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]
killakornkobb ·
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
lugnuts ·
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🙂
killakornkobb ·
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