Cheap Car for WVO?

[mathomas3]

Hello all...

Im looking for a 4 door car that would be a good canadate for a WVO conversion... I have a young kid so safety is a must and i also live in colorado so i need something that's got some balls

i have been looking for some turbo merc's but dont know how well they could handle being a mile high...

i also might be interested in a newer VDub but im not looking to spend more then a few grand... i found one 2002 jetta for 5grand with 200000 miles... a bit high i think... at that number as i understand it i would need to rebuild the transmission and possibly the engine itself... and that doesnt include the conversion kit which adds more to the cost...

i would like to spend around 3grand for the whole thing... Ideas? something im not thinking of????

[cleanspeed1]

Any mechanically injected diesel will work well, the electronic diesels that don't use a piezo style injector work well also.

The VW would be the cheapest with the best part support.

The Mercedes products are better, but start with a well maintained, rust free unit or it'll nickel and dime you to death. Don't worry about the miles, just do a pre purchase inspection, and as long as it passes, get it.

The VAG powered Volvos and Audis ( same as the VW, but in 5 and 6 cylinder versions ).

The turbo versions are not affected by altitude as much, the only thing that slows a turbo diesel down is some malfunction in the fuel system or the engine itself.

[mathomas3]

the 2000 vw that i found... kbb said it's worth about 6k... they are asking 5... but what issues comes up for a jetta at 200000 miles???

[cleanspeed1]

That's too much money for an 11 year old car, and you don't want to have to think about the $$$$$ involved in fixing a TDi, especially if it doesn't have a history.

[mathomas3]

so now that brings me back to what vech is out there that doesnt cost soo much but is a safe car... something that everyone else over looks? an ugly car? do you have a car that you can part with for free??

[Arragonis]

In the US find a rust free 250D merc, I'm sure they do still exist somewhere. They run veggie with no changes and run forever. When I say 'run', I of course mean 'amble along'.

You can run the younger TDIs on veggie, TDIClub.com has a few doing that.

Not sure about the PDs although I'm sure someone will have tried.

My dad has experimented with veggie in his 2011 1.6 CR TDI too

[Diesel_Dave]

Ford made an Escort diesel back in the 80's ( I think it was '84 though '87). It had a 2.0 liter made by Mazda. I know there are still a few out there. I have a buddy that has one and gets mpg's in the 50's without any mods. I'm not sure how it would do on the mountains though. Also, I'm not sure if they made a 4 door model.

[UFO]

Buy my '83 240D. It has a 5 cylinder turbodiesel, it runs great up here in Denver.

[Odin]

82-85 300d's are the best and the cheapest for wvo in my experience, their fuel system can take a lot of abuse and will run on practically anything, as long as you get a turbo model you shouldn't have any altitude issues either. the only real down side is they don't like short trips (just like most pre 90's diesels) and they are all auto but with a light foot and regular maintenance you can still achieve mid 30's mpg. if UFO's is a four speed you might want to think about that!

[mathomas3]

ufo how much you want?

yea i found one other 240d here in the springs... he wants a grand for it... the damn rear bumper was ripped off... now happy about that and the title was signed in 04' and he never titled it in his name...

ufo... if you call me tonight we can talk... or talk here... what ever is better for you...

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