Automatic Bay - good or bad idea?!

Discussion in 'Buying a VW Camper' started by Gobsheen, Apr 1, 2015.

  1. I'm still on the look for the right bay. An auto box is something I've never really considered as I just assumed I would always buy a manual. But, I'm spotting auto's and wondering what they're like. It may help to know that I'm aiming at a bay with a type 4 engine, so likely a later late bay.......not sure how that impacts gearboxes. It'll be pretty much my daily driver.

    So, here's the questions.........what's the auto like?! Higher fuel consumption? Problematic? Painfully slow changes? Power zapping? Top speed issues? Or, are they the best thing ever?!!!
     
  2. Soggz

    Soggz An inquisitive supporter

    Bad.Nowt wrong with stirring a bucket of bricks...thats what its all about...;)
     
  3. I've an auto and love it, it will sit at seventy but it'll drink petrol. Apparently the manuals are better on juice
     
    fugly76 likes this.
  4. My dad has one and loves it, its an 1800 and ranges from 18 to 25 mpg, he does not drive it like he stole it, he used mine a manual 2000cc and averaged 25mpg
     
  5. Ok, you're putting me off! 18mpg is scary for a daily driver.
     
  6. Manual vans aren't much better... Maybe an lpg conversion would benefit if you're planning on daily driving the van!! :cool:
     
  7. Yeah, I'm thinking about LPG but hoping to be getting 25mpg min!
     
  8. i used mine daily and averaged 22-25mpg, dad got as low as 18 fully loaded and up hills in new zealand to give it context :)
     
  9. Fruitcake

    Fruitcake Supporter

    Mine's an auto, I bought it with a faulty box and was surprised how few people were prepared to work on it considering that the basic box was quite prevalent in the 70' and 80's. It's fixed now courtesy of Stantons of Tonbridge and it drives very well with crisp changes but as others have said it's juicy and struggles to do 20mpg. If you test drive an auto just make sure the oil is still red and that the changes are crisp and you'll be fine.
     
  10. Baysearcher

    Baysearcher [secret moderator]

    If you want a minimum of 25mpg you may wish to revise your choice of vehicle all together.
    Some people claim daft figures but I'd say 25mpg is good; really good; even in a manual. You won't get much more than that and most people get less.
     
    Lord Congi and Bertiebot like this.
  11. rickyrooo1

    rickyrooo1 Hanging round like a bad smell

    I drive a 2l auto wouldn't use as a daily though 20mpg is good going.....
     
  12. ours is a 78 2l auto and ive always in the back of my mind always wanted a manual, but I think if i got a manual it would be a case of not realizing what you've got til its gone, yes, the fuel consumption is slightly worse than bad (lets be honest here!) yes the wear on the brakes is more than normal as you cant use the gears to aid slowing down down hills etc, you may also feel a little disengaged from the driving experience as your not in control of the gears, but overall, I do actually love the auto. its easy to drive, just sit and cruise, as said before, as long as the gears slide smooth and there is no clunk between D and R (on a hill its a little to be expected) then its just go and stop! and they are dare i say....rarer? but lets not talk about that. they certainly are an option though! Ours is very responsive at junctions too. There's no interior in there at the moment but even with it, its quite good off the line! next time I'm in the bus and the conditions are tight I will take a video of the speedo so you can see, but its not all about speed. I'm pretty that has served as NO help to you and your decision but hey ho, hope it has :D
     
  13. Razzyh

    Razzyh Supporter

    I've got an early 003 auto on a 2L type 4 and absolutely love it. It's not good on fuel but who cares.

    This is our fuel consumption on our last holiday to France.

    8 aug >> 25.5 l - 98852 miles
    8 aug >> 34l - 99097m - 51.34€
    9 aug >> 39l - 99411m - 59.24€
    9 aug >> 17l - 99554m - 25.48€
    9 aug >> 34.01l - 99823m - 52€
    14 aug >> 31.5l - 00046m - 47.15€
    15 aug >> 13.5l - 00135m - 19.89€
    15 Aug >> 37l - 00443m - 56.76€
    16 Aug >> 38l - 00775m - 56.16€
    20 Aug >> 38.01l - 01086m - 56.04€
    24 Aug >> 38l - 01385m - 56.20€
    24 Aug >> 33l - 01648m - £42.87
    24 Aug >> 26l - 01839m - £33.77

    Ignore the miles - Mileage is in kpm so you can work it out.
     
  14. thinking of getting this tat for my hand :D
    Screen Shot 2015-04-01 at 22.34.07.png
     
    holmsen, Lasty, Razzyh and 1 other person like this.
  15. Moons

    Moons Supporter

    Pretty sure the Dwight D Eisenhower gets better than MPG
     
  16. Razzyh

    Razzyh Supporter

    Did you work it out?
     
  17. Moons

    Moons Supporter

    No.
     
  18. Ab
    its about 20 mpg.
     
  19. You actually got 23 mpg on one run. I didn't work them all out but that's pretty good and I guess it was constant speed cruising with it being a long distance in one day?
     
    Razzyh likes this.
  20. rickyrooo1

    rickyrooo1 Hanging round like a bad smell

    Fully loaded with a trailer in mountainous Wales I got 12mpg to a tank one time.
     

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