| author | comments |
| The_Yakima_Kid | Actually, we'd love to have a diesel; unfortunately, the self-proclaimed "environmentalists" succeeded in having them banned in California. Supposedly they are legal again - or about to become legal - but from what I can tell the dealers aren't carrying them.
Back home in the Pacific Northwest we had diesel rabbits; unfortunately, the quality went down and we wound up going back to gasoline cars. A professor of mine was still driving his late 1950s diesel Mercedes around his Oregon farm and all over the state as late as the early 1980s; the thing seemed to be indestructible. |
| Turbo | When crude oil is distilled in refineries, there is a certain percentage of fuel types to be obtained. If every vehicle in the world depends on diesel, who will use millions tons of gasoline produced? USA (+ some others) must be the countries selected for this purpose by global fuel cartel, given the enjoyment of cheap gas prices and monster-size vehicles. Cheap e-cars and quick-charge stations will end this game. Wake up folks! |
| Biodiesel Man | Diesel is an inherently more efficient internal combustion engine technology than gasoline.The particulates settle to the ground like commond dust. there is a reason that Europe is 50% diesel. Let the diesels in by loosening up pollution regulations by just 10 or 20%. |
| exPhoneman | WHO CARES WHAT THEY DO IN EUROPE! Gasoline works, gasoline engines cost less, right now, gasoline costs less. The USA DOES NOT NEED TO FOLLOW WHAT THEY DO IN EUROPE or anywhere else in the world. |
| Richard A | I Want one, US companies wake up!!!
Its what is happening in the rest of the world...so many ways they beat gasoline cold. |
| Lennich | Well lets see now why I do not NEED a deisel.First it costs more ,second it has a higher fuel cost , 3rd it is most often noisier.,4th gas engines to all intents and purposes last just as long in actual car use .I trade every 5-10 years . Life is Not an open question anymore ,my last Tracker 2000 had 215,000 miles on it and ran like a top.I spent $28.00 on it for repairs. You people that buy foreign look in the mirror some day you may need a job ,go over to europe to get it . |
| Homer | Here in the U.S.A. we are led around by the nose by the press. Which is supported by corporate advertising dollars. You are not going to get the truth or even how other countries do things, unless you go there and see for yourself. |
| Aaron | I am English. It is true, in the last 10 years ive noticed and huuge increase in diesel cars on the road. I recently investigated the brand new "Ford Mondeo" ranges in the UK.
I found that a 2.0 litre TDCi Duratorq engine has a combined MPG of 54.3... Compared to 35.8 from the 2.0 litre Petrol Version.
Now you may say that the petrol is more powerfull and diesels are sluggish. But not the new generation of turbo diesel.
The 2.0 litre diesel puts out 138 BHP vs the 2.0 petrols 142BHP.. The difference is tiny.
Performance wise,
the Diesel does 0-60 in 9.3 seconds.
The Pertrol does 0-60 in 9.7 seconds.
Thats because of the diesel has alot more tourque and in my opinion it makes it feel alot more powerful than the petrol.
Both cars have a top speed of 130MPH.
I would like to compare this to the american Ford Fusion with a 2.3 Litre engine. It does have 160BHP but it only gives a miserable 23MPG.
As americans i think that you should seriously consider changing your ways to improve our inviroment by changing to diesel.
Thanks for reading |
| MechEngr912 | Wow, thanks for belittling our population in an effort to subsidize your argument while attempting to explain why diesels are not currently popular with the American market. Nearly 90% of the trucks that leave my manufacturing plant are powered by diesel. 2 of my automobiles are diesel. 95% of my friends and acquaintances love to read and watch the news. Ironically, the 5% that don't like to read or watch the news are my European friends who like to sit on their butts, drink vodka, and snort cocaine all day. |
| 2003m3 | I think this is a classic case of Americans living in a bubble. Most do not travel abroad, very few read or listen to real news, so they have no clue what is going on in the rest of the world.
Whenever I am in Europe I drive a BMW 535d: 250 hp, 400 lb-ft torque, close to 30 mpg combined Autobahn/mountain driving. Try to duplicate this with a Detroit V8. It will give you 400 lb-ft but with 13 mpg fuel economy.
Most Americans also do not understand the difference between a turbodiesel engine that goes in a pickup truck, bulldozer or other farming machinery, and a modern sophisticated TDI engine. TDI stands for Turbodiesel Direct Injection. Direct injection, gasoline or diesel, does not exist in the United States. Fuel is injected directly into the cylinder, usually several times per each piston cycle, maximizing power output as well as economy. The result is this: a BMW TDI 3-liter inline-6 does not sound like a diesel, does not smoke, makes power like a big gasoline V8, yet gets the fuel economy of a 4-cylinder. Detroit missed the boat decades ago.
