I spent the summer in France this year. It was hard to find cars that were not diesel. It got to the point where it was natural for all cars to 'clatter'. Even the Honda, Toyota and Nissan cars over there are diesels. Diesel is about $1.20 a gallon cheaper so it is easy to understand the prevalence of diesels.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13