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What Would It Take for YOU to buy a diesel car?

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Comments

  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    edited January 2015
    stever said:

    Poor VW just can't get a break.

    If it helps, I have to reorder propane tomorrow and it'll be delivered in a diesel truck.

    That reminds me, gotta call for another solar quote tomorrow from the other local company here.

    Well, the "world domination theme" left over from WW2 is still being played out between Japan and Germany. Toyota seems to be slightly ahead, even as I am given to understand VW is more profitable % wise.

  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    edited January 2015
    stever said:

    Poor VW just can't get a break.

    If it helps, I have to reorder propane tomorrow and it'll be delivered in a diesel truck.

    That reminds me, gotta call for another solar quote tomorrow from the other local company here.

    Well no, it doesn't appear to help me, but would probably helps you. I am sure your supplier would not want HIS fuel mpg to DROP by converting to RUG/PUG ! ? He would have to pass on the increased costs?

    There has to be a joke here somewhere with a lead in like: you don't need a computer, its more like 1 mile after the warranty period?

    New Chevrolet cars will predict when their parts are going to fail
    By Chris Ziegler on January 4, 2015 07:00 pm

    http://www.theverge.com/2015/1/4/7489581/new-chevrolet-models-will-predict-when-parts-are-going-to-fail-ces-2015
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    edited January 2015
    stever said:

    Poor VW just can't get a break.

    If it helps, I have to reorder propane tomorrow and it'll be delivered in a diesel truck.

    That reminds me, gotta call for another solar quote tomorrow from the other local company here.


    You all have been busy typing. Propane filled Saturday @$3.17 LPG. Total $431 since October 1st last fill-up. Considering this is the coldest winter in 8 years living here that is not too bad.

    I think the solar deals where you just buy the electricity and they own the equipment makes the most sense. Are you wanting to climb up and clean off the panels after every dust storm? I still worry about screwing up my roof.

    Car shopping. If I was buying a gasser it would not likely be a VW. Got a Jetta loaner for a day and it handled ok, just not up to my comfort level in any way. If you can live with the rubber band drive in the Subaru, that would be my first choice in gas wagons on a budget. Thankfully I can afford the Touareg TDI, which will take a heck of an SUV to replace.

    Our Costco diesel is holding at $2.59 same as their PUG. It will be a few weeks before I need to refill. My go to stations between here and Roseburg seem to be holding close. The price difference across the USA seems to be varied a lot. Very rare that we have the cheapest diesel on the West Coast. I cannot find anyplace in CA with a lower price on diesel than Costco. And the town we spend some time in Roseburg Oregon seems to have the cheapest diesel in the state. No complaints here. With current prices and 15,000 miles a year I am saving right at $1000 per year over driving the Sequoia. And only have to visit a gas station 25 times vs 50 times with the gas guzzler. Diesel would have to be over double the price of gas to make me think about going back.

    PS
    Who does Ford think they will fool with their new 2.7L Eco-Boost engine? Bet a person would be lucky to get 19 MPG average. Give me the Ram diesel and get it all, power and great mileage.
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    edited January 2015
    I just did a quick and dirty calculation 15,000 miles ( yr, avg, US) with local RUG @ $ 2.65/ULSD @ $ 3.19. TLC 15 mpg, $ 2,650 vs VW T TDI 31 mpg , $1,544, which would be a ULSD savings of $1,106 per year. CPMD : fuel = .1767 vs .1029. To push the same weight, RUG is 72% MORE.

    On CHEAPER RUG/PUG

    The most interesting geopolitical risk of 2015
    Daniel W. Drezner
    By Daniel W. Drezner January 5 at 9:25 AM
    Daniel W. Drezner is a professor of international politics at Tufts University and a nonresident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution.

    http://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2015/01/05/the-most-interesting-geopolitical-risk-of-2015/?hpid=z3

    It is intesting BO POTUS is NOT "spiking the football", colloquially !! Kudos this time for BOTH !
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    edited January 2015
    To complete the NEXUS, it really gets back to the fact that 75% of the PVF are LARGE cars to so called "light trucks". Even @ that, 24 mpg AVERAGE has been mentioned in any number of articles and times for the current PVF. So with the larger PU's/SUV's/CUV's having been at best 15 mpg, going to a diesel CUV more @ 29 to 32 mpg is app 50% LESS+ consumption or 100 % + better fuel mileage !!! This is HUGE !!