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| william lee | I have a 2500 GMC with a GM turbo diesel with over 200000 miles and i get 20 - 21 mpg hwy driving.16 -17 mpg city. and it tows better and cooler than F-350 gas engine trucks. I find it absurd that our government does not stress the use of diesels |
| BELL SYSTEM BILL | Big energy doesn't want the diesel & most most americans just go along to get along. My 10 year old stock super duty ford has no converter no egr and doesn't smoke. New ultra low sulfur fuel only makes it run better and makes the lube oil last longer and makes the exhaust smell much better-(like a burning candle) which goes to prove its the quality of the fuel not the engine. I change the oil once a year 15qt. Instead of 5 qt.for a gas & the filter costs me $10 @ wal-mart-so much for expensive mtce. I get 20 mpg city 27 highway @ 60 around 30 mpg @ 45 mph-not bad for a 5500 lb truck with a highway axle. The a/c freezes you out even here in florida because a diesel naturally runs cooler even in stop & go. So much torque it will destroy the automatic and rear end if driven hard.try that with your oil cartel sponsored gasoline engine. |
| Ken Hughes | VW is the # one diesel car in the world as far as I know as April 2009.They produced a diesel car which they say will be for sale 2010 which runs 282 mi./I gal. or 241mi/US gal. This kind of blows the competition away!I pulled .562 wrenches but nobody in auto production seemed to understand diesel technology including critics such as Mr.Nader!! It seemed that the tech departments were or are asleep! |
| alphabetsoup | GM did have a lot of problems with their early 5.7 diesel engines, however, most of the bugs had been worked out by the time they discontinued production, unfortunately, people had already made up their mind about them and dismissed them as Junk..I own one of those wonderful engines..It's in a station wagon, I couldn't be happier with it!! Its got 130,000 miles on it, and gets nearly 30 MPG on the highway! sure it's a little more noticeable pulling hills than a gas engine, mainly because its only 115hp and naturally aspirated, so it's naturally gonna smoke a little more than a newer diesel engine..Overall, If they are well maintained, have all the late improvements done to them and the operator understands it's limitations...they are fantastic engines! |
| Wain C | We had a 1997 Passat with over 300K miles on it, original engine and transmission great car our son total it, the engine was noisy but not offensive the smell out of the tail pipe was like burnt alcohol. Since we just got out from under our lease just on time for the release of the new 2009 TDI's, we could not pass the opportunity. This one is even better and smoother than previous ones, Wonderful technology i could not understand why our government deprived us from it for so long. We live in Southern CA diesel fuel is available just about everywhere. Just recently took a trip to the Bay area did not have to fill up on the way there just once on the way back home, the range is amazing i could not imagine myself going back to gasoline ever again. |
| Richard A | The old image of diesel power seems to still linger....unjustifiably so I feel...had we had a good assortment of diesel powered cars that would have been my choice on my last purchase....its about time we woke up... |
| Logjam | I drove a 2000 VW Golf TDI until last year. True, it was more fuel efficient than a gas engine, but the maintenance costs far outweighed that advantage. |
| Ross Peters | I don't understand why people are demanding hybrid vehicles with very very expensive batteries when diesels give better mileage. It'll cost a lot of money to replace those batteries when the time comes. |
| rusty jim | I have driven gas trucks for over 50 years. Last year I bought a diesel pick up to tow my 5th wheel. It weighs 10,000lbs and the gas truck would strain to pull it up hills, but with the diesel I hardly know its back there and I am getting 12 to 14 miles per gallon. Try getting that with a gas engine.there is no comparison. |
| Ken H | I have a 2008 Volkswagen Jetta TDI "clean diesel." I get at least 40 mpg and on long trips can average up to 50 mpg. Low sulphur diesel fuel and very low emissions. Mine cost about $23K. Who needs a hybrid and why don't the big 3 auto makers jump onto this technology? |
| diesel Don | I don't know why people worry about finding diesel fuel stations, when traveling you only have to fill up every other Province or State the millage is so great!!!!!!!!! |
| Jerry Pierce | I business travel to Europe often and always rent a car, always diesel. Quick quiet and good efficiency. Diesel is cheaper than gas and I always enjoy driving their vehicles. |
| Sam | Two years ago I was in Italy and rented a diesel-powered Fiat wagon. What a car! I liked it even better than the Volkswagen TDI. That car was quick, quiet, and the fuel economy was amazing. Most Americans don't know what they are missing. It's a crime these types of cars are not widely available her. |
