so...after spending the past 2 weeks in europe (where we had rental cars - a vw caddy life TDI and a peugeot 5008 - and so i was driving for part of it), my desire for a diesel car has been renewed...it's disgusting how many options they have and how few we have

that said, since i probably can't import a car as successfully (or easily or cheaply) as i imported a scooter, i figure i'm stuck with what the US market has to offer

my saturn's got 150k and while i don't think it's going to die any time soon, the wife and i have decided that we'll sell it before it hits 200k (18 months, tops) and get a newer (or new, possibly) car

a diesel engine is on the wish list...since there don't appear to be many options, i may have to settle for a gasoline one, but until that point i thought i'd check with y'all to get an idea of what sort of diesels are available that meet our criteria and what new diesels might be coming out within a year or two...we'd really like something with a hatch that has enough space in the back for two 50lb dogs so that they won't be riding in the backseat anymore (my car might be a beater, but i'm tired of muddy pawprints and insane amounts of fur on the seats)

9/29/2010 7:41:25 AM

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/27/report-gm-will-sell-a-diesel-car-in-the-u-s/

9/29/2010 8:33:36 AM

a3 tdi wagon

9/29/2010 8:36:34 AM

Subaru just came out with their diesel

http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/suvs/112_0809_2010_subaru_forester_diesel/index.html

9/29/2010 9:07:34 AM

^ aha, i knew i remembered seeing something along those lines on here about a month ago

it's going to be pricey, though...and i imagine it will be hard to find

9/29/2010 9:15:40 AM

yeah, you right

9/29/2010 9:20:27 AM

335d?

9/29/2010 10:43:46 AM

The cheapest offerings are the VW Golf and Jetta versions. You mentioned wanting a hatch. Sounds like a Golf TDI is just right for you. Plus they've been around for a bit so if you don't need the newer engine you should be able to locate one.

9/29/2010 12:27:30 PM

^ are there any significant milestones or big changes between newer engines and older (though i guess "newer" and "older" are subjective)...any version better than another?

9/29/2010 1:20:13 PM

But...at the root of the situation, they're still Volkswagens...great engine, but everything else is sketch.

I'd much rather wait for a Jap diesel. The Germans might have invented it, but I leave it to the Japs to perfect it.

9/29/2010 1:20:53 PM

The newer VW diesel has 140hp, the older one right around 100. I'm not sure if there's a fuel mileage difference. They're both 2.0 liters. I'm not sure what year they switched to the newer one, though I don't think it was earlier than 2008.

9/29/2010 1:35:27 PM

I don't know if this will come to the US or not, but this is amazing...

A Mercedes S-Class which returns 41 mpg

http://www.worldcarfans.com/110100128768/mercedes-benz-s-250-cdi-blueefficiency-is-most-efficient

10/1/2010 5:59:19 PM

we won't see anything any time soon...this is my realization

10/1/2010 8:03:02 PM

Jeep just came out with a diesel powered four door Wrangler. Naturally you can't get it in the US.

10/1/2010 8:37:41 PM

I have an 05 VW Golf TDI that I bought brand new and I just adore my car. I have nothing but wonderful things to say about it.

10/3/2010 4:00:03 PM

VW Passat BlueMotion sets world record for single-tank range

1,531 miles on 20.4 gallons

75 mpg!

Quote :

"Sunday Times journalist Gavin Conway has set a world record by driving a Volkswagen Passat 1,531 miles (2464 km) on a single tank of fuel. The Passat was fitted with VW's most efficient diesel engine - the 1.6 liter TDI (105 PS /250 Nm) with BlueMotion technology that includes a stop/start system for improved fuel-economy. No modifications were made to the car. It was a standard production model. Conway used exactly 77.25 liters of diesel fuel on the drive which meant a fuel-economy figure of exactly 90 miles per gallon (imperial) or 3.1 liter/100 km - way above the standard combined cycle rating of 64.2 mpg (4.4 liter/100 km). The event was documented by representatives of the Guinness Book of World records who confirmed the record. BlueMotion technology on the Passat includes a lower ride height, low roll-resistance tires, aerodynamic bodywork, a stop/start system and programmed battery charging. BlueMotion technology is also available on the Polo and Golf models."

