Acquired today via eBay. This type of vehicle is highly sought after for the simple fact that with gas / diesel prices up to almost $5/gallon... these little babies run at near 50 MPG... trumping most of the hybrid cars on the road. Add the fact that you can make your own BioDiesel or BioFuel for less than a $1/gallon... BADDA-BING, the answer to the fuel crunch.
So without spending a small fortune buying an overpriced hybrid vehicle and not getting raped at the gas pumps (who would you choose to blow your $$$ with... big oil or big car makers?), the answer is one of these early model grease burners. Yes... WVO (obtained FREE) and converted into viable, eco-friendly, lower carbon foot print biofuels will give you 50+MPG and save the environment while keeping your cash firmly where it belongs... in your bank account.
The Positive: a highly sought after VW TDI for under the $10-12K blue book / NADA value. Despite the 140K miles, she looked in rather good shape. Drove the 3 hrs home without too many problems.
The Negative: Things not reported on eBay (that should have been).... large fracture on windshield, torn passenger seat upholstery, 12V power plug not working (turned out to be a fuse, but still), squeaking front suspension (turned out to be the sway bar bearings), missing VW caps on 2 of the wheels, broken (with sizable hole) in R-rear tail lens cover resulting in foggy tail lights. Additionally there was the missing front air-dam molding, and then there was the problem with the AC.... it blew cold for only a day. The car had absolutely no pick-up and the diagnostic at the local VW dealership looked into the EGD-valve, but it was actually all right, the problem was an engine temperature sensor. Once replaced the car ran better but only at 41mpg average over 300-400miles tested, not the ~50mph advertised. Final bill was in excess of $680. These will all get taken care of eventually... but it makes the $8,706 acquisition much less of a bargain. Oh, and the car was filthy at pickup... spent $74 on a total interior detailing (dealers should do this for their customers) Tisk tisk JohnBoy74 (on eBay). PS: there is a bit of loud road noise... maybe the bearings are going in the rear(?) will be checking into that next.
Anyway... for another pic:
She is NO Alfa or Maser, but she does get ~50MPG with fuel costs of less than $3/gallon. Oh and anyone who wants MY tried and tested BioFuel formula.... just email me and for a small fee I will share the process with you. 7/20/2008 addendum: Only ran a few gallons of biofuel in her before I sold her to a nice gal from TX. Carley Mayo an OB nurse from Tx flew in and drove her back home. There is much demand for these early model TDIs for their fuel economy and looks. Plans are for a Jetta Wagon TDI (new). Unfortunately with the new injected diesel there is no room for the use of BioFuel since it can clog the injectors and confuse the computerized sensors and software that run the fuel mix. Also issues with specific gravity and surface tension on the biofuel to make aerosolization complete for good burn.The VW was sold a few months after we purchased it and after repairs and upgrades were made. The owner is a real nice gal from TX, a nurse named Carley Mayo.
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