    So, (using the same ratios) IF 30 mpg is the new forward looking LOW mpg (it is NOT obviously) , the AVERAGE forward looking mpg will be 48 mpg (practical 2025 target is 47 mpg) !!!! My 2003 Jetta TDI would have had higher mpg for @ least 2 decades.
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    edited January 2015
    Why This Might Be the Beginning of the End for the Toyota Prius
    Brad Tuttle @bradrtuttle 10:55 AM ET

    Is the Prius slipping? Evidently Toyota might be preparing for the worst ? Why is the VW TDI GOLF video intergrated with this article?

    http://time.com/money/3654905/toyota-prius-hybrids-sales-decline/

    ..."Researchers factored in the upfront costs of the Prius and a similarly equipped gas-powered Chevy Cruze, and then did the math on how long it would take for the pricier Prius to pay off via savings on fuel. The answer was that with $2 gas prices, you’d have to own the Prius for 28 years to break even compared with the overall costs of the Cruze."...

    I have used the 04 Prius against the 04 Honda Civic and have (long ago) come to similar conclusions (with a series of popular commute cars) with even GREATER number of years to B/E.

    (sidebar: the 2004 Honda Civic has 175,000 miles. We have been running 20,000 miles OCI's . To state the OBVIOUS, I am not anti gasser or diesel ONLY)

    I certainly would probably not have selected the 2003 Jetta TDI over the 04 Prius, IF it were more compelling. In effect, the COMMUTE is STILL a requirement. :o Evidently the underlying factors affecting the situation has not changed much.

    It makes me wonder if the HOLLYWOOD STARS (like DiCaprio) still have their 2004 Priuses? At the time mpg was 43 mpg. With the 2003 VW Jetta TDI (STILL) getting 50 mpg AND @ current prices RUG 2.59/ULSD 3.19= CPMD: FUEL .06023/.0638. I broke even in the first quarter 2003. So in effect in 187,000 miles cost $667.59 MORE @ todays prices. I STILL would be working on BE, IF I had gotten the 2004 Prius.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Toyota is really pushing hydrogen lately - like Tesla, they are giving away a lot of patents. But the infrastructure burden will be even harder to overcome than charging stations.
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    edited January 2015
    stever said:

    Toyota is really pushing hydrogen lately - like Tesla, they are giving away a lot of patents. But the infrastructure burden will be even harder to overcome than charging stations.

    I think a past GALLONAGE discussion (like model 15 mpg vs 30 mpg) has been /is /remains key AND instructive. Really, how many folks have gotten Priuses (sized) when they really needed a PU truck ????? Now this might be an environmental conservatives day dream fantasy. I am also sure some have done EXACTLY that, BUT obviously the PU truck want/need has dropped out.
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Do you think anyone would buy a diesel/electric Prius light duty pickup truck?
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    edited January 2015

    Do you think anyone would buy a diesel/electric Prius light duty pickup truck?

    MEANING?

    They didn't even make a TDI Prius hybrid? Let alone a PU? I have even said more than once, a DIESEL Prius hybrid would do FAR better than a Prius GASSER/Hybrid, specifically 30% + PLUS better? NADA in a DECADE PLUS ??? Meaning NO disrespect: UNDERWHELMING !!! ????

    It took TOYOTA INXS of 5 years and who knows how many redesigns to hit 50 mpg, aka overcome the brouhaha over the 2004 Prius mpg debacle. This was NOT from DIESEL owners, but its own PRUIS CUSTOMERS ??????? ? We also need to keep in mind the hybrid portion offered 20% dividend in the mpg regard?

    Again, meaning NO disrespect: UNDERWHELMING !!! ???? Keep in mind I am a VERY long time Toyota FAN !! ???

    So the issue (lessen foreign oil usage) has been more than moot and for a VERY long time. This is true EVEN IF RUG/PUG use REMAINS @ 95% + for the PVF !!!! ?????
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    stever said:

    Toyota is really pushing hydrogen lately - like Tesla, they are giving away a lot of patents. But the infrastructure burden will be even harder to overcome than charging stations.


    You have to wonder about Toyota wasting money on Hydrogen? Didn't they see the dismal failure that Honda had with their program? It may work for a fleet vehicle where you have a hydrogen plant to recharge. I don't think anyone makes a home unit. CNG is mostly dead for non commercial use. I think the company building the CNG home units went belly up. I think I read that 80% of hydrogen comes from Natural Gas. And the lion's share becomes fertilizer to grow bigger corn crops. What a screwed up energy policy we have.
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    edited January 2015
    gagrice said:

    stever said:

    Toyota is really pushing hydrogen lately - like Tesla, they are giving away a lot of patents. But the infrastructure burden will be even harder to overcome than charging stations.