10/5/2010 2:51:58 PM

lol, i thought about posting that.

10/5/2010 2:59:43 PM

bump

9/9/2011 1:50:38 PM

not diesel but check out the lexus CT hybrid!

9/9/2011 2:07:44 PM

9/9/2011 2:20:41 PM

thank you kind sir for bumping.

So Im seriously considering buying a diesel car in the next few months. I have two questions:

Are there negatives to buying a diesel versus gasoline car (higher maintenance cost, more noise, etc)?

Which cars should I be looking at in the midsize car class? Ive checked out the Jetta, Audi A3, and BMW 335d and obviously the 335d is my favorite. Am I missing another stellar car?

Thanks

9/9/2011 4:02:51 PM

no

9/9/2011 4:05:22 PM

Yeah definitely look at the Golf. Having the GTI suspension setup it is much less appliance than the Jetta, which has a rear beam axle and a lot less rubber... Golf has more headroom in the back seat but less storage in the trunk. I have heard that the interior is of higher quality too, but did not notice this as I did not spend much time sitting in the Jetta.

Now, when are we going to get a damn 2.0L diesel pickup over here? Shit man...

9/9/2011 6:24:59 PM

In regards to the 75 mpg report above...
1 UK Imperial Gallon = 4.55 litres
1 US Liquid Gallon = 3.79 litres

Also, when looking to buy a diesel, remember the price difference in the fuel -- it isn't that great of a savings anymore. I have two jetta TDIs (a 2002 wagon from Germany that is great (300k), and a 2006 sedan (100k) that was built in Mexico that is a POS... don't buy a jetta).

You can get a Chevy, Ford, whatever... for less that will have a comparable cost per mile for less, and better build quailty/interior -- the new Jetta sucks pretty hard.

/[my opinion]

9/9/2011 7:19:34 PM

Quote :

"Also, when looking to buy a diesel, remember the price difference in the fuel -- it isn't that great of a savings anymore."

The saving comes from the higher mileage of diesel cars, not the cheaper price of diesel fuel (which as you noted, is not that different from the price of petrol).

Quote :

"In regards to the 75 mpg report above... 1 UK Imperial Gallon = 4.55 litres 1 US Liquid Gallon = 3.79 litres"

And your point...? The figure given was 90 mpg (imperial). I converted it to US gallon mileage (75 mpg) for posting on TWW.

9/10/2011 10:09:13 AM

Quote :

"3 3 5 D"

9/10/2011 10:34:46 AM

^^ I didn't notice in your quoted text the "imperial" note. A lot of folks quote stuff in UK magazines etc.. and fail to make the conversion.

Regarding the mileage, I'm just saying the cost per mile savings doesn't justify the price of the car anymore. You can get a sub $20K car that gets 40+mpg on regualr gas vs a $23k+ VW that gets 47...
I drive a ridiculous amount of miles each day, and I'll probably get a gas car next time instead of another TDI.

9/10/2011 12:34:19 PM

^thats the case with some diesels such as the Jetta but the A3 and 335d use premium gasoline which is the same price as diesel right now.

9/10/2011 9:20:04 PM

That's great and all, but the discussion is about the 335D, and the diesel A3

[Edited on September 10, 2011 at 11:01 PM. Reason : ]

9/10/2011 11:01:01 PM

Quote :

"Regarding the mileage, I'm just saying the cost per mile savings doesn't justify the price of the car anymore. You can get a sub $20K car that gets 40+mpg on regualr gas vs a $23k+ VW that gets 47..."

