This was discussed on the Yahoo! Vanagon diesel group at length a while
back. The consensus among the truly informed (not me) was that it would
not be a good idea in a vanagon, for reasons which may or may not apply
to a Rabbit. You should go there and check the archives. I think the
three speed would blow it. I drive a five-speed diesel and would hate
to be running four. Three's not company in this case.

Jim

On Feb 25, 2005, at 10:09 AM, Edward Duntz wrote:

> I'd like to get some opinions on having a 1.6L NA diesel coupled with
> an automatic transmission, specifically, in a Rabbit. I've had two
> different Rabbit diesels, both with a 4-speed manual transmission. I
> would imagine that, even though the gear ratios would be different in
> an automatic than a manual, it would still be louder and higher revs
> because the AT is only 3-speed. I have the chance to buy one, but I'm
> unsure about the AT. I'd prefer a 5-speed, but with not too many
> diesels in my price range ($1,500 or less) within driving distance to
> me (CT), I can't be too picky. I'd like to get it and convert to veg.
> oil in the next few years.
>
> Thanks,
> Ed
>