Date:    Tue, 19 Dec 2006 20:21:09 -0500
From:    Mike Collum <collum@VERIZON.NET>
Subject: Re: Automatic Westy's vs Manual Westy's  - two wheel

This topic has been hashed over on several occasions, John.  Opinions
seem to be split but generally indicate that the automatic is a more
robust transmission.

I have one of each and I love 'em both ... just for different reasons.
If I'm doing a lot of driving in hilly country or a lot of in-town
driving, the automatic wins hands down.  Being of the old school,
though, I kind of like shifting ... most of the time.

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An extremely subjective topic and it comes down to what your personal
preference is IMO...not which is better because there is no definitive
answer to that one.

Me, I have no interest in automatics at all. For the occasional time I
encounter stop/start traffic and think about how an auto would be easier
in those circumstances, I am then reminded that that kind of driving
probably counts for less than 2% of my total driving experience. Would I
trade my 5 speed manual for the ease of an auto in traffic <2% of the
time? 
No @#$%ing way!

Personally, I can't even justify an auto on reliability grounds. My
manual has 14 years & 296,000kms on it now and has never been touched
except for me changing the original gearbox oil @ 90,000kms to
synthetic, then again at 180,000kms and more recently at 270,000kms. I
am also still going strong on the original clutch....and I do tow
trailers sometimes with this van although I don't live in a city thank
goodness so....other's experiences will vary as much as opinions on this
one. I may in the minority but I want to give a shout out for the
manual.

The only thing that would force me into an auto would be my left knee
giving out...:-)

Cheers and Merry Christmas to all....

Steve O
NSW Australia
'92 Transporter WBX Kombi
'00 Transporter Double Cab
'03 Transporter Double Cab (work truck)
'78 Land Rover Series 3 109 soft top ute (ex-Aust.Army)