Options: either an early 90's Honda Civic, or a later 90's VW TDi

Civic Pros: Cheaper off the bat, low mainenence costs, cheap parts, good gas milage (30-40)
Civic Cons: Bland, more problems arising due to age, more rust again due to age, much higher theft rate

TDi Pros: Much more unique, ridiculous gas milage (40-50 not driving like grandma) More pleasent to drive, engine that could last forever and a day, generally only 98+ avalable, therefore just newer

TDi Cons: More expensive off the bat, higher maintenence costs, fuel milage slightly offset by cost of diesel, a few non critical quality problems.

Basically I'm in a bind. I've been eyeing those diesel volkswagens for a while now. I guess you could say that the gas mileage figures equal out since diesel is more expensive (the TDi still comes out ahead, and lets see if gas surpasses diesel this summer). I'm not afraid to do major mechanical work to the car(Timing belt, electrical diag. and repair), since I am a mechanic myself, and I like the fact that I'm not too far from a BioDiesel station that sells B20 and B100, thereby putting in my little credit in reducing our dependance on foreign oil :). Also, I've always enjoyed driving VW's, they've always had a pleasent, solid feel, good shifting transmissions, and good highway manners.

On the other hand, theres the civic which is just cheap all around. Not "bad" cheap, but nothing exciting. I used to borrow my sisters 92 HB before I got rearended, and I grew to dislike that car after a while. Just generally spartan for me, a like a little cush on my tush. Obviosuly anything that went wrong with that i could easily handle myself, but i think that more would go wrong with it in the long run than a car 7-8 years newer.

Oy, decisions.... What are you'z guyz opinions about this?

if you just wanted an point A to B car the civic is pretty hard to beat. My family has owned two and they fill the bill excellently for their price. I doubt the civic would end up costing more in gas than the tdi, but even if gas prices do go up that much during the summer, you would be able to make up the cost of it in the money saved by buyign the civic in the first place.

Scince neither of these cars will really get you excellent performance or appearances, I guess it just depends on how much you are willing to pay for a more comfortable ride.