Rabbit vs. Chevette

[SoobieOut]

I drove chevette for a while and the brakes were about the worst I have tried. Even after complete replacement. Talking to other chevette drivers they said this was normal. I would not own one just for the safety issue.

I do like the VW rabitt diesel, seems it has passed the time test over the years. I still see alot of old rabbits still going here in Utah.

[Big Dave]

If Spokane winter blend is questionable, I recommend 25% kerosene in winter. It has better cetane rating and starts easier than a gasoline cut.

[dcb]

better knowledge base on the rabbit and certainly easier to obtain parts. Unless the vette was in seriously better shape or significantly cheaper, I'd be in the rabbit. I had a gas vette and several rabbits. The rabbits handle better.

[Jim Allen]

I owned a Chevette diesel, generally liked it, and worked on and drove a lot of Rabbits as a VW tech. I'd choose the Rabbit just because of the 5-speed. The Chevette will be a 4-speed. Nothing else offered, but it didn't look too hard to install an Isuzu 5-speed into it. The 1.8L Isuzu engine in the Chevette is loads more durable (being an industrial powerplant) than the Rabbit but it's been out of production a long while. Engine parts availability might be better for the Rabbit. Is the Rabbit a turbo or non? If a turbo, that's another plus for the Rabbit. One thing to watch on the Chevettes is that the springs are really cheezy and sag like mad. But then, the low rider thing is good for the aero side. If you buy the Chevette, I've got a factory service manual to sell you!

[BrianAbington]

Jim having experience with both which engine do you think will respond better to fuel economy modifications to the engine it self?

Also do you think that Isuzu engine will respond well to WVO?

[Jim Allen]

My opinion is the Isuzu engine is the more durable of the two and should respond well to WVO. Again, the downside is the relative lack of parts for the Chevette compared to the Rabbit (depends on your skills as a scrounger). I have a vague recollection that injection pump parts are tough to get for the Isuzu. It wasn't a dire problem for me as mine had low miles and had been well taken care of. There aren't many efficacious FE mods possible for either engine, beyond a few generic bolt-ons and both engine would respond equally I think. Both were quite zippy... especailly for NA engines. Mydiesel Rabbit experience was in the pre-TDI days. Most of your mods will be to the chassis and body and the OD 5-speed in the Chevette would be a vital one to consider..