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are they any good or should i just go for an automatic
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All depends on what your looking for - most CVT types can be run either as a clutchless manual or as a full automatic so in effect you get best of both worlds.
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A genuine semi-auto is usually rubbish - ive not driven one that was worth having - id buy a fully auto CVT with the pre-set gear ratios - I liked the set up on the MGF auto as it was very smooth although not sure how reliable they were over long term ( saying that we never had any come back with gearbox issues ).
Have to admit though, I prefer the conventional auto for my own money.
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Conventional auto,anything else is pants and a total waste of time and effort.
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The majority of autos (all types below) being made these days are tiptronic. So there are two modes of driving; manual and automatic. You can let the car do the gear changing or you can do it yourself. Your choice. So in effect, most autos these days are semi-autos. Some have paddles by the steering wheel which are fun to use, but many don't - you use gearstick. The reason you will get many different responses is because there are lots of different types of semi-auto, some are good, some are bad:
Torque converter - like a conventional auto. Smooth gear changes. Not as good on fuel as other autos but I would still recommend it. All creep, therefore no roll back on hills.
Automated manual - uses manual gearbox and automatic clutch. These have excellent fuel economy and performance. However the gear changes are not very smooth until you really get used to it. Some don't creep.
CVT - a ratio that is continuously changing giving the effect of an infinite number of gears. Good fuel economy and performance. Some don't creep.
Dual clutch / DSG - Uses manual gearbox and two automatic clutches. Very good. If you want to do gear changing this is the best one for you. Gears are changed in 0.02 seconds. Very fast and smooth. Faster then manual (at least on some). However new, so only VW/Audi/Seat/Skoda have it on their cars at the moment.
I would defiantly recommend an auto or semi-auto. I think they are great. I like how you can switch between manual and automatic modes. E.g. switch to auto in traffic, switch to manual on open road. I think it's the best of both worlds.
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in my experience, avoid.
We had two cars with automated manual - fiat seicento citymatic and an alfa 156 selespeed.
both suffered expensive failures. The seicento was every 12 months almost like clockwork.
in my opinion all the disadvantages of both types of gear box without any benefits. Apart from the fact the fiat was cheap and wifey could drive it on her auto-only licence.
Replaced with auto picanto and she is sooooo much happier.
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Yes I would avoid the automated manual ones. However I would consider the CVT, DSG, but otherwise just get the standard auto (torque converter). These are still the most common. Most will have a tiptronic function anyway, so you can still changes gears manually if you need to. If your unsure, just test drive them.
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