jyl before you start hitting diesels on emissions I suggest you do some more reading. Do not depend on the enviro groups alone.

If you take a like size diesel and gasoline engine and look at all emissions created per gallon of fuel burned the diesel is cleaner in all areas except emissions of NOX. The other often mentioned emission is particulate matter. Both Gasoline and Diesel emit particulate matter. Diesel particulate is larger in size and therefore more visible (black smoke) The concern with particulates is cancer. Since gasoline particulate matter is smaller it tends to remain airborne longer and can get deeper into the lungs. I see that as a problem.

Now I said Diesels are cleaner in all areas except NOX when you view it as gallons burned. Now factor in the fact that diesels travel further per gallon burned than a gasoline and the diesel comes out cleaner than all cars except the hybrids.

Since VW is the only company to currently sell a passenger diesel I will use them

VW 1.8T engine gets ~ 24 / 31 mpg
VW 1.9TDI gets 42 / 49mpg

Both are EPA numbers with 5 speed

So the diesel is 37% more fuel efficient

The TDI emits 4.7 tons of greenhouse gasses per year
The 1.8T emits 7.1 tons

The TDI is 34% cleaner

This numbers assume you drive 15000 miles a year and do a 45/55 mix of highway/city driving.

The Prius for a point of reference emits 4 tons per year, 996 C2 9.1 tons 3.2 911 11.4 tons Cayenne Turbo 12.6 tons a year.

As for finding Diesel, I think if you actually look you won't have a hard time finding it but you can get 750 miles in before the low fuel light turns on. I think you can find fuel inside of 750 miles.

Also if emissions still concern and you hate our reliance on Arab oil burn the bean (Biodiesel) and help our soy farmers out.

Currently I pay $1.55 a gallon for diesel. Regular unleaded is going for $1.59 a gallon. Biodiesel is running about 1.90 a gallon in my area.

While I am sure I did nothing to dispel your beliefs diesels are dirty I would give them a second look and ask the groups against diesels to back up their claims.

With the coming of Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel in 2 years emissions will drop even further. Oh one last point. By 50,000 miles the majority of gasoline engines start producing more NOX than diesels do.

NOX is the current battle for diesel and there is technology in the works to fix that.

There are a lot of different schools as to what the engine of the the future is going to be.
A 2-stoke, high compression diesel with direct cylinder injection and a knock sensor is amoung them. Of course ceramic coated block and pistons as well.
Diesel engines are known for longevity, although I think the they work best with a constant load recharging a battery.

I've heard Greyhound pulls theirs for "basic service" at a million miles.

Technology can tweak any emissions to fit.

osidak, sounds like there is a lot I don't know about diesel emissions. I'll withdraw that comment.

Come to think of it, a friend of mine had a VW Jetta TDi, and he loved it. I spent 6 months in Europe driving a Peugeot 406 diesel a few years ago, it was a great car and cruised easily at 100 mph.

Indeed he does. And to imagine he gave up his Lexus for it.
But I don't think he *really* likes it.
It seems Cheryl, his gorgeous wife, has "green" sympathies.
I guess the Prius helps keep Larry in her bed.
:D