back to the cars thread

[7rider]

I don't think it's the oil lobby that keeps diesels out of the U.S.
I think it's a factor of a few things:
1. Americans have awful memories of those loud, stinking, smoke belching diesels of the early '80s and can't get past that. My friend's parents had 2 Oldsmobile diesels in the early 80s...and I remember how dreadful those things were...not to mention having to go out early in the morning on a freezing morning to warm up the glow plugs just so you could start the thing up. Not very practical.
2. Environmental restrictions. Only more recent diesels are clean enough.
3. Availability of diesel at the pump. I could be wrong, but I don't think every corner gas station has diesel...but yeah, that is changing.
4. Marketing. The need to get folks beyond 1-3.
But, jeez....you'd think that with the junk-food scarfing American public...tell them that the exhaust of bio-diesel smells like french fries vs. well..diesel...you'd think they'd be breaking down the doors to get one.
I had a 1990 Civic, and that thing got 40 mpg on the highway. The 5-speed helps, of course, but yeah...how come we can't do better nearly 20 years later??

[KnottedYet]

I test drove a Volkswagen Golf/Rabbit TDI (diesel). Loved the torque produced by that engine! Zoomed up a hill that my old car couldn't manage above a walking pace.

Wasn't quite roomy enough for a bike *and* stuff, and my mechanic said that VW still required a lot of repairs. But he loved the 4 he owned. (these car guys, man, they have cars like we have bikes!)

My SIL gets 54 mpg with biodiesel in her VW Jetta. I think she said she gets mid-40's with dino-diesel. No room for a bike in that though, unless in the back seat.

If it gets to the US, I gotta check out one of these: http://www.popularmechanics.com/blog...s/4219904.html Volkswagen Polo, 70 mpg.

[Aggie_Ama]

In Texas diesel is readily available at most gas stations due to the diesel pick-ups. However, most dealers carry very few of the available diesel cars. I think the assumption is Texans only want diesel trucks, but I would gladly drive a diesel car if it were quiet enough and held what I wanted. I have sat next to a diesel VW at lights and not heard anything.