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

[Norbert Senf]

At 10:06 PM 5/1/2008 -0500, Benjamin Pratt wrote:
>There are personal experiences, and there are statistics. In my
>opinion, consumer reports has the most reliable, most unbiased, data.
>I'd encourage anyone making a car purchase to look at their
>publications. According to consumer reports, Volkswagens have much
>worse than average reliability. (snip)

I like Consumer Reports, but my own experience of 100,000
trouble free, very happy, miles with a VW TDI is a good illustration of
CR's limitations.

VW's used to have problems with a plastic clip in the window regulator,
for example. That little quirk counts as a "fault", the same as if
your transmission dropped out, according to how CR's surveys work.

Also, the gassers had electrical problems with the coilpacks, which drastically
lowered VW's overall CR reliability "rating". 
Again, a non-issue with the diesel.

The diesel motor can reliably go 500,000 mi, with proper maintenance.

It is a very solid and safe car, built for the 
Autobahn. Something that was a very
pleasant surprise, since I bought it based solely on economy.
A bit over-engineered, particularly on the electrical, like many
German cars. Something that could drive you crazy if you've never
tinkered with cars, and had to rely on the dealers, admittedly.
If your relationship with cars is that you don't change your own oil,
then this car might not be a good fit.

I did my research first by hanging out on Fred's TDI list.
Since there is a large and supportive enthusiast
community online, you can get up to speed on all of the known issues,
which are quite minor.

The new VW CR diesel coming out this fall has 40% more power, same mileage,
and meets California emissions. Although hp is "low", a lot of fun to
drive because of the high torque.

Norbert

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Norbert Senf---------- mheat(at)heatkit.com
Masonry Stove Builders
25 Brouse Rd.
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