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Diesel MiniVans

144 messages,  Last post on Mar 23, 2012 at 8:31 AM

You are in the Vans & Minivans Forum.

What is this discussion about? Diesel, Van

Messages Page 11 of 15

#95 of 144 Newbie, frustrated minivan mom by lizziewriter

May 31, 2007 (8:23 am)

Hi all... found this board and read some but have to get back to work. We have a diesel pickup truck but that's all so far. I had to replace my front wheel drive Astro van last year, a bit suddenly, and got the Chevy Uplander. I am not happy with it but there just wasn't much out there (full disclosure: hubby wants GM). Even would he relent... the US is just not cooperating with itself to allow a good market for such a useful vehicle as a roomy diesel minivan with reasonable power. And it's not like it can't be done. I look forward to catching up on this forum and learning what's on the horizon.

#96 of 144 Re: Newbie, frustrated minivan mom [lizziewriter] by blufz1

May 31, 2007 (8:31 am)

Replying to: lizziewriter (May 31, 2007 8:23 am)
Odyssey diesel minivan by 2009 at the latest. start workin' on him.

#97 of 144 Re: diesel minivan options [marcb] by lizziewriter

May 31, 2007 (8:42 am)

Replying to: marcb (Feb 06, 2007 8:34 am)
Thanks for the link on the Volt. I was starting to think that GM was completely out of the running, which would be bad news for me. The Volt is just a wee little thing, but it is a start. Now, why can't they put a mini Duramax diesel on the S10 platform? The S10 proved its likeability years ago, and many people were sad to see it go... my Astro was on that platform too. If the Duramax can get 24 mpg as a big old crewcab truck, they should be able to make one in the family size, with an eye towards a flexfuel future. I'm not so sure about electric... I'm nervous of anything that plugs in, because that feeds the whole coal-power-plant idiocy that we also have in this country. Doesn't it?

#98 of 144 Transmissions in the US by lizziewriter

May 31, 2007 (8:45 am)

Replying to: josephmech (Mar 22, 2007 8:27 pm)
Don't even get me started about the lack of stick-shift cars in this country!

#99 of 144 - by dudleyr

May 31, 2007 (9:14 am)

Stick shift diesel minivan - yessssss!

#100 of 144 not too much activity here. by marcb

May 31, 2007 (2:07 pm)

Hi lizziewriter, sorry but this board kind of moves really s-l-o-w just like diesel minivan news, which comes just way too far in between.
 
I don’t normally come here that often anymore.
 
Not sure what’s the latest on Honda’s plan to offer diesel in light SUV’s (possibly includes the Ody. Anybody care to share info?).
 
The Koreans are also thinking of doing same – offering diesels on light SUV’s, so who knows we might have a Kia diesel also.
 
The bad news is Daimler dumped Chrysler, so that probably eliminates the 2010 Chrysler with nice rotating chairs nada.
 
So only a Chrysler based VW diesel seems definite right now. The good news is VW’s diesel engines have gained/regained the efficiency they lost sometime after 2003. Who knows they might even give us a manual, after all what good is a diesel if an auto tranny simple saps it down to a gassers level? So, one of those omniscient pre-selective double clutch thingy would be waaaaayyyy nice VWAG(…..pweeease?). And since it’s N.A. built, keep the price competitive too, double pweease?
 
On the tiny cars, there’s lots of promise. From Mazda2’s to Honda hybrid that’s tinier than the Fit, future Mini’s with hopefully diesel that gets 60mpg (there’s increasing clamor to bring that to the U.S. now).
 
Toyota is also thinking of making a smaller version of the Toyota Prius (bad news from Toyota is they are not going to use Li-Ion batteries for the next version).
 
Still a Volt (with diesel engine pweaase) would be the best. So much less moving parts means long term reliability. This is when car brand will no longer be a reliability indicator. Then only price matters.
 
Since north American built will mean cheaper parts, I relish the thought that this will be when American cars kicks butt…..ta da, Empire Strikes Back!
 
Btw, it’s probably easier to regulate/improve pollution per power plant than per millions of individual cars out there. Whether its carbon capture and storage, or molecular/chemical breakdown to different useful forms, or whatever, power plants would be the best place to catch them.

#101 of 144 Re: Newbie, frustrated minivan mom [lizziewriter] by ateixeira

Jun 01, 2007 (12:19 pm)

Replying to: lizziewriter (May 31, 2007 8:23 am)
Well, if you're unhappy about having a gas engine, this might make you feel a little better.
 
I just applied for one of those Shell gas cards, and in reading the fine print I found out you can't get the 5% rebate for diesel purchases.
 
Prices fluctuate, sure, but right now, around me, diesel costs about the same as regular gas, both around $3 per gallon.
 
The card's 5% rebate makes gas $2.85, diesel still $3.
 
That might ease the wait a little bit.

#102 of 144 Re: Newbie, frustrated minivan mom [ateixeira] by gagrice

Jun 01, 2007 (8:48 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Jun 01, 2007 12:19 pm)
Shell is all but history in CA. Several have shut down and not re-opened. BP/ARCO diesel is superior anyway and a lot cheaper than Shell was. BP has at least 2 cetane points higher than Shell. Diesel in San Diego is 20-30 cents less than regular for the last 3 months.

#103 of 144 Re: Newbie, frustrated minivan mom [gagrice] by ateixeira

Jun 03, 2007 (4:54 pm)

Replying to: gagrice (Jun 01, 2007 8:48 pm)
Yeah, even here in the DC area, where diesel has been costlier for a long time, right now gas prices have crept up above diesel.
 
Gas prices are more volatile, basically. They move up and down quicker than diesel prices do.

#104 of 144 Diesel Price by marcb

Jun 04, 2007 (10:14 am)

Not so here in Ontario Canada. Diesel have consistently been lower than unleaded since late February to sometimes as low as 17 cents per litre (approximately 55 cents per gallon).
 
I would probably be jumping beside myself with joy if it weren't for the fact I get 44.5mpg per gallon already and only refuel once every 2.5 weeks (cost per refill: $55 Canadian).
 
Using so little, minor price fluctuation is not going to rock my boat too much. That is also why I stopped short from converting my Jetta to run Straight Vegetable oil.
 
Back on topic (hehe), when I do get a diesel minivan, I would probably convert that to run straight vegetable oil.

Messages Page 11 of 15

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