From: rll@frieda.mitre.org (Roberto L. Landrau)
Subject: Re: reliable cars
Organization: Research Computer Facility, MITRE Corporation, Bedford, MA
Date: Tue, 18 Aug 1992 22:09:10 GMT

In article <1992Aug18.202616.22716@walter.bellcore.com> jyri@faline.UUCP (Jyri Virkki) writes:

>>>I am graduating from school and am interested in purchasing a small reliable c
>>>- preferably hatchback.
>>>Do you have recommendations of cars to consider buying and cars to consider NO
>>>buying.
>>
>>I _HIGHLY_ recommend an '81 or later Rabbit Diesel.  I know someone who has
>>750,000 miles on one he drives daily, I had one that I sold with 305,000
>>miles on it (it still got 40-45 mpg on the hwy) and I currently own one with
>>about 125,000 miles on it.  (My _new_ one.)  They're cheap to run, reliable,
>>can use most parts from 81-84 water cooled VW's, and sound like a school bus
>>when you start them in cold weather.  (Who could ask for more?)  And I never
>>had any trouble with the old one in cold weather--even if I didn't plug it
>>in at -10f.  If you have any questions about the car, get in touch with me. 
>>Anyone else have any long-lived diesels out there?

Diesels: you either hate them or you love them.  No in-betweens.  I
suggest you take one for a ride and decide.  If you don't mind the
noise, exhaust smell, and poor acceleration, it may not be a bad
choice for you.  IF any of these bother you, try something else.

>My father had a '81 Rabbit Diesel, and it was absolutely the worst car I've
>ever seen, heard of, or even imagined.

Try a Yugo.  Are there any left around?  The Diesel Rabbits tend to
last a lot longer than the subcompacts that Ford, GM, Toyota, Honda,
and Nissan used to build back then.

>The only nice thing was the fuel 
>economy, but it's certainly not worth having a car that used to leave
>us stranded at _least_ five or six times a year. And, being the unpopular
>model (who buys diesels anyway?)

Those who want good fuel economy and expect to get several hundred
thousand miles from the engines.  If gas went up to $5.00/gal, even
you would probably consider it.

>repairs and parts were wildly expensive.

Except for the engine components, the most parts are interchangeable
with the gasoline models (of which there are plenty at the junkyards).
As far as parts, I can get

tires		~$17.95
rear drums	~$20.00
front discs	~$20.00
front calipers	~$40.00
alternator	~$75.00
front pads	~$20.00
air filter	~$ 5.99
fuel filter	~$15.00
spark plugs	0
ignition wires	0
distributor cap	0
electronic ECU	0
carburator	0

Certainly A LOT CHEAPER than my Honda (88 Civic, 90k miles) or my
Eclipse (only 40k miles, no repairs so far, but maintenance costs are
higher).

As far as engine components, I haven't had to replace any, so I can't
comment about prices.

If you are willing to learn a bit about auto repairs, this car is an
excellent choice.  The most difficult task I have encountered so far
has been adjusting the Air Conditioner belt.  Solution: $25.00 at the
gas station around the corner for changing the AC and alternator
belts.
--
The opinions stated above are not necessarily my employer's.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Roberto L. Landrau    KC1YP    landrau@mitre.org  rll@linus.mitre.org
The MITRE Corporation  Bedford, MA 01730          rll@linus.UUCP