Well I guess it is a matter of a simple mathematical calculation to figure out if it is worth it or not to get a diesel over a comparable petrol car. The variables are prices of the 2 cars, prices of the 2 fuels, expected mileage of the 2 cars, and how much you expect to drive over the next X years. Not hard to figure out how long it would take to break even and then start reaping benefits. I guess another variable to factor in is the resale value after X years.

An important point here is that the 2 cars have to be comparable in amenities, size, and power/performance. Yes, you can get Jap and Korean compacts and subcompacts these days which will give you 40 mpg, but then you can't compare such a car with the VW Jetta/Golf TDI, as the VWs are a class above the Jap/Korean compacts (not in size, but definitely in price and amenities).

9/11/2011 6:34:43 AM

Chevy Cruze

9/11/2011 10:35:09 AM

^volt?

9/11/2011 9:15:43 PM

cruz diesel...

it's a goddamned diesel thread, pertinent info people!

9/12/2011 7:32:23 AM

this would be fun....

9/12/2011 8:00:29 AM

Quote :

"Yes, you can get Jap and Korean compacts and subcompacts these days which will give you 40 mpg, but then you can't compare such a car with the VW Jetta/Golf TDI, as the VWs are a class above the Jap/Korean compacts (not in size, but definitely in price and amenities)."

I guess someone doesn't know much about the new Jetta...

9/12/2011 8:54:22 AM

yeah the most recent US spec jetta is kinda shit...

9/12/2011 1:55:00 PM

We are looking for a new car for my wife, and looked at the new Jetta TDI first. Wasn't too impressed with the new interior fit and finish, and overall, I can't see much reason to buy it over the new Hyundai Elantra. Am I missing something?

9/12/2011 7:06:57 PM

any more? no.

They swapped out all the good stuff to compete with the cheap cars in the american market.

and then all the american market cars went somewhat less shitty and now the 2012 jettas are the biggest POS in the compact car market.

9/12/2011 7:54:11 PM

^point, set, match

9/12/2011 11:44:46 PM

The Jetta may be relatively shitty but the Golf TDI is made in Germany... So don't discount all the VW's after seeing just the Jetta. Just to clarify, I know I already said something about the interior being better up there ^ somewhere. Anyway, most of the little fiddly bits will probably break around 100k regardless. Too bad they don't offer a no-power window/lock/seat/etc version.

9/13/2011 3:23:52 AM

I specified jetta, I'd stil own the other tdi cars.

I don't know if they're going to make a special edition tdi jetta either but that may have IRS as well.

9/13/2011 6:53:06 AM

buy a Cummins 3.3 and put it into whatever car you want

disclaimer: may be overkill and you'll have to do your own mounting and integration work

[Edited on September 15, 2011 at 1:08 AM. Reason : .]

9/15/2011 1:07:46 AM

Land rover will be bringing diesels starting next year. Or you can buy one from optmusprimer today if you need to have it now

[Edited on September 15, 2011 at 1:29 PM. Reason : tags]

9/15/2011 1:28:48 PM

Damn, that cummins weighs 553 lbs. Only 85 hp, but 215 ft-lb. I wonder how much power you could get out of that... 3.3L is a pretty good size... How would you get more power? Standalone ecu and tuning? Dr. Pepper?

9/15/2011 2:14:01 PM

http://wot.motortrend.com/2012-vw-beetle-start-19765-turbo-24765-84535.html

The new Beetles look awesome (to me, huge upgrade), and I think they're making a diesel version of it.

9/16/2011 12:46:21 AM

well yeah...

I don't think the new beetle comes with a mandatory vagina like the last one did.

I still wouldn't drive one.

9/16/2011 8:09:46 AM

looks more like the original beetle

9/16/2011 8:15:36 AM

^^not called the new beetle anymore. Just "beetle"

9/16/2011 9:05:20 AM

Yeah... i was referring to the latest model. I actually forgot that the last one was titled the "new beetle"

9/16/2011 9:07:45 AM

oh, lol.

I'd say it does look more masculine. But it's still beyond me why any "guy" would buy the Beetle instead of the GTI.

9/16/2011 9:16:24 AM