The Triumph Dolomite Club - Discussion Forum

The Number One Club for owners of Triumph's range of small saloons from the 1960s and 1970s.
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 Post subject: Re: Auto v Manual Sprint
PostPosted: Fri Nov 10, 2017 10:11 pm 
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Joined: Wed Aug 16, 2017 2:06 pm
Posts: 628
Location: Outer Hebrides
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pleased you auto lovers like your autos. our two daily BMWs are both 8 speed autos and its really a fantastic gearbox and well suited to cruising and day to day drudge driving.

I drive my classics for fun and feel the auto in my stag spoils an excellent car, I'm contemplating the ZF conversion but at just under £4k its a tad expensive. The auto sprint I test drove just didn't feel right as part of the enjoyment of driving a sporty saloon is stirring the middle stick and getting the most out of the clutch.
They're classics - not really to be treated the way most were back in the day - so don't feel the manual is that important now.

But, if this was 1980 and the car was new, plenty spares etc etc, then yes "drive it like you stole it", manual over auto YES, but theyre to be loved and cherished now. So auto over manual now YES lol.

Just a view point.

_________________
Triumph Dolomite Sprint,RNK 957W

Built 26/6/1980 (one of the last built), Auto, Porcelain White - Genuine Mileage 52,820 (warranted).

Only 3 previous owners, (2 within the same family).

Supplied by Lavender Hill Garage Ltd, Enfield, London, by garage owner Jimmy Metcalfe on 30th September 1980 to Geoffery Robinson, Enfield.

Club Membership No: 2017092


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 Post subject: Re: Auto v Manual Sprint
PostPosted: Fri Nov 10, 2017 10:19 pm 
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Joined: Fri Oct 06, 2006 9:57 am
Posts: 669
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Yes, I've got one of each too. Well rather the 'auto' one now has an auto 'box out of an 1850 to which I've added a transmission cooler.

The Sprint doesn't in fact have a particularly revvy engine (in standard tune) and runs out of puff well before the red line, BUT it does have plenty of torque so is quite well suited to auto format. Once in top the engine has enough torque to make spirited driving along twisty roads both a reality and a lot of fun, especially if you acquire the skill of left foot brake, right foot throttle.

I do prefer the manual on long high speed drives but that is because of the overdrive, lower rev and thus quieter at high speed.

Long term average mpg is manual (overdrive) 33mpg (on waxstats) and auto 27mpg.

Geoff


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 Post subject: Re: Auto v Manual Sprint
PostPosted: Sat Nov 11, 2017 10:55 am 
I've got an 1850 auto and a Sprintl.

When I first got the 1850 somehow got the impression that these were the best ones to have. Basically down to the 3.27:1 diff.

There is no doubt that this makes for more relaxed driving (which if you have an auto is possibly one of the things that you want) but it also makes it less nippy. I find that the extra power of the Sprint makes it even more relaxed. I find myself giving the 1850 quite bit of boot whereas the Sprint needs a much lighter throttle. The diff ratio is not that much difference so the revs are not that much more.

The main problem with the Sprint is that it is a Sprint. I have come up from the ranks of OHV Triumphs and the move to the 1850 was enough of a shock. The Sprint adds another layer of problems. Basically everything is in the way of everything else.

I will probably sell one next year but I want to make sure that they are both properly setup before deciding. If it was down to driving I would probably sell the 1850 but I think that it may well be the Sprint.

I may well look at a 1500 auto as well (there is what looks to be a nice one on car and classic at the moment but it is brown and in Cornwall).

Edit - I have just realised that this is a bit off subject.


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 Post subject: Re: Auto v Manual Sprint
PostPosted: Sat Nov 11, 2017 10:01 pm 
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Joined: Sun Aug 21, 2011 5:12 pm
Posts: 7013
Location: Highley, Shropshire
Quote:
pleased you auto lovers like your autos. our two daily BMWs are both 8 speed autos and its really a fantastic gearbox and well suited to cruising and day to day drudge driving.

I drive my classics for fun and feel the auto in my stag spoils an excellent car, I'm contemplating the ZF conversion but at just under £4k its a tad expensive. The auto sprint I test drove just didn't feel right as part of the enjoyment of driving a sporty saloon is stirring the middle stick and getting the most out of the clutch.
My 2 daily Cavaliers are both autos, still plenty quick enough (even if only 4 speeders with sport mode) and return up to 40MPG at a motorway cruising speed. I have the Carledo for fun, built with fast road and occasional trackdays in mind, with firm ride, 135ish BHP on tap and only 760kg to drag around with it, the 5 speed manual box is a joy on A and B roads. But if you actually want to GO somewhere, say 150 miles away, the more relaxed auto is the way to go! When my Sprint is finished, the Cavs will be sold and THAT will be my main car!

