In a message dated 97-12-04 11:33:29 EST, Eric_Small@sabre.com writes:

<< Now I want to talk
 reliability! Is this true that the auto is more reliable and cheaper to
maintain
 than the stick? Should I run from a van with a trailer hitch on its tail? >>

That is a broad question....
but if you want a broad answer, yes, statistically, there are more manual
transmission failures on vanagons, than failures of automatic transmissions.

what was the PO towing with the Van??  has the clutch been replaced? does it
shift smoothly thru all gears?  Is your wife used to driving stick shifts?
those are all factors..
but theres no real disadvantages of manual transmissions other than their
track record, and alot of times that depends on how they were maintained and
driven.

chris