Date: Fri, 7 Dec 2007 12:41:14 -0800
Reply-To: Scott Daniel - Shazam <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Scott Daniel - Shazam <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Subject: Re: diesel Vanagon vs. MB, Volvo, other diesel VW
In-Reply-To: <BAY134-DAV17B87856D362F61C52C0B2DB680@phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Kinda a pickle, coming up with a really good diesel car/van.
A diesel or TD vanagon with upgrades and enhancements is a good bet. You'll
have to spend a lot to get a decent package together, but for a diesel, you
can get quite a lot of civility and function that way. Not cheap to get
there though. As for a stock diesel vanagon - for in town use, not all that
bad. For a real trip or road vehicle, stock, they're a serious safety
hazard, and that little engine just tears itself up if you try to get a lot
out of it, like speed, big loads, or hills.
But with a decent TD or tdi engine, not bad. Just expensive to acquire.
Forget Volvo diesels. They only have one engine, a vw inline 6 truck diesel,
either NA in the 240 volvo series car, or TD in the 740. They are mostly
all dead now and gone to Volvo heaven, not a good engine particularly, and
especially a 740 is not a cheap car to keep alive if you're paying anyone to
do it once they get old. So scratch that idea, unless you really luck out
and find a low miles one, and even then, be careful.
The Benz diesel cars are great , all those 80's era ones. Problem is, they
mostly all have 300,000+ miles on them. Solid safe car, but finding a good
one is hard to do. Fantastic car, really, seriously, just most of them have
jillions of miles on them. The one's from the 90's aren't the same.
That leaves VW cars. ( Peugeots - a few of those in diesel, but super
forget those ! ) ....there are also a few rare Toyota and Nissan diesel cars
and trucks - now there, if you can find one of those...........you might
have something )
Bu really, for something that is readily available, and pretty well
developed and in the market place for almost all years........it's vw for
diesels. That's your best bet, more or less, unless you happen to score
some low miles other vehicle ..............look to vw. You either build a
decent TD vanagon with a late model engine, or you buy a 90's or later vw
tdi car.
Those are the two most viable choices overall, unless I'm not remembering
some vehicle type here or there.
Yep, that's what think it mainly comes down to, either build up a decent tdi
or TD vanagon, or go with a VW tdi car, Passat, new beetle, jetta etc. or
score some not-a-million miles on it Benz.
Scott
www.turbovans.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Ed Duntz
Sent: Friday, December 07, 2007 6:34 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: diesel Vanagon vs. MB, Volvo, other diesel VW
I'm looking for some input as to which diesel vehicle I should get for
$3,000 or less. I just got rid of a Jetta diesel that I had an accident with
and really want a diesel again. I do already have two Vanagons, one
Wolfsburg with the bed and rear-facing seats, and one Westfalia in need of
body repair.
I'm thinking of a diesel 7-passenger Vanagon that my mechanic would sell me
after putting in good shape. It would most likely have a 1.6 NA, and I know
I won't get anywhere fast.
My other thoughts were for an older Mercedes or Volvo diesel. I've never
owned either. I'd rather avoid things like electronic temp control and power
windows and the like- more things to go wrong and have to fix. I would like
a/c, something I know I won't get with the Vanagon diesel.
I would also most likely put a veg. oil kit into whatever I bought. I had
one in the Jetta, but sold that with the car, so I'd have to start over.
Thoughts or suggestions? Also, if anyone knows of any diesel Vanagons, MB or
Volvo diesels in the northeast, please let me know.
Thanks,
Ed Duntz
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