I guess the diesels must have gotten better. Years ago (1990 or so) when I was working on a masters degree in engineering (that I never completed), I used to carpool to school with a guy who had a Jetta diesel. I think it was the slowest car I ever rode in. I was honestly concerned we would get run over in that car. The guy did tell me that he got 50 mpg though, which was nice even then when gas/diesel was so much cheaper.
Turbochargers did wonders for diesels. Improved horsepower, torque, AND mileage.
I was recently considering trading my Avalanche for a jetta tdi. My Avalanche is paid for, and I was looking at used TDI's in the 15-17k range, so I did the math. My truck gets 15city/17hwy, while the TDI gets 40-50. I drive about 12 thousand miles a year.
Ava cost in fuel @ $4 a gal- 3200 TDI cost in fuel @ $4.50 a gal- 1200
Ava cost in fuel @ 5$ a gal- 4000 TDI cost in fuel @ 5.50 a gal- 1466
Those figures are assuming 15mpg avg for the truck, and 45mpg for the TDI. So, depending on gas prices, I figure that it would take between 6 and 8 years in driving just to break even. To get a TDI for 15,000 dollars, it has to have nearly 100k miles on it already, so I just decided I am better off enjoying my truck until I drive it into the ground.
It rarely makes sense to buy a new/newer vehicle from a financial standpoint. The car you already own is the most efficient. Provided of course you're not dumping a ton of money into it to keep it running.
If I were starting from a clean slate however, I'd get a 40mpg Fiesta for as cheap as I could.
they have thats for sure. heck, i just bought an 08 2500 hd duramax ext cab. 365 horse and 660 torq. thing will give alot of the young punks a run, and being a big truck i can still get 20/21's running 75 down the interstate. my 04 tahoe i think got a best of 15 mpg once. and of the guys i know with 6 liters one has gotten a best of 13.5, same truck as me just the 6 liter instead of the dmax.
id get a diesel car if i could find one thats affordable.
I can still smell them half a mile down the road, not much irritates me more than a diesel car or pickup. Busses too, but semis don't (usually) leave a nasty odor in their trail, probably because of the height of their exhausts.
I have the CR-Z, probably the most impractical purchase I've ever made, but it is a perfect commuter vehicle. You can use the "Sport" mode to quickly merge in traffic and get up to speed...you will not confuse it with being fast but it works. If you are taller than 6'4" you may not fit.
I love my diesels, haven't owned a petrol engined car for many years, looking to pick up a used Alfa 166 shortly, one of the most sleekly beautiful sedans ever built. 2.4 5cyl, kicking out 136 or 150hp with a 6sp manual box. Beauty, power, torque, handling & economy at a great price.
If you buy a modern common rail low capacity high/output diesel engined car, regular & frequent oil changes are a MUST.
