Diesel Cars

[jonyyuma]

It's too bad - both GM and Ford have decent small diesels overseas, but can't bring them into NA because of market constraints caused in part by California's emmission limits. Same with Subaru; they have some great diesels "over there" but not enough demand to bring any here.

What I'd really like here is a Toyota Hilux - small displacement diesel engine in a mid-size pick up.[/QUOTE]

There are several diesel options for utility down in Australia, Toyota offers a twin turbo v-6 and a turbo-V-8...They won't pass US testing and like we won't see them....

 

[Diamondpilot]

I own a BWM 335d. It's a very nice car. I have seen 42mpg on the freeway, but that's down at 60mph, up at speed 70mph it does 38mpg. And its very fast too. With 425 foot pounds of torque it puts you V8 pickup to shame.

HS

We have a 335I with the twin turbo inline 3.0L 6 cylinder. Its gas but will do 30 plus mpg and averages about 25 mpg around town.

Its tons of fun and fast also. 0 to 60 in 4 seconds and 1/4 mile in 12 seconds will leave most Cameros and Mustangs looking at the tail lights. Not bad for a family sedan.

Real sleeper.

Chris

 

[jonyyuma]

Some of the locals here use these cars to wieve in and out of the 3 lanes on our by-pass. I admit they look pretty quick, but theres a limit to driving fast on slick streets?

 

[milstencil]

We have been driving VW diesels since 1980 (first gas crisis) and all have gotten over 45MPG with 5 speed manual transmissions.
Still have my 83 rabbit and it is pushing 200,000 miles.
The only down side to the VW diesel is the "rubber band" timing belt. It has to be changed at
100,000 miles along with the water pump--$1200.00.
When we went from the rabbits (slow!!!) to the TDI jetta, the change was like night and day!
The TDI has ball$ and can fly at highway speeds. The old ones you had to turn off the AC to get out of a toll booth.
Looking at the BMW diesel because of the timing belt issue.
Rick

 

[jonyyuma]

I had to turn off the AC on my S-10 too if i wanted a quick start-off, or feather the clutch? It was 62 hp, no turbo...Sure needed it...

 

[TimberXX]

I am considering the audi wagon diesel, I need to look into the maintenance schedule.

I want the diesel to save me money, not spend it on service.

 

[jonyyuma]

Audi is supposed to be a good car. I don't know of anyone here that has one?We do have one dealer in mid-town..diesel is $3.49 right now..

 

[Sutol]

I have a 1997 Peugeot 306 1.9 Turbo intercooled diesel and it flys and it does 50 mpg and it tows my trailers and its done 167,000 miles.

It doesnt use a drop of oil and it has been reliable over the past year.

I paid 275 Pounds for it thats about $420 and I intend to run it until I get my diesel Land Rover fixed.

Peugeot diesels were the best in the world but the newer models are not as good, they have for instance reduced the size of the sump so less oil reserve which they say is better for the environment as there is less waste oil but there isnt enough oil and the turbos dont last etc.

Progress eh

 

[Sutol]

Audi is supposed to be a good car. I don't know of anyone here that has one?We do have one dealer in mid-town..diesel is $3.49 right now..

Audi ok but expensive on spares

As for diesel try $10.50 a gallon as it is over here.

Also my brothers Audi A4 1.9 diesel only gets 30mpg on a run as it is so heavy

 

[chrisott]

I bought an '81 diesel VW rabbit from my BIL after he had it 10 years. I drove it another 125K miles and routinely got between 45 mpg (summer) and 40 mpg (winter). It was peppy in the city, but a dog on the highway. I replaced it with a 1997 VW Passat with the TDI engine. That one was peppy at all speeds. It would get 48 mpg in the sumer and 42 mpg in the winter. I drove that over 200K miles in the 10 years I had it. The check engine light was on for 8 of those 10 years. All the local dealers couldn't figure it out, but the mechanic in my town did (oxygen sensor). In Massachusetts the laws keep changing on whether one can buy a diesel car or not in the state. The newer TDIs don't get the fuel economy the older ones did. So I went with a Prius hybrid for the replacement. Was getting 68 to 72 mpg for the first six months in 2007, then the fuel all changed to 10% ethanol and I only get 55-58 mpg in the summer and 48-50 mpg in the winter.