Diesel cars

[samarai]

I've been considering getting a VW TDI diesel car to replace my 15 year old Honda Accord that has been absolutely bulletproof. I'm worried about the price of gas rising. I know diesel cars such as VW's diesel autos got on the average 40 plus miles per gallon. Anyone have one of these and contemplate using it as a "get out of town" car?

[kirgi08]

I'd get an older rabbit or jetta,I don't know if the TDI cars will run on biodiesel or not.'08.

[mikeflys1]

IMO, the pro of owning a diesel is outweighed by the con of owning a volkswagen.

[farmer-dave]

My sister briefly owned one of those turd's. I think she had over 3 grand in various repairs on the engine. Run far away from them, unreliable pieces of shift.

[pmwglock19]

My cousin owns one and has over 200,00 miles on it. The problem he complained about was the plastic not the diesel.

[R_W]

Around here, diesel will run you 25-30% more per gallon. So that more than ate away any mileage savings.

Plus you have to FIND a place that carries diesel. And then a place that has the tiny nozzle for the diesel. SIL has one and that is her biggest complaint. She says it is easier out in farm country, but metro areas or even interstates are a hard to find a pump she can use.

[Allfal]

Just my opinion, they seem to be basically good cars. One problem is that many tools for long term routine repair are specific to the VW brand and the costs are high. Parts are also somewhat more expensive. My brother owns an auto repair shop. He refuses any work on them other than oil changes or alignments and refers owners to VW specialty shops. I have known a couple of owners. The cars seem to be reliable, get very good mileage, just don't have a turbo break and need replaced.

[kirgi08]

I've got 3 friends that swear by them,1 has nearly 500k on one and 2 have 300k on them.The fuel distrubution boxes seem ta be the main culprits.As ta the "plastic" W3RD.I actually have a friend that imported a 4wd "vanogan" camper.I've tried my best ta buy that rig.

Folk,the VW "diesel" cars are a good base,the downside is the factual "mech" ta spend the $ ta get rid the plastic.In the long haul diesel and plastic don't work.A $500 dollar ride will with these upgrades will use biodiesel and be reliable.'08.

[Restless28]

If I had the $ or felt dumb enough to go into a big debt hole in the current times, I would buy the BMW 3 Series Diesel. Very cool car, with a proven powertrain.

There are also rumors that Subaru will bring a diesel to the U.S..

If you want a bug out vehicle, the old diesel Chevys used by the military can run on biodiesel, IIRC.

[farmer-dave]

Maybe my sisters car was a fluke, I know she had to get a turbo, and I think the injectors done, I know there was something else that went bad with it also.

[R_W]

Maybe my sisters car was a fluke, I know she had to get a turbo, and I think the injectors done, I know there was something else that went bad with it also.

They were either really good or really bad. Most were good, but enough were bad that I wouldn't call hers a fluke.

[Jaker]

Diesels are very simple when it comes to maintenence. Change the oil when required(your turbo will appreciate that.), and change your fuel filter before going into winter. I will never own another gas truck in my life.