also change manually if you like.

SAAB did a clutchless manual some years ago, I dont know if its that you are referring to. If it is, you still have to change gear, just no clutch.

I would go for a straight auto if I were you.

Paul

>> Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 4th May 14:48

[pmanson]

unrepentant said:

There are a number of cars with "geartronic" or such like transmissions which are basically an auto with a manual shift option. I have it on my Volvo. You can drive it as a full auto but can also change manually if you like. SAAB did a clutchless auto some years ago, I dont know if its that you are referring to. If it is, you still have to change gear, just no clutch. I would go for a straight auto if I were you. Paul

Renault did a clutchless manual as well I think.

[thegreatsoprendo]

Semi automatic is usually where you have paddles and/or steering wheel mounted buttons to change gear, but no clutch pedal. Only semi auto car I've driven personally is the mk3 Toyota MR2. It was fine, but personally I'd opt for the standard manual. However for someone such as your wife where this isn't an option, I'd say something like the semi automatic MR2 would be an excellent option.

From the limited info you've given, it sounds like she should be OK with it. No use of the left leg required, but she would need to use the left hand to operate the paddle/button.

[Plotloss]

So did VW, lots of manufacturers have.

Semi-auto - see Tiptronic, Steptronic etc etc.

[Dave 4000]

glocko said:

We are looking for a car for Mrs Glocko under the motability scheme. She has Multiple Sclerosis and left sided weakness. As such, only automatic transmission cars are on the shortlist. Question is... what is semi-automatic??? we've seen cars with auto clutch etc. Would these be okay for a person with little strength in left arm or leg?? Thanks guys...and no left hand drive solutions please!!!

Semi auto is like the BMW SMG transmission etc. flappy padels on the steering wheel. by BMW on the M3 one side is for up shifts the other for down shifts, on the non M cars it is (was) the same for both paddles, push paddle away for down shifts pull towards you for up shift.

Becareful that the salesman doesn't try and tell that a "Steptronic/Tiptronic/Geartronic" is the same as an SMG, the "Tronic" gearboxs are automatic but with an function that stops it changing automatically, an SMG is a normal gearbox with an automatic clutch.

Cheers

Dave


Edited to say: Bl00dy 'ell you lot are quick

>> Edited by Dave 4000 on Wednesday 4th May 14:52

[Fer]

Citroen do a clutchless manual in the C3 (and probably others). You get flappy paddles and a gear stick.

HTH,
Fer

[Balmoral Green]

unrepentant said:

I would go for a straight auto if I were you.

Seconded.

[JagLover]

unrepentant said:

I would go for a straight auto if I were you. Paul >> Edited by unrepentant on Wednesday 4th May 14:48

Are the semi-automatics not as smooth then?

[chris.mapey]

glocko said:

We are looking for a car for Mrs Glocko under the motability scheme. She has Multiple Sclerosis and left sided weakness. As such, only automatic transmission cars are on the shortlist. Question is... what is semi-automatic??? we've seen cars with auto clutch etc. Would these be okay for a person with little strength in left arm or leg?? Thanks guys...and no left hand drive solutions please!!!

The semi auto debate rumbles on...

I understand (correct me if I'm wrong) that you are enquiring about the old style semi auto gearboxes that were a manual gearstick with no clutch pedal.

I woul not recommend these as you would still have to move the lever during gearchanges as per a manual car.

These are still OK to drive on a class B licence as they have no clutch pedal.

All the other types will have an "Auto" mode, such as the Smart, BMW SMG, etc, that will enable your better half to not worrk about her left side during driving, as there is nothing to do with regard to gearchanges.

The hornet's nest gets opened when you ask the PH massive how good these systems are!!! - in my opinion, most of these are OK 85% of the time, they however frustrate me to hell and back during the 15% of the time I want to drive a manual.

You pays your money & takes your choice...

Hope that helps,

Chris

[pdV6]

Plotloss said:

So did VW, lots of manufacturers have. Semi-auto - see Tiptronic, Steptronic etc etc.

Just don't whatever you do go for an Alfa Selespeed (their version). More problems than a large bag full of problems...

[pdV6]

Dave 4000 said:

BMW on the M3 one side is for up shifts the other for down shifts, on the non M cars it is (was) the same for both paddles, push paddle away for down shifts pull towards you for up shift.

Can't understand why the M's are different - I'd prefer to have the option of using either paddle for shifting either way through the 'box. Plus, to my mind its more intuitive to pull for upshifts and push for downshifts (many stick-style semi-autos reverse this )

[Dave 4000]

pdV6 said:

Dave 4000 said: BMW on the M3 one side is for up shifts the other for down shifts, on the non M cars it is (was) the same for both paddles, push paddle away for down shifts pull towards you for up shift. Can't understand why the M's are different - I'd prefer to have the option of using either paddle for shifting either way through the 'box. Plus, to my mind its more intuitive to pull for upshifts and push for downshifts (many stick-style semi-autos reverse this )

I had the 330 with the flappy padles, the brain behind was Marconi (if i'm correct the same as in the early Fezza 360), when the M3 first came out with the SMG it was a Siemens system, I'd like to think that's the reason for it but it could well be that the non M version would be harder for the numpty to mess up.

[CB-Dave]

if she's a bit of a behind the wheel, don't go for a citroen semi-auto with the paddles, you can't do full throttle shifts which takes all the "pretending you're an F1 driver fun" away"

[glocko]

CB-Dave said:

if she's a bit of a behind the wheel, don't go for a citroen semi-auto with the paddles, you can't do full throttle shifts which takes all the "pretending you're an F1 driver fun" away"

Well she is a bit of a but mind your own business!!! In the car she's a Reggy Molehusband.
She had a look at the Astra sensotronic thingy but Astras are everywhere so she signed up for a Renault Modus auto.
Annoying thing was that so many of the cars available on the Motability scheme are not auto/aircon/leccy windows which is what she needed primarily due to her disability.
Ho hum, she's a happy pixie and thanks for the advice guys.