ok ya'll,
here's my scenerio. i'm 18 yrs old and will be going to college in August and turning 19 in October. since i'm going to be commuting to college everyday, my truck just won't cut it, especially with the prices of diesel nowadays. eventhough i do get good mileage for a diesel TRUCK i think a diesl CAR would be better. now here in Nebraska you can take a car loan out when your're 19. and i've been debating and researching the diesel VW and the honda gassers. i was wondering is a diesel car still rated as high in longetivity as what our cummins' are? if so that will be a big factor b/c since i'm going to only be 19 the car i do end up getting will more than likely have to have over 100,000 miles on it regardless just to afford the payments. another kicker will be the mileage these diesel cars can get, WOW 50 MPG, that's outstanding and i doubt a car can get that good no matter what it is. another thing, i'm going to be going to college to be a diesel technician, so say i did go with a diesel car, then it would give me another diesel to tinker with, now that'd be fun wouldn't it? so what do ya'll have to say, what's better Diesel or Gas, but cars remember, i already know the answer for trucks .well everyone, that's all i can think of right now, so please bring on the pros, the cons, the opinions, the facts, and any other points that i missed, or questions you wanna know.

thanks all in advance

 

just sorta refreshing my thread...anyone out there gon any advice or info for me!

 

I would say that the diesel car....just like the truck...is gonna be built to handle the additional power. The motor is still a diesel...its gonna be more efficient and powerful than the standard gas motor you would get in that vehicle. I would definately go for the diesel....its definately gonna be better!

 

any boxes available for cars?

 

Actually I believe I have seen some sort of fuel boxes for certain brands of diesel cars. I dont think you'll see the same increases that you see on our trucks. But anything over stock is good!

 

150 ponies on a 2000 pound car would be a blast.
your already at 100 hp.

 

I'd love to have a TDI, but VW has some quality control issues to take care of before I'd ever buy one.

The electrical systems on them can be awful.


I'd buy a new Civic or Scion

 

Bully Dog has a box I believe 25 hp 35 tq. I would think a must have.

My next car will be a diesel. I like the VW test drove a couple!!! I just ticks me off the europens get all the choices for diesel cars

 

I would not buy a used TDI these days. The prices on them are through the roof with the cost of fuel. I have heard of guys selling three year old TDIs with 50k miles for $600 less than when they were new.

A used Civic would be a good car for a gasser and MPG.

I have a TDI Golf and don't ever plan to get rid of it.

Brian Elfert

 

They mustve got lucky and found a sucker.

a couple yer old 'loaded' TDI can be found for about $13,000.

a new civic, base around $17,000. decently configured 22k.

Civic rated at 30-40mpg. RATED. no one ever sees those numbers, especially with a engine you have to rev above 4,000 to get it to move.

Their rated numbers speak enough:
140 horsepower @ 6300 rpm and 128 lb-ft. torque @ 4300 rpm

140 horsepower... 6,300 rpm... 128 torque is the max... at 4,300 rpm..
NO!

VW real numbers are around 50mpg, and like these trucks, foot on the gas doesnt change the mileage too much.

Youd be much happier with the TDI overall, youll save alot of money overall as well.

 

I drove a Diesel VW Rabbit all over Montana when I was the same age as you 20 years ago...That thing would "do" 80-85 all day long and get 40 miles to the gallon.
It was not a rocket outta the gate by any means but once it got going it "flew" and dirt cheap...It was red & smoked liked all get out I'll bet some of those folks wondered if it was a fireball?

Now driving a Rabbit that fast on some of those "highways" is another story...Pretty stupid!...

The reason not many Diesel cars in the US? GM screwed that deal up for everybody years ago...I think fear of Diesel & cold weather issues has played a big part too...

 

I know of many people that have diesel cars and love them. If you could find one that is a good deal that is what I would get. They get better mileage then the gasser and a lot of people don't want a diesel because of smell and hassel, but we all know better. I would look for a diesel!

 

Mercedes has an inline 6 common rail diesel car with a variable turbo. Not for the college student's budget unless you can find one used =\

 

thanks guys for help and info, i'll prob look for a used TDI to get but why do you say NO to a used TDI?
that kinda made me second guess myself.

 

I had a manual Jetta TDI and looooooooved it. 42 miles to the gallon no matter how hard I drove it. Had to get rid of one of my vehicles for financial reasons, though, and I can't haul horses with a car. ;-) I never had any electrical problems with it, though a friend with a Golf got rid of hers because of electrical issues.