diesel cars vs hybrid cars

[eoseabee]

my wife is looking into new cars i was wanting to get her a new passat tdi but she is thinking of hybrids i was wondering if you all have any pros/cons to the cars im in california so i cant buy a brand new tdi iddiot laws well thanks in addvance

 

[RustyJC]

If she's interested in performance over the absolute best fuel economy and wants more luxury touches, the Honda Accord V-6 hybrid using the IMA (Integrated Motor Assist) is worth a check. There's a Honda Civic hybrid for less $$$ as well.



If absolute fuel economy is the driver, I'd check out the Toyota Prius, but the demand was originally so great on these that there was a waiting list and the dealers were bringing out the ADP (additional dealer profit) stickers.



For SUVs, Ford has a hybrid Escape and Lexus has one coming out soon as well.



Having said the above, I wouldn't plan on owning any of them after the warranty expires. Too much complexity that hasn't been time-tested.



JMHO.



Rusty

 

[eoseabee]

thanks she is looking for economy and reliability she drives 80 miles a day and on weekends down to visit me in so cal so she will rack up miles fast that is why i was thinking passat tdi i dont want to buy a new car every 3 years i also read that the hybrids arnt gettin as good mpg as posted i donno.

 

[jcarey]

We have two TDI jettas. Best highway for me has been 53+; best for my wife has been 55+. We find then very confortable. Have had no Problems so far. Wife's has 40k miles; mine has 23k miles.



Mother-in-law of a guy I work with has a prius, can even get 50 mpg, and it's rated higher. Not much for get-up-and-go either I was told.



Jim

 

[JFaughn]

High millage , remember that the diesels you get a lot more life and they have been around for a long time so it will be easyer to get worked on , the hybreds are still new the manufacture thinks its you job to work the bugs out of new tech. for them and your going to pay a preameaum to be the first on your block , then were are you going for service ,your locked into the dealer .

 

[dodge cummins]

small diesels are the way to go like a jetta. i know with the new liberty crd you get just above 30 mpg. i don't no what size tank it has but a coworker got just under 500 miles out of his first tank and he is very happy. diesel is simpler, more powerful and generally less problematic.

 

[Regcabguy]

My neighbor bought one of the first TDI's available and has had teriffic luck with it. He's "Mr. No Maintenance" and the cars continues to thrive. No gremlins electronically or anything. No intake service either so I imagine it looks pretty gooey in there but you wouldn't know by the way it runs! I have heard that replacement Prius batteries are running $3400. 00 currently and a high usage unit would need these they predict at 120,000 miles according to Toyota. The only drawback is availability of diesel for your wife if she suddenly discovers she's low on fuel.

 

[rbattelle]

One thing you might consider on the hybrids that shut off the engine at stop lights (Accord doesn't do this), what does that do to engine wear? I mean, if most of your wear occurs on startup and the engine stops and starts every time you stop the vehicle, does that put more wear on it than if it just remained running?



I agree with Rusty about the complexity.



-Ryan

 

[djbobo]

The article I read in Popular Mechanics compared simular size and power vehicles. The general conclusion was ,in the real world driving conditions ,that diesels got better mileage on the freeway and the hybred counterparts got better in the city. Also the diesels got better milage than was posted and the hybreds got worse.

The accords are very nice but the Passats are too.

If your in CA I would look at the Honda GX (natural gas) Civic. They just now (this month) selling them packaged with the Phil (Fuelmaker) Phil is a compressed natural gas dispenser that is installed in your own garage. This means you fill up your tank at home! 200+ mile range and is the Cleanest running gasser on earth. It' also the cheapest car per mile to run. ($1. 50 per gal. ) Say goodbye to OPEC. Only 500 available this year from 17 different dealers in CA only. This Phil/Civic GX is a brand new Idea. What's really cool is since it's an "alternative fuel" car you can drive it in the car-pool lanes. The perfect commuter car. There is also a $2000 rebate for buying a clean vehicle.

Can you tell this is exiting to me?!

This is one time that I wished I lived in that state.

