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8133 messages, Last post on Nov 09, 2009 at 9:32 AM
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Replying to: larsb (Oct 03, 2008 8:49 am)  I just have to believe that the latest 48 States record is capable of being taken to pieces by a number of the Euro/Japanese/Korean diesels currently in production. That's not to diminish this Jetta record but I think it should be viewed as as a great starting point, not a likely long-lasting record.
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Replying to: alltorque (Oct 03, 2008 10:51 am)  44-62 mpg) . The glazed looks can be truly indicative that the American (gasser) buying public is narcotized to believe in fuel crisis, while fully made to believe or conned or even willingly embracing the 27 mpg and defacto 22 mpg current (gasser) metrics.!!?? Again it gets back to what I have been saying: it is hard to do differently when there are no real (higher mpg) choices!! For example one OEM (VW) that does diesel is really not much of a choice. (no disrespect to VW intended) On the other hand, Prius is seen as a savior of the western world (as WE know it) when it gets 45 mpg. This EVEN after they adjusted the EPA standards because the Prius owners complained about it not getting 60 city 50 mpg highway. We are either biased or math challenged. It will be interesting and instructive to see what the year end fuel consumption winds up being, and compare it to the last 5 years! Really was it worth the so called per gal pain and "700 Billion dollar bail out" and endless T Boone Pickens commercials stating the common sense obvious, 1 M times? |
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We now have the new generation VW-group diesels on sale in Europe. It comes in the form of a 2.0 ltr TDi CR, (common rail), rather than the old TDi PD engine. It's a 4-pot delivering 170bhp/258lbft and good economy/low emissions. It has appeared in the new Skoda Superb, (Skoda is one of the 4 VW-group makes; Audi, VW, Skoda, SEAT and Skoda predates the others as it was originally a maker of luxury cars in Czechoslovakia. Under post-WWII communism it became a real joke car maker............."what do you call a convertible Skoda ? A waste skip". Following VW's buy-out they now produce a range of cars that regularly outperform VW/Audi/SEAT in JD Power ratings etc and came 1st in the '06 Top Gear readers survey. You get the idea. The Superb is based on a lengthened Passat floorpan and is actually slightly larger, W x L, than an Audi A6 so it's no subcompact and comes with all the toys; incl a trick rear end that you can open as a trunk lid OR a full hatchback. Interior space is close to A8 standards.  Google skoda uk if you want a look. Back to the point..............The new TDi CR 170 engine gives this car an "EU Combined" economy rating of 48.7mpg, (Imperial or circa 40.7mpg US), with the 6-spd manual or 46.3mpg Imp, (38.7mpg US), with the 7-spd DSG 'box. This for a saloon car weighing 3340lbs yet still gets 0-62mph in <9.0secs. In addition the CO2 output is exactly the same as for the "old" 2.0 TDi PD 140bhp engine.  Just for the record, the other economy figures are Urban = 36.7mpg and Extra Urban = 58.9mpg, both Imp Gals with the 6MT, slightly less with the 7-DSG. I guess "Extra Urban" maybe similar to your "Highway" ? Now I think that's pretty good and it will be on my shopiing list when it's time to change the Volvo S60 D5. Hopefully this engine will cross the Atlantic for you guys and you won't just be used as a dumping ground for old-skool TDi PD's. Of course the Superb comes with other engine options; 1.9 TDi PD 105bhp, 2.0 TDi PD 140bhp plus gassers - 1.4TSi 125bhp, 1.8TSi 160bhp and 3.6 V6 260bhp (  ). The 170bhp diesel and 3.6 gasser can also have 4x4 transmission which is, of course, nice Mr Audi's Quattro set up. All the Skodas are cheaper than their nearest VW or Audi equivalents. Can't see Skoda's ever hitting USA but I'm sure you'd like 'em if they did.
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Replying to: alltorque (Oct 04, 2008 11:55 am) I am asking with the (American) perspective: IF Japanese OEMS are so much more reliable : hence better than European cars, with the high cost of per mile of European car operation (AND scheduled and unscheduled maintenance) , that if they (Japanese OEMS) were appreciably better (or even marginally so) THEN there would be very high %'s and numbers defecting to the Japanese oem name plates!? Of what I read/have read, they (Japanese oems) have encountered tough sledding!? This is of course by their own admissions and industry pundits.
