Sounds as if you're dead set on getting this car.
If you want to reconsider before Friday, I know a jolly good VW diesel
mechanic who's second favorite love is putting rebuilt Dubs back on the
road. He's presently working on exchanging a sodden gas block with a turbo
diesel in his fiance's Jetta. He put a largely rebuilt Golf on the road this
summer for a close friend of mine. I probably feel about her security the
same way your husband feels about yours, which says a lot as to how good his
work is. It's done close to 20,000 miles in five months with only a minor
rear wheel bearing blip.
I happen to know a peculiar bird who's got three Golfs sitting in the wings
waiting to be stripped and rebuilt.
I just hate to see someone drop a third of a mortgage on a horseless
carriage. Saving ~$13,000 goes a long way towards photovoltaic, thermal
collectors and a wind turbine - not to mention the super-insulated, walk-in,
solar-fired, freezer/refrigerator that you've had a yen for.
Todd Swearingen
----- Original Message -----
From: "Kim & Garth Travis" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Wednesday, December 29, 2004 8:42 AM
Subject: Re: [Biofuel] New Car
Greetings Todd,
As you stated yourself, IF in capital letters, I knew a decent mechanic.
I know a lot of rip off artists, quasi capable of oil change high charge
ones but no one I would trust. I have watched too many friends try going
the route of the rebuild to even think of going there. When one lives in
the middle of nowhere, this option can be very tough. My car has to be
super dependable. I travel the highway at night and there are lots of
areas where there is no cell phone coverage, if I did carry one.
The only reason I am getting a new car now, is that I want a diesel. I
know that older does not mean DOA. I am currently driving a 1992 Honda
that I am selling to a very close friend. My capital cost on that car has
been less than $1000/year. I hope to keep the Golf long enough to match
that number. The only reason I bought a new car in 1992, was that my
previous one was black with no AC and I moved from Edmonton, Canada to
Texas. A change in vehicle was required. I buy new, take good care of
the vehicle and try to wear it out. Hubby will be retired before this
vehicle is done with, so I will have my own mechanic to keep things going.
I want a 4 door car, my Mom comes to visit and she no longer fits in the
back seat of a 2 door. At 77, I don't expect her to. The back seat of
the Golf is nice and comfortable.
Yes, the car is fully loaded with all kinds of electronic gadgets. And
yes, I do know from my experience with my Honda that they will quit
working at about 100,000 miles. Fully loaded, sun roof, heated seats,
[why this option in Texas is beyond me] CD player, ad nauseam the car is
19,585. No interest, I am paying cash. This price is only good until
Friday morning, next week it is back at sticker price. That inventory tax
can help one buy a car at a good deal, but there is not much selection
when it come to color.
I used to participate in Parking lot racing in Canada, years ago and I
love rack and pinion steering. I have a truck for driving on back roads
and in the field. I am not putting a trailer hitch on this car, like the
Honda had.
Bright Blessings,
Kim
At 09:00 PM 12/28/2004, you wrote:
Kim,
I don't believe VW offers the TDI in a GL 2-door package. You'll have to
go 4-door. Diesel option runs ~$1,400.
Also, there is no diesel option other than turbo, unlike years past where
turbo/non-turbo was an option.
Comes with a cat. You might want to ask about specific diesel fuel
requirements (ultra-low sulfur, low sulfur, etc.) to preserve the life of
the cat.
MSRP + tax (7%), tag & title for a bare bones bucket of bolts would be
~$19,000. That includes the discount for present VW owners. Doesn't take
into consideration any specific dealer incentives.
About the only things I would say in favor of a newer model is that they
have air bags and 4-wheel-disc ABS brakes. Way too many
electric-remote-this-and-thats which will start to go belly up around the
100,000 mile mark (or sooner). Certainly I'm no fan of the
hydraulic-assist, rack and pinion steering. Too much opportunity for
over-steer in an adverse situation, experienced drivers or not.
Were it me, and I had a qualified VW diesel mechanic in my stable of
friends (still paying him or her the going rate) I'd rebuild an '85 or '86
from scratch. There are a lot of 'em out there that have no rust and still
run. Put in a rebuilt engine and you've got a spare that can be turned
into a backup generator. No worries about the automatic this-and-thats on
older models. Same fuel economy as a new model.
Just depends if you have the cash up front to pour into a restore/rebuild
or if the monthly payments (hopefully a super low APR) fit your bank
account better.
Patience could save you ~$13,000 and a lot of future interests and
maintenance costs. Besides, newer doesn't necessarily mean better and
older doesn't necessarily mean "DOA."
Todd Swearingen
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