In a message dated 2/12/10 4:19:48 PM Eastern Standard Time,
dhanson928@GMAIL.COM writes:

> ....I've been driving it while we're in the desert
> SW.  My first encounter with a automatic shift vehicle as a daily
> driver...and I don't much care for it.  Around the city, I can see how
> people might want them but out in the mountains and desert it seems to
> waste
> a lot of energy moving through the gears all the time.
>

as far as vanagons....i prefer the automatics.   all of my own personal
vans ('84 sunroof wolfsburg van, '85 doka, '89 westy ) are all automatics
(yes, the doublecab is an automatic!!)

the wbx vanagon automatics are actually pretty robust and trouble free...
i have had more issues with manual trans vanagons with their 3/4 gear slider
hub crack problem than i have ever had with auto tranny vans.....

chris
with a broken left foot...glad my vans are automatics! :)