Hi, I'm new here
 

Hi guys,
I am new here, first post. I was considering buying a VW TDI, but I see that you guys are able to get better mileage out of a 92 civic.

Thanks, Jay

Hey Jay!

A friend of mine just bought a VW TDI around a year ago. He said was able to achieve 57MPG on the Oregon Coast recently.

I guess which car you should buy is more dependant on what your goals are. Tells us more about your motivations for better fuel economy, etc., and hopefully we can help you out.

the 1992-95 civic, mostly the vx modle that I assume you are talking about does get close to the same epa mileage as a vw TDI.
I see a TDI as a better long distance vehicle, good for if you live in the country and drive 10+ miles on any given trip, or drive alot on the highway, the newer diesels have more torqe and horse power then a gas engine in a vehicle that might get simaler mileage, so if you are hauling alot of stuff, or people, or something like that your mileage is going to stay higher, same if you have alot of hills to clime on a daily basis, also, up untill this year they were still making the TDI's (stoped for the 2006 or 2007 modle year, and will start up again in a year or two with improved emissions) so you can get newer car, unlike the civic vx that they stoped making in 1995.
the civic vx is a great car, and it's nice to be able to get fuel at any gas station, and to have the cold weather starting of a gas car, it's basicly a little car with a little gas engine that puts out a little extra power if you rev it high/burn a bit more gas.
so look at your needs, and how much you can spend, if you have the money and drive the distances, I would say look at the TDI, if you can find a civic vx that is in good shape then there is no reason not to take it for a drive and see how you like it.

Another attractive thing about the TDI is that you can go WVO or biodiesel.

Welcome to GS!

Welcome
 

Hey Jay!

Welcome. I am brand new here myself and gotta say that this site is great. Lots of good, helpful information as well as some very helpful people.

Hey, whatcha got that's '95 and Avus blue?

Thanks every one for the welcome.

I drive approximately 30,000 miles a year, and am looking for improving the fuel economy of my existing cars or posssibly buy another one that gives better economy. But it has to be comfortable on long trips 2-3 hour commutes.

Hi Silveredwings, I have a 95 Avus blue M3. I noticed that you have a 1999 BMW 323iC convertible. What part of the country are you in?

I nearly guessed that, an M3 is a nice car (mine is avus blau as well). I'm in central MA. Where are you?

I'm in North Jersey.

Welcome Jay.

My vote is for the tdi.

Thanks Silveredwings. Its a great site, very helpful.

I have been considering the TDI route, just the VW's reliability has given me second thoughts over and over.

I vote for the TDI as well.

I don't suppose either of you BMW owners have dimpled surfaces on your side mirrors, do you? I'd read BMW was doing this, but I don't know when they started.

Hi guys,
I may as well post my usual mileage. These are the cars that I currently have.

2002 WRX, 24 mpg (best was 29, but while driving through Indiana & Ohio, all hwy)

1989 Acura Integra, 28 mpg (best was 37, 10 years ago, driving to Fl, all hwy)

1994 Mazda Miata, 27 mpg

1995 BMW M3, 24 mpg (best was 29, driving all hwy)

2004 Honda Accord V6 (wifes car), 20 mpg (best was 32 all hwy)

I have commuted in all but the M3 (garage queen). My driving is typically 75% hwy, 25% city driving. This is all accomplished at speeds up to 75mph.

I know I should slow down, but I am just keeping up with the traffic. I would like to get a car that would get me into the high 30's while driving 75 mph on the hwy. I drive approx 30,000 miles a year.

I am tired of this kind of fuel economy, and am open to buy another car that would acccomplish this.

I am always looking at the classifieds for 96-99 civics.

The VW TDI mileage sounds magical, but sounds like I may be sacrificing FE for reliability & repairs. I have been considering a used one, but even 100,000k cars are fetching over 10k.

Since I drive so much, the car cannot be too boring, noisy, or uncomfortable. I know that I am asking for too much.

Wow, you have a lot of cars.

I feel better about my pile-o-hardware. :)

With your obvious interest in automotive technology, why not head straight for a hybrid? Seems a no-brainer. I'd look for an Insight - the high (FE) performance hybrid for highway use.

Re slowing down, my prescription for people who are sensitive to the issue of holding up traffic is this:

EDIT: so as not to get OT, moved this into a new thread:

https://www.gassavers.org/showthread....5543#post25543

I regularly drive the Prius to Myrtle beach loaded with the wife, two kids, a dog and our gear. I drive 70-75 and average 49 MPG for the round trip. But that is withs some lower speed driving thru towns. My guess is 45 MPG at 75 MPH. SOunds like something you should consider if you can't slow down. Ir the Insight if you can get by with 2 seats.

Where in north jersey are you? Besides, welcome to the site. I'm a jersey boy myself, though I'm not there at the moment, :p

How've you thoughts no the car search been going?

Hey SVOboy, thanks for the welcome. I am in Teaneck, Bergen County.

Of course another thing to keep in mind in the gas versis tdi decision is the usually higher cost of diesel fuel, which would increase your operating costs even if the tdi did get somewhat better mileage than the gas car.

Hi, BMW!
Your last quote above ( "Tired of...") kinda sums up everyone's feelings...especially at today's obscene gas prices!
Hint; Go to the "For Sale" section of this website... and click on "Another gas additive?". This will give you my mailing address.... ( note to admin., I'm not pushing anything!) Ciao!