500 New to Fiat

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500 New to Fiat

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Feb 2, 2015
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Hi,

I am in Australia and am very interested in purchasing a Fiat 500 lounge with the SGE 0.9L Twinair Turbo petrol 62kW Dualogic transmission.
I have only ever driven an automatic and I have heard the dualogic transmission makes for some rather jerky gear changes if you drive it in automatic mode. Is that the case? If so, how easy would it be for someone who has never driven a manual to get used to changing the gears manually? Is it fairly easy to tell when you need to go up or down a gear?
Any responses are very much appreciated.
 
Hi,

I am in Australia and am very interested in purchasing a Fiat 500 lounge with the SGE 0.9L Twinair Turbo petrol 62kW Dualogic transmission.
I have only ever driven an automatic and I have heard the dualogic transmission makes for some rather jerky gear changes if you drive it in automatic mode. Is that the case? If so, how easy would it be for someone who has never driven a manual to get used to changing the gears manually? Is it fairly easy to tell when you need to go up or down a gear?
Any responses are very much appreciated.
its jerky and annoying but you should be able to get used to it.
 
You learn when it needs to change by listening, and feeling it. The owners manual shows the expected/optimal revs to change, so if you learn the revs or how to feel it you may "change" the gears yourself which is good fun. The twin air is great fun and I wish I had one! The way it drives in auto if you are driving a little firm on the accelerator may have a pause effect but if gentle driving it should change well.

As an Aussie who chose one over many other cars out there I am so happy with the choice.

I have recently driven Suzuki swift, Hyundai i20 and a Nissan micra. They all have good points, but none drive the way the 500 does around corners, it looks better, and is well equipped inside. You feel in control of the steering and it always surprises other motorists when you do want to drive a little more spirited. The twin air would be hard for me to drive slowly. ;)
 
You learn when it needs to change by listening, and feeling it. The owners manual shows the expected/optimal revs to change, so if you learn the revs or how to feel it you may "change" the gears yourself which is good fun. The twin air is great fun and I wish I had one! The way it drives in auto if you are driving a little firm on the accelerator may have a pause effect but if gentle driving it should change well.

As an Aussie who chose one over many other cars out there I am so happy with the choice.

I have recently driven Suzuki swift, Hyundai i20 and a Nissan micra. They all have good points, but none drive the way the 500 does around corners, it looks better, and is well equipped inside. You feel in control of the steering and it always surprises other motorists when you do want to drive a little more spirited. The twin air would be hard for me to drive slowly. ;)

Driving the partner's Pop 1200 DL I find the pause during auto changes to be more disconcerting if I drive it gently, coming on at slower speed it seems to affect momentum to a greater degree. If I push the car on a bit it seems to have less effect on progress. Mostly I switch to manual and a more 'spirited' style, and I find that if I lift off slightly during changes it helps to smooth out the jerk. My own Twinair manual is indeed hard to drive slowly!

I can't speak for the Twinair DL combo of course but Sunsets seems delighted with it. You might even find yourself preferring manuals...
 
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