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Automotive News & Views What Would It Take for YOU to buy a diesel car?
1503 messages, Last post on Nov 14, 2009 at 1:11 PM
You are in the Automotive News & Views Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & claires
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Replying to: nippononly (Aug 11, 2008 8:23 pm) While the Environmental Protection Agency estimates the Jetta TDI at an economical 29 mpg city and 40 mpg highway, Volkswagen went a step further to show real world fuel economy of the Jetta TDI. Leading third-party certifier, AMCI, tested the Jetta TDI and found it performed 24 percent better in real world conditions, achieving 38 mpg in the city and 44 mpg on the highway.* http://www.vw.com/vwbuzz/browse/en/us/detail/Volkswagen_s_Clean_Diesels_eligibil- e_for_alternative_motor_vehicle_Federal_Tax_Credit/225
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Replying to: gagrice (Aug 12, 2008 5:04 am) If you drive a lot (17,500 miles per year), you will be spending just about $2000/year on gas right now in your Civic or Corolla, a little less perhaps in your Yaris or Mini Cooper. So you would save less than $400/year going with the diesel ("less than", because diesel costs more than 87 unleaded), making the "payoff" (a popular term from the folks who don't think much of hybrids) around 12 years going with the VW. Of course, "payoff" comes in the form of other non-financial things too - a slightly bigger car, a perhaps nicer car depending on one's POV. For me it also comes with the downside of having to plan ahead for every fuel purchase, due to the dearth of diesel pumps in my town. Now if we could get some diesels here that do much better than the Jetta in saving fuel, I would be more interested. I honestly want a real-world combined 60 mpg, and from what I hear, such a thing does exist in other parts of the world, right now. |
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Replying to: nippononly (Aug 12, 2008 6:32 am) I think that is about what the VW Polo TDI gets. If I spent nearly as much time in a vehicle as you, I would have to have more luxury than you seem happy with. I could drive a Yaris/Fit the 3 miles to the store and not be unhappy. Driving the 30 miles into San Diego would be a real chore for me. |
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Replying to: nippononly (Aug 12, 2008 6:32 am) No car "pays" anyone back. All cars lose market value almost daily, and are a consumable resource, not an investment. You can claim "payback" because you are saving fuel money after 5 years or whatever, but you did have a car payment or an initial outlay of cash, paying for a vehicle which is losing value while you are paying it off. As any general rule, there are slight exceptions in regard to "hot cars" and "rare cars" and "collector cars" but in general terms, no "daily driver" car does anything but COST you money. There is no daily driver anywhere which at the end of 10 years would have "paid you back" more than you spent on buying it, insuring it, fueling it, and maintaining it. Owning and operating a car is a money-losing venture. |
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Replying to: gagrice (Aug 12, 2008 7:33 am) Bah, 30 miles is a trip to Wal-mart for me. If you have some sort of medical condition, I can understand that, but otherwise the quote about the Duke of Alba and men of butter is coming to mind. 
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Replying to: nippononly (Aug 12, 2008 6:32 am) |
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Replying to: nippononly (Aug 12, 2008 6:32 am) That always makes me smile. Not how long it would take but trying to imagine a VW running for 12 years. I am sure the engine would last but the rest of the car isn't likely to. Not with what any longevity study ever says about VWs. And not with my experience. Like I said the old Rabbit Diesel got great fuel mileage. But the car was a bucket of bolts. |
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Replying to: bumpy (Aug 12, 2008 8:00 am) Being a truck person I like the ease of entry and exit. Our Lexus is a strain in the back getting in and out. Nothing serious just not comfortable. My question is WHY would you want to be uncomfortable if you can afford otherwise? I'm cheap, but still like some level of comfort. I don't turn on the air in the house till it passes 80 which it rarely does. Frugality is one thing. Being cramped in a small less than safe car goes beyond that for me. There is no way that the 5 stars on a Civic will hold up against the 4 stars on an F150 PU truck. There are more PU trucks running around here than there are Civics. BY FAR.... I am very much thinking about a X5 diesel when they arrive this year. Great safety and an easy 30 MPG on the highway will be reason enough. |
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Gary says, " There is no way that the 5 stars on a Civic will hold up against the 4 stars on an F150 PU truck." I guess you are talking only about a "highway speed head-on collision" which is one of the most rare types of wrecks. And yes, in THAT one type of collision the Civic would lose badly. But in every OTHER kind of wreck, a Civic will do just fine. |
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Replying to: gagrice (Aug 12, 2008 8:31 am) This still makes the most sense to me for diesel cars in America. I think there are many Americans who would buy a diesel but simply will not drive a Yaris-sized car under any circumstances. They'd take a bus before they'd do that. CORRECTION: There is a diesel pump in my town! The bad news? It's $5.34 a gallon, and the same station is selling 87 octane gas at $4.11. |
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