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Original poster

Automatic cars - talk to me about good and bad cars and which ones do and don't have a creep function?

63 replies

Witchofzog · 28/04/2019 12:45

I am looking for an automatic car and learnt in a car which has a "creep" function. However my understanding is that not every automatic car does this.

Please can you let me know which automatic cars do this as I am looking to buy a car soon.

Also which automatic cars do you rate / not rate and why? This will be my first car so any advice will be welcome Smile

OP posts:
Karwomannghia · 28/04/2019 12:51

I thought they all did to stop you rolling back on a hill when moving your foot between brake and accelerator. Why would you not want it?
I’d think more about what you want from a car in terms of size, power, fuel economy etc rather than the gearbox as the difference in driving cars is more down to that. I’ve driven a range of manual and automatics and there are a lot of different factors that make a car good for you.
What do you want a car to do for you? I’d love to help you choose one! It’s really important to take them for a test drive as well.

Original poster
Witchofzog · 28/04/2019 13:02

Apparently some Japanese cars don't and some Citroen don't creep either. I feel that I am more confident in a car that has this function as I have a (probably irrational) fear of mistaking the brake for the accelerator. I did this with my old instructor in a non creeping car and it terrified me.

As for the type of car. It sounds like a cliche but I just want a small, reliable economical car. I am going to get a cheap older car to start for the first 6 months to a year and then after this hopefully look for a newer model

OP posts:
QueenBeex · 28/04/2019 13:05

Ford focus is the best automatic I've had that doesn't do rolling back or any other annoying things.

Karwomannghia · 28/04/2019 13:14

Not a cliche at all. What did you learn in that you did like? Would you do mainly town start stop driving or long distances?

Branleuse · 28/04/2019 13:17

i think you just need to test drive them to see how they feel to you

Karwomannghia · 28/04/2019 13:24

Agreed! But it’s possible to help narrow down the selection and it can be intimidating test driving a used car when you’re new to it.
How many people will be in the car usually op? Is it family? Do you need space for car seats? What kind of boot and boot space? How many doors? Do you have a drive? Do you have a mechanic garage near you or would you want to buy nearly new with a warranty from a dealer?

aintnothinbutagstring · 28/04/2019 13:29

Toyota Yaris? I have one and love it, so does DH who has and prefers bigger cars. I had an older Mazda 2 which was more 'fun' to drive but not reliable at all. Both had creep, but the Mazda would roll back on a hill if you wasn't quick between the brake and accelerator. Yaris won't roll back at all.

PurpleCrazyHorse · 28/04/2019 13:43

Our automatic has an automatic handbrake, which therefore negates the function for creeping as the handbrake is applied and only released when you press the accelerator. You could therefore look for this as an option too.

We have an automatic Seat, so they might be worth a look. We're really impressed with our automatic but it does have some fancy gearbox so it's super smooth. Not all the cars we test drove did.

DH also liked the automatic Ford S-Max we test drove, so Ford might also be worth a look too.

Original poster
Witchofzog · 28/04/2019 13:53

That's interesting about the Yaris. I read something saying they were clunky to drive but I will reconsider now as they are the perfect size for me. I was veering towards a Ford already so glad to hear the focus is good. And I will put Seat on the list too

As for driving. I work in a city 15 miles away. I have booked some additional lessons with my instructor to get used to driving in this city as all my lessons have mainly been in the town I live in and surrounding area. So hopefully once I am more confident I will be driving to and from the city as well as in and around it as I am a community worker. My ds is older now so no car seats required. I would quite like 5 doors for my elderly dog lol and just for general ease. I will have to park on the road and will probably have no more than 2 or 3 people in the car including myself.

I think for the cheaper car I will look in the small ads and then probably get a more expensive car later from a dealer.

OP posts:
SpamChaudFroid · 28/04/2019 13:54

OP, I completely misunderstood your opening post, and were looking for an automatic car that wouldn't make you look creepy!

Original poster
Witchofzog · 28/04/2019 14:01

GrinGrin @SpamChaudfroid that really made me laugh!

OP posts:
HollyBollyBooBoo · 28/04/2019 14:01

Surely you just choose a car - whichever one suits your requirements and then get the auto version don't you?

It's a bit like saying which petrol car shall I buy.