    You have to wonder about Toyota wasting money on Hydrogen? Didn't they see the dismal failure that Honda had with their program? It may work for a fleet vehicle where you have a hydrogen plant to recharge. I don't think anyone makes a home unit. CNG is mostly dead for non commercial use. I think the company building the CNG home units went belly up. I think I read that 80% of hydrogen comes from Natural Gas. And the lion's share becomes fertilizer to grow bigger corn crops. What a screwed up energy policy we have.
    INDEED !!! A while back I posted that Hayward, CA industrial space beta test site of a app 9 ft x 12 ft unit that can make fuel molecules RUG/PUG/ULSD, etc for roughly $1.00 DOLLAR per gal !!! All that is needed is natural gas access !!!!!!!!!!! This is beyond HUGE !!!!!!!! Why would anyone want deep sea (arctic, antarctic, Berring Sea, etc,etc,) oil which will be refined at who knows where, when they can literally make (RUG/PUG/ULSD) it for you at a LOCAL SITE, where no indigenous oil can be FOUND !!!!!!!!
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    edited January 2015
    ruking1 said:

    gagrice said:

    stever said:

    Toyota is really pushing hydrogen lately - like Tesla, they are giving away a lot of patents. But the infrastructure burden will be even harder to overcome than charging stations.


    You have to wonder about Toyota wasting money on Hydrogen? Didn't they see the dismal failure that Honda had with their program? It may work for a fleet vehicle where you have a hydrogen plant to recharge. I don't think anyone makes a home unit. CNG is mostly dead for non commercial use. I think the company building the CNG home units went belly up. I think I read that 80% of hydrogen comes from Natural Gas. And the lion's share becomes fertilizer to grow bigger corn crops. What a screwed up energy policy we have.

    For (the USA) being the WORLDS HUGE IST natural gas producer, to not have any measurable PVF that runs natural gas is on the surface, almost totally illogical.

    INDEED !!! A while back I posted that Hayward, CA industrial space beta test site of unit that can make fuel molecules RUG/PUG/ULSD, etc for roughly $1.00 DOLLAR per gal !!! All that is needed is natural gas access and appropriate chemistry !!!!!!!!!!! This is beyond HUGE !!!!!!!! Game changing, massive disrupting comes to mind !!!! Why would anyone want deep sea (arctic, antarctic, Berring Sea, etc,etc,) oil which will be refined at who knows where, when they can literally make (RUG/PUG/ULSD) it for you at a LOCAL SITE, where no indigenous oil can be FOUND !!!!!!!!

    SIDE BAR (I do know why,) it is the proverbial rhetorical question.

    A barrel (42 gals) of FINISHED products is/are actually CHEAPER than a barrel of CRUDE oil currently !!! ???

    More on diesel. 2014 sales are projected to exceed 17 M units vs last years' of 16.5 M !!!! So I am wondering out loud what is the diesel PERCENTAGE %?
  • cdnpinheadcdnpinhead Member Posts: 5,618
    For what it's worth, there's a Sunoco here in Cleveland selling diesel for 3.39/gal and RUG for 1.79. I've never seen such a spread.
    '08 Acura TSX, '17 Subaru Forester
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    edited January 2015

    For what it's worth, there's a Sunoco here in Cleveland selling diesel for 3.39/gal and RUG for 1.79. I've never seen such a spread.

    Thank a fracker on PRIVATE non government LAND !!! IF the BO Potus Administration, et al had its way, circa Energy Secretary Steven Chu Ph'D, we'd be closer to $10.00 US per gal like UK, Germ. Japan. They would have also gotten serially HOSED by the USA enemies also !! Now because of frackers and an unchacteristic display of backbone, USA enemies are in a world of hurt !!!! Thank diesel users for tipping the USA balance of international payments in a POSITIVE direction. Enjoy while you can. But I think you would agree, no good turn goes unpunished.
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    rukingINDEED !!! A while back I posted that Hayward, CA industrial space beta test site of a app 9 ft x 12 ft unit that can make fuel molecules RUG/PUG/ULSD, etc for roughly $1.00 DOLLAR per gal !!! All that is needed is natural gas access !


    That would for sure be a handy unit to have. Gas to Liquid (GTL) diesel is extremely clean burning. I believe both Shell and Exxon have huge processing plants in Qatar, where the largest know gas reserves are located. If enough diesel flows into the World market we may see cheaper diesel here. Just dreaming. My guess is gas will be back over $3 by April.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Filled up for $2.37 today. Propane.

