[Vwdiesel] "new" car suggestions

[William J Toensing]

You don't say where you live. I assume it must be in the USA. If so, & you want a 1996 or newer diesel, you have only two choices, as far as I know: a VW or Mercedes Benz. If in Canada, I have heard they are selling the Smart diesel. I live in California so Canadians, let me know if I am correct.
You didn't say what price range you are considering. If you are considering a gas car, Toyota is about as reliable as you can get. I drive a 2001 Ford Focus ZX3 5 speed because of the low actual price, $11,643 out the door including Calif. sales tax & license. It has been a reliable car & fun to drive but gas mileage stinks- 24 to 29, sometimes 30 to 31 MPG, & now has almost 93,000 miles.. If you want high MPG in a car you can buy fairly cheap, look for a manual transmission Ford Escort. I bought  a 2 door hatchback & turned it over to my stepdaughter when I bought my Focus. It now has 102,000 miles & still has the origional brakes, clutch, alternator, etc. Only problem was replacement of the speedometer at 11,600 miles under warrenty. Under conditions when I could get 30 MPG in the Focus I could get 40 MPG with the Escort. The timming belt was replaced at 60,000 miles to be on the safe side, but it was in good shape but the water pump was marginal & replaced then.
I think you need to be more specific about your wants, needs, & price range when asking for advice on what car to buy. Condition is all important in a used car.  Example: If you found a used, 20,000 mint condition Yugo for $3,000, it might  be a cheaper more dependable car than a Toyota  with 200,000 miles on it for the same price, even though the Yugo was, in my opinion, a poor car.