Honda Civic i-drive

[SteveSxx]

I test drove a Civic 1.8 i-shift last night and it is awful - I was expecting it to be worse than the CVT box on a Jazz - but the thing lurches between changes - this is NOT a car that I would recommend to anyone - why didn't they use the CVT principle ?

Even the salesman was cagey about it - and he was trying to sell me a car !!

Oh well - it's back to the drawing board (Seat Leon DSG here I come ?)

[SteveSxx]

What are the DSG box weaknesses ?

[SteveSxx]

So whats the downside of the Oil Burning Leon ?

Good MPG, Good Performance, Reliable, Good Looking, Relatively good value, Long lasting - what have I forgotten ?

[philtee]

I also drove the Civic I-shift last week, for a full hour. I agree with Steve - in full auto mode the changes are slow and jerky - it's like when you were learnignt o drive and eased off the power a seconde before dipping the clutch; there's a sharp deceleration before the change is made. If youre used to a conventional auto which slurs its way up, it feels very uncomfortable. Apparently it's much better if you make the changes yourself, but it's an auto I want, so I don't thinks I'll be placing an order.

Oddly enough, I was also considering the SEAT Leon DSG, and drove one the same morning as the Honda. Unfortunately the dealer didn't have a DSG car so I drove a manual Sport (the DSG is only available in Sport trim). Obviously unable to judge the gearbox then, but the DSg has good reviews in Audi, VW and Skoda. However, the rest of the car was very disappointing after the Honda. The suspension in Sport trim is too hard and crashes over potholes. The interior felt like a tomb after the Honda (dark dull, cheap), and the loadspace was small and the rear seats didn't fold fully flat.

I thought I'd narrowed my search to 2 cars to choose from, but I don't think I could get on with either. I had discounted the Skoda Octavia as a bit too staid-looking, but I guess I need to look at it now.

[SteveSxx]

Eventually - I bought a Focus auto - SORRY !!