back to the cars thread

[mimitabby]

. VW Beetles were getting 25 mpg in the 70s -- surely there should be a four-seater with some trunk space that gets 40 mpg by now!

and the fact that they are such rare birds is proof of the incompetence of the american automobile industry. All american car makers are selling cars like that IN EUROPE.

[susiej]

and the fact that they are such rare birds is proof of the incompetence of the american automobile industry. All american car makers are selling cars like that IN EUROPE.

We were down at SouthCenter the other day so we checked out the new Smart Car dealership. Though I'm dissapointed that the US versions of this car *do not* have the high efficiency Mercedez Benz engines in them, nor do they have the 60 mpg diesel option here, they still do get 30 mpg city and you can get a really sweet looking rear mounted bike rack that takes the bikes with both wheels on and is not very high off the ground (so mounting would be easy).

But ... but ... but ... efficiency is sexy!

Our neighbors would buy cars in Germany and ship them back here. A Smart would probably fit in the hand luggage ...

[Beane]

I too love my diesel jetta. I easily get 38 in around-town driving. And while I'm not a leadfoot anymore, I'm not driving slowly either. I've gotten better mileage on the highway. (and this is always with a roof rack of some sort). Plus, since it's a diesel, I expect it to live for several hundred thousand miles without any major drivetrain issues.

VW is coming out with a few more diesel vehicles this spring/summer including a new SUV:
http://www.vwvortex.com/artman/publi...cle_2032.shtml

and new jetta wagon:
http://www.vwvortex.com/artman/publi...cle_1967.shtml

and new "clean" diesel:
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...t_drive_review

[tulip]

I too love my diesel jetta. I easily get 38 in around-town driving. And while I'm not a leadfoot anymore, I'm not driving slowly either. I've gotten better mileage on the highway. (and this is always with a roof rack of some sort). Plus, since it's a diesel, I expect it to live for several hundred thousand miles without any major drivetrain issues.

VW is coming out with a few more diesel vehicles this spring/summer including a new SUV:
http://www.vwvortex.com/artman/publi...cle_2032.shtml

and new jetta wagon:
http://www.vwvortex.com/artman/publi...cle_1967.shtml

and new "clean" diesel:
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/...t_drive_review

I tried and tried to find a 2006 or 2005 VW Golf TDI when I was car shopping. They are in such high demand, no luck. The VW dealer said that VW is coming out with an improved diesel Rabbit TDI in 2009...but why not now? They have the Jetta TDI, but it's over my budget and it's not a hatchback. Same engine...same platform...where's my Rabbit TDI??

The gas Rabbit is a lovely little scoot, but when the TDI comes back, I'll be trading it in (but don't tell her that just yet).

[OakLeaf]

Just in case anyone was wondering, a 46" TV fits in the back of a Prius, too

(an LCD, so it could go on its side, not plasma which would have to ride upright!)

The look on the face of the kid at Circuit City was priceless.

[tulip]

WHOA!!! VW is coming out with a hybrid-diesel Golf/Rabbit to compete with the Prius (finally, something to compete with the Prius, as I don't like how it looks or drives!)

70 mpg...with farfugnugen! As a Rabbit owner, this makes me very happy.

http://blog.wired.com/cars/2008/02/vw-unveiling-an.html

[mimitabby]

WHOA!!! VW is coming out with a hybrid-diesel Golf/Rabbit to compete with the Prius (finally, something to compete with the Prius, as I don't like how it looks or drives!)

70 mpg...with farfugnugen! As a Rabbit owner, this makes me very happy.

http://blog.wired.com/cars/2008/02/vw-unveiling-an.html

that is very cool!