Date: Thu, 26 Aug 2004 23:12:30 -0400
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
Subject: Re: Beetle TDI test drive (almost no vanagon content)
In-Reply-To: <CAEOIPKOOCKNBBDDDMBPGEMIFEAA.jeff@vanagonparts.com>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
I don't know about you owning one and moving in from another state but I
understand that 2004 TDIs can't be registered here.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of Jeff at Vanagonparts
Sent: Thursday, August 26, 2004 10:51 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Beetle TDI test drive (almost no vanagon content)
Dennis,
"Here in New York we can't get the TDI due to emissions."
Wow, I though Cali was tough. What if you buy a used TDI out of state?
What if someone who owns a TDI moves to NY?
Cheers,
Jeff
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]On Behalf
Of Dennis Haynes
Sent: Wednesday, August 25, 2004 8:33 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Beetle TDI test drive (almost no vanagon content)
Yes, new cars cost money. You are looking at a premium for the New
Beetle and for the TDI. The Golf or Jetta will cost less. Personally, I
would go a bit more and get the German built Passat. Here in New York we
can't get the TDI due to emissions. If you are not partial to a VW,
consider a Hyundai Elantra. We can get them here for ~$14k loaded and
they do 32 mpg. You can buy a lot of gas for $8k. They also have the 10
year 100k warranty.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of Jeremy Speer
Sent: Wednesday, August 25, 2004 10:02 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Beetle TDI test drive (almost no vanagon content)
Folks,
So my wife and i took a 2004 TDI beetle for a test drive yesterday.
There's a big move looming for us that will almost certainly involve
commuting, so i'm in the market for a good high fuel milage car, hence
the TDI test drive. Yes, i've driven a first-gen Prius and i'm
interested, but there's a full year wait list and the level of
technology in that car is daunting... it's not something you want to
drive to Alaska just yet.
The last time i drove a VW diesel it was in college in '82... a
friend's Rabbit L diesel. Great car, ran and ran and ran on one tank,
plus it had this nifty James Bond smokescreen effect if you needed to
confuse a bad guy during a getaway. Well, the new turbo diesels are a
whole new animal. It does have turbo lag (maybe it's a diesel thing),
but wind it up a bit and it's got scoot. The car is quite the amalgam:
engine's made in Poland, transmission (manual 5) is from Argentina,
balance is assembled in Mexico from parts made all over the place. In
contrast the Passat is nearly 100% German.
2004 Beetle GLS TDI (non convertible, no leather), out-the-door price:
$22,413. I'm sorry, but that seems like an awful lot of money. Granted
it's less than half what the Touaregs are going for (50 to 54,000), but
i'm still choking. I'm not getting any dealer installed options... so
is there wiggle room on that price? Am i now supposed to haggle?
I paid $10,000 for my Westy... and i've probably put $3500 into it
since.... but i can LIVE in my Westy.
Do i simply need to "get over it, new cars cost money."
Used TDI beetles are very hard to find, suggesting they last and people
keep them. Jetta wagon TDI's are scarce here in Minnesota.
Anybody care to share some wisdom?
Thanks,
-jspeer
'89 Westy GL, "Mystery Machine"
'00 Victory Sport Cruiser <-- for sale!
