Most problems with an automatic are fixed by replacing them with a manual. Most problems with a manual are fixed by replacing the driver. 

I have been driving manual Vanagons for 12 years with none of the problems you mentioned. 

Chris.

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Dnia May 26, 2012 o godz. 11:01 Loren Busch <starwagen@GMAIL.COM> napisał(a):

> RE: Auto vs Stick and Gas Milage
> I've seen some comments in this thread on gas mileage with an automatic
> that puzzle me based on my personal experience.  I drove an '85 Westy stick
> for about seven years, many long trips, about 60 k miles.  During that time
> it cost me a tranny rebuild, two clutches, slave cylinder and eventually an
> engine.  (Though the engine replacement had noting to do with the type of
> tranny I was driving.)  That '85 Westy, on the highway, gave 18 to 21 MPG
> depending on how I drove.  For the last ten years I've been driving a '90
> Westy with automatic.  Not a cent spent on clutches or tranny except for
> routine service.  Just over 70K miles now, many long trips.  And I get from
> 17 to 20 MPG, again depending on how and where I'm driving.  The automatic
> in town?  13 to 15 MPG.  BUT my left knee remains intact after driving in
> heavy city traffic!   Note the numbers, just a mile per gallon less with
> the automatic based on real world experience with two Westies and driven
> with virtually identical loads and several times a year the identical trip.
> On the highway/freeway this is driving at around 60 MPH or a little less.
> If I run at 65 or higher then milaege will drop to 16 to 17 MPG.  And the
> best mileage I get is usually on driving segments in the mountains, winding
> and twisty up and down roads.  Go figure on that. BTW, I'm at just under
> 170,000 miles on this original tranny and the original 2.1L WBX.  That
> means that both are going to need serious attention in the near future.
> The tranny will cost me half to a third of the cost of a rebuild on a
> manual.