I'm --><-- that close to buying a 2011 VW Golf TDI. And I want to know if anybody else out there has a diesel, what they have, experiences... other recommendations? Thanks much, -Magnus
Recommend me a compact diesel car?
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Since the smart TDi isn't available in the USA, the Golf sounds like a pretty good choice to me.
It has among the best fuel economies for non-hybrid ICE vehicles out there.
That's assuming fuel efficiency and having a 'green' car are in your priorities.
It has among the best fuel economies for non-hybrid ICE vehicles out there.
That's assuming fuel efficiency and having a 'green' car are in your priorities.
It is for this particular vehicle. I'm a big guy so my only other concern is interior comfort but it seemed to work quite well for me. It'll be a vehicle I book about 40k miles annually in for the fuel economy was HUGE. The only other thing I'm working on is a modified power system to bring in a marine battery in the back to keep my equipment charging stations going. Easy for me to do with a truck and bigger alternator. Seems to be some concern from the VW service personnel on this one.
Anyhow... THANKS MUCH! Golf it'll be. -Magnus
The smart CDi (common-rail fuel injected turbodiesel) does quite well in urban settings. In fact, it shines best there, bragging of 60+ mpg. Moot point though, since it's not available in the USA.
Is there something fundamental to turbo diesels which you feel gives them a handicap in city driving? Anyway, the OP must be planning a few highway miles to clock 40K/Yr.
I used to jones for a TDI, but now with the advent of really economical gasoline powered cars, along with not dealing with the headaches of general VW ownership... I think I will stick with gasoline for now. If only Ford would put out their diesel compact cars here... best of both worlds.
The intake manifolds get clogged up with "gunk" unless there is enough sustained high rev driving to keep it burned off, and they tend to be more suceptable to oil leaks if they are driven mostly in urban environs.
Pardon my ignorance but I was told this was mostly due to feeding it poorly cycled fuel. That if you were careful to get your diesel from a high-volume source that always has 'fresh' tanks this was less likely. Was this knowledge passed to me bad information? -Magnus
That depends, did you get the information from some one involved in car sales or car service? Salesmen tell you what you want to hear in order to get you to buy the car. It is better to get that type of information from people who work on the cars outside of the dealership. I was in the car service industry for 20 years and that is the knowledge I am drawing on for this subject. Find a local independent car repair shop, preferably a reputable one and not a franchise store and talk to the service manger or one of the technicians who specializes in the type of car you are considering for purchase. Chances are they'll be happy to share the expertise and give you a straight answer.
Service, my Uncle actually.. owns a service shop and a few highway fuel depots. However, that doesn't mean I trust his expertise. He used to sell cars ages ago but never to me. ;-) -Magnus
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