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Would you recommend a Beetle or MINI convertible, and should I buy an automatic?
I am a fit and active 75-year-old and learned to drive in London in a Ford Popular when I was 17. I have always driven manual cars. Being barely five foot tall I have enjoyed the adjustable seat and steering wheel on my latest Golf but after 92,000 miles I am now considering buying a Beetle or MINI convertible, for a last bit of fun. Probably a one to two-year old model. I drive approximately 10,000 miles a year on both country lanes and motorways and wonder whether there is any structural difference between the two cars in the case of an accident. I drove the original MINI, which seemed very flimsy in comparison to the early Beetles.
Also, my family are urging me to get an automatic, feeling it would make driving less tiring on long journeys, especially when the joints start to stiffen up. However, I remember reading somewhere it is unsafe for older drivers to change to automatic driving if they've never done it before. I would very much appreciate your advice.
Also, my family are urging me to get an automatic, feeling it would make driving less tiring on long journeys, especially when the joints start to stiffen up. However, I remember reading somewhere it is unsafe for older drivers to change to automatic driving if they've never done it before. I would very much appreciate your advice.
Asked on 12 October 2013 by SW, via email
Answered by
Honest John
Obviously a Beetle is slightly more substantial, but carries the disadvantage of being bigger and you can't see any of the corners from the driver's seat. The MINI has a 6-speed torque converter automatic transmission. The Beetle usually has a 7-speed dry clutch DSG.
I would not advise you to switch to an automatic unless you can learn to left foot brake: two pedals - two feet. Left foot braking, especially while manoeuvring at low speed, and when setting off, allows you to brake instantly (within a metre) if something goes wrong. The phenomenon of "unintentional acceleration syndrome" occurs with automatics when drive is engaged unexpectedly and a one-footed driver either cannot get his/her foot from accelerator to brake fast enough, or misses the brake and stamps again on the accelerator, then stamps even harder on the accelerator when the car does not stop.
I would not advise you to switch to an automatic unless you can learn to left foot brake: two pedals - two feet. Left foot braking, especially while manoeuvring at low speed, and when setting off, allows you to brake instantly (within a metre) if something goes wrong. The phenomenon of "unintentional acceleration syndrome" occurs with automatics when drive is engaged unexpectedly and a one-footed driver either cannot get his/her foot from accelerator to brake fast enough, or misses the brake and stamps again on the accelerator, then stamps even harder on the accelerator when the car does not stop.
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