Well, if you really want to generate conversations, I'll take up this
specifically:

> The subie would be way cool, but I really want to get away
> from burning gas.

I'm missing the point of this. Is it just that the diesel options offer
great fuel economy or is there something intrinsically "greener" about
burning diesel? If you plan to run recycled veg. oil, I can see it.
Otherwise, a diesel still contibutes to CO load with the added kick of way
more particulate emission.
Is diesel fuel cheaper to produce, buy and use? It isn't in these parts
(mid-Atlantic). Plan on using biodiesel or fryodiesel? Looks to be about a
decade before it becomes an economically viable alternative.

Diesels are presumably more reliable than an AC VW or the WBX but that
Subaru engine is a workhorse. I can see the appeal of a diesel conversion if
it got you a dramatic increase in fuel efficiency. What's the MPG projection
for the diesel conversions you're considering? For the kind of driving
of the Vanagon I do, the offset of fuel economy isn't greater than the power
loss to a diesel.

I'm just saying, you know, conversationally... ; )

--
mordo
1990 Carat