I love my diesel Jetta
Big news on all the local news channels is that gas prices keep rising and have risen faster than in previous years. Well, I gotta say, we haven’t noticed it that much in our household. See, a year or so ago, we purchased a diesel Jetta and have never turned back. We use both diesel and biodiesel depending on availability and honestly what is affordable. Lately, it has been easy to chose regular diesel fuel because the price has stayed the same. Over the past couple of months, we have paid around $2.89 per gallon. While that is expensive, mind you, we get like 550 miles per tank so we’re only filling up every 2+ weeks. Regular gas has skyrocketed to over $3 per gallon. It is crazy to watch regular gas prices fluctuate and yet diesel stays the same. I’m actually looking forward to the next couple of months when we have a few road trips planned. It won’t be as expensive as I had previously thought. Did I mention we can get from Portland to San Francisco on just over 1 tank of gas? I feel giddy.
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I’m glad to hear you like your Jetta. I’m interested in more info. I’ve been a loyal subaru driver for years, but am looking into something more fuel efficient. I drove a diesal volvo wagon through France and Spain last year and loved it.
But how does the Jetta handle on Mountain roads? What don’t you like about it? Anything in particular that is fussy or known to break often on them?
Thanks!
We’ve got a Jetta TDI. It’s really zippy with a lot of power. Can’t beat it. We’re getting about 42 mpg but that’s in terrible gridlock commute SE to Hillsboro.
Where are you getting your diesel at $2.89? We’ve been paying a bit more.
I have one too and it’s been great. I’ve certainly never had any problems with power. You should definitely convert from the Subaru, but that’s another comment for another post.
Last year, it seemed like they were pricing diesel about $0.10 greater than premium. I’m glad that hasn’t been the trend this year. As we get more and more diesels on the market, though, I’m certain they will start to gouge us, too.
Finally, I’m glad to see that someone else is practical and actually buys regular diesel. Living here, one gets a lot of environmental guilt. I know I really *should* buy biodiesel so I’m not consuming foreign oil and I’m ’supporting local industry’ but damn it, I’m cheap.
$2.89 Diesel is currently (as of Monday) available at the 76 station on N. Killingsworth/Interstate.
I am really REALLY annoyed at the U.S. for not having more diesel options. I was in Rome a few summers ago and saw the exact Nissan truck that I own in diesel. My truck gets, at best, 12-15 mpg. I bet that diesel got at least 20-25.
The legacy of the 1970’s dirty diesel lives on but hopefully people are starting to wake up and will demand more diesel vehicles.
oh, and to answer the other question - we haven’t have any issues with out Jetta TDI. It is new, so we only have 20,000 miles on it.
If you are out shopping for a diesel at the moment, do some web research. I understand that most companies are re-tooling their diesel engines in order to comply with changes in emissions laws. As a result, it may be difficult to come by specific models. And, it may be worth it to wait for a new model as it will be more efficient and less polluting.
Lastly, check out gobiodiesel.org. They are a co-op here in PDX. They have a mailing list that isn’t too active, but every so often, someone posts to the list a converted diesel car for sale.
I was going to ask if diesel cars have the same emissions requirements as regular gas - ’cause I do hate driving behind diesel cars and trucks…but maybe I only notice the old bad ones because they are spewing ick - and don’t even notice the newer ones.
I wouldn’t say they have the same emissions requirements as the engines and the way the fuel works is different. Historically, yes, diesels spewed stinky black smoke, yet these days, due to more stringent emissions standards, most don’t smell nor do they emit black smoke. Next time a big diesel pickup rolls up (and you will know by the sound of the engine) watch them drive away - no smoke and no smell unless you put your nose right to the exhaust pipe.
Add in biodiesel and you get a sweet smell.
A friend of mine has a late 90s diesel Jetta, and she’s averaging 42 miles per gallon with it.
“I was going to ask if diesel cars have the same emissions requirements as regular gas…”
As of January 1, 2007 all diesel engines manufactured after that date must comply with new federal emission requirements. Those new standards result in emissions from diesel engines being as low or lower than gasoline engine emissions.
Additionally, as of July 1, 2007 all diesel sold in Portland must contain at least 5% biodiesel.
Diesel engines, because of their different internal combustion technology, get approximately 30% better mileage than a comparable gasoline powered vehicle.
Could some one please come out with a Diesel Minivan… I would buy one immediately..
I drove one in europe.. sweet.. 35MPG… great for soccer Moms..
Rolf