Mitsubishi Colt Allshift

Honest John Back Room » Motoring discussion
What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks
View Threaded
Sat 13 Aug 2005 02:03
Mitsubishi Colt Allshift - Woody
I test drove a 5 door Colt 1.3 with 'Automatic Manual Transmission' today.

It grew on me very quickly with a superb interior, excellent steering and cornering and a willing, if slightly vocal, engine.

Manual mode was fine, but the AMT I didn't really master in the 30 minutes available.

You change up by marginally lifting the throttle, which in gears 3/4/5/6 is fine, but first to second seemed to involve a lurch that would send passengers rocking forward then back.

I would really welcome the views of Colt owners on their all round experience and, in particular, how/have they mastered the AMT?

Thanks in anticipation.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 13 Aug 2005 12:18
Mitsubishi Colt Allshift - blue_haddock
I've experienced this type of gearobx in a number of cars and pretty much all of them lurch to some degree whilst changing gear although a lot of long term Smart owners say you eventually learn the knack that is required to stop the lurch
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 14 Aug 2005 12:01
Mitsubishi Colt Allshift - Woody
I guess the low response rather confirms my suspicions that this is a niche product, but I do find the Colt strangely compelling as a spacious small car, ideal for the urban jungle, but capable of going further.

I looked at the Suzuki Swift and Toyota Yaris yesterday, but neither has the space and versatility of the Colt. Also both 4 speed autos against the Colt's six speed semi-automatic.

If the Colt was fully automatic I would take one tomorrow, but it was a strange experience in Allshift mode. Mitsu Dealer says you drive the car with your right toe and it is simply practice makes perfect.

What do you think?
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 14 Aug 2005 17:01
Mitsubishi Colt Allshift - Aprilia
I was down at my local Mitsi dealer yesterday morning (buying some parts for a job I'm half way through). Had a nose around the Colt and they do seem very good value.

I would imagine you'll get used to driving the Allshift - although personally I've never taken to semi-auto's.

As an aside, I've always found Mitsi's to be well made and reliable (although the Carisma was a poor effort). Mitsi parts can be very dear though, although they are very efficient at supplying them (out of stock parts normally arrive next day).
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 14 Aug 2005 17:47
Mitsubishi Colt Allshift - Quinny100
My Grandparents were in the market for a small automatic and looked at the Colt Allshift - the dealer lent them one for half a day and my Grandad said he never managed to get it shift smoothly, otherwise they would probably have bought one.

They ended up going for a Jazz CVT 7.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 14 Aug 2005 22:55
Mitsubishi Colt Allshift - Woody
Thanks Quinny100.

I have arranged to have one for 2 hours on Wednesday PM, but strongly suspect it is not to be.

The Jazz is terribly blue rinse, but in terms of smoothness, space and of course residuals the obvious choice.

If only I was 65 years old.


Woody
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 14 Aug 2005 23:58
Mitsubishi Colt Allshift - Quinny100
I think the Sport model looks good with its bodykit and anthracite wheels. Not cheap at £12700 though.

I wouldn't really say the Jazz is blue rinse, in fact I know far more twenty or thirtysomethings who own them than older people.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 15 Aug 2005 00:31
Mitsubishi Colt Allshift - Avant
Try a Colt manual and a Jazz and see which you like better. There's not much in it in price: people say the Jazz is expensive but for what it offers, other hatchbacks come out at similar prices (new: the Jazz holds its value well so is more expensive used).

The one thing the Jazz needs is the option of a bigger engine, but Honda sells all then can ship over here with the 1.3 engine (1339 cc - they call it a 1.4 to fool us). The Colt can come with a 1.5 petrol and a 1.5 diesel which are worth trying.

Personally I think the semi-automatics give you the worst of both worlds, especially when manoeuvring. Go for a manual every time unless of course you are disabled and can't use your left foot. The Jazz's clutch and gearbox are particularly light and easy to use.

SWMBO loved hers apart from the slight lack of performance - if I called her blue rinse we'd have a divorce - although she does read the Daily Mail and still has the anti-Skoda prejudice....
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Mon 15 Aug 2005 09:58
Mitsubishi Colt Allshift - daveyjp
I've driven the smart forfour version of the car and we had a smart with auto option. The only time the auto option was any good was in a traffic jam! Over 2 years and 18,000 miles I never mastered the auto change and it often left you hanging when you needed to get a move on at roundabouts - potentially v dangerous. The concept is great, but until the smart/Colt auto systems are as good as the Audi DSG they will never be good enough.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 18 Aug 2005 22:16
Mitsubishi Colt Allshift - Woody
A day later than planned I spent 2 hours with a Colt 1.3 Allshift (semi-auto)today.

It's a real love, hate experience. It's ok for lazy driving on open roads, fine on the motorway and has a fair turn of speed with the redline attainable with ease, but around town it lurches between gears and is just hard work.

Worse, on one occasion, I was in the outside lane of a dual carriageway, went round a roundabout, put my foot down and absolutely nothing happened other than frenetic revving. It was a dangerous situation as the thing fished for a gear and my panic simply muddied the waters.

I had to tell the dealer I was not buying. If it had a conventional auto I would buy one tomorrow as the space, steering, handling and economy are superb as is the deal financially.I also think it looks great.

Ah well, the Leon can last another year.


Woody
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 19 Aug 2005 09:36
Mitsubishi Colt Allshift - daveyjp
'...often left you hanging when you needed to get a move on at roundabouts...'

You can't say you weren't warned!!
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 19 Aug 2005 20:33
Mitsubishi Colt Allshift - Woody
'...often left you hanging when you needed to get a move on at roundabouts...'

You can't say you weren't warned!!

...............................................

Yep, bang on.

Your entirely natural reaction is to put your foot down harder - the worst thing you can possibly do.

It was a scary and defining moment.


The Leon feels a lot better today.


Woody
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 15 Nov 2013 21:21
Mitsubishi Colt Allshift - benCOLTAMT

Hi readers,

I have a Mitsubishi Colt 2009 AMT (semi-auto) and tbh it is not that bad. I drive it all the time in A mode, I wish it would remember this so I didnt have to select it everytime.

Yes it has a panic as to which gear to go for when coming up to a roundabout, but I have masted it, you simply approach the roundabout slower (which is safer) and give it time to rev down. It is as if the car is a manual automatic, so it literally changes the gear for you.

Once i got that mastered, i find the double drop down quite handy, it can be driven quickly if you like, just have to ease off earlier, and you can also drive it nice and easy around town.

The only issue I have with a semi auto really is i have to still use the handbrake on a hill start, my other fully auto just stops and stays there.

I think this revving down and thinking a bit more before you drive is a fair trade off for the great economy that a semi-auto offers over a fully automatic. As it is essentially a manual with an automatic clutch and gear change. If this car was a fully automatic, then the ecomony would be a lot lower, as it would have a automatic clutch system which is constantly engaged, compared to the semi auto which disengages when you stop.

After mastering this i can drive it like any other car, race about or just take it easy. imho i wont be buying a semi auto next time around, ill just stick with a fully automatic.

Im a lazy driver and cant be bothered with changing gears, but on this occasion the economy was paramount.

I hope this info helps those looking to a buy a semi, they are brilliant once you learn how to use it.

Regards,

Reply | Report as offensive | Link