Auto Stick

[MikeH]

Hey Dustin, you have an auto-stick? I'm wondering who else has one and would you buy one again?

I'm looking at a SB auto-stick as a restore project but stuck on whether I want an auto-stick. The manual conversion isn't a cake walk and adds cost so not looking to switch it out as part of the project.

I don't want a gutless wonder when I'm done.

I'm told parts for the auto are real hard to find if it breaks too.

Mike

[Dustin]

Mike,

John and Aki also have autosticks. I like mine its easy to drive and when in traffic you don't a tired foot from the clutch. However if you want speed this isn't the car for you. I have found some threads on the samba talking about power upgrades and even upgrades to as big as a 1835cc but you have to move the vacuum and fluid tanks to another location. Even with that upgrade it won't be as fast as a manual Bug with an 1835cc. But I have another Bug thats a stick to have fun with. I would buy an autostick again if I came across one. I have not had a hard time finding extra parts nor has mine broke to where I need parts. I have had this car for about 10 years. There are nay sayers for the autosticks but most people who talk crap about them have never owned one. So Cal Imports sell an autostick to manual conversion kit with everything you need for less than $500.

[ghiastein]

I am not Dustin but if you don't mind I can add my 2 cents.

Dustin is not the only one with an AutoStick. John H. also owns one plus I drove it once at the BugRun. Right now may not be a good time to talk to him about is car. Yesterday it pooped out and left us stranded for a few until I crawled under it to jump the starter. I think he has wiring issues.

Aki Tsuji has a AutoStick Ghia that runs and drives nice.

After driving John's it seams to be alot easier to drive no clutch not tons of shifting just go. I feel that the ease of driving out out weighs the quick acceleration. In my own opinion it just seems like more to go wrong tons of extra hoses electrical and different parts.

I once owned a 1969 AutoStick Ghia that I never drove but I did disassemble it plus I have a few parts still kicking around from it.

I really don't think that they are that rare just not as desirable. If my wife really wanted a Beetle I would rather buy her an AutoStick than try to teach her to drive a stick.

I hope this helps a little
AJ

[ghiastein]

Dustin you beat me by a few minutes.

Sorry for repeating what Dustin said

AJ

[MikeH]

What I'm reading on Samba and other sites seems to indicate they've become rare because so many have been swapped for manuals and then junked.

In the process of researching it also seems that they are a whole lot more complicated to maintain and remove.

More electrical, makes engine removal harder, mounted differently (12 bolts?), more fluids and hoses to deal with, etc. Though its rumored they last forever if maintained well.

I passed on the auto-stick purchase.

[Dustin]

It is a little more difficult to remove since it has the 4 usual nuts plus 4 torque converter bolts and the trans fluid lines from the oil pump but its cake still. And they are great cruisers since theres no clutch and you shift once. I hate all the negative comments from people on the samba and they are still far from rare though many have been swapped over and their parts used on VW Trikes.

Good luck in your search for that perfect car.

[Ruffuss]

Like the other guys I have no problem with the auto-stick, besides if you want real speed you don't drive an air-cooled VW. The easy of motion and convenience out weigh the negatives, in my opinion. If I could find an auto-stick Thing I'd snatch it up.Thats my 2 cents worth Later Kenn

[Dustin]

John might help you convert one Kenn, Haha

[Ruffuss]

It would have to also be right-hand drive would that be bitc_'n or what. Kenn

[Dustin]

auto stick, right hand drive, fuel injected, 6v, Haha thats what John talks about all the time.

[akitsuji]

Sorry for this late reply.
The foot space in the Ghia is very tight. AJ takes off shose to drive his Ghia. He is not a Japanase by the way.
I love the auto stick Ghia. I did not expect to have one when I got the Ghia. After driving a conventional stick shift Ghia, I was glad to have an auto stick. I do not know about mechanical reliability at this moment. But currently it is working very well. I believe that mine is an original. I can't proof my statement without a maintenance record, . But from a visual inspection by mechanics, it appears to be an original.

Thanks.
Aki

[yellowbug73]

I too have a bug autostick. It is all stock. Runs and drive fine. I have been woundering how to get more power out it. Little dogish off the get go. but once up to speed, it drives well.

[akitsuji]

Oct 2008, The goodvolks members did tune up my Ghia while I was traveling in Japan. Since then my Ghia runs very good and I don't feel any dogishness. Check with Dustin and Bren how they did on my Ghia. I think it's slightly high on the idle speed.

[yellowbug73]

Im sure its fine. Guess Im just use to the pick up on my stick shift bug. Should drive a bit more. I had bought the car for my girlfriend. She didnt know how to drive a stick, so I got her the autostick. But she dosnt drive it either. She says I spend to much money and time on them.

[gokart]

I have never owned one but, I dislike all automatics equally (VW or not).