RE: [DML] Re: Automatic shifting troubles

[MichaelRPack1@xxxx]

I have had two automatic DeLoreans, VIN 3713 September 1981, and VIN 6058 November 1981. Both were very reliable...Once the computers & solinoids were replaced. I drive my cars well over 200-250 miles a day, in & out of downtown Washington DC/Baltimore city traffic, as well as the excellent highways we have here in Maryland.
In the long run, the automatics are less expensive & easier to repair than the 5-speed...in my opinion. However, the fact is the automatics are just as easy, (if not easier) fun, and enjoyable to own in comparision to the 5-speed.

Sincerely,
Michael Pack

83 DMC 
01 BMW 740iL (automatic)
02 BMW M3
99 Acura NSX-T (For sale, automatic & faster than the 6-speed)

"Harold McElraft" <hmcelraft@xxxx> wrote:

>Now wait a minute here - Preference is one thing but facts are 
>another.
>
>Having owned 2 5 speed Ds and put over 100,000 on then (combined) 
>and now owning an automatic in which I have put over 40,000 miles, I 
>think I can compare both in depth. First, for the first 100 yards a 
>properly tuned auto is quicker than a 5 speed. The auto is great in 
>traffic. Zipping around is much easier in an auto and the response 
>time can be much shorter in timing maneuvers because there is no 
>clutch-shift action to mess with. Highway driving in an auto though 
>is not quite as enjoyable to me because, at 80-85 miles an hour, 
>you're looking at 4,000 rpm. For me that is just too high for 
>sustained driving on cruse. 3,000 to 3,400 rpm is better in my mind 
>so, on cruse, I stay at 70-75. Third gear in an auto is 1:00 ratio 
>while 4th gear in a 5 speed is 1.057 to give you a comparison and, 
>there is the torque converter slippage which adds to the rpm some.
>
>As for reliability, well that can be an issue. However, I believe 
>there is enough intelligence and know-how out there that most of 
>those issues are solved. We can fix the governors and the oils 
>leaks. It constantly amazes me the know-how and persistence 
>demonstrated on this forum. I have use that know-how and added my 
>own thing as most of us like to do and I am quite confident in the 
>reliability of the auto. BTW, mine does not leak.
>
>Of course it always comes down to preference and the type of driving 
>you do. If the auto had one more gear or maybe a lockup torque 
>converter? Something to keep my mind busy with.
>
>Harold McElraft - 3354
>
>
>
>
>
>--- In dmcnews@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, jordan rubin <nuttenschleuder@xxxx> 
>wrote:
>> I have to put my two cents in here because I too have
>> been blessed/cursed with an automatic.
>> 
>> Flame away at will
>> 
>> ? ?There werent many options available for me at the
>> time of purchase considering that my car was in near
>> perfect condition, with no major problems and no frame
>> rust. ?That being said, I have come to the conclusion
>> that the only delorean folks who would really enjoy an
>> automatic (best suited for them) would be.
>> 
>> 1. ?People who cant drive stick, naturally
>> 
>> 2. ?Daily driver folks who drive the belt parkway from
>> staten island to brooklyn daily
>> 
>> 3. ?Those occasional drivers who are so worried about
>> driving the car that having an automatic is less to
>> focus on while driving.
>> 
>> 
>> ? ? Those in the group may remember back in may that i
>> was considering a transmission swapout for the 5 speed
>> and was urged not to do it because of the volume of
>> work required and modification to the frame. ?That
>> being said I could see no reason to destroy an
>> original perfectly good car to swap out a working
>> transmission.
>> 
>> ? ? If I could find a delorean that was at the same
>> quality as mine and a 5 speed id trade it tommorrow,
>> because at the end of the day, even though it works,
>> its an automatic, its less powerfull and less economic
>> than the 5 speed, and quite frankly less fun to drive.
>> Elvis ruined me when he threw me the keys to his 81 5
>> speed 2 weeks ago at my house.
>> 
>> Speaking of Elvis, he rebuilds the AT gov and would be
>> a good person to speak to if your having AT computer
>> problems in Europe. ?He had showed me his lab setup to
>> test at fix these modules.
>> 
>> ? ?I love owning and driving my delorean but no matter
>> how good the car is, or how it looks, or engine
>> condition etc. ? ?It will always be inferior to a
>> 5speed plain and simple.
>> 
>> ? ?BTW, Ill be damned if I will ever fix all of the
>> leaks on that thing, im almost half tempted to RTV the
>> auto pan seal to stop that beast from leaking.
>> 
>> AAAHHHH NOOO dont clog the Transmission filter with
>> RTV, yeah I know.
>> 
>> ? ?
>> Anyway, that my thoughts and im stickin to it.
>> 
>> thanx
>> 
>> Jordan 11613 auto
>> 
>>
>
>
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