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What Would It Take for YOU to buy a diesel car?
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Oh yeah, drove about 250 miles in the past day, mileage was a something around 42.3, IIRC.
I can write off my miles and end up with a better tax return than with a lease deduction. 56.5 cents per mile for business trips. If I get 30 mpg that is only 13 cents a mile for diesel. Better to take the mileage than expenses.
On the diesel subject, I read on a MB forum that someone is claiming yet again that a C250 diesel is coming to the US. I hope it's more than a rumor. That car would be ideal - lower price, lighter weight - with that engine would be a 50mpg highway runner I bet.
The MB salesman mentioned a C class diesel coming. The day we were there a fellow was being shown all the intricacies of the SLS gull wing he was leasing. I was told he only has a short time to live and wants to live it to the max. $5000 per month for 24 months. $250k car. It was nice but not much room for luggage. He had two suitcases sitting on the back seats. Only new gull wing I have seen up close.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
Indeed that (R/E) is one logical way. It is not "fakey fakey" for those that conceive of those issues THAT way. That is unless one likes to pay "real real" x 2 l taxes as one is "anointed " to do. But hey even that is ok !! But if one choses to NOT, don't wait until the AMT kicks. The so called " 48%" can't be wrong !
Indeed I was impressed with the local MB dealer and or representative. The information conveyed was literally non stop and that was on the "kick the tires" first trip. :shades:
That seems like a crazy lease rate on the SLS, crazy high. I've seen C63 leases for under $700, and S-class in the $1000 neighborhood. A car that costs 2.5x shouldn't lease for 5x. I like his attitude though, you can't take it with you. I'm not going to work for decades, live like a miser, and then leave to some dopes to blow on toys.
I suspect the C diesel will be with the W205 for 2015.
The FIRE industries are fakey in their benevolence.
Depending on the salesperson, sometimes info should be doublechecked. If initial stories I heard were true, a diesel C would be on the road here now.
For the badge.
If I wanted a car with ordinary features, I'd get a more mainstream car. But I like the toys, the details, which is why the Bluetec I chose was relatively loaded.
If I could find a C300 4Matic with Xenons that's not loaded to the gills for a low down dirty price, then maybe, just maybe...
I swear every Passat I see on the road is a TDI (just to stay on topic).
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
If I ever end up with a C diesel, I want the toys - pano, keyless go, LED/xenons, nav, premium sound, parktronic, etc etc etc - not easy to find a C like that.
On that diesel note, I don't see a ton of E350 Bluetecs out there - it might be 1:10. And even fewer high option (P2 which includes a lot -adaptive xenon/LED, keyless go, premium sound, nav, auto trunk, etc), pano, lane departure, parktronic, etc diesel cars like mine. The uncommon aspect might make me want to keep it at the end of the lease - rarity has value to me.
We really do like the ML350 Bluetec also. The bottom line is $12k more to match the amenities in the Lux TDI. That and poor lease/financing terms at Mercedes. And the salesman bragged they would never give those kind of terms to sell a vehicle. Maybe Daimler should think about it. VW is kicking theirs and all the other automaker's butt, when it comes to net profit. Give good value and you will make good profit. The new Passat according to an article at the dealership is outselling Camry and Accord World wide.
Now the long wait till Thursday.
So I take it you are ok with paying more taxes and do not want to take part in "legitimate" deductions ! ? Again I am ok with that also.
I am looking forward to hearing your longer term take on the 13 VW T Luxury TDI.
This is probably TMI: I have read in passing (this is not advertised) but the 240 hp/406 # ft vs 225 hp/406 # ft is due to some LESS friction engine components (change) and a redesign of the chain and belt systems, for a boost of 15 hp and same # ft of torque.
Also VWA is selling a LOT of American made Passat TDI's !!
..."Alas, this is something not for the diesel forum "...
Perhaps you shouldn't have started in the first place.
Every once in awhile a particularly good engine comes along, and FF to today and I think that 2.1 in the GLK falls squarely into that category. NA has had this love affair with multiple cylinders for decades, and little by little they are starting to embrace the capability of the humble L4. Nowadays no matter which forum you read, it is interesting to see the attitude change and better respect the 4 cyl in cars like Accord and larger. Now factor in the torque available with a similar or even smaller sized turbo diesel, and now twin turbo, and gear driven counterbalancers and you have root pulling torque, combined with tremendous FE and still impressive smoothness. IMO, a turbo V6 is overkill in these vehicles that under 5000 lb. I wasn't sure until the 2.1 made its entry, but now that it has the proof is in the pudding. Doesn't mean all nameplates will accomplish that level of competence mind you.. but MB's been doing it since...well...the very beginning of the oil burner.
I am really not sure how VW will alter (if @ all) the 2.0 L 140 hp/236 # ft of torque product. My swag is that it is in its "sweet spot" across a few product lines. One notable example being the 84+ mpg on a EPA H rated 43 mpg Passat: setting several records, The 03 TDI had the 1.9 L TDI.
I have read and up coming 282 # ft on a GTD, but that falls under the category: believe it when it actually hits the market. Scale wise that will motivate a sub 3k # vehicle, where the MB GLK 250 while having a POTENT 369 # ft moves a sub 4.1k # vehicle.
