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VW Lounge => General Forum => Topic started by: rockdog2877 on December 19, 2008, 11:00:48 am

Title: Auto stick
Post by: rockdog2877 on December 19, 2008, 11:00:48 am
I spy with my little I a beetle with auto stick. what is everyones opinion/ experience with it.
I came across some comments. most were not to favorable....
Title: Re: Auto stick
Post by: bugs2much on December 19, 2008, 01:42:37 pm
I have an auto stick in my '72 and I think it is great. They can be a real bear to fix because of the elec. controls and vacuum system. There is also a torque converter, pump,hydraulic lines, vacuum can, and a servo which works the clutch. Yes it does have a clutch.  If anything goes wrong with that stuff, wow!!
On the other hand the auto stick is very forgiving when compared to a 4 speed. It has 3 speeds; low which you really don't use at all, 1st which you can(but don't have to) start out in, and of course 2nd. Mostly you only have to shift between 1st and 2nd. The nice thing is that when going around corners you will not have to down shift like you do with a 4 spd, 4th to 2nd and then shift up 3rd to 4th. So it's like any other automatic transmission thanks to the torque converter. I said forgiving because you can leave the transmission in 2nd and drive around all day without having to shift at all. Only problem with that is the jack rabbit start people will be right on your bumper. Screw em' let em pass. In city driving, going from light to light I leave it in 2nd. And if I am too lazy to shift back to first of don't want to be bothered mashing thru the gears I leave it in 2nd.
So with the auto stick you can have the best of both worlds, leave the trans in 2nd all day or mash thru the 2 gears.
If you are looking at an auto stick I would suggest you check the transmission fluid. It should be pink to red and very clean. If dirty or smells burnt walk away, the torque converter is probably shot or needs work.
Title: Re: Auto stick
Post by: rockdog2877 on December 19, 2008, 02:03:05 pm
I found the sticky about it on the samba. it seemed like it could be trouble if it isn't perfect. It does give me a pause though.
here is the link to the ad
http://southjersey.craigslist.org/cto/950957309.html
Title: Re: Auto stick
Post by: lovebus (jack) on December 19, 2008, 05:10:45 pm
You may luck out and get a good trans like Jim but If you have trans problems your on your own and you can't get most parts for it.
Title: Re: Auto stick
Post by: scarecrow on December 19, 2008, 07:45:56 pm
I drove one back in the day when they were new. I realy liked it. So much so that the impression still reamins. Dam that was a long time ago  :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Auto stick
Post by: njgt-1 on December 19, 2008, 09:12:05 pm
Barrington, hey thats near me, never seen that car on the road
Title: Re: Auto stick
Post by: rockdog2877 on December 19, 2008, 09:25:18 pm
I asked him why he was selling it, he said because he ran out of storage. The interier needs to be finished/ seats headliner/ and it is running he said.


I think I might let this one pass.....
Title: Re: Auto stick
Post by: dawelder on December 20, 2008, 06:42:45 am
I really, really, didnt want one but could not pass up my ghia. It works great and there are several sources for parts.Dont follow the crowd, be different and have something uncommon once in a while. It is not like it is a type 3 where you cant find anything for it.
Title: Re: Auto stick
Post by: 6T5 square on December 20, 2008, 10:52:59 am
It is not like it is a type 3 where you cant find anything for it.

don't you have a car to work on?