Date:         Fri, 11 Jan 2008 11:54:29 -0800
Reply-To:     Dave Mari <vw4x41987@YAHOO.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dave Mari <vw4x41987@YAHOO.COM>
Subject:      Re: Diesel vs Gas Vanagons?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

The diesel option sounded real good to me until I looked into all of the cost; such as diesel fuels is 15 to 20% higher than gas in the NE, and the TDI are 10 time the cost of a Zetec and E85 is more available than Bio and becoming more so in this area.

Then it was a choice between and higher milage non turn key oprtion such as a Subie or the very questionable Tico kit, until the Bostig kit came out which is head an shoulders above the other options.

GO PATS!
Dave


----- Original Message ----
From: Gary Bawden <goldfieldgary@GMAIL.COM>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Sent: Friday, January 11, 2008 11:07:51 AM
Subject: Diesel vs Gas Vanagons?

Hi Phil,

The Diesel vanagon is a great machine, but there are a few caveats:

Fuel mileage: Most people get around 28 mpg. If you don't mind driving at 52
- 55 mph (recommended anyway, as you will substantially reduce the life
expectancy of the engine by trying to keep up with normal traffic flow), you
can get around 32 mpg. I should mention, these numbers are for the passenger
van models (which I have), and not the Westy, which has more frontal surface
area.

To really enjoy your new lifestyle, you must already be accustomed to "life
in the slow lane". If you've ever driven a splittie, it's not a whole lot
different, except with a gas engine you can get a pretty good run at the
hills. Don't try it with a Diesel, 60 to 62 max for short periods only.

On hills, you will really enjoy the subtle nuances of the scenery. I like to
tell people, I only stop to pick up tools laying on the side of the
road when I can clearly see that it is a Snap-On, or maybe a Proto!

As for parts availability, there are so many diesel Jettas and Rabbits, with
almost all the same engine parts, it's not a big problem. What is a problem
is the reduced sulfur fuel now available, which shortens the life of
critical, big-ticket items such as the injector pump. You must now add a
quality Diesel fuel additive every time you put fuel in the tank. This adds
a few cents per gallon to your fuel cost.

Also, be aware that Diesel-grade engine oil is not the same as the stuff you
get off the shelf at your local FLAPS. Only use a good-grade Diesel engine
oil - - I use Shell Rotella-T, because I can buy it at any truck stop across
the country. Other good contenders are Chevron Delo 400, and the Mobil
synthetic one, can't remember what it' called.

Also, I should mention they really do best in flatter locations, although if
you don't mind using your gearbox and finding the proper, relaxed speed for
each gear, you'll get there eventually. I pulled Tioga Pass (the one over
the Sierra Nevadas going into Yosemite National Park) comfortably in second
gear.

Some will say that they are unsafe on today's roads - - I think that a
defensive driving attitude will go a long way to mitigate this, that and
some of the red-and-white reflective tape applied across the back of the
vehicle.

Hope you find this helpful, and I just KNOW there's going to be dissenting
opinions. That's mine, and I'm sticking to it.  :o)

Gary





> Date:    Thu, 10 Jan 2008 21:57:26 -0800
> From:    Phil Cappellini <philcappellini@HOTMAIL.COM>
> Subject: Diesel vs Gas Vanagons?
>
> Hello,
> =20
> With high and even higher anticipated gas prices, I am considering getting
> =
> a diesel vanagon. The loss of going to a sluggish 1.6L diesel motor
> compare=
> d to my peppy 2.1L gas motor doesn't bother me....... that much. But I do
> h=
> ave several concerns:
> =20
> 1. The availability of diesel vanagons - There aren't many of them around
> a=
> nd the ones that are around are Westy's. I love Westy's but as a daily
> driv=
> er, over the long-run, I find them tiresome. The seven seater version
> seems=
> to be very rare.
> =20
> 2. The availability of parts - Since there aren't many diesel vanagon's I
> a=
> m led to believe that parts are scarce; thus very expensive.=20
> =20
> Any comments supporting or refuting my concerns are appreciated?
> =20
> =20
> Anyone in the Vancouver BC area know of any for sale?
> =20
> Thanks, Phil.
> _________________________________________________________________
>


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