Diesel Passenger Cars in the U.S.

_RaT_ · May 11, 2004

I for one would love to see Toyota build a compact truck with the "super diesel" you mention. That would be one possible exception for me to consider buying new instead of used. I have yet to ever buy a new car. Years ago a study was done that stated Americans driving habits would not be seriously affected until fuel hit $5/gallon. I don't know of that reports accuracy, mine change pretty quick.

Egon · May 11, 2004

Perhaps we should be considering Mass Transit systems. May not be as convienient as a personal vehicle but there could be many benefits too.

Consider the huge cost of current road system construction and maintenance. Arrable land taken out of production. Huge number of natural resources used in building new autos/trucks. Just having parking for them is major hassle.

I'm not saying eliminate the personal vehicle but perhaps make changes so their use can be decreased in certain areas.

It would require a considerable mindset reorientation but is doable.

By the way; I do like driving.

Egon

MikePA · May 11, 2004

Perhaps we should be considering Mass Transit systems. May not be as convienient as a personal vehicle but there could be many benefits too. 
It's my observation that where mass transit is a reasonable alternative, i.e., urban locations and the suburban areas adjacent to large urban centers, it already exists. Without huge subsidies, Mass Transit solutions simply do not work in many suburban or rural areas.

CTyler · May 11, 2004

No contest here...I'd loose. Kind of a catch 22, gas is killing me living in the country but don't have enough funds for another vehicle at the moment either. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

cowboydoc · May 11, 2004

Why do we feel the need to say what we should be driving? For those that care there are good fuel mileage vehicles. What's the difference between spending a $100 to fill up a big SUV that you enjoy driving or going out to a movie and dinner for $100? Really not much. It just depends where you want to spend your disposable income. For those that do care then there are fuel efficient vehicles available. For those that don't care there are the bigger vehicles. Why is this such an issue?

MikePA · May 11, 2004

Why is this such an issue? 
Beats me /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif. As I said in my post, who am I to judge whether someone else is driving a vehicle that's 'too big'. If one person wants to spend $50/month on fuel and the next person wants to spend $200/month, that's their concern, not mine. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Personally, I don't think it's a logical conclusion that since Americans do not buy diesel powered vehicles at the same rate as Europeans that this, somehow, means we do not like change. It could mean something as simple as we don't like diesel vehicles, or we do not have convenient access to diesel fuel, etc. Lots of other possible explanations.

_RaT_ · May 11, 2004

Mike, I always kind of thought that since California recently would not allow diesels in the state on anything smaller then 3/4 ton trucks, it helped decide the fate of just what would be imported into this country. For years folks would have access to the 1/2 Chevy trucks with diesels everywhere except in California where they were not allowed. (based on the diesel in the Chevy back then they were probably doing us a favor) As diesel exahust emissions got stricter, it eliminated the Mercedes and VW passenger cars in CA.
With the new clean diesel engines coming out, it may be just a matter of time before CA has to allow access to them as well. I hope so. I love having choices.

dmccarty · May 11, 2004

cowboydoc said, "Why do we feel the need to say what we should be driving?"

-Because SUVs are LARGE. And if I decide to buy a little itty bitty car and a big bad SUV hits said little car the SUB will cause more damage. Therefore there should be no large vehicles.
- SUVs use more fuel therefore they are responsible for 9/11.
- SUVs pollute more and are the cause of global warming.
- SUV owners are bad drivers.
- SUV owners are dangerous drivers.
- SUV owners are aggressive drivers.
yada yada yada.

I have heard all of this nonsnese over the years. Still don't understand it. Look at Kerry. HE does not own an SUV but HIS family does have a Suburban on some land out west. He won't even admit that he owns a SUV since his supporters hate big vehicles. Its strange.

Later,
Dan

AndyM · May 11, 2004

What's the difference between spending a $100 to fill up a big SUV that you enjoy driving or going out to a movie and dinner for $100? Really not much. It just depends where you want to spend your disposable income. 

Between my wife and I, we spend over $300 per month in gasoline for a 4 cylinder Ranger and a Ford Contour (The Ford Van with the 351 hasn't budged from its spot for some reason). That's NOT disposable income for me. Right now, a fill-up on each one is $25 and still rising.

It's almost to the point where it will pay to buy a new VW. Not only is the fuel mileage better, but diesel is almost 30 cents per gallon cheaper! /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

MikePA · May 11, 2004

My wife and I each have a 60 mile round trip to work, and we're spending around $300 per month on gasoline. 
Andy, I don't mean to offend, however, what someone spends on commuting is a function of where they choose to live compared to where they work.