In a message dated 3/16/04 8:20:39 PM Eastern Standard Time,
macbus@MINDSPRING.COM writes:

>
> Once again, I find myself pondering the jump from 1968 VW bus to a
> more modern water-cooled VW Transporter. I have run across a few
> interesting Vanagons all of which are late 1980s models and most seem
> to have automatic transmissions.  I have logged a couple of hundred
> miles behind the wheel of various Vanagons (Westy's and passenger
> models ) but all have been manual transmission.
>
> I am curious about the reliability, loss of power as opposed to
> manual trans, and any other general thoughts on the subject. Although
> I live in a fairly flat region I do do some driving and camping in
> the Appalachian Mtns. I am considering passenger vans as well as
> Westfalia campers. Please feel free to share your thoughts and
> experiences.
>
> Thanks
> Chris
> www.everybus.com
>

the automatics are far more reliable than the manual transmissions in the
vanagons.   all the manual transmissions in the waterboxer vanagons had a serious
design flaw from '83-89 - they develop cracks in the 3/4 slider hub and the
only fix is complete rebuild or replacement.  for more info on this, go here:
http://www.gowesty.com/3-4syncrohub.html