| Z.J. (Poland/Europe) | I've never thought that diesel cars a so "unpopular" in USA. Here in Poland i think more than 50% of all cars are diesel. Even the SUV cars like Volvo XC90, Mercedes ML or Volkswagen Touareg are most often diesel. The only trademark without a diesel cars is still Porsche. Even the Subaru introduces now a new engine - first boxer-diesel engine. I own a bit old car - an 1993 Audi 80 Avant with 1.9 TDI diesel engine and it uses about 5 to 6 liters / 100 km while the price of liter is about 4,20 PLN (1 USD = 2,10 PLN). Even such old engine as mine is quite fuel efficient and not completly "slow" but it stinks and that is true (especially when the engine is cold). |
| KPz | It is simple as to why there are not more diesel cars in America: US car companies conspired with Big Oil to keep them out. They also put restrictions on imported diesel vehicles. For example most military vehicles use diesel but less than 10% of US consumer vehicles do. The Land Rover 3.9L V8 (gas) used in the 90's got 14 MPG. The 300 TDi (diesel) in Europe got 26 MPG. Hmmmm..... |
| PeteyFixall | We have a Volkswagen Jetta TDI 55 MPG and will spank most cars on the road and keep up with the rest. I am also on my 3rd diesel GMC single wheel 1 ton the oldest one got 17 MPG towing 19MPG empty. Newest one does a little better but will pass anything on the road and will smoke the tires "out of the box" no mods. Power, Performance, and Economy, What more could you ask for? and I have never been without fuel, yes sometimes I have to go across the street, oh the horror! I live in the northeast and have driven much of the country. |
| 4Benz-FL | As americans, we have been programed to believe that horsepower overcomes all things. This is why some gas minivans have 275hp, more hp than some diesel pusher 40 footers. Hybrids is are like bandaid for a gunshot wound.
World Best Mileage Cars
Diesel-Hybrid = 84mpg Citroen
Diesel = 82mpg Smart
Gas-Hybrid = 51mpg Toyota
Gas = 40mpg Honda
Best US AUTO Gas 34mpg
The choice is Clear - DIESEL |
| diesel dick | Let's face it the old diesels we all remember are smelly and this is what stink's in our minds and nose. New diesels are much better but they cost much more than a gas engine when buying new and the fuel cost is generally higher. The techology is here now but the price is not. Only a few diesel engines are much more fuel effecient than thier gasoline alternatives and these are a good buy. If you are the type that does not buy a new vehicle every 5 years or one who keeps a vehicle for a long time, diesel power is the way to go as long as the price is the same or lower than gasoline. |
| Jordan | We don't have diesel cars in this country because GM killed them. They tried to build diesels using gasoline engines such as Volkswagen had, but screwed up and they produced junk. A whole generations learned from that that diesels were no good. Also there is a higher federal fuel tax on diesel than gasoline because gasoline users have more votes than diesel owners. A classic way to discourage diesel use. |
| enviroment | We must get the government to lower the price of diesel big time, We want to lower the need to count on others for fuel. and we can with bio-diesel. Get the price down and make it more available. They can do it but they have to feed the big guys more money. |
| Jose Carlos | I was in Korea recently for a month, and noticed that ALL SUV's and MINIVANS and Jeeps are available only in DIESEL, which is around 900 won/liter instead of 1400+won/liter for gasoline. In Europe and South America (most of the world actually) diesel is sold for 1/3 less than gasoline, so the answer is obvious, the petroleum companies continue the fleecing of America. |
| fleetwood02 | Diesels are more efficient and can burn lower grade fuels and can be made more environment friendly. We need diesels and biofuels and anything else we can get to reduce our dependence on foreign oil and reduce emmisions. |
| Rick | We don't want diesels because they are the most economical engine ever designed and all because the politicians only listen to their special interest groups who are more then likely receiving some sort of kick back in one way or another. I've never owned a diesel, but am hoping soon to join the club. The first diesel ran on peanut oil. The engines can burn about anything combustible. The only reason I found out about these unique engines was during mechanics school years ago. Gas turbine, gas and diesel engine repair. The diesel is by far the more superior of the engines easily able to continue to idle for long times in extreme temps or perform when required in the most demanding of conditions. Plus far exceed any gasoline engine in power and performance. |
| fb | There are two good reasons why diesel cost more..cause we pay it!! and because it's legal to charge the higher amount.
