A tribute.....

[mean88]

A sad day.  My 1990 VW Jetta Turbo Diesel died saving mine, my wife and two young kids lives.  We were a mile from home and a chevy silverado crossed the centerline and hit us.  Pop, broken glass, and tire squeal and we were in the ditch.  He hit me in the front bumper, shoved my driver side wheel into my left foot, and tore the whole side of the car open with the truck.  That little VW sheared his front driverside wheel, hub, and drive axle clean off.  My front wheel was still attached.  Its tough to see in the picture, but the front bumper, fender and both damaged doors are all there.  My 1 son behind me and myself were inches away from death.  Had he hit me a little bit more head on it would have been really bad.  His front bumper and what not was shattered all over the road.  My little VW stayed together, not bad for a truck vs car.

Ive had this car 11 years.  I bought it when I graduated highschool to drive to my first job which was over 30 miles away.  I cannot calculate how much money it has saved me in fuel alone these past years.  I just had finished getting the car where I wanted it, fresh overhauled franken motor, tdi intake, intercooler, custom exhaust, t3 turbo, guages, stereo, new clutch, motor mounts, transmission, new cv axles two weeks ago, struts w/upper bearings, ball joints, tierod ends, heavy duty bushings with new control arms, brand new tires and balance, new wheel bearings, I hand sanded and painted the original wheels and detailed the hubcaps when I did the tires, I could go on and on. 

When my parents were taking me to the hospital to have my leg looked at I literally cried.  All the hours upon hours of time I stuck in that car is gone.  Years wasted, the car is totaled.  The trooper that she is, I had to shut it off when I hit the ditch, she was still rattling along. 

I am working a job 45 min away from home and I will be forced to drive my wifes ford explorer until I can get something else.  I'm afraid that this guy's mistake of crossing the centerline is gonna cost me some serious cash.  The insurance company isn't likely to give me much for a 24 year old car.  And going from 50mpg to 15 is gonna hurt.

So the search is on.  I am trying to decide what to replace this car with.  Thanks for looking guys/gals.
Teddy

 

[vanbcguy]

Woweee. Glad you and your family are OK. That could have been much worse.

Not sure what it is like where you are but you should be getting some pain and suffering money too. That should help with the financial sting.

An ALH Mk4 can be had for not too much money. They are ALMOST as simple and reliable as the older engines, but they have parts that are easier to get and significantly improved crash ratings which I'm sure is going to be on your mind. Plus all the creature comforts of a newer vehicle...

[bbob203]

http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=402464

[burn_your_money]

Glad to hear you and your family are ok. I don't know how insurance works down there but if you are not at fault and the other driver is, their insurance company should provide you with a rental vehicle. Also, you should buy the car back (typically scrap value on an old car) and then either part it out and recoup some money or do an engine swap into another car.

I've lost 2.5 cars due to getting in accidents that weren't my fault, and I know that it's not a good feeling. Metal can be replaced though, which is important to keep in mind. It's also a good reality check to make sure that you are spending your time on things that really matter.

[mean88]

Thanks guys.  I've already started looking at ALH cars.  I figure for the short term I will find something newer and hold out for a nice clean older chassis I can swap my existing drive train into.  Everyone says it isn't a big deal to drive the wifes truck, but they haven't driven a 50+ MPG car for the last 10 years like I have!

[8v-of-fury!]

WHOA! she held her own against a half-ton!

So glad to hear every essentially "walked" away.. I can only hope for the same if something ever happens to me in my 84.

[mean88]

Got to pull my stuff out this morning.  The floor was pushed up in front of and under the drivers seat.  The doors both still latched and opened with the handles!  Looks like my intercooler and all engine related items including the radiator are ok and undamaged.  I cant wait to get this thing back!

[bajacalal]

That's good to hear that everybody was ok, I worry a little bit about the safety of my car, after all it's not exactly the latest and greatest as far as technology.

[bbob203]

is the motor ok?

[mean88]

She is all complete and running under the hood.  If you look at the one picture you can see my brand new axle hanging out, appears to have yanked the joint apart.  Not sure on the trans, but I think it'll be ok.  I am currently working with the insurance company hoping I will get a rental to drive to work in the mean time.  Finding nice clean low mile ALH TDI's is no easy task.  Lots of nice ones, but all high miles. Most I have called on thus far that were lower mile were sold.  Still hunting.

I'm thinking I may get a golf 2dr, a rabbit, or maybe a caddy to swap my engine in provided I get the car back.  Hopefully soon I can get a newer rattly to run.  Once you go clack, you dont go back!

[Dennis Froelich]

Glad everyone is ok. Mk2 Jettas can take a hit and save lives. A friends Mom walked out of a T boned MK2 GLI.

Here is a link for TDI cars for sale all over.... http://www.foobert.com/carhunt.html

Once again, glad everyone is OK.

[mean88]

For the record the truck that hit my jetta was a 3/4 ton truck that a veterinarian used.  It had his in bed refrigerator/drug storage unit filling the bed of the truck. 

I found a very nice and clean 2009 TDI 6 speed manual in my neck of the woods with lower miles for sale and every possible option.  Since I am not very savvy on these newer machines what is there anything really wrong with this new of a jetta?  I also found a 2000 1.9 jetta 5 speed in my area that has about the same mileage and is naturally less money.

My wife really likes the 2009 which is important as she said she would even learn to drive a stick as its so nice.  What kind of mileage should I expect out of a newer 2.0 jetta vs a 1.9?  I realize the 2.0 has more emissions stuff on it.

I honestly am out of my element as all I know are the IDI's.

[8v-of-fury!]

I am avid on the TDICLUB, and I see nothing but issues for the 09/10 TDI's.. STEER CLEAR.

You have no idea how it was maintained.. and that is some scary ***. If you had it from day one, different.. they are good cars then.. but the idiot before you.. well is an idiot.. and could have fudged it up bad.

The 2000 will be an ALH, and in many opinions.. is one of VW's best engines to date..

[mean88]

Thanks much!