Steve

_________________
'73 2 door Toledo with Vauxhall Carlton 2.0 8v engine (The Carledo)
'78 Sprint Auto with Vauxhall Omega 2.2 16v engine (The Dolomega)
'72 Triumph 1500FWD in Slate Grey, Now with RWD and Carledo powertrain!

Maverick Triumph, Servicing, Repairs, Electrical, Recomissioning, MOT prep, Trackerjack brake fitting service.
Apprentice served Triumph Specialist for 50 years. PM for more info or quotes.


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 Post subject: Re: Auto v Manual Sprint
PostPosted: Sun Nov 12, 2017 10:31 am 
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Joined: Mon Aug 10, 2015 8:20 pm
Posts: 1293
Location: Shetland / here & there
Quote:
They're classics - not really to be treated the way most were back in the day - so don't feel the manual is that important now.

But, if this was 1980 and the car was new, plenty spares etc etc, then yes "drive it like you stole it", manual over auto YES, but theyre to be loved and cherished now. So auto over manual now YES lol.
Ah, was a bit of a hooligan back in the 80s, and er, haven't matured much in the buried throttle is a happy throttle area with my Sprint... :oops:

_________________
Current fleet: '75 Sprint, '73 1850, Daihatsu Fourtrak, Honda CG125, Yamaha Fazer 600, Shetland 570 (yes it's a boat!)

Past fleet: Triumph 2000, Lancia Beta Coupe, BL Mini Clubman, Austin Metro, Vauxhall Cavalier MK1 & MK2, Renault 18 D, Rover 216 GSI, Honda Accord (most expensive car purchase, hated, made out of magnetic metal as only car I've ever been crashed into...4 times), BMW 318, Golf GTi MK3 16v x 3


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 Post subject: Re: Auto v Manual Sprint
PostPosted: Sun Nov 12, 2017 11:18 pm 
did a swift 50 miles this afternoon and enjoyed every stick stirring minute.

auto or manual I don't really care, these re terrific little cars aren't they?


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 Post subject: Re: Auto v Manual Sprint
PostPosted: Mon Nov 13, 2017 7:11 pm 
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Joined: Wed Aug 16, 2017 2:06 pm
Posts: 628
Location: Outer Hebrides
Quote:
did a swift 50 miles this afternoon and enjoyed every stick stirring minute.

auto or manual I don't really care, these re terrific little cars aren't they?
Completely, fantastic to drive regardless....

_________________
Triumph Dolomite Sprint,RNK 957W

Built 26/6/1980 (one of the last built), Auto, Porcelain White - Genuine Mileage 52,820 (warranted).

Only 3 previous owners, (2 within the same family).

Supplied by Lavender Hill Garage Ltd, Enfield, London, by garage owner Jimmy Metcalfe on 30th September 1980 to Geoffery Robinson, Enfield.

Club Membership No: 2017092


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 Post subject: Re: Auto v Manual Sprint
PostPosted: Sat Dec 16, 2017 9:07 pm 
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Joined: Mon Feb 02, 2009 7:39 pm
Posts: 241
I owned an auto Sprint for several years (MKH200V) and always wondered what I was missing with the manual version. Never got to drive a manual Sprint and now have a 1500HL.
There's no trace of MKH200V any more so it must have been scrapped. The auto box was about the only thing that didn't give trouble.


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 Post subject: Re: Auto v Manual Sprint
PostPosted: Sun Dec 17, 2017 12:30 am 
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TDC Member
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Joined: Wed Aug 16, 2017 2:06 pm
Posts: 628
Location: Outer Hebrides
Quote:
I owned an auto Sprint for several years (MKH200V) and always wondered what I was missing with the manual version. Never got to drive a manual Sprint and now have a 1500HL.
There's no trace of MKH200V any more so it must have been scrapped. The auto box was about the only thing that didn't give trouble.
They're supposed to be bullet proof....

_________________
Triumph Dolomite Sprint,RNK 957W

Built 26/6/1980 (one of the last built), Auto, Porcelain White - Genuine Mileage 52,820 (warranted).

Only 3 previous owners, (2 within the same family).

Supplied by Lavender Hill Garage Ltd, Enfield, London, by garage owner Jimmy Metcalfe on 30th September 1980 to Geoffery Robinson, Enfield.

Club Membership No: 2017092


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