Notice the increase of diesel vws. It is the best and most practical alternative for the near future. |
| sjw | Diesel costs more than gas. Why - ask the makers why -when it costs less to make by using less energy to make and has more btu power than gas. Diesel engines are now cleaner than ever and use less oil because less contaminants in the combustion process. I think american auto makers are afraid of how long they last. It will only make them look worse because they cannot make a car to last nearly as long as the engine. This would cheat the longevity of the engine being able to last more than twice its life 300,000 plus mile in many cases. Something is wrong with the price fixing not the engines. |
| Ed | I have two diesel vehicles; a 1985 Mercedes (bought new) with almost 300,000 trouble free miles on it and a 1998 Dodge 1 ton pickup with about 165,000 great miles on it. I have used the truck to tow my 5th wheel for over 100,000 miles. Would I buy another diesel, YES!! I read some years ago to make up for the higher intial cost of diesel vehicles you need to keep the vehicle at least for 100,000 miles, after that you start making money. |
| Victimized motorist | Why don't we want the diesel? I don't want them because THEY STINK! I don't appreciate having to turn off my car's heater when driving behind a diesel vehicle to avoid bringing that nauseating smell into my car. Children and pets are especially vulnerable, sometimes vomiting and causing a mess that needs to be cleaned up. And don't tell me that new technology has eliminated the smell. It's not true. They all stink to high heaven, even the newest models. |
| Wondering in SC | People in this country would warm to diesel if the "government" wasn't punishing the owner of a diesel by keeping the price of the fuel higher than more highly refined gasoline. I've watched in disbelief the price of diesel either go up or stay at it's current rate while gasoline falls at a steady rate.Gasoline $1.87 diesel $2.29 Whats up. |
| Richard A | With the advancements of diesel engines, I see no good reason why diesel cars are not available here. Our National fuel consumption could drop 20-30 percent for the same usage level. Once the battery packs come up for replacement I think the hybrid will fall on hard times. Diesel engines would for me be much more in line with the way I use a car than something designed for urban short haul driving. |
| Patrick | Our tow vehicle is a 2006 Jeep Liberty Limited Edition 4WD, 4 cyl, 2.8L, Turbo Diesel 5 speed auto trans. Yes, on start up you do know it is a diesel but quiets down, there is no smell. When needed it has very good acceleration. The engine was built in Italy. With Gas engines oil change is every 3000 miles and with a diesel is 6500 miles. If it's hi-way driving the oil change goes up to 12,500 miles. Yes, I would buy another diesel. |
| Jim Biestek | Within 10 minutes driving time from my house (in a mountain community outside of Denver) there are five gas stations. Three of them have diesel fuel. I drove the same diesel car from 1978 to to 1995. Finding the fuel was never a problem. You just get to know where the stations are that sell it.
We spent some time last summer with some of our family in England. They have a full size diesel car with an automatic transmission that gets 53 mpg. Until I was told, I did not realize it was a diesel. No more noise or fumes than a gas powered one. |
| jimonegbr (UK) | Diesel in the UK used to be cheaper when diesel cars were few on the road. I have run a diesel since 1982 ( not the same one ) and once diesels became popular the tax went up. Yet they are economically better. Sparsity of supply will disappear once you start to switch to diesel. They are not noisier or smellier any more plus the high torque means more miles per Gallon and longer life engines. I change my cars every 140,000 miles or four years and they are still going strong the only reason for change is esthetic. I see they new rear engine diesels being a breath of fresh air in RV design. No pun intended. |
| Hal | Diesel is a by product of gasonline. You see what the fuel industry has done with a by product that now costs more than the product they were making (gas). What do you think would happen if a lot of the cars were diesel?? No control. No way!!! |
| retiredinor | Frankly, I think diesel is the answer. It is readily available almost everywhere here in the West. When the hybrid owners find out what it will cost to replace their batteries I think they will be in for a shock and the used prices for hybirds will tank. Diesel makes the most sense until something better than hybrids come along. Also, the better mpg more than makes up for the additional cost. |
| Colbey 140 | My reason would be why buy a diesel when gas vehicles are so reliable and available everywhere? I've never seen a diesel car for sale. The thing that's becoming more available is hybrid vehicles. I have a diesel RV and it's good but I can't imagine a diesel in my car. Noisy and smelly? I'd be interested in driving one just to see if there's a difference. They must be OK or there wouldn't be so many sold in other countries. |
| TITAN116600 | I think the main reason I won't buy a diesel is the lack of availability of fuel. The stations in the northeast (my area) are few and far between. |