Which Gearbox (1 Viewer)

[The Dudess]

Manual, Automatic, Comfortmatic?????

Thinking of buying a new van - Frankia i740 Plus @ 4.5 tonnes, 177hp, 2.3
Husband is convinced he wants a manual gear box, however I am a bit concerned that this may affect the resale value as I believe most people prefer automatic.

Can I have your opinions please.

 

[Doctor Dave]

Manual, Automatic, Comfortmatic?????

Thinking of buying a new van - Frankia i740 Plus @ 4.5 tonnes, 177hp, 2.3
Husband is convinced he wants a manual gear box, however I am a bit concerned that this may affect the resale value as I believe most people prefer automatic.

Can I have your opinions please.

I would think that there are plenty of people who prefer manual and plenty who prefer automatic so IMO resale value won't be affected.


Dave (who prefers automatics)

 

[funflair]

I would say to Husband "try the comfortmatic" and if he doesn't like it go for manual and dont worry about it, when the time comes to sell it will be desirable to somebody else who doesn't want "Auto"

My choice between the current "automated comfortmatic/agile" and manual would be for a manual and I like auto's.

Martin

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[Lenny HB]

I don't think it makes much difference to the saleability although with more autos about now might make it easier to sell in the future.
Our current van is a Comformatic, new van will be, I would never go back to a manual.

 

[canopus]

I believe many go for automatic because distances travelled in a motorhome can be considerable plus driving a manual big bus in heavy town traffic can be tedious. We had never had an automatic before our current van and Im sold on it, effortless driving especially with cruise control. We even changed our car to auto recently.

Regarding re-sale value, personally I don't believe there is any difference to the book price. Some would say a left hooker maybe a bit cheaper here compared to RHD but auto or manual not IMO.

 

[sonny]

I thought husbands were always right


Apart from me that is.

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[The Dudess]

I thought husbands were always right


Apart from me that is.

I guess your wife arrived to look over your shoulder after you'd typed the first sentence.

 

[Kingham]

....
My choice between the current "automated comfortmatic/agile" and manual would be for a manual and I like auto's....

That's my personal view too. I love automatic cars and on paper, the Comfortmatic was a definite option, until I took one for a test drive

Suffice to say that my new van is coming with a manual gearbox.

Many users love them and wouldn't go back to manual gearboxes, but they are not for everyone, so my advice is to test drive one, for as long and far as possible

 

[Clarky]

I was always a 'manual' man, didn't much like autos.........................until I tried a Comformatic.
Wouldn't go back to a manual now.
Not sure about resale value but my gut feeling is that the auto might be more saleable as more people try autos and like them.

Richard.

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[trophychap]

The prices when new are usually more for auto than manual but not certain this is reflected in the resale prices. I wouldn't therefore initially seek an auto box out - but of course if it was the must have vehicle and the only one - at the right price - then I'd consider it. Cruise control is a worthwhile option on manual gearboxes - but only of any great use if you are doing long mileage without needing to change gear eg motorways so you pays yer money and makes yer choice!

 

[nigel smith]

we bought a auto last year great choice4

 

[StitchesnFluff]

Auto or comfortmatic, leaves you to enjoy the travelling more

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[icantremember]

Having had manual motorhomes previously, without a test drive I opted for the Fiat Comfortmatic on our latest vehicle and immediately regretted the decision .... BUT after getting accustomed to the system over the next hundred miles or so I came to appreciate it and now would not go back to a manual box.

I'm now just so pleased I didn't have a test drive before buying because that would have probably only been a few miles and would have put me off Comfortmatic for ever!

I now find the Comfotmatic so relaxing to drive, particularly in stop go traffic, and have no problems with maneuvering at slow speed or putting on ramps.

 

[laird of Dunstan]

As we get older ,a comformatic or auto box is much easier on the old joints ,I've got a comformatic and I really like it

 

[Larrynwin]

Auto/comfortmatic for me too. I have got over the boy racer thing and when in traffic queues changing gear and clutching is a pain.

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[simsy56]

I have had auto's for years, cars and RV's, would never go back to manual. However, I doubt if the resale value would be affected whichever way you go.

Craig

 

[138go]

Bought our Laika from Portsmouth .. Nearly every new MH they had was an Automatic. The Fiat one is great especially round town. Long runs and it is in 6th gear anyway. Just one less thing to think about. First few miles can be good fun. Give yourself plenty of room at roundabouts as they insist on changing into 2nd as soon as you are moving.

 

[tonka]

BUY THE AUTO...

