diesel cars

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I am currently considering buying a car. Don't have one at the moment and not sure if I 100% need one, but missing my ride home from work the other day and ending up walking 5 miles home started me thinking seriously on it.

One reason I have avoided getting a car is that I believe that the price at the pumps next year will truly be dramatic. Leaving out all other possible Y2K effects, I believe this one alone will ensure a depression.

I'm leaning towards getting a diesel car because I'm guessing that the price difference might be even greater next year. (It's about 20% cheaper here now.)

I can afford to buy one without credit and am even thinking it wouldn't be a bad way to "store" my money. If I'm right in my guess, I could profit from selling it next year. (Don't expect the current job to last past Y2K anyway.)

I'd appreciate getting some good advice, and this forum is the only place I know for Y2K advice. Thanks!

-- Gus (y2kk@usa.net), July 01, 1999

Answers

Gus,

Just my opinion, but if things get rough, nobody will be able to afford your car. It is a "high end" expense and if things are difficult, walking looks pretty good. I's "store" your money into things like water, food, medical requirements, basic survival stuff, etc.

-- Jim Standen (jstanden@ucalgary.ca), July 01, 1999.


Actually, I was thinking that a diesel car might be useful since I have plenty of diesel sitting in tanks for my generator. Also, if power does go out, there will be plenty of home heating oil available (same as diesel) because most furnaces require electricity to run. No juice, no oil being burned in your home.

Anyone have any suggestions on diesel cars/trucks? I really have no idea what's out there...

-TECH32-

-- TECH32 (TECH32@NOMAIL.COM), July 01, 1999.


Jim: I agree if things get really rough nobody will want the car. I don't expect things to get that rough, but I see it as possible. We already have all the basic survival stuff covered. No water/food/heat/shelter problems next year or the years after. Medical the main thing we're lacking in, and that is no biggee, either in expense or urgency. I haven't had insurance since I was a kid, so hospitals are foreign countries to me anyway.

TECH32: Me neither. Never have bought a car. I was thinking also of the storage issue, as we have an extra 275 gallon tank, plus a 1000 gallon one that'd need some repair.

-- Gus (y2kk@usa.net), July 01, 1999.


Mine is a 1985 Mercedes 300 with 283,000 miles. It runs like a top and my wife won't let me have it back (unless my truck is in the shop). The vehicle cost me $5500 and has been well worth it. Initial inspection (before purchase) by a local import specialist cost me $75 but was worth the peace of mind. I have three 150 gallon heating oil tanks that I am filling as I have funds and adding Stabil. The three tanks are plumbed into a common line but each has isolation valves so that if one leaks I don't have 450 gallons of diesel coming down the ditch at me. Used Rustoleum paint and then coated with tar and buried. No permits acquired and they can no longer be seen.

-- Lobo (atthelair@yahoo.com), July 02, 1999.

Have you considered getting a bike and some really warm clothes?

-- nothere nothere (notherethere@hotmail.com), July 02, 1999.


May I make a suggestion regarding diesel cars? Make it a truck... moreover, a pre-RAM Dodge, the older body-style... butt ugly, and practically indestructible. If you can find one with the Cummins diesel and four wheel drive, so much the better. With the diesel, you will get 19 MPG, and be able to haul a LOT of your stuff. The older style are definitely cheaper than the newer, "spiffy" Rams, but the running gear is the same. I have seen good examples of these around for between $3000 and $8000, depending on what amenities.

The other choice is the pre-powerstroke Fords. Although not as inexpensive as the old "DOGs", they are good value, when found with the Navistar V-8 diesels...typically they are $5000-$10000.

Everyone should have a truck, IMHO. I have two...

snoozin' on the porch...

The Dog

-- Dog (Desert Dog@-sand.com), July 02, 1999.


Dog....You are so right. I forgot to mention that we have two trucks, a 1994 Chev 1500 (gas) and a 1995 Dodge 3500 dually with a Cummings. We get 16.5 mpg with the Ram and it doesn't vary with the load....and my wife can put one heck of a load in a 3 horse trailer at show time.

Dogs and trucks go together....

-- Lobo (atthelair@yahoo.com), July 03, 1999.


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