I'd like to see a diesel hybred and get the best highway & city mileage. Better yet Howabout a CNG hybred for 45mpg @ $1. 50 per gal. .



dj

 

[DragonflyDriver]

If your in CA I would look at the Honda GX (natural gas) Civic. They just now (this month) selling them packaged with the Phil (Fuelmaker) Phil is a compressed natural gas dispenser that is installed in your own garage. This means you fill up your tank at home! 200+ mile range and is the Cleanest running gasser on earth. It' also the cheapest car per mile to run. ($1. 50 per gal. ) Say goodbye to OPEC. Only 500 available this year from 17 different dealers in CA only. <snip> Can you tell this is exiting to me?!

dj

You have to lease the at-home refueling station at a cost from $70 - $100+ per month, from what I read in a local paper. It takes 8 hours to re-fill as I guess it has to compress the heck out of the gas to give you any quantity. So for now, you really can't go more than 100 miles away from home.

 

[gonehuntingagain]

Hybrids mileage also drops when you run the lights, or the fan, etc.



The high cost of replacement batteries would offset the additional cost of the diesel engine option.



If you can find a good TDI, then I say go for it.

 

[RGardner]

Everyone seem to be in love with the hybrid cars but if they would just take a realist look at the new diesel cars I think they would find them much better for the majority of people, particularly those that drive lots of miles. We have a new beetle and love it! 46 mpg ave for the tough 12 to work and back. 50+ on the highway.

 

[DPelletier]

Yep,

Diesels get almost as good mileage (especially highway), there isn't a huge waiting list like the hybrids and I wouldn't even consider keeping a hybrid off warranty. A few years from now, things may change, but at this point in time the diesel is clearly the way to go IMO.



- Proven technology, proven longevity, get more car/dollar, no wait lists and a battery is $50. 00!



Dave

 

[WBusa]

Best of all possible worlds: a Dodge Ram CTD hybrid!

http://wwwsg.daimlerchrysler.com/SD...-1-62035-1-1-text-1-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0,00.html

Plus, in a blackout, you can run your house off of it (no foolin).

 

[rbattelle]

I agree with Dave and RGardner. I don't fully understand why more people aren't buying things like diesel Jettas and Golfs and Beetles instead of hybrids. Maybe because I've never seen a VW diesel commercial. Perhaps if they started an ad campaign showcasing 45+ MPG, people would be more interested?



-Ryan

 

[Champane Flight]

Wifes Bug

She is getting anywhere between 40-50 at average. She loves driving it, and I do too. It will run at eightie all day, and still have plenty left in the power dept. Road noise is a little high, tends to be a little tight in the corners, and on rain soaked highways or ice, the rearend tends to want to wander (different tires would help this probably).



I am going to pry the steering wheel out of her hand at 60-70 thounsand miles though. This is the point of replacement for the timing belt, at this point around 3-400 dollars worth of tools, and 2-500 dollars of parts are required. Or you can take it the dealer and spend anywhere from 900 to 1500 dollars for JUST the timeing belt. Water pump should be replaced also. Some of the guys on the TDI forum are good at wrestling with these little motors and think nothing of this job. I would jump on it too if I planned on keeping the bug that long. I do not think it would hold up well on the roads I plan to drive daily. I do wish I could afford a Toureg with a V-10.

 

[EBottema]

Hybrids are about worthless. They are overcomplicated and full of a bunch of expensive parts to replace. For what, a few extra MPG?? I've read and calculated it would take a normal person about 5-6 years just to make the extra cost of the hybrid up in gas savings. Get the TDI and call it a day. I believe this hybrid hype can be blamed on the liberal media and the wonderful positive coverage of them. Remember people are dumb... .

 

[WBusa]

I believe this hybrid hype can be blamed on the liberal media and the wonderful positive coverage of them.

Oh fer cryin' out loud. Man, I was with you all the way until you started callin me names... .

 

[Champane Flight]

Don't worry

Bottomea blames everything on the liberal media. :-laf

 

[EBottema]

Wbusa? I called you names? how? CF- You are the biggest liberal around here, it is all your fault. haha... jk



Really, think about it please