Because if you decide you dont like it I have been looking for one of these used at the right money

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[Saint76]

Have a look at all the Tesco,Waitrose ,Sainsbury ,and Able & Cole home delivery vans all being switched over to Iveco Automatics on the 3500Kg Chassis and the 7.2Kg Chassis better emissions and better fuel economy as the gear boxes are now computer controlled and change gear effortlessly all in line with the engine management systems.
I am not an expert in this field but that was how it was explained to me.
Ask yourself way all HGV's (may not be current terminology) powered in this way large Auto boxes linked to the engine management system.
I have an Auto and love it.

 

[daveinspain]

Auto box would put me off, much prefer manual.

 

[Tea Bag]

Hi.
I don't mind,but,in todays traffic,stop start,thats when Auto/Manual boxes come into their own,don't know about Comformatic,but the Renault Auto even changes down on its own when descending a steep hill,result. In its manual mode,its just nudge the little lever forward or back to change gear...No clutch.
Tea Bag ex Gearjammer
Edit. When the revs get a bit high......... you are in Manual

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[funflair]

Have a look at all the Tesco,Waitrose ,Sainsbury ,and Able & Cole home delivery vans all being switched over to Iveco Automatics on the 3500Kg Chassis and the 7.2Kg Chassis better emissions and better fuel economy as the gear boxes are now computer controlled and change gear effortlessly all in line with the engine management systems.
I am not an expert in this field but that was how it was explained to me.
Ask yourself way all HGV's (may not be current terminology) powered in this way large Auto boxes linked to the engine management system.
I have an Auto and love it.

The latest IVECO are a different beast all together in my view 8 speed torque converter auto, my previous comments were between robotised comfortmatic/Agile and manual.

Martin

 

[TheBig1]

I have prefered to drive manual for many years. have owned numerous auto vehicles though. last year i bought a new van for our use rather than to sell on and this one has the comfortmatic. First drive was as I always remember them, but having got more used to it, i actually like like it

manual mode for when you want it, but move the lever and full auto. now i am sold on the comfortmatic, much less stress on my bad leg and back.

as for resale value, within the first 2 or 3 years there is a difference. from then on both are equal in value. some folk will only drive manual and are prepared to even pay a premium for the rarity of the 3 litre. others will only drive manual. bottom line is a good van will always sell

 

[jezport]

More to go wrong with Comfortmatic.
I prefer manual vehicles for motorway use, once you're up to speed theres little gear changing. Better MPG on manuals.
The newer Ducatos the clutch is no heavier than on a car, I noticed it is way lighter on my X290 than on the old 2.8JTD Ducato.

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[jezport]

The latest IVECO are a different beast all together in my view 8 speed torque converter auto, my previous comments were between robotised comfortmatic/Agile and manual.

Martin

Now an 8 speed proper auto is a totally different beast. I would have been tempted if they did it on the Globecar.

 

[JFD]

There are pros and cons to each, as you would expect. We have one automatic and one 'easytronic' (same as comfortmatic, I believe) car, and the Moho is manual.

The manual gives best consumption, if you drive sensibly, but you do have to 'stir the pudding' and, when dealing with roundabouts and RHD roads, that may give you some anxious moments. Most of the time, we are in 5th or 6th gear, so it really doesn't matter what the gearbox is!

The comfortmatic is, I believe, just a set of electric actuators, sensors, etc., attached to a regular manual gearbox, so you get the running economy of a manual, but pay a little for the benefit. You also get more electronics to go wrong, but I have never experienced problems that way. The other downside is that the electronics sometimes seem to take an age to decide which gear to select! Maybe I'm just impatient!

The full automatic is smoother than manual or comfortmatic, because it's designed that way! It does impose a penalty for that smoothness in increased consumption. As an example of that, we used to have a fully automatic 1800 mpv, and that took two fuel stops to get from Calais to Geneva. It was replaced with an easytronic 1800 mpv, which does the same trip on one fill. Both were/are 45l tanks.

Given free choice, I believe we would opt for a comfortmatic. That doesn't mean that I am giving up my automatic car!!

 

[Clarky]

One other thing to consider is where you intend to tour the most.
If, like us, it is France then you definitely need an auto box.
France is the roundabout capital of the world, roundabout construction is a national addiction. Up and down gears every few hundred metres when you go round any town just wears you out.
In France the auto reigns every time.

Richard.

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[Charlie]

Normal auto yes Comfortmatic never.

 

[jemhorn]

I've ordered new Frankia with comfortmatic. This will be 3rd van with comfortmatic, never manual again and certainly helps with resale

 

[pappajohn]

To be extreme and rather daft....a manual box could reduce your purchaser numbers at future sale time.

Some folks dont have a licence to drive a manual.

See, told you it was extreme and daft!

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