Living in Santa Fe I am well aware of the high altitude disadvantages of the
stock 1.6 diesel. When I was in Denver it was nearly intolerable due to the
extreme rush on the freeways.
New Mexico more suits my Vanagon!

Rachel http://www.gnarlodious.com/vanagon

Entity Maynard Southard spoke thus:

> Joe:
> Diesel Vanagons are strange beasts.  I have developed quite an affection for
> them (I'm working on #3 now.)  They are terribly underpowered, but a patient
> person can deal with that.  They are loud, not so much because of the diesel
> engine, but because of the high RPM at highway speed.  Around town they are
> just fine.  They get excellent fuel economy (25-30mpg) for such a large
> vehicle, and they have all the cargo versatility of gas Vanagons.  The diesel
> engine and parts are readily available from used and new sources.  There is
> plenty of room in the engine bay - no real accessibility problems.
>
> Emotion IS important to this decision!  You must love your Diesel Vanagon to
> get the most from it.  You must relish the clatter from the engine bay.  You
> must smile contentedly when you pull up to the diesel pumps next to the big
> rigs, especially when someone comes running up to you to tell you that you
> have
> made a mistake and that the GAS pumps are over on the other side.  You must
> talk to your baby, encouraging it as you slowly climb a moderate hill together
> and then coast down the other side, perhaps hitting the 65 mph mark on the
> down-slope.
>
> Common sense will talk you out of this vehicle.  But then, common sense will
> talk you out of many of the joys in your life.  Listen to your emotions.
> Don't
> buy it if it doesn't fit you and your style.  Don't buy it if you want power.
> Don't buy it if you are in a hurry and the slow lane bugs you.  Don't buy it
> if you like to just drop your vehicle off at the Tune-Up Tech or the Ji**y
> Lube
> and pick it up after lunch.
>
> Sorry if I've gone over the edge here.  As you can probably tell, emotion is a
> good part of my reason for having my Diesel Vanagons (or perhaps it is my
> excuse).  To each his own.  Good luck in any case.

>
> On Thursday, October 04, 2001 2:29 PM, joseph Trussell <joetruss@HOTMAIL.COM>
> wrote:
>> Anyway, I have a question--I went and looked at an '84 non-Westy Diesel
>> Vanagon yesterday.  The body is kinda dinged up and it needs a paint job,
>> the interior's  trashed (rips, tears, stains galore) but the diesel motor
>> was just freshly rebuilt and looks fantastic and runs smoothly.  The glass
>> is good, good CV joints, good exhaust, okay shocks.  It needs tires and some
>> serious TLC, but everything mechanically looks solid.  The guy is asking
>> $1400 for it.  Because I have absolutely no experience with the diesel, I'm
>> wondering if this is a good price?  Are there any specific things I should
>> be looking for in regards to the diesel?  Is the performance dropoff really
>> significant?
>>
>> I kinda like this van, and I can see myself driving it, which leads me to
>> believe that if I'm left to my own advice, I'll make a decision based upon
>> emotion and not common sense.  Any suggestions are much appreciated.  Thanks
>> in advance!
>>
>>
>> Joe T.
>> '85 Scirocco Wolfsburg (Still no Vanagon, but enjoying the list anyway!)