Diesel automobiles in mainstream America?

Question

I used to own a 1986 VW Diesel Golf. It was pretty slow, but it got great mileage and was extremely reliable (at least the engine was...). I had over 250,000 miles on it when I traded it in, and it ran just as good as it did with 80,000 (when I bought it).

Modern diesel engines from Volkswagen and the like have turbo chargers and with the advent of low-sulfur diesel and bio-diesel, burn much cleaner.

So, when will we see more diesel cars on the US market? Chrysler did a diesel version of its Jeep Liberty, and by all accounts it sold well (from what I can tell, as when I tried to buy one, there were none in the dealer's inventories), and kept it on the market for one year.

Ford, Chrysler, Honda and the like all have diesel versions of their cars in Europe.

Thoughts?

Answer 1

A diesel car is like the metric system to us. We Americans just refuse to get used to it. In Europe, a car is just a car, hence no cup holders in a Benz. Fuel economy in a tight petroleum market is paramount. To get from A to B is a car's main function across the pond.

When car manufacturers in the U.S. figured out people will treat cars like disposable cameras with the right kind of advertising, they filled that niche with hot hatches and mini vans and suv's, then made better 'looking' models within 5 years and offered incentives and rebates to move them out the door. Soon foreign car manufacturers followed suit and form has now taken precedence over function. I really don't need navigation, satellite radio, 19 inch wheels, a heated a steering wheel and heated washer nozzles in my WV, but I throw it in my buddy's face all the time.

The newer TDI's get better mileage than a hybrid. What's the point of a hybrid if you have to drive at 30 mph to save gas and you take the highway to get to work / school? Plus the Hybrids are a pain and expensive to repair.

Diesels also get a bad rap in America. Many people say that they are smelly and dirty but that is because our diesel fuel has way too much sulfur and impurities compared to Europe. Vw Tdi engines can run on bio-diesel with little / no modifications. GM sells cars that must run on flex fuel (sugar derived fuel in South America as opposed to the corn type here in the U.S.) as well as traditional fuel by law in Brazil.

The industry will not lose profits in order to better mankind.

Answer 2

Strange you didn't have a turbo on it, my 84 has. Maybe it was still an optional item. But I lose in fuel economy at 45mpg.
I had an 82 non turbo which I got 72 mpg and parted company selling it with 700000miles on the clock and body rusting away. Well the clock didn't show it as it went to 99,999 before returning to zero again, but I had been keeping count since getting it at 180,ooo.
I drove gas cars before, did the tune up thing -plugs,points,cap,wires,timing. Thought I never would like a diesel. Since I have it, I look at the air cleaner every year and replace every second....and check the oil. I like not having to have to do that work. Sure, there is no hot rodding parts for it, but that is a waste of money anyways, money better spent on other things, like ski passes, and summer amusements. No one is interested in it either for stealing. Diesel is just too weird for many.

Answer 3

People in the US still have the conception that diesels are slow, loud and smelly. They used to be.. but as you say.. they are not like that anymore.. Even still, it's hard to change peoples perceptions.

Given the "green" movement of today, it will be an even harder sell since diesels actually do pollute more per mile driven than gasoline engines do. Add to that the invention of the hybrid car which will do as good or better than a diesel in terms of milage.. well, why buy a diesel at all?

Answer 4

be patient young Jedi ( sorry , just watched a marathon ) with the low sulphur fuels there will be more , the emissions thing was a real trick , that's why most diesels are 3/4 ton trucks , also , remember the olds diesel ?

Answer 5

Well first of all the US doesnt want to change from unleaded to diesel because its more expensive and they really dont understand that you can get just as good mileage. Also it will still be more expenses to have diesel than it would to just get regular unleaded....