2002 Golf tdi - 5-spd - 212,xxx
Just bought the car (Jan '12) as a daily commuter car. This is my first diesel of any sort other than a couple tractors I grew up with. I'm the second owner of the car and it has a solid service record and docs. Nothing major has gone wrong with the car to date and I'm hoping it continues with that stellar record.
A friend of mine has an '03 Jetta that he's done some mods to and he's getting ~50mpg out of it. He has been singing the praises of diesel for years. So....the opportunity arose for me to buy the car off a co-worker, and I jumped at the chance.
Currently it needs a glow plug harness, a glove box latch, an arm rest latch, and a panel light dimmer switch.....other than that it seems to be in terrific working order.
I've been driving a '98 Chevy Prizm (Corolla) and when I drove the Golf it immediately just felt so much more solid and composed.
My first tank of fuel returned 44.3mpg for me, which, compared to the Prizm...I should save ~$900/year on fuel even with the higher price for diesel.
I'm also thinking of trying to source and install one of the taller 5th gears for it since 95% of my commute is on the interstate. I've seen that they can offer 11-15% drop in rpm, which would move my operating rpm from ~2200 to ~2000. That would probably net me ~$100/year of savings....but when the gear costs $350.....hmmmm.... I'll have to think about that one. I might be better off saving my money for those little things that will inevitably need replacement....shocks, bushings, switches and connectors of all sorts.
Sooo...thus far... love it!!
I found this forum a while back and have been lurking....silently repressing my inner desires to achieve 50mpg on a regular basis in my 110 mile/day commute....and must say that this seems like a great community to be involved in. I look forward to being further educated in the ways of diesel.
Thanks...
