My Latest Acquisition: 2003 VW Golf TDI
 

I've been looking for a Golf TDI for months, even prior to purchasing my former HX. I really like the style, especially for bringing the dog on long trips. However, the main reason for this purchase was due to the very high FE.

I could never find one locally for a decent price, without having 400,000 miles on it. I decided to start checking out locations further away. I used a fancy "TDI" search called "Foobert's. It basically searches all of Craigslist in the US and Canada and lists every single TDI. There's not really a search feature for location or price, so I had to scan through the entire thing. Finally, I found one that seemed like a decent buy. However, it was 5-6 hours away! I figured what the heck, it'd be worth it.

On Wednesday my buddy and I made the trek up there in my Trans Am. 5 hours of driving there and 6 driving back but worth it. Here's the one I picked up:

Up in Massachusetts:
http://pafirefighter11.smugmug.com/A...9373482-XL.jpg

And back home here in PA:
http://pafirefighter11.smugmug.com/A...9314707-XL.jpg

http://pafirefighter11.smugmug.com/A...9314325-XL.jpg

It's got 245k on it, which for a TDI that's nothing. If you check out TDI Club you'll see quite a few in the 600,000 and even 700,000 mile range.
I haven't refilled since the drive home so I'm not sure of my FE on the drive home, but these seem to average 50-60 highway from those with whom I've spoke. It is a 5 speed, 2 door. I really wanted a 4 door, but they're so incredibly hard to find I figured I'd settle for the 2 doors again. The prior owner was the original owner and drove 60 miles a day from NH to a Boston, Mass. suburb.

I have a set of studded snow tires with steelies on it now. The PO also gave me a set of summer wheels/tires.

I'll post non-cell phone photos when I have some time, but I'm excited for yet another fun Eco Modder adventure!

Took some real shots today. Thank the snow for photobombing though:

http://pafirefighter11.smugmug.com/A...f-Front-XL.jpg

http://pafirefighter11.smugmug.com/A...Quarter-XL.jpg

http://pafirefighter11.smugmug.com/A...Quarter-XL.jpg

Sounds like vw stepped it up with the engine design. We had an 85 and 86 golf diesel. The 85 got about 200k miles before it failed to start in 80 degree weather using starter fluid and the driver seat rusted through the floor. The tranny quit shfiting into 5th and a junkyard tranny had 5th sheered off.

The 86 smoked a lot, but was very poor performer and we traded it for the geo metro. THe 85 went to the kidney foundation junkyard.

Good dayli driver and high mpg. Congrats on that.

I would not count on 50-60mpg on winter blend diesel.
My life average since I own my 2003 Jetta is 49 MPG. Not bad I also drive the speed limit and a lot of freeway. So a lot of that is at 70mph.

Thanks all!

I drive 65 here on all highways, whether it's 55 MPH or 65 MPH. I hit 42 MPG with my best tank of gas in my HX (Even with winter blend), so I'm hoping for low to mid 50's out of this. Some aero mods are in-store. Need to do some research on the grille blocks and lips for this.

Glad to see you found a decent diesel Rick! Good luck with it!

This is an amazing find:thumbup:

Here in California you will find the 2Door TDI vary scarce and 4Door are plentiful.


I actually love the 2Door. It just looks awesome.

My 1982 Diesel Rabbit is at 52MPG, but like you I hope to break into 60MPG.

Best and good luck,
bigC

Thanks, Scott! I'm very happy with it and excited to see what the first full tank does! Happy to see the HX treating you well too!



I wish it were that way here, but I looked for months and couldn't find what I wanted with the 4 door. I decided to just settle on this 2 door and I'm still very happy with it.

That's some great FE out of the Rabbit! Congrats! I have no idea what I am averaging at the moment, but excited to fill the tank and find out!

Sorry bro, I cant get use to vw making a vehicle that looks somewhat aerodynamic other than the bug. Im use to sharpe edges or square vehicles.