Really weird way of finding a car!

KTD27 · 28/04/2019 14:03

I learnt in an automatic Yaris hybrid and it was a delight. Our first car was an automatic auris. Super reliable wouldn’t hesitate to recommend either

TinklyLittleLaugh · 28/04/2019 14:04

I think creep is very useful for parking. I’ve had load of automatics and even the ones that creep sometimes roll back on a hill. I had a Ford Fusion once that was an absolute nightmare.

I think you’ll just have to do lots of test drives OP.

Original poster
Witchofzog · 28/04/2019 14:05

@Hollybollybooboo. I don't think asking for recommendations is a weird way of finding anything. This is my first car and I already know car buying can be a minefield so the more advice I can get the better

OP posts:
Karwomannghia · 28/04/2019 14:23

Have you seen any possibles in the small ads near you OP? Once you’ve got a clear list of requirements and budget just have a look what’s out there to suit you or let us know what you’ve seen. You can look on autotrader or eBay etc even but make sure you go and have a look and try it and that’s probably the most daunting part!

IHaveBrilloHair · 28/04/2019 14:32

I have a Mini Cooper which does creep, but I like it for parking and traffic jams.

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen · 28/04/2019 14:32

I've only ever had auto cars, I'm not sure what you mean by a creep function. I don't think mine creeps anywhereGrin

thenightsky · 28/04/2019 14:34

We got DD a Yaris auto last year. Its gearbox is a nightmare. Toyota autos are now something called multi mode which are meant to be better for emissions etc. They are awful clunky and need regular clutch re-teaches (plug in laptop job) and actuator greasing at the dealership to stop them kangarooing, rolling back, jerky when moving off etc.

We are going to trade it in against a Kia as soon as I find a good one (probably a Kia Rio). Kia have proper auto boxes. Avoid the multi mode crap - ie the ones with MM in the description.

Tofslan · 28/04/2019 14:44

I have an auto VW Golf. Has never rolled back, is pretty smooth, great for driving round a very hilly city for short runs. Sometimes goes a bit weird on very bumpy roads like it can’t quite work out what gear it wants to be in but otherwise I’ve had no issues with it.

(By creep I’m assuming you mean it pulls forward as though in first gear using clutch control in a manual. Golf does this, although took me a little while to work it out playing round with handbrake and foot brake.)

Original poster
Witchofzog · 28/04/2019 15:36

@karwomanghia I know! I am so nervous about this. I only passed my test 2 days ago at the ripe old age of 41 so all this is territory unchartered. You have been incredibly helpful so far. I wish I knew you in real life - I bet you would be fab when it comes to test driving etc

Haha, yes by creeping I mean moving slightly when the brake is off. Not being dubious and acting weird Grin

@thenightsky. Yes! That was what I read about MMT Yaris's. I am not even sure if I could drive one of these as I have an automatic driving licence AND these have a clutch pedal too don't they?

OP posts:
Karwomannghia · 28/04/2019 16:03

It is scary test driving a used car! Years ago I went to look at a car with dh (he couldn’t even drive then let alone buy a car) it was at a garage so lots of blokes in overalls expecting to talk to dh. I said I’d take it for a drive. As soon as I was driving I could tell it wasn’t right, can’t remember what it was now but a definite noise or grind that shouldn’t be there. Took it back and mentioned it and they said well we’ll get it through the MOT. but surely you’d do that before putting an ad on! Didn’t buy it obvs and was glad I took it out even though I felt stupid.
I’m sorry I can’t come with you IRL too but happy to comment on any descriptions or links to cars you’ve seen in ads!

guessmyusername · 28/04/2019 16:04

I drive a Yaris hybrid. After years of driving a manual this was my first automatic. (Hybrid only came in auto). I find it a very easy car to drive. I certainly don't find it "clunky" nor have I experienced anything that thenightsky reports. Until I read this thread I never knew what creeping was!

thenightsky · 28/04/2019 16:19

OP... no the Yaris auto doesn't have a clutch pedal. DD only has an auto licence, which is why we got her one.

guess I think the hybrid version is a different set up.

LewisFan · 28/04/2019 16:27

Surely you just put the handbrake on to stop rolling?

#neverdrivenanautosowhatdoiknow

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