Another feeBay diesel-powered oddity: - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

uberwgn · #1 10-02-2007, 08:07 PM

1981 Dasher wagon

R Leo · #2 10-02-2007, 10:04 PM

I once had a Rabbit UTE diesel...pretty much the same engine as the Dasher's and you practically needed an appointment to get on the freeway. Far slower than a automatic 240D W123

TheDon · #3 10-02-2007, 10:31 PM

I wanted one of the rabbit pickups.. my friend had one.. I wanted it soo bad

Whiskeydan · #4 10-02-2007, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDon

I wanted one of the rabbit pickups.. my friend had one.. I wanted it soo bad

We need to talk.

Jim B. · #5 10-02-2007, 10:48 PM

The hatchback sedan version of these are all over Iraq to this day.

They were part of Saddam's effort to bring cars to comon Iraqis.

They call them Brazili's, as they were assembled by VW do Brazil. Most of the white ones got painted with red/orange paint on front and rear fenders to make them taxicabs

See one at 5:26- 5:27
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CNJ5KWiotdY

TheDon · #6 10-02-2007, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whiskeydan

We need to talk.

huh what.. ... I could use a second car... a pickup .. small.. my mum and myself like to do home improvements and I need a UTE... ^_^

the rabbit UTE was just the rabbit stretched a bit

rickg · #7 10-03-2007, 04:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDon

I wanted one of the rabbit pickups.. my friend had one.. I wanted it soo bad

Don't get one, especially the diesel version, if you want to be able to haul more than about 100lbs, faster than about 30mph. Friend of mine had one many moons ago. Got great gas mileage, but that's about it. They're NOT a truck. A Rabbit with a box in the back.

BobK · #8 10-03-2007, 07:10 AM

I had one. Owned it twice really. 1980 model with the 48 HP engine. Not a bad little car. The '80 model only had a 4spd stick. Really needed the 5spd. Buzzed too much on the highway. Max I ever tried to haul in it was 900lbs of pea gravel. Too much load for the suspension really. Car was basically a Rabbit in the front with Dasher unpinnings in the rear. Had the good dasher rear brakes, not the tiny Rabbit ones. I got about 40-42 mpg on average. I think 37 mpg is the worst I ever saw. Rust was the big issue. I junked it when it got to the point that I really had to lift the drivers door to close it. The "A" piller was just going away.

R Leo · #9 10-03-2007, 08:14 AM

Mine was a 5-speed. When the a/c compressor cycled on at highway velocity (55-60mph) it felt like you'd stepped on the brakes. Miserable.

SwampYankee · #10 10-03-2007, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uberwgn

1981 Dasher wagon

That's not a bad looking little wagon! If it were near me I might be interested enough to look at it. There had been a (what looked to be) 2 dr. Dasher Wagon diesel in our Bargain News for like a year for a grand that I was tempted to check out numerous times but never got around to it. They may be "underpowered" but for a daily runabout around town what difference would it really make? Highway on-ramps may be another matter although even driving my "underpowered" naturally aspirated TD I've never felt any fear or trepidation upon entering. That said, I'm definitely more concious of vehicle distance.

Edit: checked out the auction and it looks like a real nice example. It has the 1.6L. Pretty good eBay presentation, too. Over $4K so far.

Larry Delor · #11 10-03-2007, 06:35 PM

The '79 Audi Fox, that I used to own, had the drivetrain from a Dasher. It was a fun car to drive 1.6L gas motor and a 4 speed (I think it was 4). I drove an old school Diesel Rabbit once, and it was faster than a 240D.

A264172 · #12 10-03-2007, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Larry Delor

... I drove an old school Diesel Rabbit once, and it was faster than a 240D.

Can't say I've had the pleasure of driving a 240D, but the diesel rabbit I drove had no problems getting around town, it was the highways with hills on them that got a little tiresome.
Good way to avoid speeding tickets on the freeway though.

Matt L · #13 10-03-2007, 06:51 PM

The new Jetta TDI sure doesn't suffer from these problems. It doesn't sound like much at 100Hp and 177lb-ft, but it really scoots. There's no problem taking any hills around here in fifth gear at ticket-earning speeds. I do have yet to cross a mountain in it.

Larry Delor · #14 10-03-2007, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt L

The new Jetta TDI sure doesn't suffer from these problems. It doesn't sound like much at 100Hp and 177lb-ft, but it really scoots. There's no problem taking any hills around here in fifth gear at ticket-earning speeds. I do have yet to cross a mountain in it.

That is one of the more fun cars that I have driven in a long time! I actually leave the car in a better mood than when I get in it.