---Chris Paquette <cp@IX.NETCOM.COM> wrote:
> transmissions. I've been told by a friend (owns an '84 Westy) that an
> automatic transmission steals power from an already power-poor
> vehicle.
>
> True?
>
Not at all.  My 1.9l 83.5 auto has just as much power as a stick.
Normally my vehicles have sticks, it's a control thing.  But I really
like my auto, especially when I'm creeping thru the forest rather than
burning a clutch.  My top speed is the same or better than the Vanagon
sticks I've tried.  MGP seems about the same (17 city, 19 highway).
What REALLY has me sold is I've had to do no maintenace other than
change the oil and filters a couple of times in 147k.  If you read the
list long enough, replacing clutches, bearings, linkage, and even
rebuilding the whole tranny is an all too frequent major headache.

I wouldn't turn down a good deal with a stick, but the auto is a major
plus.

TBill
83.5 Westy
(technically for sale)
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