As a born and raised manual transmission Winnipeg driver, I have been
exposed to nearly every extreme of driving condition possible - hot, cold,
wet, dry, icy, snowy.  About the only thing we don't get here are hurricanes
and earthquakes...

I don't think anyone could argue that any manual transmission offers more
control than an automatic when driving - under all conditions.

In my experience, a manual transmission offers better slippery weather
performance for two key points:
1) compression braking (possible with an AT, but much easier to execute in a
manual) when slowing down around corners, etc.  When it's icy, even the
slightest touch of the brake can send you into a skid...
2) throttle/clutch feathering to get going from a stop on ice, or in snow.

Other than that, it's really personal choice.  With only 95 HP, I don't
think an AT Vanagon should even have been offered!

Andrew
'86 Westy 4-spd
Winnipeg, MB

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Eric and Marica [mailto:eric.clarke@SHAW.CA]
> Sent: Thursday, September 11, 2003 2:27 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Manual or AT?
>
>
> Puh-lease!!
>
> I've lived in the coldest parts of Canada all my (now seemingly
> pathetic) life (Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Edmonton, and remote bits of the
> NWT) and have never had issues with either AT or manual because of the
> cold.  I'm curious as to what you drive that wouldn't operate in the
> cold?
>
> I prefer my AT 80 Westie over a manual because it's less to
> think about
> / manage in city driving. Also, as a Southpaw coffee addict, I don't
> like to have both my hands required to drive.  My AT gets manually
> downshifted to 2 very often and to 1 once in a while (we did the
> Coquihalla last week coming home from Vancouver and it was first gear
> and 40 kph - but 'ol Rusty made it!)
>
> - Eric
> '80 Westie 'Rusty'
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]
> On Behalf
> Of Kim Brennan
> Sent: Thursday, September 11, 2003 12:44 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Manual or AT?
>
>
> In Sunny California this is probably true enough. In the snowy north
> (and east), a manual transmission is superior to an
> automatic...especially if you already know how to drive in
> snow and ice.
>
> My automatic cars are essentially inoperable during the frozen days of
> winter.
>
>
> On Thursday, September 11, 2003, at 03:24  AM, Tom LaLanne wrote:
>
> >  The manual trans has no significant advantage over an AT unless one
> > is seeking high performance.
>

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