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[sounds2k]

just a quick question ... I had an accident about 5 years ago which damaged a disc in my spine, as a result I've more or less resigned myself to driving auto's as the clutch on some cars is pretty heavy - especially in traffic - this gives me pain in my right leg.

The toyota avensis (y-reg) I had in my old job had a pretty heavy clutch - noticeable in traffic.

However someone at work recently mentioned about their renault scenic clutch being hydraulically assisted and very light - I seem to remember that the miggy one is assisted too.

So ... how heavy is the clutch on a manual miggy?

Also - why is it on the 3.2's it's only the ex-plod ones that are available as manual, what's the reason why?

[TheBoy]

just a quick question ... I had an accident about 5 years ago which damaged a disc in my spine, as a result I've more or less resigned myself to driving auto's as the clutch on some cars is pretty heavy - especially in traffic - this gives me pain in my right leg.

The toyota avensis (y-reg) I had in my old job had a pretty heavy clutch - noticeable in traffic.

However someone at work recently mentioned about their renault scenic clutch being hydraulically assisted and very light - I seem to remember that the miggy one is assisted too.

So ... how heavy is the clutch on a manual miggy?

Also - why is it on the 3.2's it's only the ex-plod ones that are available as manual, what's the reason why?

The ones I have driven are not noticable light or heavy, so middle of road...

Vauxhall never offered a manual option on 3.2, so thats why none (except specials)

[STMO123]

I wouldn't say the clutch pedal on my omega is that much different from other cars I've had. It's not heavy, but not exceptionally light.
The wife suffers from scoliosis(twisted spine) and the clutch on her ZT is very heavy, but she loves it, so puts up with it.

[Bo Bo]

How come a pain in the right leg?

[theolodian]

Yeah, I didn't even try a manual Omega.  I haven't seen a V6 that has a light enough clutch for me.  Even a BMW 318 is far too stiff.  On the other hand, I haven't owned an automatic in 10 years.  The auto 'box in this thing is starting to really frustrate me sometimes with ridiculous shifts, but it's better than sciatica (sp?).

[Martin_1962]

Yeah, I didn't even try a manual Omega.  I haven't seen a V6 that has a light enough clutch for me.  Even a BMW 318 is far too stiff.  On the other hand, I haven't owned an automatic in 10 years.  The auto 'box in this thing is starting to really frustrate me sometimes with ridiculous shifts, but it's better than sciatica (sp?).

Use sports mode - easier to like

[theolodian]

Yeah, I didn't even try a manual Omega.  I haven't seen a V6 that has a light enough clutch for me.  Even a BMW 318 is far too stiff.  On the other hand, I haven't owned an automatic in 10 years.  The auto 'box in this thing is starting to really frustrate me sometimes with ridiculous shifts, but it's better than sciatica (sp?).

Use sports mode - easier to like

I do sometimes, but it does harsh shifts even at 5% throttle?!  :-?

[sounds2k]

cheers for the replies so far.

pain is felt in the right leg because .... at the time of impact in the crash, I was braking as hard as I could (with right leg) - got hit from behind, at which point my lower back was in tension due to above scenario. This caused a prolapse in my L5/S1 disc, leaking spinal fluid and compressing the nerve which feeds the right leg. So although I *feel* the pain in my right leg, it's actually coming from the nerve which feeds that area. Whilst chiropractic sessions have brought this under control, once a disc has prolapsed (herniated), it never heals as such - so is always a weak point. So whenever I do something which causes my lower back problems - could be lifting something wrongly, sitting wrongly, prolonged use of a heavy clutch in traffic ... the old pain returns. You did ask  

Auto box is one of the better ones - far better than the temperamental thing I had in a renault scenic (company car) but even sport mode, it lacks the degree of control that you get in a manual - plus 4 gears instead of 5 puts you at a disadvantage straight away. Sadly there's no 5-speed tiptronic or DSG box on the miggy  

I know Vx only offered the 3.2 to joe public as an auto - I was wondering why - too much torque?

[TheBoy]

I know Vx only offered the 3.2 to joe public as an auto - I was wondering why - too much torque?

Unlikely, more likely a marketing decision based on how small the market would be for manual...

[Admin]

Agreed. High torque is more detrimental to autos than manuals, and at 210bl/ft the torque, while good, is not huge.