Why can't I buy a compact diesel car?
It’s not fair. Edmonds only has 6 cars under $25k and they’re all minivans and trucks.
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i saw a smart car the other day. you should get one of those. they’re cute.
except for the fact that they are TINY BOXES OF DEATH ON WHEELS.
I’m actually going to the Smart dealership on 70 sometime this week. Apparently they’re actually quite safe compared to other compact cars. The primary motivating factor for not getting one would be only two seats. So I dunno.
Yeah, the Smart Car actually has a reinforced steel “ring” of sorts that runs around its entire body to strengthen it. I still wouldn’t want to see the aftermath of a 60+ mph crash involving one, though. I definitely see people flying past me doing over 75 mph on RT. 80 almost daily as well.
As far as compact diesels are concerned, the American public is pretty ingnorant about them so there is no demand (hence no supply). People associate diesel engines with garbage trucks and school buses and don’t realize that the technology has progressed to the point where they are actually pretty much as clean as gas engines. This will probably change as more people educate themselves because of $5 gas, though.
Forget diesel though man, the future is water:
http://www.politicalgateway.com/news/read/151805
Hopefully this guy can get his plans out before the oil companies off him.
The thing that kills me about diesel and the so-called “dirtiness” is that even if it has higher soot levels than regular gasoline, it has significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions. I’ve been going back and forth with a dude at Toyota and he claims that apparently changes to diesel gas to lower the amount of sulfer in it has raised the price of it and scared off the few consumers it drew in 2006/2007.
I am still determined to find the most ecologically sound car possible for under $20k. I just wish the made the goddam Prius with a clutch. That’s my one luxury (though some would say it’s the opposite) — I need a stick.
maggie said:
except for the fact that they are TINY BOXES OF DEATH ON WHEELS.
Not so!
i did go read up on it and the smart car has good crash ratings.
because of this thread i had a dream last night that i bought a new NEW NEW car (this has never happened in reality; the “youngest” car i’ve driven regularly was nine years old i think).. and it was a civic hybrid. hahaha
Oh man, sorry I didnt know you were looking Hutch. My girlfriend just sold her 2006 VW Turbo Diesel like 3 weeks ago.
Ehhhhhh… I appreciate the thought, Steve, but I’ve never heard of a VW that didn’t eventually fall completely apart and cause the owner to absolutely hate it.
yeah, i can understand that having had one fall apart on me. Hers was running great and got fantastic mileage, but it was just 2 years old heh.
Yeah, I hear 3 years or 70,000 miles is the magic point you need to get rid of it by.
haha i test drove a 98ish golf in november. it was the worst car i’ve ever driven, which is saying a lot.