[Greenbuilding] Off Topic: What car do you suggest?

[Norbert Senf]

At 02:33 PM 5/1/2008 -0400, AUSTIN SHEATSLEY wrote:
>Okay, okay. I know this is wayyy off-topic for this list but this
>mostly-a-lurker, y'all are type out some of the most interesting stuff I
>read on the web. So, who better to ask their opinion than the other
>conscious folks who read this list? The facts: 6'3", 235 pound man, 36"
>inseam, drives minimum 760 miles around New England each week, (snip)

I'd second the Jetta diesel.

I bought an '03 wagon new, full MSRP, zero discount from the dealer. I based my
payback analysis at the time on $2.50 gal (US) diesel, and it made sense
even back then -  I calculated 100% payback based on fuel alone at 400,000 mi.
Motor will go 500,000 mi with proper maintenance.

2 years later, after hurricane Katrina and the oil price hike, it was worth
what I paid for it new.

Very solid car, very fun to drive. A few quirky 
things that would drive you crazy if you
had to rely on VW dealers, but if you're slightly handy, there's a fantastic
online commnunity at Fred's TDI club, where all the known issues are discussed
http://forums.tdiclub.com/

100,000 mi so far, no problems except a few minor 
known issues that were easy to
fix, but could have been a big hassle if I had to 
go to the dealer, 2 hrs from here.
Still drives like a new car, everything is tight, and I live on a gravel road.

The oil pan is too low to the ground, so I 
retrofitted a 1/4" aluminum skid plate,
so no worries there.

55 mpg (US) actual on the highway (standard 
trans), better than a Prius. 800 mi. per tank.

Norbert


-------------------------------------------
Norbert Senf---------- mheat(at)heatkit.com
Masonry Stove Builders
25 Brouse Rd.
RR 5, Shawville------- www.heatkit.com
Québec J0X 2Y0-------- fax:-----819.647.6082
---------------------- voice:---819.647.5092