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What Would It Take for YOU to buy a diesel car?
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If the Feds just added 6 cents to RUG/PUG to match the tax on diesel, that would be a good start for fixing our 3rd World roads and bridges. CA already has too much gas/D2 tax, for the little work they do on roads and bridges. Always in the top 3 states on taxes for everything.
http://www.digitaltrends.com/cars/2016-nissan-titan-xd-official-pictures-and-specs/
PUG @ $2.77
MG @ $2.67
RUG @ $2.57
On second thought:
..."a Cummins V8, 5.0 L TWIN TURBO 310 hp/ 555 # ft of torque diesel ??? !!!!! I am not sure why they didn't do the 8 speed A/T !!!!"..
would make a monster touring motor in a 15/16 Corvette !!!
(I'd have a tough time deciding between the 8/9/10 speed A/T and the 7 speed M/T {Tremec}) !!!
Crazy to imagine 555 # ft of torque (465 # ft gasser already) in sub 3,100 # aluminium frame and plastic and carbon fiber body !! I am thinking 38 mpg might be conservative? All three items, are almost nutty !!!
"DeHaan expects diesel prices to continue to fall by 35 to 50 cents a gallon nationally in the next month or so."
Diesel is on the road to lower prices (houstonchronicle.com)
(not that prices in OK will do a CA west coaster any good/vice versa.)
However, the price of RUG is a bit like talking about the weather (despite the various MACRO implications and consequences) ! ?
So, putting it in (15,000 miles high) AVERAGE yearly miles, PVF, @ (24.1) AVERAGE PVF: mpg (= 622 gals, yearly ), might be a more realistic context. So a $.50 cent savings = $311 year/12= $25.92 mo.
For diesels (30, 35, 40, 50 mpg ) (500 gals, 429 gals, 375 gal, 300 gals per year), it is a can do EASY to run the "interesting numbers" !
It would be nice to be around 2 bucks in April. Even at $4 or there about, diesel was less than 3 nights in a motel. Right now at $2.59 a gallon it is a bargain, compared to all other aspects of travel. If I traveled today at current diesel prices here and in Oregon the same trip I took in October would be about $200 in diesel. Cheapest airfare to Portland is $227 each. Then a cheap Ford Escape is around $800 for two weeks. Figure about ten times more to fly and rent a car over diesel cost. The worst part is dealing with the stinking government TSA agents. Life is getting better every day with a diesel SUV.
So for example, CHINA would not have grown as fast and as furiously if (American) manufacturing jobs had not been transferred overseas. Ditto because they sell products BACK to us in the US.
So a .50 cent fuel SAVINGS can have a LOCAL ripple effect of app $4.00.
http://www.cnet.com/products/2016-audi-q7-tdi/
Based on the (anecdotal) experiences with the 15 MB 250 BT (lower weight, etc.) AND the 12 VW Touareg (higher weight, etc) this combination almost can not help but be MILD to figurative and literal WILD, as FUN to drive as either these comparisons are !!!!
We of course get app 41 mpg with a 2.0 L TDI with 236 # ft !! So needless to say 41 mpg with a much heavier and powerful SUV/CUV is innovative !!! It sets VERY high bars !!!
I am sure they verified that very very few of both current and POTENTIAL demographics (buyers) take to the "Rubicon" OFF ROAD trail/s, so to speak.
I also am just fine WITHOUT the majority of the features they are describing.
I must be the outlier who likes to drive, yet really does not care much about the do day's. Go figure !!
TMI and probably off topic,
decided to get new tires AND alignment on the 09 VW Jetta TDI, one day after MLK. The oem (Bridgestone Turanza EL 400's, not well rated @ all & pricier ) tires are close to 88,000 miles
5,000 miles rotations are included (10,000 miles oem recommended) and I think that and 80 to 85% ( 40 to 43 psi) of max side wall pressures ( 51 psi) should contribute to higher miles. The tire guru sez the chosen new ones are a way better choice. But will let folks know the TMI in 6 or so years.
