The future for diesel cars

January 19, 2009
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A number of car companies have introduced, or plan to introduce, clean-diesel engines to cater to buyers wanting better fuel efficiency.

Diesels from Volkswagen and other manufacturers boost mileage by about a third, but much of that advantage in the past year or two has been wiped out by the gaping difference between diesel and gasoline prices. That spread was about 80 cents at points last year.

Diesel currently runs about 53 cents a gallon over the national average of $1.78 for unleaded, according to the Energy Information Administration.

Tom Kloza, one of the nationâ??s foremost energy analysts, believes the gap will shrink to as little as 25 cents over the next few years.

That will make the diesel option more attractive for buyers, says Kloza, who publishes Oil Price Information Service.

Buyers most likely to steer toward diesels are soccer moms and other upscale buyers who want to keep driving big SUVs, he says.

Diesel burners â??have a more substantial future,â?? Kloza contends.

What about you? Is a diesel engine appealing?
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  • I drove two VW diesel cars from 1981 through 2002. They work out real well for people who drive a lot and for long distances. You have to have the right temperment for them, since they do not behave like gas engine cars.
    If I were doing that kind of driving now, I would probably consider one. I would certainly like to drive one of the new ones to see how they are different.
  • I drove VW diesels for years and when I bought a new car a few years ago, was thrilled that the New Beetle came with a TDI motor. The mileage is OK in the city and the turbo gives it a lot more get up and go than the Rabbit I used to drive. (VW actually sponsors a TDI cup challenge through the SCCA using Jetta TDIs) So far, maintenance costs are less than a gasoline engine - no spark plugs, wires, etc. Over 5 years about the only things I've had are oil changes and some other filter changes. I'm holding onto this car until VW gets it's diesel hybrid on the market.
  • I agree we'll be seeing more diesels on the streets, especially after Congress does something about the antiquated tax structure on diesel fuel and gets the price more in line with gasoline. Today's diesel engines are very clean-burning and when taken as a whole (pollution plus less consumption) are a great alternative for the environment. We really need to catch up with Europe in this respect - more new cars have diesels than gas engines and they're trending even MORE toward diesel.

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  1. So the Mayor adds another non value added layer to having a vehicle towed? Whereby the City Government RECIEVES AN ILLEGAL KICKBACK FROM A LGOISTICS COMPANY THAT SUBS THE WORK TO LOCAL TOW COMPANIES? What is the service the City performs for receiving the "tribute"? This is RICO!!!!! What a corrupt and unnecessary layer. What a dirtbag Mayor and his cronies.

  2. Owner occupied housing. Clear enough?

  3. So people think I am paranoid. It's from experience in dealing with puds requested by developers who make major donations themselves to representatives, have nice fund raisers for those running for office and hide through pac's. then there are the public relation firms. You will note some pr comments below. You there Clyde Lee? My opinion. Commercial along 421, great. Multifamily housing, terrible idea that will change the town. Senior condos or zero lot line homes west, great. I suggest keeping all entries to commercial areas at 421. All entries to owner occupied on sycamore. Will keep the traffic on sycamore down some. Two other things. You can't trust what will be there in 10 years. Steve builds quality stuff, but areas change over time. Look at the changes at the wall mart center at 86th and 421 over the last 10 years. Look at the apartments and neighborhoods behind St Vincent's. Raintree properties WILL decrease in value if commercial and multifamily goes in near. It has already been happening around the bridges area. The houses that have been sold recently are way below market. Several deals not closed due to the Illinois construction and the whole unsurety of the bridges. It's pretty simple, Zionsville will approve the whole thing because the city council has been groomed over a LONG period of time for this. I might even suggest some are in their position as a result of this.

  4. Esta, do you have a dog in this fight? You seem to really want to knock anyone against this project. No, I didn't move to Indiana for the architecture. I moved here for that red barn in the field. The horses and fields of corn. A place that is NOT overdeveloped. There are plenty of nearby places in Indianapolis that could be REDEVELOPED instead.

  5. RKW - OK, we get it, you're paranoid. The question is, are you paranoid enough? Greg - Yes, Pittman(s) is (are) at it again. They are developers, they build things. It's what they do. So when you go to work tomorrow, Greg, you're at it again too. Cliff - Really? You moved to Indiana for its progressive architecture? That's like moving to England for the cuisine. Zionsvillain - The house you moved to was once a field or woods. I'm willing to bet folks were upset when that ground was plowed under and a house was built. But I guess now that you are in, everything should stop? "My house was OK, but the next one is sprawl." SE Guy - Please don't paint us with such a wide brush. Most reasonable Zionsville residents welcome planned, measured development.

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