[Vwdiesel] OT: advice @ buying diesel for friend

[James Hansen]

> - is this a dumb idea (buying the car, I mean)?

DO you like calls that start with "Rolf, my car is making a funny noise."
If so, it's a great idea.

> is she really better off renting and letting the rental company deal
> with the hassle of owning it?

See above.

> 
> - is a diesel a good choice for her? (auto tranny limits choices)

Yes.  Shelf life of gasoline is 2 months.
BUT, since ULSD, it has been given a shelf life as well, and you guessed it,
2 months.
The first one is true, the second one seems more bureaucratic than
scientific. I have stuff that sits for a year at a crack, starts right up on
diesel.  Gas is another matter. If I don't use additives to stabilize the
gas, it kinds sucks till things get running again.

> 
> - do VW automatic tranny's suck? (I seem to recall something about
> this)

They could suck start a leaf blower.
In the hands of the common undemanding joe, (jane) sluggish shifts, engine
rpm's all over the map might not get noticed, or cared about, so *shrug*
might not be an issue.

> 
> - is a mid-2000s Golf/Jetta TDi automatic a good candidate?

As good as any. I'd gravitate to the Golf myself, easier to park, and such.

> 
> - any other marque I'd want to consider?

Get her a Honda Civic.
Should be able to get a hell of a deal on a Toyota... 9 k gets you a new one
these days, no?

> 
> - aren't M-B auto tranny's good? any model in that price range I'd want
> to look at?

Haven't driven one I liked.  Of course I'm biased, but it seems to me the
slushbox in my duramax shifts just fine.  Why can't the others?

> 
> - should I give up on the diesel idea and just find her a nice reliable
> girly Honda?
> maybe hybrid?

You like this girl, or dislike her?
Hybrid?
Oiy.
Dude, we have to talk...
:-)
-james