advice on the auto stick beetle

[stcos85]

Hi,

new to this forum and this is my 2nd post, the first one asking if anyones gotacar for sale. would like some advice on what to look for specifically with regards to the auto side of things as I am about to start looking to buy one.

My wife can only drive an auto and really wants a beetle so this looks like the solution.

what I would like to know is, are the specific auto parts available in the uk and if so where can I get them. How reliable are they and what sort of maintenance do you need to carry out.

Does anyone have any specific info on these vehicles and what one should I go for. I did see a convertible one but how rare are these.

[bookwus]

Hiya stcos,

I responded to your thread over on The Samba.  Please check it out.

As for parts in Jolly Old England, you'll need a fellow countryman to fill you in on that.

The AutoStick was a pretty common option on convertibles here in the USA, but that does not mean they come up on the market frequently.  Many have been converted to manuals and convertibles, by their very nature, are subject to more body stress and rust than a sedan.  That means time has taken its toll on the soft-tops.  I would be VERY interested if an AS convertible were being offered in my vicinity.

[stcos85]

thanks for your reply on here and the samba. Hasn't put me off but I would happier if there was someone in the uk who has gone down this route and could give me any advice.

[68AutoBug]

Owners of Autosticks living in the UK, do pop up on here frequently.
So keep checking or go thru some old posts and find them that way.
AutoSticks are probably as rare in the UK as they are in Australia.
Many parts are still available in the USA.. but from what I;ve seen, they are not all sold by the same company.
so You need to check around on UK & US sites.
If the autostick is mantained the same as any old beetle, You will get a good run from it.
First thing is to buy an Owners manual and a workshop manual.
There are many good books out there, telling You when to change the oil and how to do it correctly - adjusting the tappets and tuning the engine.etc
Volkswagens are different to any other car and need to be looked after as such.
Best of Luck

Lee Noonan -- 68Autobug -- Australia --

http://community.webshots.com/user/vw68autobug



[/u]

[stcos85]

from experience have you heard of many auto's coming from South Africa. I have a guy who is looking for a crewcab for me this week and have asked him to be on the lookout for an auto on his travels as well.

[68AutoBug]

Hi Steve,
Your Wife would have no trouble driving an auto stick beetle.
She can leave it in Drive 2 and just drive...
or to get some real acceleration, use drive 1 and drive 2..
Normally You take Your foot off the acceeleration to change gears, but if You don't, it still works the same... although the engine will rev a bit while you change the gear... but the clutch is just about instantanous -
faster than You can say - IN -OUT - IN.... so there is no slippage at all..
For exciting acceleration.... Use Low gear then Drive 1 & Drive 2...
but it may take your wife a while to master that...

Karmann made Cabriolets [convertibles with a padded roof] were never sold in Australia. Some have been imported from Japan.
Karmann Ghia cabriolets are being imported from the USA and many of them are Autosticks.  They sell for the same price as a New VW Rabbit [Golf]...

Lee -- 68Autobug -- Australia --

http://community.webshots.com/user/vw68autobug