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Hello All, I'm new at this so I may be on the wrong Forum! I am a retired Army Helicopter Pilot living in Belize Central America. I just bought a 2008 Ford Ranger, 2.5L 4 cyl Turbo Diesel, 4x4, four door Crew Cab with 5speed man Trans. This Ranger is not sold in the U.S.. It's built by Ford/Mazda in Thailand .Its built on a Mazda B4000 truck frame and looks nothing like the U.S. built Rangers. Hyw mileage between 55-60 mph is giving me between 28 and 30 mpg!!! It's rated as a 3/4 ton pickup and is very plush inside. I am quite a DIESEL FAN as my other vehicle is a 2007 Isuzu D-Max, 3.0L Turbo Diesel, 4x4, four door Crew Cab with 5 speed man Trans. The D-Max, also NOT sold in the U.S., has been superb and also gets 27-30 mpg at 55-60 mph. Both Turbo Diesels are ideal third world vehicles and are big sellers in most all third world environments. I've driven up to Texas in the D-Max and no problems in the first world except getting oil and fuel filters. The U.S. Isuzu Dealers had never seen my Turbo Diesel D-Max. They punched the VIN # into their service computer and it said that vehicle did not exist!!! I'll be driving my new Ford Ranger up to Texas in 3-4 weeks and you can bet I'll have oil and fuel filters with me as I don't think U.S. Ford Dealers will carry filters for vehicles they don't have. Thats why I will call myself The LONE RANGER....
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| Sorry All, I forgot to mention that you can research and lookup both the Isuzu D-Max and the Turbo Diesel Ford Ranger. Isuzu D-Max, Thailand 2008 OR FORD/MAZDA Ranger, Thailand, 2008 | |
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Replying to: loneranger2 (Oct 04, 2008 10:56 pm) |
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Replying to: loneranger2 (Oct 04, 2008 10:56 pm) Here is a European take. Europeans scramble to save failing banks I would take it by your post that instead of superficial yearly design changes, i.e., new sheet metal EVERY year, they stay longer with what works and hopefully do incremental improvements in a model's generation. Getting the so called "best OF" in car buying is almost like buying a computer or a sleep mattress. There are way too many "useless"choices (my .02 cent editorial). It also makes "thoughtful comparisons" almost meaningless. This of course leads to when it breaks...throw it away.  More to the diesel point, what are the oem recommendations for oil and fuel filter changes? On a 2003 VW Jetta TDI I am running 20-25,000 miles OCI's. and 60,000 miles fuel filter changes. I have done a TB/WP change. NON diesel related, and just recently 109,000 miles I had to change a thermostat and coolant sensor. Coolant is life time, so all that was done was top up what was lost in the process of repairs.
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Replying to: ruking1 (Oct 04, 2008 7:30 pm) German vs Japanese ? Hard to call. Lexus, Honda, Toyota, Mazda generally top owner surveys but Skoda now fugure in top 3. German or Japanese vs French ? No contest.............don't buy French unless you live near a dealer and enjoy sitting in reception waiting for them to fix the electrics. Actual engines seem just as bullet-proof, though. Sorry it's a bit less than clear cut. Japanese cars in general are considered excellent, Honda best of mainstream and Lexus top - if you have the money. Skoda rated best-built of VW-group but Audi is the prestige brand in the group in same way that Lexus equates to Toyota. Overall, engine problems seem to be very low level in all makes and none of the diesels is a noted troublemaker. VW TDi's rated as best but Honda CTDi's are up there with 'em. Does that help ?
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Replying to: alltorque (Oct 05, 2008 11:31 am) Also for me it tends to confirm the experiences I am having (on this side of the pond) with the VW TDI 1.9. I would even hazard a guess that the VW TDI 2.0 C/R common rail is a significant improvement over an already bullet proof engine. I also realize this opinion (over here) might be an extreme minority opinion. However in that sense I have been and remain in a cocoon of sorts in a perfect storm. As a side by side comparison, I am also satified with the Honda Civic (gasser) like miles. There are a few nits, some major and most minor: but really they can be put in the whiners bin. I do wish however the Civic gasser was a cTDI !!! 
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