Automotive diesels aside you only have to operate heavy equipment to appreciate the diesel engine. No comparrison. I also see no mention of one of the best small diesel vehicles (usually referred to as high speed diesels) which until 1986 was available in the US, the Peugeot series. Having owned three there were very few complaints. I had a 504 that would equal any gasoline engine in pulling power. In fact, I am not sure it would not have pulled that 83 Olds diesel, I also owned, backwards. Some people had exceptionally good luck with the GM 5.7, others had bad luck. Mine was mediocre. By itself it was fine, but put a small trailer behind it and poof. The 504 (with less than 1/2 the displacement) pulled the same trailer up and down hill and dale with no effort. It would out perform the 240D to some degree. Now own a 240D with a 300D turbo engine installed which is the first automotive diesel that I have had, or driven, that equalled, or excelled the 504. Sadly, Peugeot pulled out of the North American market in 1986 (the gasoline units lasted longer) leaving only the VW & Mercedes to fill the void. It was mostly a marketing problem as they always tried to sell against Mercedes, Rolls, Land Rover, etc. They probably still represent the greatest diesel presence in the rest of the world. Incidentally, Peugeot is the longest continuous make automobile in the world. My loyalty, however, to any automobile make is the one that gets me from A to B when I want to go from A to B.

So be it.

It is sad you lost that Peugeot Diesel. Turns out I have an extra transmission that I would have sold you for a song. Re the seats, the only seats in the industry that I have found better were in a Renault R10. Sorry bout that. In fact, I had a (he must have been at least seven feet tall) Iranian friend that told me his Chiropractor told him if he had back problems to get a Peugeot. Incidentally, Peugeot and Mercedes are not as far apart as you might think. They both started with the Diamler engine. In fact, Peugeot is given credit for winning the first race ever run with a Diamler engine. Actually, the race was won by a steam car but they found a way to disqualify it. 1896, I believe it was.

And so it goes.