85 westy weekender automatic vs standard trans?

[skelly]

Hey guys. This will be my first post and my first westy (if all goes well). I'm looking at a 1985 westy weekender that has a 3 speed automatic transmission and a GoWesty 2.2L rebuild (40K on it). The owner now drives it as his daily driver and it seems to run great. Since most are standards, I'm curious what you all think about buying an automatic trans vs standard. This is our Honeymoon vehicle so my Fiance will be happy its an automatic (or will she?) and I am fine either way. I just want to check with the Samba community before I buy it, in case there's something I don't know about the automatics that I should. Thanks!

[MarkWard]

I would not be put off by an automatic. This automatic was used for years in many vw and Audi vehicles. They can be very reliable and a pleasure that drive.
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[jimf909]

Use the google search in the upper right to search for Vanagon auto and you’ll find several threads where auto owners go on and on about how much they love their auto transmissions.

I never would have considered one but after reading so many positive comments I now wonder what I’m missing.

While you’re at it, go to the Vanagon FAQs here to read about PPis and what to look for (if you haven’t already). Regardless, the transmission type is well down on the list of things to worry about.

Feel free to ask other questions about the van you’re looking at.

Enjoy.
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- Jim

[?Waldo?]

I've owned several vanagons. Most were manuals. The last two have been automatics. The automatic with the stock 1.9 WBX is quite gutless. With a more powerful engine (in your case a 2.2 GW engine) it is a real joy to drive. I think that any other vanagons that I purchase will be automatics.

[Mellow Yellow 74]

[Eric_Taylor]

I have a 91 Westy with a stock 2.1 motor and an automatic. I don't know that I would have sought one out, but this was just the right van so i've got it. I'm very happy with it. It's easy to drive, smooth, and I don't find it kills power, you just have to know how to drive it. These vans are slow regardless of what trans you have. I think the auto combined with the GW 2.2 sounds like a nice setup and I'd go for it if you like the van.

[Gizmoman]

My wife can drive the stick but would defiantly prefer an auto. I think about it as well when I'm in stop and go traffic.

If I were to buy another, it would probably be an auto
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82 Vanagon Westy - AAZ 1.9 TD, HE200 Holset, WAIC, 27.75 dia tires, Electric power steering, 5-speed AAP w/.078 5th
Oversize spare carrier - stock location (no longer for sale).

[cmayna]

Before we bought our '90, we rented westy's 2-3 times a year. They were always with a stick. Then the wife laid the law down and said "If you want me to drive one of these vans up & down the very hilly Van Ness ave in San Francisco, it's got to have an automatic. So the last one we rented was yes, with an automatic. OMG!

We never looked back. She loves driving our rig (when I let her ) Now I can steer with one hand and wave to the hippie chicks...er drink my coffee, with the other hand.

Go auto!!
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'90 Westy / automatic.
If I'm not working on the camper or my '50 Chebbie truck, I'm either fishing with the wife or smoking Salmon.


Craig

[chachi]

i have a thread around here where i asked the same question and having had the auto for a few years, i love it. our van is a cruiser, never would be fast anyway so auto is better for long drives. also...CRUISE CONTROL. after driving 500+ miles yesterday i am convinced CC is the best thing that ever happened to cars. get up to 65, punch the button, kick your sandals off and think about nice things while you drive.
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'74 transporter panel
'91 vanagon carat NAHT

[?Waldo?]

One other item that hasn't been mentioned is that the automatics take a big hit in fuel economy. If you look in the fuel economy thread you will see that they get ~25% worse fuel economy than similar vans with manual transmissions.

[Vanagon Nut]

Since i live in a small town, were it me, when the time came, id be curious if overall, id stand a better chance of getting an automatic transaxle rebuilt locally VS a manual. But then maybe the auto tranny tech is so old, itd be a "wash" in terms of finding a tech to rebuild either.

From my POV, [edit: with buying a rebuilt tranny, having it shipped then installed, ]its potential warranty issues that would be the real PITA.

Neil.
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1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA

1988 West DIY 50º ABA

VE7TBN

[Mellow Yellow 74]

[?Waldo?]

I can't comprehend where you get off. There was nothing at all in my post that was remotely condescending or patronizing. Your post suggested that what I had said previously was incorrect. I disagreed in a kind and respectful manner. I happen to own an '85 Automatic Adventurewagen that had a fine running 1.9 WBX up until a couple weeks ago when i started pulling it for a TDI swap because it was seriously gutless. I think there are very few who would find it an adequately powered vehicle. I have no idea why you would turn that into a personal attack on me. Completely bizarre.

I guess anything can be taken the wrong way if you try hard enough.

"You look nice today."
"Shut up you asshole, you're saying I usually look bad."

[oceanair]

[Zeitgeist 13]

I was just driving a '90 MV with a RJE 2.3L/auto combo today and it's just a joy to behold. This is especially true when compared to the manual in my van. As soon as I can afford it, I'm converting mine from manual to auto.
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Casey--

'89 Bluestar ALH w/12mm Waldo pump, PP764 and GT2052
'01 Weekender --> full camper
y u rune klassik?

[?Waldo?]

[?Waldo?]

To be clear, I am not trying to dissuade anyone from the vanagon automatics. At this point I prefer them. I am just attempting to present as objectively as I can what I have seen as upsides/downsides based on owning quite a few manual and automatic vanagons that were both tin tops and full campers and having worked on quite a few others.

[elizer]

I have seen so much more positive towards the automatic than negative. If there were ever an automatic option for the syncro I would automatically jump the manual ship with zeitgeist.

[Gizmoman]

[Mellow Yellow 74]