diesel rabbit..to buy or not

new guy here..need help please...looking at an 81 diesel rabbit in good condition from a friend of mine..what do i need to look for when i drive it..any specific problem areas?? has a new battery. i've never owned a diesel before, what can i expect as compared to a gas car ?? my oldest son is a cummings diesel tech and says he can keep it running for ever..i drive 300 miles per day and need the gas milage..which i'm told is around 50mpg..is that right ?? any info appreciated..asking price is 600.00 any comments ..thaNKS...pj

new guy here..need help please...looking at an 81 diesel rabbit in good condition from a friend of mine..what do i need to look for when i drive it..any specific problem areas?? has a new battery. i've never owned a diesel before, what can i expect as compared to a gas car ?? my oldest son is a cummings diesel tech and says he can keep it running for ever..i drive 300 miles per day and need the gas milage..which i'm told is around 50mpg..is that right ?? any info appreciated..asking price is 600.00 any comments ..thaNKS...pj

Just bought an 82 myself. So far it's just a matter of redoing some brake cylinder and rear bearings. As for yours, I'd buy it, that's cheap. Many are fetching $2500+ on eBay. Parts are cheap and easy to find at Napa, AutoZone, etc.

Corroded electrical contacts in the blinker sockets, headlight plugs seam to be common mostly from age. Wires to the headlamp sockets are brittle on mine and crack easily. Easy to fix though if you're handy.