new recall

[Andrew Buc]

** Reply to message from George Selby <gselby4x4 at earthlink.net> on Thu, 01 Jan
2004 22:49:07 -0500

> The logic of having an automatic in heavy traffic is:
> 
> 1) It does get tiring to constantly hold down the clutch pedal at 
> stoplights.

That raises the risk, however slight, of your foot slipping off the clutch
pedal for whatever reason. I prefer to shift in and out of neutral for that
reason, but that gets to be a PITA in these situations. I've also been in
commuting sitches where I did a lot of shifting between 1st and 2nd gear--more
PITA. I think a semiautomatic might be a good compromise, but not many cars
have ever offered them.

Several years ago I had a car w/automatic (the only such car I've ever owned),
and at that time my commute involved a lot of stop and go. I had really bought
this car in spite of the slushbox, not because of it (long story, NAC), but it
sure came in handy on the commute!

I don't expect to trade in my 4kq for quite a few years, but when I do, I hope
Audi will have combined CVT and quattro in the same car.