I am really interested in the automatic. I think the entire concept of CVT is way cool and way overdue. HOWEVER, there are none here to drive. Manual drive rules out the wife being able to drive it, which means no purchase for me.

I can say that we have a Beetle and that the computer controlled 4 speed on that car shifts very nicely.

In other threads some people have said: retink the automatic. Is that because they know something, or just their own opinion against it?

 

The only thing I can add would be this.....
The CVT tranny is a good idea in some ways but from what I've read not quite perfected. For use on small low power cars it seems to do well.... If you start adding torque and hp to the mix it may start having probs. If you go into it expecting the car to be what it is then it should work for you. If your looking to play or want every bit of power the car has to offer then the stick would be your choice.
It's your choice based on your needs for the car. Don't let anyone make the decision for you. If your wife can't drive the man. tranny then get the auto. either that or talk her into learning a stick.
SW

_________________
Motor On!!..... Mini Me!!

 

I have a 2002 Mini automatic is the best transmission I have ever experienced, I also had a beetle with automatic, no comparison, the Mini is much better

 

The CVT is a good transmission for everything except track days/autocross, so if you're buying the car as an every day driver that won't see any racing then I think it's a fine choice. I don't mind driving the daughter's CVT at all.

 

Are you looking at only the CVT? Or, have you considered a MCSa with the 6-speed Aisin-Warner auto transmission? The obvious difference between the CVT and the MCSa is power in the MCSa - very shortly with the release of the JCW kit for the MCSa, you can increase the power all the way to JCW level and still maintain the factory warranty. Also, the CVT doesn't shift - the ride is similar to what a minibike was like with the centrifugal clutch in the late 60s and early 70s. You can simulate shifting with the CVT, but if you want the higher power and performance of the MCS, you are looking at the the traditional (e.g. non-CVT) automatic option. Personally, I like the sound of the supercharger (as well as the increased engine output) with the MCS. Before you purchase a CVT, make sure to drive a CVT-equipped MINI as well as a MCSa so you can do an apples-to-apples comparison. If you have to travel to find a dealer that has both, you really should make the effort. The two cars are completely different experiences.

From the anti-automatic posts that I have seen, the majority of the posts have reflected the posters opinion against the automatic.