    "The Mayor seems to have a love affair with diesel that must end."

    Hard to believe the quote is in reference to the Mayor of London, where Air pollution in London's Oxford Street has already breached the legal limit for the whole of 2015 – in just four days. (independent.co.uk)

    (Newer diesel cars emit more NO2, per an airqualitynews.com link.)
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    Hmmm I wonder if all that is due to another freak temperature inversion, like the one in Paris a year ago that got similar whiny over-monied patronizing bleeding heart past their prime Eurocrat idiots to bleat and whine like the idiot lawyer in that article. And of course his group is providing the statistics. It would be interesting to examine his investment portfolios and donors.
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    stever said:

    Filled up for $2.37 today. Propane.

    "The Mayor seems to have a love affair with diesel that must end."

    Hard to believe the quote is in reference to the Mayor of London, where Air pollution in London's Oxford Street has already breached the legal limit for the whole of 2015 – in just four days. (independent.co.uk)

    (Newer diesel cars emit more NO2, per an airqualitynews.com link.)


    Probably cost too much to convert those double deck buses to CNG. And all the lorries are likely diesel. They could ban the buses and get rid of all those pesky tourists. Only allow horse drawn delivery and rickshaws for transport. Or just abandon the stinking city. They cause nothing but trouble and crime.
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    Another advantage of small towns. Most have better air quality. Las Cruces looks good.

    http://www.numbeo.com/pollution/city_result.jsp?country=United+States&city=Las+Cruces,+NM
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    It was pretty nice sitting out in the back patio this afternoon waiting for the propane truck to arrive. And luckily I'm upwind of WIPP. B)

    Been seeing a lot of interest in the Touareg TDI in several posts today - might be a good time for you to upgrade to a new one.
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    edited January 2015
    stever said:

    It was pretty nice sitting out in the back patio this afternoon waiting for the propane truck to arrive. And luckily I'm upwind of WIPP. B)

    Been seeing a lot of interest in the Touareg TDI in several posts today - might be a good time for you to upgrade to a new one.


    I cannot find any changes from my 2013 to the 2015. I still have almost 3 years of service and 28,000 miles. For sure they will have to offer NAV with Google maps like they have in the Audi. Not much else I would change.

    PS
    It was 81 degrees here today. If that holds I may get by with with just two fills for the year on Propane. Yours is too cheap.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    Seattle compares pretty well, for a place of its size and constant diesel commercial vehicle traffic - maybe easier to earn a living here too, I suspect.

    http://www.numbeo.com/pollution/compare_cities.jsp?country1=United+States&country2=United+States&city1=Seattle,+WA&city2=Las+Cruces,+NM

    Strangely, my suburb, which is more populous than Las Cruces, isn't on the list.
    gagrice said:

    Another advantage of small towns. Most have better air quality. Las Cruces looks good.

    http://www.numbeo.com/pollution/city_result.jsp?country=United+States&city=Las+Cruces,+NM

  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Yes but Las Cruces is as dirty and untidy as Brooklyn! But the water is just as good in both places.

    http://www.numbeo.com/pollution/compare_cities.jsp?country1=United+States&country2=United+States&city1=Brooklyn,+NY&city2=Las+Cruces,+NM

    Don't you just LOVE statistics?

  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    edited January 2015
    fintail said:

    Seattle compares pretty well, for a place of its size and constant diesel commercial vehicle traffic - maybe easier to earn a living here too, I suspect.

    http://www.numbeo.com/pollution/compare_cities.jsp?country1=United+States&country2=United+States&city1=Seattle,+WA&city2=Las+Cruces,+NM

    Strangely, my suburb, which is more populous than Las Cruces, isn't on the list.


    gagrice said:

    Another advantage of small towns. Most have better air quality. Las Cruces looks good.

    http://www.numbeo.com/pollution/city_result.jsp?country=United+States&city=Las+Cruces,+NM


    I am sure also that Las Cruces is not a major and GREAT US PORT city LIKE.... SEATTLE, aka MASSIVE UNMITIGATED BUNKER oil EMISSIONS ( 25,000 ppm sulfur vs a massively smaller DIESEL passenger car @ 15 ppm sulfur nominally delivered @ 5 to 10 ppm and FULLY emissions mitigated !!! ??? YET pollution is FAR LESS !!! ???
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 17,681
    I dunno, Steve; I love big cities.... they concentrate populations in small areas and keep them out of the small towns I enjoy!
    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    edited January 2015
    xwesx said:

    I dunno, Steve; I love big cities.... they concentrate populations in small areas and keep them out of the small towns I enjoy!

