I have a daughter who is going for her licence. It looks like she may be better suited to an Automatic.
1. Does a Beetle with Semi Automatic classify as an Automatic or manual in NSW or WA?
2. How good/bad are the semi Automatic boxes. Are there problems to look out for
Any help appreciated as the day draws nigh for her to get her lic.
[Edited on 10-6-2004 by preacherman]
i drive a semi-auto, and i have found it to be GREAT!
i have had no probs with the trans, and i "BELIEVE" theyre Auto's becuase there is no clutch to speak of.
as column shifts do not require a manual liscence and are very similar..
there is no performance loss in the semi-s because low gear acts as low and first range on a manual..
so gears will look like this...
R 1
L 2
reverse - reverse
L - low range - only really need for up/down STEEP hills, but handy at the lights for a bit of a quicker take off
1 - first range - good up to about 75kph,
2 - second range - good on freeway
the boxes themselves are still VW, and are ALL made in Germany.. which means all Semi-auto's have the IRS Pan, and are the "most modern" model of a 68/9/70' beetle
they are old but they do last..
Lee (68Autobug) is the man to talk to really
but i hope i havehelped some..
i really encourage her to try a semi-auto as theyre a lot of fun! i love mine.. and easy to drive.. hard to stall =D
---Damien
Ile give my std answer,if i had any kids approaching licence time i would not advise or encourage her or him to get a 30yr old car especially a beetle,im very happy with mine but i only come out at night so theres less traffic,(mental picture)18yr old friday night cuppla drinks light drizzle goin around a corner off camber 3 friends in the car inexperiance:cry Buy her a corolla with an airbag and aircon :thumb sorry if this is a bit over the top🙂
I agree with you lugnuts 100%
i have had my lisence for 2 and a half months and i drove in the worst conditions imaginable last night.. had a good 10 litres dumped on my windscrren by a passing car, blew a tail light fuse, could feel the water hitting bottom of car under my feet, through constant HEAVY Rain at 9pm,with no rear de-mister, after spending 4 hrs on the phone (at work) and i will agree, a beetle is definatley not the safest or easiest car to control.
but if she insists on a beetle, then a semi-auto would be much easier.. but if she will settle for somthing a LOT safer.. dont hold back on getting her somthing that IS a lot safer.
i still reccomend the semi-auto as a good car for the fact it is easier than a manual.. but then again there is also the fact that..
a) german gearbox meaning reverse is on the left, not right
b) you get used to no clutch
probably not the best to learn in.
guess this is the CON's post from me.
im still happy with my semi-auto though.
