Looking to buy a car in the next month, first time in 20 years. Looking for a small SUV or wagon, and am attracted to the idea of diesel since the milage is so much better. drove the VW TDI wagon and loved it, although would prefer to spend less than $30k. may go used- anybody have experience owning a diesel car? is it relatively easy to find? did a spot check on a recent drive to maine and back, and i didn't see diesel pumps at the stations we stopped at, although admittedly, i wasn't going out of my way to try and find it.
I had the same problem in Dallas while in a company van. No freaking gas station had diesel. I have no idea how that can happen in Texas!! I would choose a flex fuel vehicle and use e85 when you want to save money. You get better mpg, but diesel prices are crazy.
With the price of diesel is there really a savings with mpg? Most diesel truck owners that I know that get great mpg are also great liars.
advantages of diesels better fuel economy high torque tend to last longer since the engine is simplier disadvantages low power which is why many are turbo charged expensive to repair uses more oil during oil changes not all gas stations have diesel loud
is diesel more expensive? i haven't done exhaustive research, but google suggests it's pretty much the same as gas: http://www.eia.gov/dnav/pet/pet_pri_gnd_dcus_nus_w.htm
New diesels have a slight chatter but they definitely aren't loud anymore. No more cold start issues either.
I too like that car and will look into getting it one day. And I can't imagine diesel being too difficult to find. I used to drive a company truck in the mid-atlantic and saw it everywhere....hell truckers go all over this country and they absolutely need to have available diesel stops.
In sugar land now theres 3.diesel stations real close. Shouldn't be much different wherever you stay at
You do not necessarily get better mpg running e85. I have used it in my family vehicle and my race car fuel system is set up for it. Its a little cheaper than standard fuel is the benefit. E85 is also hard to find.
I drive an Audi A3 TDI. I love it. Diesel costs about as much as premium gas. I get 35-40 mpg driving mostly city and not with a light foot. About 40-50% of gas stations have diesel pumps. Its not a hassel at all. The car is quiet, no shudder, and the A3 is like a little go cart, handles great. The low end torque is nice, but there is definitely weakness when trying to pass at highway speeds. Great article about diesel cars in the NYTimes: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/21/automobiles/efficiency-imported-from-europe.html?hpw You won't be unhappy if you purchase a diesel.
I drove an f-250 diesel for 4 years and diesel work vehicles all over Texas ,Oklahoma,Louisiana,Arkansas and only remember not finding diesel at a station maybe 4 or 5 times in 20 something years
My wife has a 2013 Passat TDI SEL Premium and had a 2011 TDI Jetta before that. The Jetta was a bit bare-bones, but decent overall. The Passat is pretty loaded. We drove from Montgomery to Amarillo to Palo Duro Canyon to Santa Fe to Albuquerque to Santa Fe to Carlsbad Caverns to Fort Stockton to Montgomery on 3 tanks of diesel (~2050 miles total). It was awesome and a pleasure to drive. I wouldn't hesitate on getting a diesel these days.
diesel is lobbied against heavily in the states b/c fuel taxes are levied per gallon....less gallons = less tax revenue