    Truly that is the bad/good news !! So if one is able to live in a "Small Town", more power to one !! HALF and HALF !? It is all good !! ??
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    edited January 2015
    I could definitely live in Brooklyn. Manhattan would be better but NY taxes would kill me anywhere up there. I actually like (parts) of LA a lot. Boise was the cleanest place we've lived, especially the lack of litter. Seattle used to bug me but mostly because I was stuck flying through there if I wanted to get anywhere. Lots of friends wound up there and visiting them and the BIL is always fun. A bit too damp along the NW coast for us (read, my wife....), but I could easily live there. Like Salem a lot too - bit more manageable size. The seafood is better in Seattle though.

    And yeah, I wouldn't mind if Cruces was 200k instead of 100k. But it's easy to get to El Paso if you need a Costco or tapas fix. Or a flight. Really like the Hispanic and Spanish influence here. The overflow of the artsy crowd from Taos and Santa Fe is about the best part. My wife is working on a curve-billed thrasher with her pastels right now and her watercolor class starts next week. Her loom has been neglected due to all over company we've had since Thanksgiving. Mine's still under rehab out in the garage.

    Y'all come. Just don't idle your TDIs in the driveway please. :D
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    Apologies if my post was taken the WRONG way ! The only point was really the unmitigated generation of MASSIVE pollution (Seattle PORT emissions traffic) without a matching one in your area !! It was in no way shape or form a criticism of your/the area.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    edited January 2015
    It's all good - there's a lot of nice places to visit out there. Just too many to enjoy living in.

    Seattle will get better if they ever dig up Big Bertha and figure out how to open up the waterfront to more people. When more people see the black smokers steaming into port, they'll really start complaining.
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    edited January 2015
    stever said:

    It's all good - there's a lot of nice places to visit out there. Just too many to enjoy living in.

    Seattle will get better if they ever dig up Big Bertha and figure out how to open up the waterfront to more people. When more people see the black smokers steaming into port, they'll really start complaining.

    I think you have really put your fingers on the opportunities !! Despite all the dislocations, business disruptions, foment, ferment etc. It is a WONDERFUL time to be alive !! The DODD/FRANK mechanism and cheaper fuel, (aka the UNDERSTANDING of it) will in due time and place, help to reverse the migration to the cities, despite the longer term policy. Normally it takes a generation to a generation and a half (40 to 60 years). EMIGRATION is the life's blood in and of America !
  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 17,681
    I doubt it was, ruking. Population and pollution concentrations are definitely not on direct correlation. North Pole, Alaska, likely has (by far) the worst air quality in the nation over this last week with PM25 concentrations nearing 200 micro-grams per cubit meter of air. The EPA limit, for reference, is 35. With perhaps 30,000 people in that area, which is rather vast compared to many "cities" of that size, clearly population isn't everything. :)
    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    edited January 2015
    xwesx said:

    I doubt it was, ruking. Population and pollution concentrations are definitely not on direct correlation. North Pole, Alaska, likely has (by far) the worst air quality in the nation over this last week with PM25 concentrations nearing 200 micro-grams per cubit meter of air. The EPA limit, for reference, is 35. With perhaps 30,000 people in that area, which is rather vast compared to many "cities" of that size, clearly population isn't everything. :)


    Then you really understood my point/s !!!!!! Of course, environmental conservatives will now blame YOU for "CRUSHING emissions" for.... farting in the wilderness !!! ;) (my past references to my 2003 Jetta TDI CA certified causing most to all DIESEL emissions in the state of CA ! Shall I /we take Trump arrogance bows? :D )

    So you want my answer to those POOR polar bears? Make all those failed city sushi chefs move to areas like yours and prepare RAW fish. You know get the liberals to support something like a "PEACE CORP's ," ;) ENVIRONMENTAL INTERNSHIPS. Or maybe give classes to train them on Polar Bear port a potty use. We might need clarification on trans gender polar bear port a potty use. (does a bear....?????? woods)

    On a more serious note,

    ..."Over 90% of the coal produced in the US is used for electricity generation."...

    ..."Electricity storage is expensive. Most of the produced electricity is consumed instantaneously. So, electricity generation mirrors consumption."...

    http://finance.yahoo.com/news/electricity-generation-lowest-5-weeks-181501753.html

    GO EV !!! ???

