Any authorized VW repair island can fix an '86 Dub just as well as a
mechanic specializing in diesel Dubs 1,000 miles distant from your home.
While the rules of rebuild warranty are a bit different from factory
warranties, that doesn't mean that repairs ("if" needed) can't be
accomplished at some distance from the mechanic that did the original
rebuild.
As for a $7,000 price tag on a restore/rebuild? We actually calculate the
cost around $6,000, including paint, rust-proofing, wind-screen
reinstallations and new weather stripping. That also includes a rebuilt
motor (non-turbo, mechanical lifters) and transmission, new clutch, new
front and rear struts, brakes, wheel bearings, flushed coolant and heater
cores and electrical harness if needed. I think you could get a pair of
bucket seats and rear seats reupholstered with the paltry $1,000 left over.
Maybe they'd throw in a pair of fuzzy dice for free?
As to your need for grow lights? Uhhhhh.....is that "sustainable?"
If they're mandatory, you might care to look at some of the T-5
lamps/fixtures that are available now in full spectrum. They're starting to
make their way out of the new-construction/retrofit markets and into the
greenhouse circuit. Darned things will half-blind a mammal but plants are
suppposed to luv 'em. They're considerably less energy hogs than the
greenhouse industry norms up to this point.
Todd Swearingen
----- Original Message -----
From: "Kim & Garth Travis" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Thursday, December 30, 2004 8:58 AM
Subject: Re: [Biofuel] New Car
Greetings Todd,
If I lived any where near you, I would definitely follow your plan.
However, the towing bill to get my vehicle back to the mechanic, if it did
break, would eat up all the savings. I will not have my mechanic for
another 3 years, and the savings on the car wouldn't be enough to get him
home earlier. Does that $7000.00 you are quoting cover the reupholstering
that would be needed as well? In the Texas heat, the cushions on the
seats wear our real fast and old vehicles down here are real uncomfortable
unless you strip them and rebuild. Bodies rust, very quickly from the
high humidity and salt content in all the water and environment, so I
assume a good paint job is extra. I have several friends who would like a
diesel and can not afford a new one. They may be interested. However,
the banks down here will not finance a vehicle over 10 years old.
And actually, the car is closer to 2/3 of the mortgage on this place. But
I only finaced the land, no house payment. I have built the place cash,
and yes, my walk in fridge/freezer will be done by the end of 2006. I am
still working on many design elements, so I am not sure exactly what I
want for many of my projects. Last months electric bill was down to $48.4
using 477 kwh. Considering that I have to use grow lights to keep my
stevia and other tropicals healthy during the short day, I think this is
doing rather well.
Bright Blessings,
Kim
At 09:09 PM 12/29/2004, you wrote:
Hellow Kim,
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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