I suspect one of the reasons the 2.1 is twin turbo'd here in NA is because of emissions. Apparently that same engine in EU uses a single turbo. Consequently is also the reason the one here has a fair bit more torque. I am still amazed at its torque number. Not when you consider what a 2.1 turbo is capable of, but for me, the amazement is that you can have that much torque on tap (for a fuel use penalty if you're using it naturally) but still have the pump delivery and injector sizes all sized to still deliver what I consider exceptional FE under very average real-world conditions, given the type and weight of the vehicle it's in.
But yes, a twin turbo in the V6 would make it rocket-like. Of course there goes your mtn climbing average of 32.5 mpg. (I used 32.5...as a recollection average..feel free to correct me if my memory of your average return is off too much)
One disadvantage to a twin turbo tho is extra front end weight, which all influences handling to one degree or another...something that Porsche would probably be more sensitive about than other brands.
edit - just checked...showing 4235 on a base GLK here, so a loaded one would likely up that by at least a 100 lb. Just a sunroof and extra roof bracing, probably gets close to 70 or 80 lbs.
Yes, I am still excited about the mpg especially going up and down in altitude. (ZERO to 7,382 ft and return to ZERO) On a sub 5k # vehicle all wheel drive? Still WOW.
So yes a sub 4.1 k # vehicle strapped to a 3.0 L TDI (twin turbo) more power and less weight, WOO HOO !! AND even BETTER fuel mileage? A gimme ! ? And in my dreams !
Yes I think Porsche Cayenne employes slightly different stabilizer bars on the Cay vs the VW Touareg. I forgot the marketing and technical descriptions, but essentially it is a anti roll option pressing against the anti roll bars @ higher (DEMAND) G forces. This has the effect of not being so STIFF at ("Soccer Mom") lower demands. This is good for .94 G on the skidpad (C&D statistic) .
I am sure the Touareg is very very close. Actually close to .94 G skidpad makes this CUV just plain FUN to drive !!!!! My real task in the winding mountain UPGRADE is not to break any of the unsecured house hold items (500 to 1500#'s ) or recreational gear loaded rear of the driver and front passenger seats.
I owned a 1978 240D at one time. Very plain basic car that would cruise all day at 70-80 mph and never break a sweat. It was fire engine red with red "moon" hubcaps and automatic transmission.
In spite of occasional frozen fuel lines and one very leisurely trip thru the Colorado Rockies, it never faltered or let me down. Not the most fancy or expensive car I have owned, but one that sticks out as one of the most loved by me.
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
A W123 240D was up to a blistering 65hp - with an automatic, 0-60 had to be around 20 seconds or more. But if one had it back in the malaise era, that wasn't hugely off the mark of many more powerful cars. With maintenance, they will just keep going.
They both last forever, mechanically - the body will wear out before the engine. I think modern diesels will be the same way,
When we bought my wife's 2013 Lexus LX570 back in Feb. they offered me a very good finance deal also. I would have taken it but Mrs. houdini said no thanks, we'll just pay cash. She refuses to borrow money, even when it makes financial sense. I started to explain that we would be saving money to finance it, saw the look on her face, and just wrote the check. After 46 years of marriage, I know when she has her mind made up.
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
American cars of the late 70's and early 80's were pretty much rattle traps and all done in after about 30,000 miles.
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460
Did you buy it new?
I will for sure and post some pics as well.
I would have taken it but Mrs. houdini said no thanks, we'll just pay cash.
It really surprised me that my wife agreed to the terms. She has never had a payment other than home mortgage. Has owned several Porsche, Mercedes and Lexus. When the salesman showed her the paper with $0 Dn and 0% interest on the entire amount. She said why not. She had the checkbook in hand. I have had vehicle loans. Never one with zero percent financing.
When I was flip flopping between the ML and Touareg, I stopped at a top Mercedes Indy shop. I asked the head mechanic about the newer diesels. He said no problems have shown up. He services several. As you know the dealer service is pricey.
But the 1% savings account interest would be nice or you could invest in some fading company. :shades:
Am sure all leases are different. I could not get one on the ML or Touareg that made good financial sense to me. I look at the total cost for the 36 months both with buying at the end or turning it back in. With the ML I was paying $12000 in what I would call interest. Or the amount over what was being used up in the vehicle and what was residual.
Cash price $55,000
residual $35,987
difference including tax, title, license $21,034
Lease $5k down $908 per month total paid out over 36 months = $37,688
VW lease was
cash price $48,304
residual $26,270
down $999
Monthly $814 for 36 months plus tax title license
That equals about $8 grand to lease their car.
My think is selling the car after 3 years. I will still owe $21,720 and it should be worth $34k looking at a current 3 year old Touareg TDI Lux. Which would give me back close to $13k that I paid in for the first 3 years. That should take my total out of pocket for the first 36 months to less than $550 per month. :shades:
Nowadays tho we have pretty extensive use of hot galvanized body and unibody metal. That, combined with progressive knowledge of where and how best to drain inner body panels and fender wells of moisture should help offset corrosion much much better than the old guys.
My longevity concerns with the new tech is more along the lines of so much electronic and software use. Combine that with extra high psi fuel lpressures and piezo type injectors etc (RTR parameters) and there is still lots of room for longevity issues per dollar invested.
2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460