  • xwesxxwesx Member Posts: 17,681
    LOL! I had a great laugh over that one... thanks! Although, you may be on to something regarding "farting in the wilderness." I have had awfully bad gas this past week....
    2018 Subaru Crosstrek, 2014 Audi Q7 TDI, 2013 Subaru Forester, 2013 Ford F250 Lariat D, 1976 Ford F250, 1969 Chevrolet C20, 1969 Ford Econoline 100
  • slorenzenslorenzen Member Posts: 694
    xwesx said:

    LOL! I had a great laugh over that one... thanks! Although, you may be on to something regarding "farting in the wilderness." I have had awfully bad gas this past week....

    Thanks for sharing...

    :s
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    One of the close cheapest Chevron stations

    ULSD $3.09

    RUG $ 2.79
    MG $ 2.89
    PUG $ 2.99
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    Steve:My wife is working on a curve-billed thrasher with her pastels right now and her watercolor class starts next week.

    We have CA Thrashers nesting in our Pride of Madeira bushes. They love to flick the seeds out of the feeder onto the deck with their curved beak. Fun birds to watch, mostly running everywhere. Skittish hard to get good pictures of.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    edited January 2015
    Shoot @ruking1, there's a new (to me) battery storage buzzword floating around and I've already forgotten it. One of those combo jobs but using something even more exotic than a capacitor. The "nice" thing about going natural gas instead of coal for EV fuel is that you can ramp up and down a lot easier than coal. makes it a good backup for solar or wind too (until they get storage figured out).

    Maybe the buzzword will come to me at 3 am and I can get up and post....

    "90% of the coal produced in the US is used for electricity generation"

    It'll be even higher now that the steelmills are cutting back a bit. But that's a far cry from saying that 90% of our electrical generation comes from coal. That's shrinking last I hear.

    Saw $2.99 diesel here at the Valero downtown. Right across the street from the Bradley, which had RUG for $1.73.
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    edited January 2015
    No doubt the same types who want everyone else on the (often diesel) bus, but they'll keep driving and living in a 900K energy thirsty house they bought for 90K 30 years ago and claim they planned it that way. It's a Seattle thing.

    Less dense areas can be real nice for driving or riding, or for owning a little place with some land, but aren't often workable for the typical private sector worker - these days, many people just go where the jobs are, whether it be the dense jams of Seattle, the sprawl of Dallas, the insanity of SF and LA, etc. As grinds go, it's not so bad here, just adjust to the weather and enjoy the most comfortable summers in the country.
    stever said:

    It's all good - there's a lot of nice places to visit out there. Just too many to enjoy living in.

    Seattle will get better if they ever dig up Big Bertha and figure out how to open up the waterfront to more people. When more people see the black smokers steaming into port, they'll really start complaining.

  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    edited January 2015
    fintail said:

    No doubt the same types who want everyone else on the (often diesel) bus, but they'll keep driving and living in a 900K energy thirsty house they bought for 90K 30 years ago and claim they planned it that way. It's a Seattle thing.

    Less dense areas can be real nice for driving or riding, or for owning a little place with some land, but aren't often workable for the typical private sector worker - these days, many people just go where the jobs are, whether it be the dense jams of Seattle, the sprawl of Dallas, the insanity of SF and LA, etc. As grinds go, it's not so bad here, just adjust to the weather and enjoy the most comfortable summers in the country.

    stever said:

    It's all good - there's a lot of nice places to visit out there. Just too many to enjoy living in.

    Seattle will get better if they ever dig up Big Bertha and figure out how to open up the waterfront to more people. When more people see the black smokers steaming into port, they'll really start complaining.

    Another inexplicable truth is so called "walk able" cities (like Seattle, almost any city really) have utterly "FAILED" to make major parts of the (its') city "walkable. "

    Some examples of "walkable" are to live within 1.5 miles of almost literally most of what you have to do. Since you mentioned jobs, to live within 1.5 miles of ones' job. Assuming a job in the area that say I would like to live , or where I grew up, that would take $ 2 m, IF I were lucky enough to even get a place. Even @ that I would be FORCED to build parking spaces/garages (new place) . @ todays building costs per sq ft that would be app $160,000. This does not include app $ 2,800 per year annual taxation or a min of $82,000 over the life of a 30 yr loan and beyond. So if I CHOSE to not have a car, I will still pay for NOT having one or two.

