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Well, after that rant about loving standard transmissions... no we didn't find one in Japan. We looked for one when we bought Franklin to no avail and we tried for 2 months again and failed so... we ended up with this. Old Blue is Franklin's replacement. We won't see him for about 8 weeks as he makes his way on the slow boat. Already thinking about a tranny swap, have access to a couple 5 speeds still in cars so all the parts will be there to do it. The exception being a clutch cable. I am thinking the one for a RHD will need to be longer? Too bad VW didn't make a Lupo wagon. I suppose it would not have been a Lupo then...

I was raised on standard shift vehicles so when I drive a vehicle I want to work the controls. It gives me something to do while I sit there. It also gives me better control of the vehicle when coming up to hills, curves, stops and turns (and with engine braking I can get thousands more miles before a brake job is needed), things that an automatic cannot anticipate and only give you the appropriate gear after the fact not going into the situation. For us in colder climates, a standard shift give you far better control on ice and snow. And... economy cars with little engines are just pathetic with an automatic! When I am behind the wheel in an automatic (I have owned and driven my fair share) I feel more like a passenger than a driver. Just me... I just saw a Toyota wagon with standard shift for sale over there... better check that one out!

We are looking at Golf, Passat and Audi A3 Variants. It seems there are no TDIs in Japan unfortunately. The engine selections in 4 cylinder are 1.4, 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 most of which are TSI or FSIs. No manual transmissions in these cars either which is just pitiful!

Well he is not totally gone from our community. I expect to see him around from time to time. The young fellow that owns him is going home to England for the winter holiday season and plans to load his baggage with parts for the trip back. I could put an update here now and again when I see the two of them if you like. I will certainly be interested in Franklin's future. We are in the process of finding a RHD Golf or Passat Variant to replace him. The added luggage space is needed for parcel delivery. The Forester is doing the job just now but it does have 300K km on it and at 26 mpg is not the best option.

Yes they are good cars, great economy, very dependable, more front seat room than domestic cars twice their size too. A pity that VW never offered them for sale in North America. Sales may not have been brisk with the "bigger is better" mind set in this country but I have no doubt that they would have had a loyal following. The new owner is very excited to have Franklin so that makes parting a bit easier. I could totally see us in a Lupo GTI sometime in the future... but for now Sandra's job has out grown this one.

Sad day today! Franklin has a new home. Sad to see him go though, we have some good memories. Some young English chap saw him and had to have him. Well, there is a couple reasons we let him go. The first and foremost is that with the steady upward creep of parcel volumes coming through the mail it has been increasingly difficult to fit it all into Franklin in one trip. Also there has been a number of electrical issues cropping up that are a bit frustrating. We will be going back to the Forester for now until something more suitable comes up. Looking for a Golf/Jetta/ Passat variant for the cargo room. I will still be lurking about here in the background now and then just because I have a Lupo soft spot in my heart... A big "thank you" to all who have shared their Lupo wisdom on this site. You have made the journey much more enjoyable!

Ya that hurricane thing is 3600 km from here. You are nearly as close! The news will inform us both equally on that front. No I need to try that. Is it the same as the pressure switches in the TDIs?

Franklin is pulling a new trick, the oil light comes on randomly it seems. Flashes a few times and usually goes off. Sometimes it stay on and the only way to turn it off is to shut the car off and re-start it. Any ideas? Thanks!

Tried that, couldn't see anything wrong with it but still won't work. I switched plugs so now it's the left window that goes down and won't go back up... from the driver's side that is but it works fine on the left door switch.

It seems now the flex pipe is cracked! It looks like the replacements are weld in only. Am I seeing that correctly? I am looking at the Autodoc site. While I am ordering parts I would like to buy rotors and pads for the front, looks like I might need them soon but wow! There are so many choices on that site. How do I choose and get the correct ones? Were there that many different brakes for the Lupo? Also the window switch for the right side door glass quit working. The window goes down but not back up. Can these switches be bought new or do I have to find one used?

I got it all welded back together and Franklin is freshly washed, oil changed, summer tyres on and back to his quiet cheerful self. What a great little car!

You are correct Rich, the muffler is not in that bad of condition. It has an outer skin that looks tough but the basic muffler seems sound. I get under the car now and discover that every exhaust hanger is broken front to rear.

It has been dissolved by the salt Gods or I would! Maybe it's time for a straight pipe? V - O - O - M - BA, V - O - O - M - BA!!! Na...

I took a peak under Franklin, the muffler has let go and is dangling from the rear mount. Hmmm... short stubby little devil, going to be a challenge to find something to fit on this side of the pond!

Franklin just turned over 180,000 km yesterday and still running great! How long do these little 1.4 liter engines last? Anyone worn one out?