It depends on what you like, but it's not as slow as it's cracked up to
be with a decent engine. I prefer driving my diesel westy to my 90
carat, it's just more fun and not a whole lot slower. Working on it is
like playing a game compared to working on the waterboxer where it's
all misery all the time in comparison.

Get a 5 speed if you can, it makes a big difference. I went 1600 miles
last week without downshifting lower than fourth. With a four speed, I
would have been into third a bunch of times. That pegs you out at
around 40. With the five-speed, the slowest you'll have to endure on
steep long hills, loaded down, is maybe 50.

With a 5-speed, you can cruise at 72 under favorable conditions. With
the four speed I think VW recommends 65 cruising speed.

You can only go 65 a lot of the time anyway (headwinds, hills) but it
that doesn't bother you then you will love the simplicity and the
mileage. I get about 26 around  town. Better on the highway unless
really loaded down, and I was so loaded this last trip that I didn't
even try to figure it. Some drivers report a lot higher. I haven't done
anything to improve the mileage like change the injector pump timing,
but mainly because I have a turbo diesel sitting in the floor in
preparation for a swap.

Go over to the yahoo! diesel list and ask around. You'll get good
advice there.

Jim

On Mar 30, 2005, at 8:22 PM, Chris S. wrote:

> Title says it all.... what's it like in the slow lane?  Should I
> go for it?
>
>
>
> Chris S.
>
> '84 Westy -> http://www.knology.net/~vw/vws/hershey/
> '01 NB TDI -> http://www.knology.net/~vw/Beetle.jpg
>
> 1-888-VW-PARTS <- Recommended Expert Vanagon Part Source
>
>
>
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