Date: Fri, 11 Jan 2008 18:06:52 -0500
Reply-To: Jim Akiba <syncrolist@BOSTIG.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Jim Akiba <syncrolist@BOSTIG.COM>
Subject: Re: Diesel vs Gas Vanagons?
In-Reply-To: <004e01c8549d$7ad75470$6601a8c0@TOSHIBALAP>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
That's a great question because I've wondered it about other vendors
too. I'm working on a customer feedback survey so we can get a
response from every single one of our customers to help measure where
we really are in terms of customer satisfaction. But thanks for the
push.... I think our customers really getting their stories out there
could be great and beneficial to everyone, nothing is worse than
incomplete information.. actually it can be worse... people without
enough integrity to be honest and those pushing false information.
Jim Akiba
On 1/11/08, Scott Daniel - Shazam <scottdaniel@turbovans.com> wrote:
> Hi Dave, I'm willing to agree that the Zetec might be a great conversion
> package, and probably is.
>
> I'm just wondering what do you base your 'head and shoulders above' all
> the rest comment on. Personal experience, or hearsay , or ?
>
> What I wonder..........I've been aware of Zetec conversions for a year or
> two. I have yet to see any owner raving about it.
> I'm sure they're satisfied, but I also get the impression there are
> very few of them. But why have I not seen ONE Zetec owner raving about how
> smooth it is, how reliable, how powerful etc. And I am all over the
> internet too. Surely there have been some, but I sure haven't noticed any.
> And I see other engine conversion owners waxing ecstatic all the time over
> their conversion they just got running. What's up with that anyway ????
> Just take this list, it's a bit anti-conversion sometimes, but there are
> all kinds of vanagon people on here, diesel ones, soobie ones, tdi ones
> some........( I prefer not to mention tiico's .....an embarrassment to the
> vanagon community as far as I'm concerned, particularity the attitude of the
> head guy ) .......but how come no Zetec fanatics carrying on ???
>
> That one thing would really lend credence to Zetec conversions. They are
> 'almost' a myth to me, since I only hear from the creator/founder about
> them, and not any owners ever. And you know they have to be hard core
> vanagon fanatics and you'd think part of this community.
>
> Anyway.........it's all fun and we are so lucky we even get to play like
> this !
> scott
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> Dave Mari
> Sent: Friday, January 11, 2008 11:54 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Diesel vs Gas Vanagons?
>
> 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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