Print

[jmario]

Now had my 1.5 petrol auto for 3 weeks and this is my view of the auto box . Mine has two modes one is for the totally  unconfident driver where you put your foot down lightly ,box says you Sure your want to move, if you don't back off, it then sometime later moves off, some where around 7 mph it will ask you if you are happy and would you like to go a little quicker it will then keep going nice and slowly up the box. Next mode is complete nutter where you put your foot down halfway and have to hang on to the wheel as it shoots off down the road. How to confuse the box brake on a roundabout, kick down great on moterway,but can't make its mind up at slower speeds. Mode three " O " Am I going to get home. Does make me smile.

[CrazyG]

You say the 2nd 'mode' is complete nutter....
Obviously you haven't tried the 'sports start' feature 

Car stationary...in 'A'
Plant your foot to the floor hard on the accelerator...
The engine revs rise to 3000 before the clutch is engaged, and then
you rocket off into the sunset grimly clinging to the steering wheel,
fighting the torque steer as the wheels scrabble for grip

Not recommended to do that too often as it can put strain on
components (you might smell clutch burn)...but it is fun....BUT...
on the other hand it can be dangerous if you try that in the wet.
So caution is the key, ok.

[Ocracoke]

Semi automatic mode is fine around town, you just have to pre-empt the gearbox with a shift down before a roundabout from time to time. Makes for a more involved driving experience methinks. It is waaaayyyyy more capable than the original implementation in the 450 (the original fortwo). Paddle shifter on the steering wheel are really neat as well.

Automatic mode is, as you've alluded to, much better on the motorway. It *can* be used around town but it isn't great, it holds onto the lower gears too much. Mashing the accelerator on the motorway to make it drop from 6th to 4th in my 1.3 is just a breeze.

The "O" is a little concerning though, it shouldn't be appearing at all ideally unless the gearstick is being moved from neutral without the foot on the brake.

[steddie eddie]

G'day jmario,
Now had my 1.5 petrol auto for nearly 3 years and find it as good or better than any other car i owned.
Ive had no problems with the auto or with the manual setting, and drive it like a normal car,  sure had to get a little bit used to the car but that is normal i think.
have fun with it.
Greetings,
Eddie.