Converting to a Automatic trans..., I give up! Options

[barebrad]

OK all, I've spent the last year restoring a 73 2.0 with my son. For the last 2 months we have been trying to teach him to operate the clutch. I give! During this same time, I've been able to teach his younger brother and sister to drive the clutch. Guess some people can't figure it out. So I am considering updating to an automatic. Been researching the web and it appears the transaxle from the Audi 4000 is a good candidate. I would like to keep the standard 914 2.0 engine. Anybody have any experience in such a swap? What costs are involved other than the trans? Where do you go to get an adapter plate?

Little help and advice!
Thanks!

[stugray]

I just recently taught both of my children to drive stick.

DO you have any other man trans cars for him to try in?

My son could barely get my wife's Passat moving without stalling it a dozen times.
Then I let him try in my BRZ and he had no trouble at all.

One trick I learned: get them in a parking lot. verify the idle is good (a little high is better).
Have them start the car moving by only using the clutch, no gas at all.

Once they get the hang of getting the car to begin moving without giving it any gas, then have them try driving it normally again.
By doing it that way, you force them to figure out the clutch engagement point while not thinking about anything else.

I had to repeatedly tell my kids "The clutch is NOT an ON/OFF switch. It is more like a volume knob..."

Good luck either way.

[KELTY360]

Had the same issue with my niece; she ended up selling her VW Cabrio and getting an automatic Subie. She's a good athlete and I thought she'd pick it up easily.

Do you have any friends who might be able to help? Maybe a different perspective would help.

[BuddyV]

Years ago when I learned to drive, driving schools offered to teach manual transmission driving.

Maybe (no offense) you are not the "ideal" teacher for your son??? A professional might show him in a way he understands.

Good luck...... for his sake, I hope he gets the hang of a manual transmission.

[mepstein]

I've taught tons of people when their parents or boyfriend gave up. Have someone else teach him. When my wife bought her first car at 17, her father made teaching how to drive manual as part of the deal for the salesperson. He was a smart man.

[sfrenck]

One trick I learned: get them in a parking lot. verify the idle is good (a little high is better).
Have them start the car moving by only using the clutch, no gas at all.

Once they get the hang of getting the car to begin moving without giving it any gas, then have them try driving it normally again.
By doing it that way, you force them to figure out the clutch engagement point while not thinking about anything else.

I had to repeatedly tell my kids "The clutch is NOT an ON/OFF switch. It is more like a volume knob..."

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) I learned that way myself and have taught a couple with the same method

[mepstein]

One trick I learned: get them in a parking lot. verify the idle is good (a little high is better).
Have them start the car moving by only using the clutch, no gas at all.

Once they get the hang of getting the car to begin moving without giving it any gas, then have them try driving it normally again.
By doing it that way, you force them to figure out the clutch engagement point while not thinking about anything else.

I had to repeatedly tell my kids "The clutch is NOT an ON/OFF switch. It is more like a volume knob..."

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) I learned that way myself and have taught a couple with the same method

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) once you get a feel for the clutch, your good. Pretty much the way I taught my son on my tail shift 914.

[Andyrew]

Go buy a 97 Saturn 5 speed for 700 bucks and drive him to an empty parking lot and leave him alone for 2 hours. If you've gone over the basics then he knows what to do, its just muscle memory at this point.

I've done the same for my wife, taught her for about an hour and she was just getting worse. Then grabbed something a bit easier and told he to just try it. Any glarily obvious mistakes I would point out after a few minutes not immediately.


Some people take the criticism personally and are more difficult to teach than others. I've taught about 7-8 people.

[Andyrew]

As for an automatic swap. The early passat/audi 5 speed automatic came in FWD. That trani could be used, but you would need to incorporate the controller.

[barebrad]

Thanks for the advice all... Maybe I need to call up his "cool cousin" and see if he can give it a try for me.

But we have tried driving my Karmann Ghia, Mini Cooper, my dad's 8N tractor and even rented a Uhaul truck. All with disastrous results. I really think he doesn't have the coordination to master it. Plus I think putting an automatic in would be kinda fun!

[carr914]

The Correct Answer is don't let him try to drive the car anymore

[dlkawashima]

If you haven't done so already, read about a 914 automatic, here:

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?sho...=101948&hl=

(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads/post-4253-1260161267.jpg)

[Big Len]

I made a rudimentary model to show mechanically what's going on to my GF. Sometimes, people learn better by showing them what's happening. After, she picked it right up after other fruitless efforts.

[balljoint]

I learned on snow. Slippery surface was more forgiving with the clutch.

Where you are I guess I would have to suggest finding a gravel road.

[jmill]

My son has been having the same problem. I bought him a manual Honda Civic and he's having difficulty. He drives my wife's car now but I hope he gets the hang of it. Saw the pic below on Facebook and it made me laugh. It just might be the motivation they both need.

[Porsche930dude]

yup try what stugray said. no gas and let the clutch out slow. a 4 wheel drive with low range is easier too. a different teacher might help but nobody in the car is better. he knows what the controls do. maybe just needs some peace and quiet to concentrate. plus you can video it (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[Larmo63]

Funny, when we were kids, NOBODY would have thought about driving an automatic. That is what old people drove.

[kshighlander]

Taught both of my daughters on country dirt roads, give it the gas, less chance to stall it. Also just learning the clutch only no gas method is good place to start.

[Elliot Cannon]

One trick I learned: get them in a parking lot. verify the idle is good (a little high is better).
Have them start the car moving by only using the clutch, no gas at all.

Once they get the hang of getting the car to begin moving without giving it any gas, then have them try driving it normally again.
By doing it that way, you force them to figure out the clutch engagement point while not thinking about anything else.

I had to repeatedly tell my kids "The clutch is NOT an ON/OFF switch. It is more like a volume knob..."

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) I learned that way myself and have taught a couple with the same method

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif) It's called muscle memory. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[r_towle]

Bring him to a flat, large parking lot.
You have told him the basics.

GET out of the car.

Let him learn it alone....stand where he cannot see you.

My daughter got it after about ten minutes, then drove us home.

Rich