Cars and Other Driving Machines

[Flinty_McFlint]

Originally posted by bold_n_brazen
I am thinking about buying a new car. There may be a new, longer commute in my future, and with gas clearly over $3 a gallon, my 14MPG Jeep Grand Cherokee is going to be a painful option.

When I mentioned to my dad that I was thinking about this, and thinking about maybe a hybrid, he urged me to think about a diesel. I've done the research, and it turns out he's right... on a strictly MPG basis, the diesels blow doors on the hybrids.

I live in the deep south, so there's no worry about plugging the car in to keep the fuel warm or anything (Can you tell I once tried to drive a diesel in Syracuse NY?).

So, besides the fact that diesels are less green than hybrids and less ubiquitous, are there any other things I should be considering?

For the record, I'm looking at both Mercedes and Volkswagens diesel offerings.

You should make sure there are places to actually buy diesel where you live and where you work. If you have to drive far away to fill up, it kind of defeats the purpose. Diesels will run forever though if maintained properly.

[Mmmm, Burger (C.J.)]

Originally posted by bold_n_brazen

So, besides the fact that diesels are less green than hybrids

also, keep in mind that hybrids have the greatest efficiency advantage when goign around town. On the highway, they use gas like everything.

W/r/t diesels, not only make sure that fuel is available, but that it's the low-sulfur variety. The new diesels require "clean" diesel, which can be (I've heard) somewhat hard to find.

[pony_trekker]

Originally posted by bold_n_brazen
I am thinking about buying a new car. There may be a new, longer commute in my future, and with gas clearly over $3 a gallon, my 14MPG Jeep Grand Cherokee is going to be a painful option.

When I mentioned to my dad that I was thinking about this, and thinking about maybe a hybrid, he urged me to think about a diesel. I've done the research, and it turns out he's right... on a strictly MPG basis, the diesels blow doors on the hybrids.

I live in the deep south, so there's no worry about plugging the car in to keep the fuel warm or anything (Can you tell I once tried to drive a diesel in Syracuse NY?).

So, besides the fact that diesels are less green than hybrids and less ubiquitous, are there any other things I should be considering?

For the record, I'm looking at both Mercedes and Volkswagens diesel offerings.

Diesels are less green than hybrids.

I would suggest a plain old Honda Civic. You'll get over 30 MPG and all the bells and whistles come real cheap.

[Alex_de_Large]

Originally posted by Alex_de_Large
But I did just reserve one of these for an upcoming trip to Italy:

So I'm on my trip, and they did not have the alfa available. I did, however, get one of these:



It's 4 cyl turbodiesel, with a 6 speed MT. Very, very nice. Great steering, brakes, and tranny. The chassis is nice and tight, too. Interior space is pretty limited, especially when traveling with a kid in a car seat and a stroller, but otherwise it's a great car.

[mommylawyer]

Originally posted by bold_n_brazen
I am thinking about buying a new car. There may be a new, longer commute in my future, and with gas clearly over $3 a gallon, my 14MPG Jeep Grand Cherokee is going to be a painful option.

When I mentioned to my dad that I was thinking about this, and thinking about maybe a hybrid, he urged me to think about a diesel. I've done the research, and it turns out he's right... on a strictly MPG basis, the diesels blow doors on the hybrids.

I live in the deep south, so there's no worry about plugging the car in to keep the fuel warm or anything (Can you tell I once tried to drive a diesel in Syracuse NY?).

So, besides the fact that diesels are less green than hybrids and less ubiquitous, are there any other things I should be considering?

For the record, I'm looking at both Mercedes and Volkswagens diesel offerings.

Haven't read the other responses, but I just bought a Mercedes diesel this past weekend. I ended up going diesel over hybrid not only for the gas mileage but simply because while the hybrid technology sounds great, I had some concerns - such as battery life and the cost of replacement batteries, accidents and the battery (I read something about firefighters expressing concerns) and just some general concerns that weren't there with the diesel technology. So far I am really happy. I take my kids to school and I have a 17 mile each way commute but have recently been looking for something different and most of what I have been submitting my resume for would increase my commute.

Also, the new diesel technology won't require the warmoing stuff unless you use biodiesel, and even then you could put cold weather additive in it....

good luck in your decision...

[bold_n_brazen]

Originally posted by mommylawyer


Also, the new diesel technology won't require the warmoing stuff unless you use biodiesel, and even then you could put cold weather additive in it....

good luck in your decision...

Uh.... I live in South Florida.

eta: But thanks.

[1436]

Originally posted by bold_n_brazen
So, besides the fact that diesels are less green than hybrids and less ubiquitous, are there any other things I should be considering?

That is not a fact. In real world driving the hybrid will only get better mileage if you have a very high percentage of slow city driving. In most real world driving the diesels will get better mileage. Add on the environmental impact of the hybrid's battery and the diesel looks even better to mother earth.

The only consideration would be local fuel availability. If you have low sulfur on your regular routes, no problem.

[John Phoenix]

Audi is bringing the RS4Audi is bringing the RS4 convertible here.

[NotFromHere]

Hey Alex,
I think I found your car. I don't think the double stoller's gonna fit though.

A 200 mph Golf. What next? A 400 hp Rabbit?

It would appear that the Audi TT clubsport was just an appetizer for the fans at the Wörthersee 2007 meet in Austria. Volkswagen has upped the ante by throwing down a stunner: the Golf GTI W12 650 concept. The ultimate GTI in every way, this car has a claimed top speed of 325 km/h -- 201 mph! -- and a 0-100 km/h (62 mph) of 3.7 seconds. This super Golf dishes out a mammoth 650 horsepower and over 530 ft lbs of torque from the 6.0L biturbo W12 it's got mounted behind the front seats. All that juice flows through a 6-speed automatic to the rear wheels, which are shod in some seriously meaty rubber.

Linky here.

[Alex_de_Large]

Originally posted by NotFromHere
Hey Alex,
I think I found your car. I don't think the double stoller's gonna fit though.

A 200 mph Golf. What next? A 400 hp Rabbit?





Linky here.

3 car seats and a Sweedish au paire DEFINITELY won't fit in that...

[NotFromHere]

Originally posted by Alex_de_Large
3 car seats and a Sweedish au paire DEFINITELY won't fit in that...

Dude. Did you say 3 car seats? What are you having a kid every 6 months now or what?



Then you're really not going to be able to fit in the new BMW 1 series.

[Alex_de_Large]

Originally posted by NotFromHere
Dude. Did you say 3 car seats? What are you having a kid every 6 months now or what?

[/URL]

Just 2 for now (well, 1 for now, but 2 in August). 3 is definitely in the cards, though.

ETA: and the 1er is a terrific car (though I prefer the 5 door to the coupe).

[Alex_de_Large]

An encounter with Ralph Lauren and his Bugatti Veyron.



spree: From the GTP forums.

[Atticus Grinch]

Originally posted by Alex_de_Large
An encounter with Ralph Lauren and his Bugatti Veyron.



spree: From the GTP forums.

Am I alone in thinking that this car, and for that matter all supercars, look a tad ricockulous IRL? I mean, the cover of C&D is one thing, but in this photo it looks like a joke.

I live quite near to Tesla Motors and have seen them on area streets, and they look ricockulous too, which is sad. And when I see the new Lotuses I think they should be picked up and carried to the track forthwith. Or maybe I'm just getting fossilized because this year's minivans look good to me.

[Hank Chinaski]

Originally posted by Atticus Grinch
Am I alone in thinking.........

given that your typically post is a quote from wikipedia or Straight dope, I think it safe to say that nothing you "think" here is you alone. No offense.