GAS MILEAGE WHAT TO DO?

[gribur]

OK I WAS READING AND A 94 CIVIC WITH THE D15B7 GETS 42MPG, I CAN GET ONE, ALSO HAVE A 94 GOLFAAZ ALMOST FIXED.  NOW IS THE GOLF REALLY GOING TO BE THAT MUCH BETTER THEN THE HONDA FOR MILEAGE? OR SHOULD I JUST NOT INVEST ANY MORE MONEY/TIME INTO THE GOLF AND JUST DRIVE THE HONDA IF FUEL ECONOMY MAY EVEN BE BETTER?  LOOKING FOR YOUR OPINIONS HERE GUYS, I WAS LOOKING FOR A CHEAP CAR TO RUN THAT WAS FUN, BUT I NEVER KNEW A CIVIC WOULD BE SO GOOD ON GAS.
SORRY FOR CAPS . LOCK IS STUCK

[coke]

I'm no Honda guru, but I bet you could push more than 43 out of that 1.9AAZ if you keep your foot out of it. I towed an 800 pound boat and trailer 200 miles and still averaged 38 mpg, with a crappy high revving AWY transmission in my 1.6L.

[mystery3]

Can you swap the b15 into your vw?

Look at early 90's tercel hatches? They get 40-45mpg and you get the utility of a decent sized hatch.

Or a crx hf if you don't need space.

[gribur]

i can choose between the two.  The golf needs about 4 parts and then i can put it all together into a great car.  The honda is on the road right now. honda hatchback has 227,000km and golf AAZ has 299000km, just wondering which car will cost less maintenance and gas wise.  Both cheap to run, just want best bet.

[8v-of-fury]

Its your choice.

Either are easy to fix, parts plentiful and cheap too. The Honda can probably only get 42mpg on a very very good day, where the diesel will laugh at 42mpg.. lol

[theman53]

Diesel...Diesel...Diesel...Did you really ask that question??? LOL

The honda will need timing belts that cost more than any VW TB I have ever seen.

[Quantum TD]

Diesel...Diesel...Diesel...Did you really ask that question??? LOL

The honda will need timing belts that cost more than any VW TB I have ever seen.

That and they suck to replace. Much worse than a MK1/2/3 in my mind. The counter balance shaft setups sucks.

[GEE-BEE]

I have a neighbor with a diesel sprinter

he still doesnt notice that  I use a siphon hose

GB

[gribur]

you some of you guys drive MK3 golfs with AAZ, mine is not done so i guess i am asking about economy, ride, power, suspension etc.  I have driven the civic, its not all that quick, its sporty, easy on gas, does not feel right (if that matters) but it feels solid.  Just looking for a few reasons to justify one over the other.  It looks like both are close on fuel consumption so i guess other aspects will need to determine which way to go.

[mystery3]

I have driven the civic, its not all that quick, its sporty, easy on gas, does not feel right (if that matters) but it feels solid.

I don't think a civic with a b15 and without a lot of suspension work classifies as sporty but the maintenance costs are low, parts are readily available. Where do you live? I'm a California guy and know nothing of starting diesels in the cooler parts of north america but that could be a potential plus for the gasser.

Should we start a list of pros and cons for each vehicle?

[gribur]

i am not sure if the pro con thing was sarcasm or not, but it would certainly help.  I respect your opinions and since i cant make my damn mind up, i would be more then willing to accept your help here.

[Rabbit TD]

To me comparing the Honda and the VW is like comparing apples to oranges or Harleys to Hondas, each has it's own appeal and good and bad points.  I like the older VW diesels and get satisfaction of keeping it going an understand it inside and out and love mechanical work and learning things here about them, it's a hobby to me.  Is my Rabbit TD easy on fuel, yes.  Is it easy to fix, yes.  Do I actualy save money with it, no way  It is my main means of transportation though besides a Buick PK AVE and a GMC truck but I just love the little Rabbit  and enjoy it because it's old and different, like me I guess .  If you are just looking for cheap transportation and dependability and have no real interest in deisels then go for a Civic or Corola ect., if it blows up or whatever then just junk it and get another one as they are easy to find.  Most of these old cars like the Rabbits have been in the junk yard for the past 15-20 years but redoing one ad keeping it going just like any other old car becomes an obsession and believe me I am obsessed  You never get out of an old car what you put into it but you have to enjoy it.  If you just need an economical car for transportation then grab the Civic and keep the VW and finish it or get rid of it before you also become obsessed like us

[mystery3]

I try to avoid sarcasm through the interwebz, I usually come across the wrong way. If I want to bash someone or something I'll do it directly.

I'll leave it to someone else to add mpg as I don't know the figures for mk3 golfs.

1994 Honda Civic:
Pros:
-honda reliability
-

Cons:
-mundane styling (easy to lose in a carpark)
-

Mk3 golf
Pros:
-AAZ (we always want what we can't have in the states)
-German design

Cons:
-

[Rabbit TD]

Is the MK III a TDI?  I do know that the TDI's have some pretty expensive parts on them that the older versions don't and a lot depends on if you have an emission inspection where you are located to have to deal with also.  Down here in Md. we don't have to get the Diesels tested yet and if we ever do the Rabbit is exclued on the antique basis anyway.  Personaly I have always liked Hondas and Toyotas too as far as that goes.  Probably 2 of the most dependable vehicles around, Hondas usualy seem to cost a bit more around here though.  As far as mileage is concerned it's not unusual for the 2 Japanese cars to get in the 40's but that is definately at their best just cruisng.  Honestly the old TD's like I have don't vary 2 miles a gal. different no matter how you drive them which I still am amazed at and don''t understand to this day.  Diesel does cost a little more if you are if you are figuring cost per mile but how many mles do you actualy drive per week?  But this is a pro VW group and we like the diesels good points and bad and expect to have to do things like change head gaskets and such but it's no big deal at all after a while but you do need some special tools but I think most of us are tool freaks too and it gives us an excuse to buy some more, there's no end to the obsession.  My biggest worry is what I'm gonnna put all these parts in if the old Rabbit body gets messed up.  There aren't many if any out there any more worth fooling with.

[745 turbogreasel]

I for one don't find 17 year old Nondas to be particularly reliable.
it's just new enough to have alot of extra 'convenience' feature  to stop working and be surprisingly annoying.
The dead power seat belt actuator that prevents from even looking like you are wearing it comes to mind.
your inside door handle is broken, and  so are ALL the ones at  the junkyard
My neighbor has one, and it gets decent MPG, but...
leaks everything, has;
new O2 sensor
new spark module
main relay
new starter
muffler
tranny is from a JY, but works

front suspension stay fell off
starter fell off
Torque converter bolts fell out

needs;
 radiator
brakes
struts

No better than a typical Golf in any way.