Chev diesel cars.
 

I was thinking as I drove along yesterday. If the cruise diesel cars turn out to be decent. Will they depreciate almost as fast as the gas cars? The volkswagon products holding resale so well could even be impacted if enough brands get diesel cars out there and most are decent.

The current mazda product just hitting the market according to the press does not seem too promising. Gas engine block and complex in nature.

I also wonder if there will be enough pressure to get Toyota and Honda diesels selling in north America at last. Suspected lack of interest in north America and the amount of premium to buy them may determine a lot as well. I think the spread of fuel economy should be larger than currently or the cost differential may inhibit sales.

Diesel owners know there is a bit more complexity to owning a diesel than a gas, but not that much. If you are the kind of person that like to drive 25,000 miles between oil changes then a diesel is not for you.

But then, when you finally own one and find that you can drive it like a real car and get 36 mpg you start to come around.

When I got my first diesel everyone asked why. I told them the 280E got 15 mpg and the 240D got 28. Ok, so the 280E was a little nicer, but I could live with the crank windows and manual A/C for the 28 mpg, and I got tired of adjusting those double cams on the 2.8.

So yeah, a real diesel car could change everyone perception of them. Most folks just remember the Olds diesel so it will be a steep learning curve. But Europe had no trouble getting used to them, and if the quality and service is there Americans will, too.

There needs to be a definite payback from the get-go. I think the mpg gap has closed, diesel fuel costs have leapfrogged from where they were in the 70s when it was cheaper than gas and gasser reliability has gone up due to fuel injection.

It's not so clear...

I would think if the chev diesel turns out to be a good one it would retain more value than a gasser.

^^ There is a thread on OD with a Honda civic and its lady owner who destroyed it, That kind of owners will make a nice pile of used diesel cars for us dieselheads.

The problem is that - its a catch 22, for the general american "horsepower" roolz. Take a look at any commercial, its all about cup holders, vacuum cleaners, missing spare wheels, fake wood trim, awesome, santa claus selling it, eco button mileage, general drivers who cant drive a manual box commenting on handling..

Its not quite simple. Most or nearly all mommies wont want to be seen in a smelly diesel that is bad for the environment (other mommies told them that because it spews evil black out the pipe) or even want to fill at the greasy pump with the green/yellow nozzle - thats where the yucky trucks go. General 9-5 guys wont be able to brag about their 450 hp engines either.

^^ Righto. There's no logic applied to car ownership. Take my wife, please....

I am turned off my how it is offered. It is not an drive train option to add to any option level of the Cruze. Rather it is offered only on a decked out version. Seems like a marketing fail to me.

Not sure what you mean but I had to chip it for it to be barely acceptable. Got 33 mpg cruising. Actually, I was around already which is why I bought it in the first place and I was driving long distance. Bit by bit, it wore me down and turned me around to dislike it. Now, I wouldn't buy a diesel car unless it is stupid cheap and I don't have to put up with 200 miles driving a day.

Fair enough. Name a few and I will try to test drive them.

dont forget its GM marketing - they are a very obtuse bunch

Reminds me of the guy that was always emotionally upset and cried a lot. He was pretty certain his wife would not leave.:D

Really though if any reasonable reliable diesel car at a not unreasonable price can net me 60 mpg on the imperial gallon. The way things are going I would probably grab one. Save me perhaps two hundred a month on fuel. I would take a chance on a Toyota or Honda diesel if the buy premium was not excessive.

As pointed out there has to be a real upside for owners now. It is not as clear as it was at one time is an understatement.

If I could get the diesel are a base model I might take a look, but no way would I consider one new.

The only paybacks I see is "I have to own one because I like diesel" or you need the mileage because you are driving a lot or you need the hauling power.

I don't follow. Why does driving a vehicle have to be devoid of any comfort or spartan? If all it would do is be a farm truck going from field to field and short distances, but of course. OTOH, if I am using it for some hauling and some driving, why do I want to beat myself up every time I am in it? Why not have some comforts?

With my diesel, I can safely say that every fuel station I have ever seen sells gas. Many don't sell diesel. At the pumps, you are a 2nd class citizen with someone blocking the one and only pump. Then there is gelling to worry about if it gets too cold. Either wear disposable gloves when pumping or you get diesel all over the car or you have to wash your hands a few times. The floor around the pumps are not clean usually either. If you want to carry a bag of dog poop in your car, feel free. I don't want my car stinking of diesel for the rest of the week because of the floor around or my hands.

Do you think that it isn't expensive to offer multiple drivetrains and trim options to a car that isn't a sure thing to sell and make money? IF enough people would buy it, maybe the numbers would work out that they can.

I can't speak to Wisconsin, but I normally fill up in NJ, and it seems like 50% of gas stations carry it. (And generally pump it for you as well :) )

Personally, I find the smell of gas worse, or maybe I'm allergic to a component in gasoline. Get gas on my skin == splitting migraine for the rest of the day.