Date: Tue, 19 Dec 2006 20:21:09 -0500 From: Mike Collum <collum@VERIZON.NET> Subject: Re: Automatic Westy's vs Manual Westy's - two wheel This topic has been hashed over on several occasions, John. Opinions seem to be split but generally indicate that the automatic is a more robust transmission. I have one of each and I love 'em both ... just for different reasons. If I'm doing a lot of driving in hilly country or a lot of in-town driving, the automatic wins hands down. Being of the old school, though, I kind of like shifting ... most of the time. ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ An extremely subjective topic and it comes down to what your personal preference is IMO...not which is better because there is no definitive answer to that one. Me, I have no interest in automatics at all. For the occasional time I encounter stop/start traffic and think about how an auto would be easier in those circumstances, I am then reminded that that kind of driving probably counts for less than 2% of my total driving experience. Would I trade my 5 speed manual for the ease of an auto in traffic <2% of the time? No @#$%ing way! Personally, I can't even justify an auto on reliability grounds. My manual has 14 years & 296,000kms on it now and has never been touched except for me changing the original gearbox oil @ 90,000kms to synthetic, then again at 180,000kms and more recently at 270,000kms. I am also still going strong on the original clutch....and I do tow trailers sometimes with this van although I don't live in a city thank goodness so....other's experiences will vary as much as opinions on this one. I may in the minority but I want to give a shout out for the manual. The only thing that would force me into an auto would be my left knee giving out...:-) Cheers and Merry Christmas to all.... Steve O NSW Australia '92 Transporter WBX Kombi '00 Transporter Double Cab '03 Transporter Double Cab (work truck) '78 Land Rover Series 3 109 soft top ute (ex-Aust.Army) |
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