I've found my diesel Vanagon to be the ideal tool for teaching
beginners to drive a stick. (Just the opposite of a 911! I kill mine
every once in a while) The diesel has super low gears and a huge
flywheel. I've taught a few nieces, nephews, and friends children.
    You are right, of course, and I usually just leave the keys in my
Vanagon, knowing full well that any car thief wouldn't bother with a
stick and especially a diesel!
Al Brase

Doug F wrote:

>This movement away from standard clutch and shift in all car manufacturing
>and the "wanton" of most people (especially women) just kills me.
>
>Just another nail in the coffin of moving farther and farther away from
>"being in touch"  (like the harley rider so to speak) with the machinery.
>
>One of the things I love about the vanagon is its standard shift gear box.
>It seems to give license to driving such a beast.
>
>Difficult to stand in the way of technology, I dont know that everything
>"easy" is always better.  Again you dont see many motorcyclists wanting an
>auto.
>
>To quote a favorite line from Luke Skywalker of Star Wars...."no, thats okay
>R-2, I just want to keep it on "manual" for a little while....."
>
>
>Doug
>5speed 87 syncro
>6 speed P. car 968
>
>Lastly, when they asked the Porsche engineer why they put a 6 speed gear box
>in a 3.0 liter 4cylinder broad torque powered vehicle.... the answer given
>was "because Porsche drivers love to "shift".
>
>
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Mike Collum" <collum@VERIZON.NET>
>To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
>Sent: Monday, February 13, 2006 6:50 AM
>Subject: Re: VW partnerships
>
>
>
>
>>>On Feb 13, 2006, at 1:03 AM, Evan Martin wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>>How many dual-Bus owning couples out there? Somewhat surprisingly, I
>>>>can't think of even one situation where each person had their own van.
>>>>
>>>>
>>We have a situation that's "Almost" like that.
>>
>>"We" own both buses but the 7 passenger is the only one she'll drive
>>because it's automatic and she quit driving standards a number of years
>>
>>
>ago.
>
>
>>"We" also have a 2000 Beetle (automatic) ... but it's really hers ...
>>heheheheh.
>>
>>Mike
>>'84 GL 7 pass auto
>>'85 GL Westy 4 spd
>>
>>
>
>
>