Ask the Car People.SM


What Would It Take for YOU to buy a diesel car?

9319 messages,  Last post on May 21, 2013 at 11:59 AM

You are in the Automotive News & Views Forum.

What is this discussion about? Car Buying, Biodiesel, Diesel, Hybrid Cars, Coupe, Hatchback, SUV

Messages Page 769 of 933

#7675 of 9319 Who really considers TCO when buying??? by gagrice

Jan 17, 2013 (10:21 am)

He liked the MDX enough to buy it, and it's hardly a moped.
 
I don't think he will do that again... For me I looked at them. The one I drove was NOT comfortable and had a lot less space than my Sequoia and slightly better mileage using Premium gas. Plus the one I looked at was $10k over what I paid for the Sequoia. After 5 years the MDX is worth less according to Edmunds than my Sequoia. And gas was a very small part of the equation. Making the enjoyment of ownership a much higher priority than TCO.

#7676 of 9319 Re: Diesel price fixing in the the Washington,D.C. area [ruking1] by ateixeira

Jan 17, 2013 (10:52 am)

Replying to: ruking1 (Jan 17, 2013 10:28 am)
You've never owned a hybrid yet you criticize them all the time.

#7677 of 9319 Re: Who really considers TCO when buying??? [gagrice] by ruking1

Jan 17, 2013 (11:00 am)

Replying to: gagrice (Jan 17, 2013 10:21 am)
The Acura MDX was the baseline "competitor", which I considered. The additional level of option complexity was of course the diesel option. For me the first decision anyway was diesel. There was no enthusiasm for getting a new SUV/CUV with only slightly better mpg than 16 to 19 year old TLC's 15/16 mpg.
 
I just ran the used car comparisons (basic) with 20k miles and despite getting the VW T cheaper, it is worth SLIGHTLY more than the Acura MDX on 2/3 prices PP/DR. It is said to be (-308) TI. So with lower insurance costs, registration and taxation and 242 gals LESS fuel consumption 3.73 PUG or $902. The math might be anathema to some folks. TCO or no TCO. Me? It is just icing on the cake to know there are $ savings.
 
The real kicker here (CA trans regulations winter mtn travel) is to not have to put on/off chains and or snow tires. If I could get a diesel CAR that chains are not required, I would have gotten IT. Indeed I would just run one of the two diesels I have NOW.

#7678 of 9319 Re: Who really considers TCO when buying??? [gagrice] by ateixeira

Jan 17, 2013 (10:53 am)

Replying to: gagrice (Jan 17, 2013 10:21 am)
gas was a very small part of the equation
 
That's what I've been saying. I feel validated now.

#7679 of 9319 VA politics by ateixeira

Jan 17, 2013 (11:03 am)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/mcdonnell-proposes-eliminating-v- irginias-gas-tax/2013/01/08/7858ba96-59c8-11e2-88d0-c4cf65c3ad15_story_1.html
 
eliminating Virginia’s gas tax
 
would maintain the 17.5-cent gas tax on diesel fuel
 
Alternative-fuel and hybrid vehicles would have to pay a $100 annual fee.
 
Makes no sense, it's like they are encouraging you to drive gas guzzlers.

#7680 of 9319 Re: Who really considers TCO when buying??? [ateixeira] by ruking1

Jan 17, 2013 (11:15 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Jan 17, 2013 10:53 am)
Indeed. It is one reason why running 17/19 year old TLC's makes ALL the sense (TS in Gagrice's case) . Each TLC STILL easily passes smog. Both of mine are IDENTICAL to NEW, even though the smog ONLY test stations have much more accurate and exacting test equipment. Indeed getting a smog for either or both is really a travesty. In any case, I hope to run each to least the 30 year mark. Each engine has more than 200,000 miles.
 
SUV's would have to do a minimum of 45 mpg for it to make ANY economic sense. SUV's CUV'a are not even close yet.

#7681 of 9319 Re: Who really considers TCO when buying??? [ateixeira] by gagrice

Jan 17, 2013 (11:27 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Jan 17, 2013 10:53 am)
gas was a very small part of the equation
  
That's what I've been saying. I feel validated now.
 
So why is the price difference between gas and diesel important to you????
 
I like diesel for the torque out on the highway, long range between fill-ups and being free from the idiotic designer gas that we are forced to use in CA. Gas that cuts my mileage by 2-3 MPG compared to gas bought in AZ, CO & NM. All items that are NOT brought into the TCO equation.

#7682 of 9319 Re: Who really considers TCO when buying??? [gagrice] by ateixeira

Jan 17, 2013 (11:31 am)

Replying to: gagrice (Jan 17, 2013 11:27 am)
Prices are important to everyone. Except maybe the ultra rich.
 
I've kept my cars an average of 7 years or so, so it would be nice to break-even within that time period.
 
I'm not saying is HAS to (break even). I'd still probably pick the one I enjoyed driving the most. You only live once.
 
Range is nice, you and I are definitely on the same page on that one.
 
Selfishly, if VA passes that bill, I can cross the border (2 exits away, and I'm there all the time) and get dirt cheap fuel. It's already cheaper than MD or DC, imagine if they eliminate that tax.
 
Diesel is also cheaper in VA vs. MD or DC.

#7683 of 9319 Re: Who really considers TCO when buying??? [gagrice] by ruking1

Jan 17, 2013 (11:45 am)

Replying to: gagrice (Jan 17, 2013 11:27 am)
While I know you are not addressing me, being in Tahoe (special purpose i.e., operation 7,300 ft app road altitude, right now) is a GREAT case in point. Turbo diesel applications are absolutely exhilarating when accelerating UP grade and altitude vs a normally aspirated gasser engines.
 
In the TLC for the same trip dynamics I would have to fill twice as a minimum. I would be less than prudient if I didn't start with a full tank.
 
The diesel, as I said before, I started the trip with 5/8s of a tank and I can literally go home with NO filling.
 
I see that TCO is a straw man even to the person that makes a huge deal of it (not necessarily true on paper AND the real world, as it turns out following thru with the TMV. )

#7684 of 9319 Re: VA politics [ateixeira] by gagrice

Jan 17, 2013 (11:53 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (Jan 17, 2013 11:03 am)
Alternative-fuel and hybrid vehicles would have to pay a $100 annual fee.
 
Seems reasonable to me. CA and OR are toying with tax by the mile at 2.2 cents. That would be $330 per year on 15k miles. If the Prius gets 45 MPG tax at 67.1 cents per gallon tax the yearly cost would be $223. So that is about what is being proposed for VA Prius owners etc. Mileage tax for me would be a blessing. I would save about $350 per year over the gas tax I pay.
 
You do have cheap gas tax in VA...
 
http://www.api.org/oil-and-natural-gas-overview/industry-economics/~/media/Files- /Statistics/Gasoline-Tax-Map.ashx

Messages Page 769 of 933

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement