5 speed vs automatic

[riverdadd]

Hi guys, i'm taking a survey... I bought a 81 spider to flip. it has a automatic trans, that will need a rebuild, I also have all parts to convert it to a 5 speed manual.....so my question is, which trans will give the best option for resale?? I know 5 speeds are more fun to shift, but not everyone was taught, like I was as a kid, to drive a stick.....

[aj81spider]

My opinion (which with $2.50 will get you a coffee at the shop down the street from me) is to put the 5 speed in. Most people who would buy a 35 year old convertible will know how to drive a stick, and many of them (like me) won't buy that car with an automatic.

The automatic will give you a bigger pool of buyers - but I'm not sure much of that pool is in the market for 35 year old cars.

[azruss]

If you are just planning on flipping the car, try to sell it as is. If you don't get any bites, then do the conversion.

[klweimer]

Interesting question. Keeping the automatic might also make your pool bigger than middle aged white guys, buying the car they really wanted 35 years ago... As I recall, the auto trans is a GM unit? Maybe you could find one in a junkyard that doesn't need a rebuild.
Kirk

[So Cal Mark]

convert it, no question it will be much easier to sell

[spidernut]

I've owned both - I've sold both. Had no problem either way.

I currently own one with an auto and one with a 5 speed. They both have their advantages and they both have their disadvantages.
- The stick is WAY more fun to drive. The auto is WAY more civilized to drive
- The auto is nearly trouble free. The sticks have more problems with clutches, clutch forks, throw out bearings, clutch cables, etc.
- Sports car and FIAT enthusiasts dislike the auto. I found everyone else loves it. I enjoy them both for different reasons.

IMHO, it all depends upon how much work you want to do. To properly convert the auto to stick, you'll need replace the clutch box, install a new clutch cable and clutch components, install a speedometer cable, replace the drive shaft, and swap the transmission with all of the trans mounts. In removing the auto, you'll also have to remove all the transmission cooling lines going from the trans to the radiator (not too big of a deal, but more work). You can keep the radiator with the trans cooler - no need to swap it.

Inside the car, you'll need a new wood insert where the shift lever is positioned in the center console. You can simply disconnect the fiber optic going to the gear selector indicator. I'd recommend insulating the transmission tunnel. The manual transmissions get very hot compared to the automatic transmissions.

Your speedometer will be off due to the different gear ratio in the trans and you'll lose some power off the line. It will give better fuel mileage though.

It's a lot of work for very little financial return all in all.