Club 80-90 Forums

Am going to look at a T3 van today that has an automatic gearbox, what is the pro's/cons of auto over manual, also are they plagued with problems, any tips on testing ?

Automatic is strong gearbox then standard.

I know several peps with them and all prefer their autos to manual.

As for testing, check fluid color/smell and see how it drives.

no different to any other vehicle choosing between the two really, same pros and cons

auto nice to drive, but uses more fuel and brake components
cant start a auto other than via starter, so make sure batterys is top condition , and carry your own jump leads
less engine braking with auto, so not so controled on declines and in ice
gearbox much more costly if it goes wrong, but less likely to go wrong.
more pipes to worry about with a auto.

id have a auto tomorrow if i found the right van with it, they are nice to drive.

its the bodywork that counts more than anything.

My personal experience is that auto's are an absolute joy to drive - especially in traffic. They might lower your mpg slightly but they're worth it. My only criticism is that unlike a manual which tends to give you some warning that it's not long for this world by whining, crunching, jumping out of gear etc, the auto will simply break and its 'game over'. Even when a manual breaks, you might be able to limp home using a couple of gears that still function.

A mate of mine had an auto Morris 1100 years ago and the box went leaving him with just reverse out in the sticks north of Coventry. We were only teenagers, had no money, no mobiles (not invented), no callbox so he decided to drive it all the way home to south Coventry in reverse. The drive round the ring-road had me in tears

auto is best with 2.1 engine but i am just lazy can be hacked with three pedals just a stop and go

I drive a 2. dj Autobox.
Probably miss the control a manual gives at low speed on muddy fields, and the ability to keep revs up while slipping the clutch for cold mornings.
However the ease of driving in heavy traffic compensates.

T

1664 wrote:My personal experience is that auto's are an absolute joy to drive - especially in traffic. They might lower your mpg slightly but they're worth it. My only criticism is that unlike a manual which tends to give you some warning that it's not long for this world by whining, crunching, jumping out of gear etc, the auto will simply break and its 'game over'. Even when a manual breaks, you might be able to limp home using a couple of gears that still function.

A mate of mine had an auto Morris 1100 years ago and the box went leaving him with just reverse out in the sticks north of Coventry. We were only teenagers, had no money, no mobiles (not invented), no callbox so he decided to drive it all the way home to south Coventry in reverse. The drive round the ring-road had me in tears

What????? Man this ringroad is bad even in forward gears and you'd either be coming in via Holyhead road or Foleshill. How the hell did you get away with that??? How come we've never met up 1664 anyway?

CovKid wrote:What????? Man this ringroad is bad even in forward gears and you'd either be coming in via Holyhead road or Foleshill. How the hell did you get away with that??? How come we've never met up 1664 anyway?

It was 1978 (ish) and a Sunday morning. The only rerason we were there was because I fancied the pants off a girl who liked horse riding. We came in (Coombe Abbey way) via Binley Road, Gulson Road, ring road, kenilworth Road. I honestly don't think I've ever laughed so much in my life, and (God knows) I've had a few laughs.

As for why we've never met - I have no idea. A drinkie would suit me fine if you fancy it

I'll look out - so if you see a looney waving like a looney, but on foot, that'll be me. If you see a looney waving like a looney driving a white one, that'll be me too

P.S Lots of looneys in Cov