Diesel Passenger Cars in the U.S.

[AndyM]

There was an article in Sunday's newspaper on the 2005 Mercedes-Benz E320 CDI. It mentioned that this was the first diesel Benz sold in the United States since 1999. I thought this seemed curious that a company known for diesel automobiles hasn't sold any in this country for over five years, especially considering the article also said that over 75 percent of Mercedes sales in the U.S. in the 1980's were diesels.

Anyhoo, the only other diesel powered passenger cars available in the U.S. are sold by Volkswagen. Someone mentioned in a TBN post a few months ago that Chrysler was planning on putting a Benz diesel in the PT Cruiser, but I haven't been able to find any information on this. Has anyone heard anything about this???


I've come to the conclusion that American people don't like change, even though diesels are the norm and not the exception in Europe and Japan. Now that there's a 30-35 cent per gallon difference in this area between regular unleaded and diesel, it sure has me thinking. My wife and I each have a 60 mile round trip to work, and we're spending around $300 per month on gasoline. I've had diesel cars in the past as my "work car", but now there's not as many choices available, even on the used side.
A Benz isn't in my budget, and I really don't care for VW's. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[_RaT_]

I understand Ford is looking hard at putting a diesel in the F150. It will be a smaller diesel then that in the F250. I would jump at the oppourtunity to have a VW TDI, would not consider the PT Cruiser with a diesel (or any other engine for that matter) /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Diesel in our area now is the same as the higher octane gas. I understand that folks in Europe use diesel for passenger cars extensively. Some of it is driven by the lessened tax on diesel over gasoline. In California, it's just the opposite, we pay about 12 cents more/gal for diesel.

 

[Deerlope]

I believe that the new Benz has a V-6 and gets 40mpg at least thats what I am being told. With that kind of mileage I could put one in my budget if I already was not driving a diesel.

 

[shvl73]

Could a person with a diesel car or truck pre-buy heating oil in the off season as we do in the northeast & have it shipped to a skid tank on site, using it in the tractor & car at the same time, treating it in the winter. I pre-bought oil for the house @ $1.15 last summer. I understand it isn't taxed & dyed as is diesel, I just don't think DOT will be checking passenger vehicles.
I'm not advocating the practice, just asking. I don't own a diesel vehicle, just the tractor & I fill it via 5 gallon cans from a diesel pump.

 

[gws]

The jeep liberty is suppose to get a little diesel this year as well.

 

[Gatorboy]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I just don't think DOT will be checking passenger vehicles. )</font>

The fine if you are caught is VERY high.

 

[AndyM]

<font color="blue"> The jeep liberty is suppose to get a little diesel this year as well. </font>

I keep trying to find info about the PT Cruiser and Liberty models with diesels, but can't find anything.
Do you have any release dates? Links for this information would be great!

I just went past the local gas station--
Regular unleaded... $1.939
Diesel... $1.649

In the past, I've had the following diesels...
1982 Datsun pickup
1983 Chevette
1987 Ford Tempo

I had good luck with all three as my daily work vehicles, and they lasted for many miles. Now that the diesel craze of the last 70's/early 80's is 20 to 25 years behind us, decent used diesel autos that are a few years old are impossible to get, unless you want a VW.

 

[Gatorboy]

Andy,

The Jeep website has some information on the 2005 Jeep Liberty CRD

 

[AndyM]

Thanks for the link, Dave.

Chrysler is coming out with some interesting cars this year. They have a V-8 in one of their new vehicles that runs on four cylinders, when the extra power isn't necessary, for added fuel economy. Hopefully, it works better than the time GM did something like that with their Cadillac V-4-6-8 in the late 1970's.

 

[RonL]

Andy

I had a VW TDI. It got outstanding mileage driving back and forth to the dealership to have all the things that broke on it fixed. VW is having tremendous problems with quality control. I would avoid VW like the plague. See http://www.myvwlemon.com

RonL