I agree Robert, same shift to go from G-gear to first on the syncro. Seems awkward at first but if you relax it goes in easily.

alistair

On 2012-01-12, at 6:34 PM, Robert Downes wrote:

> You know, maybe it's because i've only owned one van, and it has the diesel
> 5sp(DX), i am always surprised when people complain about the location of
> 1st gear. it's true, there is a 'trick' to getting in there, but it's a
> pretty simple trick, and i imagine anyone who drives one for more than a
> few days learns it.
> 
> it's so simple, in fact, that perhaps all the other happy 5sp owners on the
> list just assume that everyone does itautomatically and the detractors are
> just stubbornly attached to their "normal" shift pattern. well, just in
> case there's some mechanic out there who curses at that lockout spring
> every time he has to pull a 5sp into the garage, allow me to enlighten you:
> any time you are coming to a stop, you put it in neutral, REMOVE your hand
> a few inches from the shifter knob, and 'drift' it back towards the seat.
> your hand's momentum makes the push past the lockout unnoticeable.
> 
> if i have calmed the fury of a single DV enthusiast here today, it has been
> worth the risk of condescension.
> 
> humbly,
> -bob
> On Thu, Jan 12, 2012 at 4:46 PM, ralph meyermann
> <ralphmeyermann@gmail.com>wrote:
> 
>> I don't wanna go crazy but just off the beaten path!!
>> 
>> Velma 82diesel 1.6 na westy
>> 
>> On Jan 12, 2012 6:38 PM, "Jim Felder" <jim.felder@gmail.com> wrote:
>> 
>> Right. The five speed is a dream to drive. This is an example of how one
>> uninformed opinion propagates into "fact."
>> 
>> Jim
>> 
>> 
>> On Thu, Jan 12, 2012 at 5:55 PM, Karl Wolz <wolzphoto@q.com> wrote:
>> 
>>> You had a granny gear, or a ...
>>