    They even frown on one doing a business in ones own house, if one is lucky enough to be able to do that. Again there are exceptions, but one can hardly get one built nowadays, even as there are still examples from bygone eras.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    edited January 2015
    ruking1 said:

    Another inexplicable truth is so called "walk able" cities (like Seattle, almost any city really) have utterly FAILED to make major parts of the (its') city "walkable. "

    That's what happens when you adopt a car culture. There were 254.4 million registered cars in '07 - for 301 million people that year. My wife and I are anomolies - we (currently) share a car and we have no commute. If we both worked in town, there'd be two more parking places used up, assuming we didn't carpool. Cue Joni Mitchell (a tree museum could actually work here, lol). No bus service in our area, diesel driven or otherwise.

    Now, if we moved to California, in 14 years, we could take advantage of the fancy new high-speed rail service. Powered by advanced clean-diesel technology. :D

  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    I always joke about Seattle "both vehicle and pedestrian unfriendly". Many areas are relatively walkable in terms of not "needing" to drive to the store or restaurant, but I hope you like living in a shoebox, and paying for it. Average house price within 1.5 miles of where I work is probably about 750K (and it'll be 60 years old), a bargain compared to there. Diesel might be cheaper too. I'll take it over the SF bay area madness, or much of LA.
    ruking1 said:


    Another inexplicable truth is so called "walk able" cities (like Seattle, almost any city really) have utterly FAILED to make major parts of the (its') city "walkable. "

    Some examples of "walkable" are to live within 1.5 miles of almost literally most of what you have to do. Since you mentioned jobs, to live within 1.5 miles of ones job. Assuming a job in the area that say I would like to live , or where I grew up, that would take $ 2 m, IF I were lucky enough to even get a place. Even @ that I would be FORCED to build parking spaces/garages (new place) . @ todays building costs per sq ft that would be app $160,000. They even frown on one doing a business in ones own house, if one is lucky enough to be able to do that. Again there are exceptions, but one can hardly get one built nowadays, even as there are still examples from bygone eras.

  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    Ruking: Another inexplicable truth is so called "walk able" cities (like Seattle, almost any city really) have utterly "FAILED" to make major parts of the (its') city "walkable. "

    Not a city in the USA I would feel safe at night walking in. At least unarmed. There was a time when San Diego was safe at night. Not anymore.

    Steve: Now, if we moved to California, in 14 years, we could take advantage of the fancy new high-speed rail service. Powered by advanced clean-diesel technology.

    They cannot get the right of ways for the first leg to NOWHERE. They Cannot get the financing for that boondoggle. Only way it will EVER be built is if the Chinese come in and build it for the state.

    http://www.latimes.com/opinion/readersreact/la-le-0107-wednesday-high-speed-rail-20150107-story.html

    The 29 mile train to NOWHERE.

    http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/01/07/california-bullet-train-most-expensive-public-works-project-in-us-history/
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    edited January 2015
    gagrice said:

    Ruking: Another inexplicable truth is so called "walk able" cities (like Seattle, almost any city really) have utterly "FAILED" to make major parts of the (its') city "walkable. "

    Not a city in the USA I would feel safe at night walking in. At least unarmed. There was a time when San Diego was safe at night. Not anymore.

    Steve: Now, if we moved to California, in 14 years, we could take advantage of the fancy new high-speed rail service. Powered by advanced clean-diesel technology.

    They cannot get the right of ways for the first leg to NOWHERE. They Cannot get the financing for that boondoggle. Only way it will EVER be built is if the Chinese come in and build it for the state.

    http://www.latimes.com/opinion/readersreact/la-le-0107-wednesday-high-speed-rail-20150107-story.html

    The 29 mile train to NOWHERE.

    http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/01/07/california-bullet-train-most-expensive-public-works-project-in-us-history/

    That is WAY too funny, both from its current irony and "ancient" history !! ???? The "Chinese gangs" built the WESTERN Railroad, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_Transcontinental_Railroad They built the Sacramento River Delta. Of late, they built a majority of Port (Oakland/ Long Beach ) cranes and have taken some heat for building pieces of the Bay Bridge.
  • eliaselias Member Posts: 2,209
    edited January 2015
    Quote:
    You're assuming the price of gas will STAY a lot cheaper.
    It won't.
    And if you spend any time driving on the highway, the diesel is much nicer to live with.
    End quote.

    Actually, we don't know the future of diesel vs gas prices or much else.
    And past trends do not seem to match the current situation.

    Gas V8s remain better for highway driving than any of the 4 diesels I've owned, whether stick shift or DSG or slush box. It would be fun to compare a V8 2-reg to a TDI. Or a V8 BMW 5 series to a diesel 5 series, or V8 A6 to diesel A6, but pretty sure V8 models of those BMW/Audi cars aren't available. (?).

