AG wrote:
"The only VW diesel I've driven was a 78 Golf 1.6..."

For those who haven't driven a new TDI, you need to. Once of my first
vehicles was a 1976 1.4 liter diesel Rabbit (automatic). You literally
had to keep it floored 90% of the time, and the clatter was deafening .
It was really a sad piece of equipment.

My (current) 1985 TD Jetta is a joy, albeit still a bit sloth-like of
the line, and still a little rumble-some. On the highway, it drives like
a gasser, but consistently gets 43+ MPG even though I show it no mercy.

The new TDI's are nearly orgasmic. They are quiet, smooth, extremely
powerful, non-smokers, and in many ways far superior to their gas
counterparts. If given the option between two new Jettas, one full
featured, and Gas, the other stripped down and TDI, the TDI would be the
clear winner.

$.02

Bringing your ideas to life,
G. Matthew Bulley
Bulley-Hewlett
www.bulley-hewlett.com
AIM: IExplain4u
+1.919.658.1278
11111111111111111111.

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf
Of Andrew Grebneff
Sent: Monday, November 04, 2002 4:45 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: VW's Diesel vs. Gas

>On 11/3/02 12:13 PM, "Matthew Libby" <MLibby1@CFL.RR.COM> wrote:
>
>>  Im looking to buy a VW golf (2003), and cant decide between the TDI
(diesel)
>>  or the gas.  Im torn.  The diesel is 2k more than the gas and
>>offers only 90hp
>>  compared to 115hp in the gas.  However, it offers 20ftlbs more
torque and
>>  almost 50mpg!  Can anyone tell me anything about these two engines,
>>  reliability, longevity, maintainence, perfomance...
>>
>>  PS- im selling my westy to pay for this, any buyers?
>
>     I highly recommend the TDI.  It has it's maintenance quirks, but
nowhere
>near those of the Vanagon.  It is a dream to drive and the 50+ MPG with
the
>ability to run on Biodiesel is great.
>
>     90hp is for starters.  With a few quick performance mods (chip,
>injectors/nozzles, intake and exhaust) you can end up well over 150hp.
>
>     I highly recommend heading on over to http://www.tdiclub.com and
reading
>the FAQ.

The only VW diesel I've driven was a 78 Golf 1.6, and it was gutless.
But I'd swear by Toyota's 1.8 and 2.0 diesels. If modern VW diesels
are anywhere near as good I'd say go for it.
--
Andrew Grebneff
165 Evans St, Dunedin 9001, New Zealand
<andrew.grebneff@stonebow.otago.ac.nz>
Seashell, Macintosh, VW/Toyota van nut