TheSamba.com :: View topic

Mon Dec 16, 2002 10:04 pm

Does anyone,or has anyone driven a 78 camper with a auto trans?They don't seem to sell as well as a stick.Does the auto trans suck?I mean,is the bus much slower with an automatic?

Mon Dec 16, 2002 11:25 pm

i have heard that fixing the auto can be a bitch. and it has les powere. dont know for sure though becasue i have never driven one and dont plan on driving.
lc

Tue Dec 17, 2002 7:52 pm

I have owned and driven several Westfalias including a couple of automatics. I have had a lot of busses to choose from and my personal Westfalia is a 1976 automatic deluxe with a stock 1978 fuel injected engine. The automatics are a little sluggish compared to the manuals, but it isn't as pronounced as many would lead you to believe. About 5 years ago I also drove a 1979 automatic Westfalia for about 6 months before selling it. I personally like the automatics for city driving for obvious reasons, but on the road or in the mountains the manual would obviously be better. The automatics of this era didn't have locking torque converters and they always lose some power due to slippage. The older automatics (pre-74 I think) also have vacuum shift transmissions which were a little less desirable than the later bays. With regards to running slower the automatic and manual are about the same unless you are driving in mountains. I drive my automatic at 65 MPH on the highway and will drive 70-75 if the weather is cool with no overheating problems. I have even pulled small trailers on some road trips. I have driven my automatic and a couple of different manuals in the Colorado Rockies. None of them perform especially well in the higher elevations, but the manuals pull a little better. I have never had any transmission work performed, but others have told me the auto trans shares a lot of parts with some of the older watercooled automatics and they are easy to work on. In my experience guys usually want the manual busses for the macho element(if that's possible in a bus), but women will pay a premium price for the automatics.

Tue Dec 17, 2002 8:49 pm

Ok,so if I'm looking to buy a Westy,do I want a stick,or auto?My daily driver is a Nissan Pathfinder(auto).I also have a 65 Bug,and a 84 Porsche 911 Carrera,both sticks.I just sold a 66 split window bus which was,of course,a stick.I think the Westy should be a 4 speed too.

Tue Dec 17, 2002 9:12 pm

My first bus was a 78 westy w/ the automatic, and though i do prefer the four speed, it was really smooth to drive and i honestly miss the feeling. you will only notice a little sluggishness in the accelleration - not really on the highway. i currently own a 71 (four speed) and a 91 vanagon w/ an automatic, and my only complaint is if the starter ever goes or gets hot and won't turn etc. you can't push start. my advice - make your buying decision on the overall condition of the bus, look for things like rust or collision damage first. good luck!
g