Volkswagen, Mercedes, BMW - am I missing anyone?

dd74 · 03-08-2009, 10:53 PM

So far, these three are the only companies selling diesel automobiles in the U.S., unless I'm missing something...

1) Jetta - nice, but I've heard too many electrical woes and such to be a viable consideration.

2) Mercedes: E-series. Too large, too expensive out the door, IMO.

3) BMW: 335d. Bad-assed car that almost as fast as the gasoline version. But at $55,000. Maybe I'll wait until it hits the secondary market for mid-20s to low 30s.

Are there any other manufacturers with diesels in the U.S. that I'm missing?

Though they're cool, I'm really not a hybrid guy...

Tidybuoy · 03-08-2009, 11:01 PM

Ford & Chevy trucks

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

I think some of the heavier Mercedes trucks are diesel also. For cars though, yea - that's it AFAIK.

kaisen · 03-09-2009, 06:32 AM

Nissan is supposed to have a new Maxima diesel out this fall

VincentVega · 03-09-2009, 06:51 AM

Same thing for Honda, in the Accord.

dd74 · 03-09-2009, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Martin

Same thing for Honda, in the Accord.

I really wanted to look into the Accord. But evidently the auto trans version of the car didn't pass emissions, so Honda scrapped the entire project for the U.S.

The Maxima is a little large for just commuting.

Dottore · 03-09-2009, 08:08 AM

Smart Car.

dd74 · 03-09-2009, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dottore

Smart Car.

Too small.

You never liked those little A and B-series Mercedes, right? Not that they would come to the States in the first place...

Porsche_monkey · 03-09-2009, 08:15 AM

Chrysler sells an SUV with the Mercedes diesel engine.

exitwound · exitwound's Garage

I'd buy a diesel car if they were available. Too bad they're not as widespread as they could be. Though, I think I'd probably stick with German engineering anyway

Dottore · 03-09-2009, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dd74

Too small.

You never liked those little A and B-series Mercedes, right? Not that they would come to the States in the first place...

Actually I like the A, but hated the B.

I think Mercedes in bringing a diesel C class to NA this year as well—and that's a fine machine.

dd74 · 03-09-2009, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dottore

Actually I like the A, but hated the B.

I think Mercedes in bringing a diesel C class to NA this year as well—and that's a fine machine.

The C car is very nice. Diesel would be even nicer. I'll keep my eyes peeled for that one.

JavaBrewer · JavaBrewer's Garage

Sounds like in the next year or two there will be more diesel options to choose from.

GothingNC · 03-09-2009, 08:24 AM

No problems with my 04 Jetta TDI.
Only issue in 65,000 miles was a blown fuse a few years back.

Mk 5 generation has a bit more power, better fuel, economy, more rear seat leg room and have not heard any issues.

Have you checked out www.tdiclub.com ?

58 MPG

http://jalopnik.com/5056994/2009-vw-jetta-tdi-achieves-5882-mpg-while-traveling-through-lower-48-sets-world-record

Porsche_monkey · 03-09-2009, 08:43 AM

TDI mileage is fantastic. And they appear to be pretty good engines.

CRH911S · 03-09-2009, 09:01 AM

I just took delivery on a 2009 Jetta wagon, with the 2.5, 5 cylinder eng. I drive less than 7500/year so it really didn't make a lot of sense going the diesal route with its higher initial costs and more importantly the fact that diesal sell at nearly 1.00/gal more here in Anchorage. The window sticker says 20 city and 30 hwy. I might be able to squeeze an extra 1.5 mpg hwy though.
To stay on topic Subaru was/is considering a diesal for the US market but not sure now. Isn't the diesal financial concerns argument similar to hybrids?

onewhippedpuppy · 03-09-2009, 09:05 AM

Diesels and hybrids will be a bit of a hard sell until gas goes up again. Collectively we seem to have a very short memory when it comes to fuel prices.

I simply can't understand why there aren't more diesel trucks. It's an absolute match made in heaven. More torque for better towing and better MPG, what's not to love? Can you imagine if there were 1/2 ton trucks with small displacement diesels that could get 25 MPG, yet tow more than their gas counterparts? Or small trucks (Toyota HiLux) that got 30 MPG? I don't get it.

onewhippedpuppy · 03-09-2009, 09:13 AM

See, this just pisses me off.

http://www.toyota.co.uk/bv/CarChapter/HL2/HILUX-Specification.pdf?&zone=Zone%20HILUX&navRoot=toyota_1024_root

2.5L diesel 4x4 HILUX that gets 39.2 highway MPG UK, which translates to 32.6 US MPG (1.200949857 US gal = 1 UK gal). Seriously, WTF? They ALREADY BUILD a 30+ MPG diesel truck, which is basically a diesel Tacoma, but don't sell it here?

dd74 · 03-09-2009, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CRH911S

I just took delivery on a 2009 Jetta wagon, with the 2.5, 5 cylinder eng. I drive less than 7500/year so it really didn't make a lot of sense going the diesal route with its higher initial costs and more importantly the fact that diesal sell at nearly 1.00/gal more here in Anchorage. The window sticker says 20 city and 30 hwy. I might be able to squeeze an extra 1.5 mpg hwy though.
To stay on topic Subaru was/is considering a diesal for the US market but not sure now. Isn't the diesal financial concerns argument similar to hybrids?

The initial cost is mitigated by a tax return for buying a diesel-powered vehicle. I've heard it's up to $1,400 for a Jetta TDI.

I believe one gets about $900 back if they buy a BMW 335d.

Also - longevity is a definite cost advantage. Higher MPG too.

Subaru came out with a diesel Outback. But now Subaru is rumored to be headed toward Chapter 11.

dd74 · 03-09-2009, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

See, this just pisses me off.

http://www.toyota.co.uk/bv/CarChapter/HL2/HILUX-Specification.pdf?&zone=Zone%20HILUX&navRoot=toyota_1024_root

2.5L diesel 4x4 HILUX that gets 39.2 highway MPG UK, which translates to 32.6 US MPG (1.200949857 US gal = 1 UK gal). Seriously, WTF? They ALREADY BUILD a 30+ MPG diesel truck, which is basically a diesel Tacoma, but don't sell it here?

True. Even GM has small diesels for their cars and trucks. The Cadillac CTS diesel is supposed to be the best of the bunch, and it has more torque than the CTS-V.

But it's a Euro-only car.