Diesel Passenger Cars in the U.S.

KAB · May 7, 2004

A recent editorial article (by Keith Crain) in Automotive News (April 19th) talks about this issue. The article indicated that the reason that more diesels are not sold in the US is related to emissions requirements. I read another article in the same publication (unable to locate it) that talked more indepth about the emission and Diesels. Mercury (the sulfur that is generated from diesels are supposed to be the source for most of the mercury in the US's streams, rivers, and lakes) appears to be the problem. In Europe emission testing for Mercury is not as strigent. If the laws are ever modified to make diesel emission different from gasoline then we will see more diesel in cars in the US. For 2006-2007 there is a fuel change for lower sulfur.

Yes, Ford is to be introducing a V6 diesel in light duty trucks and SUV's.

Kurt

KAB · May 7, 2004

Chrysler and GM will both have an engine the reduces the number of cylinders this fall. Unlike years past where we had either a carb or throttle body inj. we now have multiport injection so fuel can be shut off directly at the cylinder. So the NEW verions of 4-6-8 will work the way it was intended back then. I have not seen any technical info as to how it is supposed to work but what I hear is that it will either operate as a 4 or 8 cyl. operating as a 6 cyl causes a lot of vibration and noise issues that can be "easily" dealt with in a 4-8 configuration.

GM will be intoducing it in the seven passenger Mis-Size SUV's with the 2005 Model year.

Kurt

RonL · May 7, 2004

Peter

I had a VW Diesel Bug that had the window problem, the air conditioner compressor failed, and the injectors failed, and other problems. All at less than 28,000 miles. Thinking that I had gotten a lemon I traded the Bug in for a GLX Passat Wagon with the V6 and 4Motion ( Made in Germany? ). The first time it rained the car filled with water. The car was back at the dealership numerous times to have various parts replaced and "fixed". One of the times it was in the shop I observed that they had torn out the interior completely and had drilled holes in the floor pan. As per Massachusetts' Lemon Law I sent a registered letter to VW of America. VW did the minimum necessary to comply with the law. At this point it looks like I will have to hire a lawyer to get VWoA to buy back the car. I can understand why VWoA will not buy back their "lemons" unless forced to do so. They would be overwhelmed with lemons. Consumer groups continue to rate VW at the bottom for quality. After experiencing VW's " Customer Service" you or anyone else could never convince me that VW builds a quality product or stands behind their product.

RonL

TresCrows · May 8, 2004

"One thing that did surprise me is that I only saw one pickup truck."

Trucks are the in thing in the US but that was not always the case. I remember back, especially in the 70s, most people drove cars and station wagons. Now we have station wagons called SUVs which are not really SUVs and we have quad cab trucks being used as sedans with an open trunk. One recent trend that many may not have noticed is the re-emergence of the sedan. Ford and Chrylser have new sedan models--the Ford 500 etc and of course Toyota and Honda push the Accord and Camry pretty hard. Most people who drive trucks don't really need a truck--it is a life style statement--one that could get real expensive soon.
Do people in Europe live out on acerage?, do they haul plywoods, lumber, animals, ski boats, motorcycles, hundreds of lbs of fertilizer, tractor parts, airplane parts, do they live down dirt roads and travel into remote areas, do they hunt and explore or do they just take "Holiday" to the beach and sit around in their thongs like beached whales? J

r0GuE · May 9, 2004

Do people in Europe live out on acerage?, do they haul plywoods, lumber, animals, ski boats, motorcycles, hundreds of lbs of fertilizer, tractor parts, airplane parts, do they live down dirt roads and travel into remote areas, do they hunt and explore or do they just take "Holiday" to the beach and sit around in their thongs like beached whales? J
)

Oh My!!! I couldn't agree more with the European statement!!! I actuallly had this discussion with our German rep at a company I once worked for. He arrogantly stated (in my experience, he said EVERYTHING arrogantly) that they just have things delivered. Well, I guess if everything in your life is, or looks like it was, made by Ikea, you could just have everything delivered to your itty bitty "flat" and live happily ever after.

I choose not to have a truck, but I can certainly see how some people couldn't live (the way they want to) without one.

MF1455v · May 9, 2004

I have a 2001 Jetta diesel with 94k miles on it. I to had a power window problem. First the driver side failed at 45k, VW replaced it out of warrenty no questions asked. At 47k the passanger side failed. To it in VW replaced it with a new, more rebust style and went back into the driver side replacing it with the new style. Again at no charge.

I don't mind putting up with a few problems when the car gets 52 mpg at 80mph with the AC on. It nice having to fill up with 600+ miles on the tank and taking $18 to fill it up.

Could the car quality be better? Maybe! Would I by another car from my dealer? You bet! A good sevice department is hard to find.

jyoutz · May 10, 2004

I get 21 MPG with my 3/4 Dodge truck with manual tranny and Cummins diesel. What does your Toyota get?

Chechnya · May 10, 2004

Do people in Europe live out on acerage?, do they haul plywoods, lumber, animals, ski boats, motorcycles, hundreds of lbs of fertilizer, tractor parts, airplane parts, do they live down dirt roads and travel into remote areas, do they hunt and explore.. Yes and whats your point?

GerardC · May 10, 2004

( I get 21 MPG with my 3/4 Dodge truck with manual tranny and Cummins diesel. What does your Toyota get? )

I get 21 MPG City and 26 MPG H/way with my manual gas Corvette! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif G