Date: Mon, 08 Mar 1999 21:20:54 GMT From: johnnopsamcation.com (john) Subject: Re: Why is manual better than automatic transmission?
Dear Debra, The auto box in the old 900 is not the greatest way of delivering engine power to the wheels 1. It has only 3 speeds and on the Motorway you are always wishing it had another ratio on top - you use more fuel. 2. The transmition is in a constant state of slipping - thats just the nature of auto's - you use more fuel. 3.The 900 is a fairly heavy car - by euro and oriental standards anyway - 3 speeds means you are not making the best use of the engines power band when accelerating - you use more fuel and the car realy feels heavy. On the other hand; 1.They are great for driving in heavy town traffic - how I hate riding the clutch pulling that gear stick back and fourth 20 times just to get 100 yards along the the road in rush hour. 2.You dont have a clutch to wear out and need replacing. 3. The Manual box in the 900 is generaly agreed to be the weakest part of the car and common reason for scraping older models - make sure you get it checked by a Saab specialist who can hear for those tell tale noises of impending faliure ( noise in 5th being but one). 4. Auto,s seem to last much longer if not abused and also tend to look after their engines better - the torque converter means the engine never has to labour and is generaly cusioned from sudden changes of engine load. I've still got back ache from bending over my engine last weekend and changing the clutch, I drove in central London the next day and never got out of 2rd most of the time - I could have walked faster - 5spd bad auto good! Next week - 300 miles to do on the motorway - cruise control on at 70mph, engine ticking over at about 2700rpm and 37 mpg - auto bad 5spd good! Hope this helps John
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