    I've heard that recent V10 gas engines are even better for highway driving than gas V8s ! Maybe V12 too, but I really don't hear great things about those V12 Jaguars.
  • eliaselias Member Posts: 2,209
    It's -8F today , I wonder if any diesel vehicle drivers are having fuel-gelling issues this morning, and how quickly my cruze 1.8L My will warm up... And if any pipes are frozen in my house - its time to check.


    in California last week i rented a 2015 Cruze Lt with the turbo motor. No surprise that it was way faster than my 1.8L cruze.

    I'd buy another Cruze! They are very nice cars. Thank you GM for not making a stick shift diesel cruze, because I would have had to buy one, costing me an extra $10k . :)
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    edited January 2015
    elias said:

    Quote:
    You're assuming the price of gas will STAY a lot cheaper.
    It won't.
    And if you spend any time driving on the highway, the diesel is much nicer to live with.
    End quote.

    Actually, we don't know the future of diesel vs gas prices or much else.
    And past trends do not seem to match the current situation.

    Gas V8s remain better for highway driving than any of the 4 diesels I've owned, whether stick shift or DSG or slush box. It would be fun to compare a V8 2-reg to a TDI. Or a V8 BMW 5 series to a diesel 5 series, or V8 A6 to diesel A6, but pretty sure V8 models of those BMW/Audi cars aren't available. (?).

    I've heard that recent V10 gas engines are even better for highway driving than gas V8s ! Maybe V12 too, but I really don't hear great things about those V12 Jaguars.

    To take the position that the price of diesel vs gas prices or much else is unknowable is almost inexplicable and conveys almost no information. It would also pose the question of "so what ?" to your past treads do not match current situations quote.

    Truth is if you read between the lines of me saying for a very long time, fuel prices are artificial and fuel ABUNDANT, you probably would have reached far DIFFERENT conclusions. Be that as it may, IF one couches most things as unsolvable or unknowable, it would hardly be a surprise when one comes to those conclusions, most times.

    Actually, why would you insist on anything other than a same cylinder 4,6,8,10 12 diesel/gas comparison?

    To beat a dead horse, I have posted about a small block V8 turbo diesel for a Corvette.
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    edited January 2015
    elias said:

    It's -8F today , I wonder if any diesel vehicle drivers are having fuel-gelling issues this morning, and how quickly my cruze 1.8L My will warm up... And if any pipes are frozen in my house - its time to check.


    in California last week i rented a 2015 Cruze Lt with the turbo motor. No surprise that it was way faster than my 1.8L cruze.

    I'd buy another Cruze! They are very nice cars. Thank you GM for not making a stick shift diesel cruze, because I would have had to buy one, costing me an extra $10k . :)

    For sure GM has yet to figure out how to come under a 10,000 premium for a stick shift diesel Cruze. :D Oh that is right, how could you come to that conclusion? ;)

  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,415
    I've had a MB with a tuned V8 that performs better than 98% of the vehicles on the road, and a similar car with a modern 6cyl diesel. IMHO, the diesel was the equal of the gasoline car in highway cruising, the torque and modern transmission making it willing and effortless. The V8 was willing and effortless too, but with a 30% mileage reduction.

    V12 Jaguars are malaise relics or vintage cars now. They are great if you like low oil pressure, or engine fires, so I hear. I think high cylinder engines are going to end up either obsolete, or anachronisms.
    elias said:

    Quote:

    Gas V8s remain better for highway driving than any of the 4 diesels I've owned, whether stick shift or DSG or slush box. It would be fun to compare a V8 2-reg to a TDI. Or a V8 BMW 5 series to a diesel 5 series, or V8 A6 to diesel A6, but pretty sure V8 models of those BMW/Audi cars aren't available. (?).

    I've heard that recent V10 gas engines are even better for highway driving than gas V8s ! Maybe V12 too, but I really don't hear great things about those V12 Jaguars.

  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    edited January 2015
    1 mile from end destination, scanned in a .50 cent grocery discount for $ 2.59 per gal, taking on 23.99/26.4 gal for 745 miles, after the 12 VW Touareg TDI's low fuel lamp lit on the upgrade SOS/DD trek,

    Conditions were beautiful (sunny but colder) to dicey (overcast) with mountain roads wet to maybe icy coming off the nights 25 degrees F. Car is very dirty, but it was a yippee, yahoo upgrade trip.
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