Fiat 500 Dualogic

[supercee]

Was anyone as stupid as me and thought it was a run of the mill automatic but after some research (which I should've done beforehand, and with no test drive, I know I know) and realised it's not?!

I've wanted one for ages. I read up loads (honest). Took the plunge and when trying to reverse for the first time thought 'hey why is it still going forward'. Waiting on my usual steep street in traffic and there was roll back!

I passed in a manual 11 years ago and hated every minute of learning. Haven't driven one since (or had a regular car to be fair) but have only driven automatics and love them.

It's only day 1 of brand new car. Can I teach myself to get over these obstacles and learn to drive the sodding thing or is it regret city from now on?

Robotised manual gearboxes aren’t great, especially down the cheaper end of the market. You just have to learn to drive around the issues and it’ll become 2nd nature.

No testdrive....
WTF?

My sister leased a car without test driving it - that was over 2 years ago and my car-mad son still hasn't forgiven her for that and reminds her every time she moans that there's something she doesn't like about it

Never ever ever get a car without a test drive

Yes, well aware of that now

My DH's car has got a flick switch for a handbrake (Mazda 6).

I just can't get on with it, to the point if I have to drive it, I plan a route that avoids proper hill starts.

My DH's car has got a flick switch for a handbrake (Mazda 6).

I just can't get on with it, to the point if I have to drive it, I plan a route that avoids proper hill starts.

You literally just pull away, don’t touch the parking brake at all, it will release automatically. It couldn’t be any easier!

It's wrong on every level!

I love my fiat 500 duologic. You will get used to it, honestly.

You literally just pull away, don’t touch the parking brake at all, it will release automatically. It couldn’t be any easier

Rather than metaphorically pulling away?

I have one and hadn't realised the implications of it being a roboticised manual when I bought it. I learned to drive in a manual and subsequently drove automatics. I was really shocked at the roll back but just applied the principles of a manual- lots of handbrake use. It's a week since you posted I bet you're getting used to it already!

I had one and hated it. I was ok with the handbrake but found it useless In slow traffic especially going downhill. It also struggled uphill. Full stop!
Can you give it back?!
I have an auto mini now and love it.

Rather than metaphorically pulling away?

As opposed to pulling away whilst pissing about with a handbrake during a regular hill start.

@GinandGingerBeer you're right it does struggle uphill. I didn't go for the mini because it didn't qualify for the low emissions discounts on residents parking/ULEZ at the time I was looking.

Can't give it back unfortunately. Massive lesson learned!

I'm slowly getting used to it but haven't actually driven very far in it (lockdown probably wasn't the best time to get a car) or navigated big hills.

I am in the same boat. Purchased one last month. I'm a new driver that has only driven traditional automatic cars. It's quite stressful. Hardly driving as I feel like a learner driver again.