Test drove a Veloster (Automatic), ugh

[wacktool]

We finally found a dealership around us that has a Automatic Veloster. The wife has been screaming about test driving one and possibly buying one. She is coming from an older VW automatic Golf with a whopping 115 HP. She doesnt care about HP and all that but that changed after driving the Veloster last weekend. It was her, me and the sales person. The car wouldnt move. (no we dont weigh 500 pounds a piece :-) ) She punched it and it just acted like it didnt want to go/move. No jerking and no noises, just sat there then decided to go slowly. I didnt test drive it since id be coming from somthing that is nearly 300hp. I knew I would be biased but I was shocked to hear from her that it was underpowered. We got a call from our preferred dealership and we will try the automatic they just received. Possibly we test drove a lemon or these that sluggish/slow? (I know slow can have different meanings to folks but dang).

[Velosteraptor]

Maybe it was never taken out of shipping mode, or has that issue with the loose fuel sensor discussed in a couple of threads here.

There are not many DCT owners yet, but the one's here love theirs, so I'm assuming something was wrong with that car.

Please let us know how the next test drive goes.

[KilloBite]

I traded in my Cooper S (Turbo) Auto for the Veloster Auto and yes, it does not get off the line as well but it is no slouch. The first time I drove one the ECO mode was on and it seemed VERY under powered, but without the ECO mode on it does "scoot" acceptably.

The DCT is something that feels very different than a "normal" automatic and I have not quite put my finger on exactly what it is or how to get the best bang for the buck yet but I am sure it will come to me at some point.

After putting the last 35K miles on my Turbo Cooper I am actually looking at the next 100K in the Veloster with anticipation!

[dtutor]

I have a DCT (auto) Veloster. It sounds like something was wrong with the one you tested. With the "Eco" mode on it doesn't have as much pick up due to the short shifts to save fuel so make sure you test it with Eco off on the test drive. There is a button below and to the left of the steering wheel.

But it certainly does not feel underpowered to me.

[Velosteraptor]

Good point- yes, do make sure to test drive a DCT in and out of eco mode!

[lsrothstein]

We finally found a dealership around us that has a Automatic Veloster. The wife has been screaming about test driving one and possibly buying one. She is coming from an older VW automatic Golf with a whopping 115 HP. She doesnt care about HP and all that but that changed after driving the Veloster last weekend. It was her, me and the sales person. The car wouldnt move. (no we dont weigh 500 pounds a piece :-) ) She punched it and it just acted like it didnt want to go/move. No jerking and no noises, just sat there then decided to go slowly. I didnt test drive it since id be coming from somthing that is nearly 300hp. I knew I would be biased but I was shocked to hear from her that it was underpowered. We got a call from our preferred dealership and we will try the automatic they just received. Possibly we test drove a lemon or these that sluggish/slow? (I know slow can have different meanings to folks but dang).

A couple of things to consider. 1) look in the fuze box and see if they turned off the shipping mode switch. 2) turn off the ECO mode button, it is sluggish. 3) I have a DCT and it has a lot of pick up, but 1st gear is VERY low. Once you get it out of 1st, it is fine.

[wacktool]

I have a DCT (auto) Veloster. It sounds like something was wrong with the one you tested. With the "Eco" mode on it doesn't have as much pick up due to the short shifts to save fuel so make sure you test it with Eco off on the test drive. There is a button below and to the left of the steering wheel.

But it certainly does not feel underpowered to me.

Good suggestions about the ECO button, Ill have her try that. Side note she test drove the elantra (148 HP) and it was perfectly powerfull enough for her. So I guess we will find out tomorrow. Thanks again for the feedback.

[dtutor]

My sister just bought a new Elantra GLS a couple months ago. I let her take out my Veloster and she felt the Veloster had more pickup than her Elantra.

The Elantra has 10HP more but also has about 100 pounds on the Veloster. The gearing is certainly different in the two.

If your wife likes the pickup on the New Elantra...she should like the Veloster. I am certain that something was wrong on the test drive with the Veloster.

[jadehawk]

My wife has a DCT and the car handles just find.. it is more responsible with Eco off, but she drives it and has no complains, something must have beed wrong with the one you drove..

[ksanders8706]

Keep in mind that these types of transmissions are adaptive to your driving habits. My Fiesta (with Ford's DCT 'Powershift') took nearly 1,000 miles to adapt to and learn my habits. Shift points are better, smoother, etc. And, from what I understand, there's already a DCT technical service bulletin out regarding the control module or something very close to that. Hope it helps!

[red_adept]

The biggest issue I'm having with the DCT is indeed how slow it is 'off the line'. It seems like I have to wait a full second after releasing the brake before I hit the accelerator... waiting for the DCT to pick up and move it first.

I don't see that in sport mode though.

[dskoo65]

...it is more responsible with Eco off,.

lol...so what, with eco on does the car try to take candy from babies, run over old ladies, and stay out past curfew?

[siberdraknon]

Keep in mind that these types of transmissions are adaptive to your driving habits.

This is the first I've heard of this in relation to the Veloster. Can anyone confirm?

[Drifter]

This is the first I've heard of this in relation to the Veloster. Can anyone confirm?

Not sure about the Veloster, but I can say with no doubt that the DCT in the Focus Hatchback did not change depending upon driving habits. The complaint noted in this thread is the same way the DCT functioned in the Ford, and was a common complaint among Focus owners. In the car I owned, the delay to engage was even more pronounced in reverse, then it would tend to lurch. I put 54,000 miles on the Ford, and its engaging/shifting characteristics stayed the same.

[moniz]

I'm guessing it was either in shipping mode or the ECO mode was engaged. Just goes to show how uninformed most car sales people are, since they should have made sure the was was setup right for a test drive.

My suggestion, go back, and makes sure those 2 things aren't the case and test drive it again if it's the only automatic in the area, THEN go and buy it from another dealer who might have a clue as to what they're doing! Man, if they don't don't about shipping mode or ECO, what else are they clueless on that might end up screwing you in the end?

[VAVeloster]

I test drove an automatic that was off the truck with the truck still in the parking lot and wrap still on the seats. Drove normal but I did not the hesitation in 1st gear. Once I was up to 35-40mph, it really seemed to have a lot of spirit. I know after I finished the test drive the car was at 1.7 miles total.

[ksanders8706]

Regarding the Ford PowerShift:

I noticed a definite change in transmission behavior over the first thousand miles or so. Perhaps it's because the Fiesta PowerShift is different from the rest in that is uses dry clutches doesn't implement the use of a hydraulic shifting mechanism.

[jadehawk]

lol...so what, with eco on does the car try to take candy from babies, run over old ladies, and stay out past curfew?

LOL How can I have missed that "responsible" I know you got the meaning..

[3H2H1]

It gets 40 mpg, it ain't a rocket ship
What exactly was the mpg of that Golf?
Performance is never a part of high fuel economy, and the non-turbo Veloster is indeed a high fuel economy car
Sounds like apples to oranges to me

[Dayv]

Regarding the Ford PowerShift:

I noticed a definite change in transmission behavior over the first thousand miles or so. Perhaps it's because the Fiesta PowerShift is different from the rest in that is uses dry clutches doesn't implement the use of a hydraulic shifting mechanism.

I'm not gonna speculate on this "learning" transmission you're referring to, but the DCT in the Veloster also uses dry clutches.