Comments on: An Anti-Diesel Conspiracy in America?

By: ty

ty — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 14:22:41 +0000

Yes, and No. The USA as a whole is ambilalent about diesels. Americans crave value. The anti-diesel conspiracy is not held by the USA as whole. But rather That sh*thole state of California. They have been taken over by Socialists. CARB rules California not the people.

By: Derek

Derek — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 18:25:18 +0000

Wow. Here I sit, attempting to buy my first new vehicle – a family car for myself, my wife and child-on-the-way. The Prius is not a viable option for us because of it’s terrible performance in snow. We like the look of small-ish wagons, but the mileage numbers are simply uninspired. I had settled on either a CR-V or Hyundai Elantra Touring, leaning towards the CR-V. My wife and I had bouts of “green guilt.” We drive as little as possible (I biked 4-5K miles this year, we drove about 10K combined) , and we try to live an eco-friendly lifestyle. I was having a tough time swallowing being an SUV owner. Giving up our 97 Corolla that gets 25MPG or so and getting a CR-V that is 13 years newer and gets nothing better. Were we not putting our money where our mouth was? I started to consider sub compacts. Could a honda fit work for an active family like us?

Then I stumbled onto this article and the Jetta SportWagon TDI. Why have I never heard of this before? I’m heading straight to the dealer this afternoon to check this out. I’m combing the internet for information on what it’s like to own a Diesel car. Cost comparisons, convenience, eco factors. I’ve got a lot to learn!

I’m stunned that I didn’t even know this was an option…

By: Will

Will — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 02:08:04 +0000

Agreed, we are in a transitional phase. Gassers are sucking the life out of the earth (or should I say man is), Diesels are a bit better and batteries are no where close to being truly commercially usable to the extent a diesel is…Yet. So what to do…? Use what you know is best at the moment while pushing forward toward the unknown. Its not about whats better or worse, or taking sides… Its using what you have, what you know to get the most out of it NOW. While never giving up on the possibilites…Pushing the limits of technology.

By: P Raymond

P Raymond — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 17:42:00 +0000

My wife drive a 2006 Jetta TDI, it has a 6 speed auto trans. This car is awesome, you wouldn’t think it is a diesel when you are behind the wheel cruising at 65 mph. This is not the newer model, with the cleaner engine, but still I’m convinced that it is emiting far less than my 2 litre petrol engine. I’m convinced that Diesel is far superior to the hybrid technology. The reason why we don’t have Diesel here is because a gazoline engine require far more attention so more often in the shop, it means more money for the sefvice and parts network. So does the hybrid technology, far more gimmicks involve, so more money to spent on the long run. I see often VW with more than 500 000 km on their odometer still running very well.

By: Graykat

Graykat — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 02:46:48 +0000

nofuss,
I will not question your data on hybrid vs. vw jetta diesel but do have a comment or two. The hybrid has two power sources; gasoline and battery. It is inappropriate to neglect the costs and energy demands associated with the battery pack. There is the initial cost plus the disposal costs for batteries and I believe when these real costs are considered modern diesel technology will be considerably more favorable. I do admire the hybrid technology and think they make a real contribution in smaller vechicles but that is not cost based. Hybrid technology for suv’s, trucks and 4 X 4’s makes little or no sense at all when compared with diesel. Again, these facts are aptly demonstrated by the Europeans who have total choice in the various power technologies. We do not need to experiment and wonder as all we need to do is copy what millions have already discovered.

By: mpg-o-editor

mpg-o-editor — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 02:40:50 +0000

Many thanks for your thoughtful comments, Graykat. Most Americans have no experience with modern clean diesel engines…this presents both a challenge and an opportunity.

By: Graykat

Graykat — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 02:12:21 +0000

It is interesting to note how many folks have negative thoughts, or no thoughts at all, on the modern European diesels automobiles. That technology is simpler, proven, extremely durable, more cost effective and equal to or better than hybrid fuel economy. Majority of vechicles in Europe are diesel and there has to be a reason why. The answer is simple – they are a better machine. This is also easy to confirm. Fly to Europe, rent one for a few days and you will become informed and will yearn for the day we can enjoy such a choice here in the USA. Diesel is approximately one third more fuel efficient over it’s gasoline counterpart but with more torque and better driveability. Switching to diesel can reduce our oil imports for vechicles by at least a third and that hunck of change kept here at home would be quite a stimulant to OUR economy.

By: mpg-o-editor

mpg-o-editor — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 20:22:29 +0000

@nofuss – Interesting stuff you’re throwing out there. I’ve gone to great distances and expense to drive everything and report impartially. I’m not on anyone’s payroll or in anyone’s back pocket. Quite frankly, I’m offended that you would insinuate that.

The technology is admirable in both the Prius and the Jetta. We need an immediate increase in the use of hybrid, diesel and NGV power trains to encourage domestic energy independence as we ultimately transition to a mix that contains both pure plug-in and extended-range electric drive vehicles.

The current state of hybrid technology is not be all end all. We are clearly in a transitional phase.

By: nofuss

nofuss — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 18:38:10 +0000

EPA Energy impact score, adjusting for different fuel volumetric energy densities and comparing cars in perfectly the same conditions:

2009 Toyota Prius (second gen., not the newest one)
7.4 barrels of oil/year

2009 VW Jetta TDI 6-speed manual:
11.6 barrels of oil/year

2009 VW Jetta TDI 6-speed DSG:
11.9 barrels of oil/year

Why aren’t you informing people about those VAST differences for the benefit of hybrids? Are you trying to mislead your readers? Is Volkswagen paying you or what?

By: mpg-o-editor

mpg-o-editor — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 21:28:05 +0000

@Peter P. – perhaps the problem isn’t diesel, rather your country’s environmental laws.

@DaPriz – The Oldsmobile diesel engines of that era had very few fans for very good reason. Alas, that was then, this is now, and modern clean diesel engines are marvelous devices. America needs to look forward.