In black and white, the Fed diesel tax portion is 32% PLUS higher than RUG/PUG !!!
http://www.wsj.com/articles/abolish-the-gas-tax-1421281241?cb=logged0.30087904422543943
About diesel, and specifically about diesel trucks, the GAO notes that "The Highway Trust Fund is divided into two separate accounts—Highway and Mass Transit Accounts. The Highway Account receives the majority (approximately 89 percent in fiscal year 2013) of the tax receipts allocated to the Highway Trust fund, including the majority of the fuel taxes. All truck-related taxes are also deposited into the Highway Account." (pfd file)
Federal highway funds are divvied up and distributed under a complicated formula based in part on the amount and types of motor fuels consumed in each state. All states are assured of getting back at least 92 percent of the highway excise taxes paid into the trust fund by consumers and large oil companies, according to a Federal Highway Administration explanation.
http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/Articles/2014/07/29/Why-Senate-Will-Pass-House-s-Highway-Bill
Getting rid of Davis Bacon for funding highways could save money.
But I think Davis Bacon requires more audits than most state DOTs would. Do you trust the cronies in your state capital to not get in bed with the road builders? Maybe if you like bridges to nowhere....
What I am seeing around here is a circumvention of the D/B Act. Big Union contractor gets the bid based on using union labor. Then subs out to minority contractor that can hire anyone they like, mostly you know who. A recent state road was widened and had the big sign stating it was provided by the Stimulus fund. The workers were mostly Latino, the trucks beat up and some unmarked. No hard hats or safety vests. I am pretty sure all road jobs go through the CA DOT. Too many duplications of agencies. And the minority hire made it that much easier to screw workers and the tax payers. Something I just read about Davis Bacon from the website. It is an EO from Obama.
On February 12, 2014, President Obama signed Executive Order 13658, “Establishing a Minimum Wage for Contractors,” to raise the minimum wage to $10.10 for all workers on Federal construction and service contracts. The President took this executive action because raising wages will improve the quality and efficiency of services provided to the government. Boosting wages lowers turnover, increases morale, and will lead to higher productivity overall on Federal contracts. The Executive Order directed the Department of Labor to issue regulations to implement the new Federal contractor minimum wage.
Executive Order 13658 applies to four major categories of contractual agreements:
(1) procurement contracts for construction covered by the Davis-Bacon Act (DBA);
I think this made it easier for the big contractors to work around paying Union D-B wages.
The Albertson's checker my wife talked to yesterday said she'll probably be changing jobs - she got a promotion not long ago but thanks to the minimum wage increase, new hires will make as much as her. A bit different situation but I couldn't help but think of the UAW and the screwed up wage structure the automakers have right now.
In other news:
2015 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel HFE Arrives at Dealerships in March
Many are in that position now. In CA and OR the higher MW is for ALL workers including wait persons getting tips. So at the restaurant where my son is a chef the waitresses are making about double what the cooks are making. Makes for a tense situation. We should just end the whole tipping thing.
In my mind, the point of a tip is to express appreciation for a job well done, and I base my tips on that mentality. We went to one restaurant a while back where our bill was appx $50. It was just our family, three meals, and some good service - we were there for probably 45 minutes and the waiter came around three or four times (total time investment? Maybe five minutes).
The guy did a great job when he checked on us, though, so I gave him a $5 tip! I thought that was a good show of support. Then, my family leaves, I used the restroom, and I come back out and hear him say, "I don't know why I even try! That family at six gave me a lousy 10% tip!"
I nearly LOL'd. I was maybe one of ten tables he waited. Wages + tips... he's looking at a pretty damn good night. Well, it was a good experience there up to that point; we'll not patronize that place again thanks to his entitlement attitude.
In many real first world areas, tipping is much less of a thing, due to higher wages - albeit with higher taxes, but the taxes go to social goods rather than cronies and special interest industries. I've tipped a single Euro for a 10+ Euro meal, and always received a grateful surprise.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
“What is Toyota’s stance on diesel engines for the U.S. pickup truck market?” Rather than dodge the question or leave it vague so that Tacoma owners can continue to pine away for a diesel, Sweers said “The difficulty with the diesel is LEV III [emissions standards]. The difficulty is the cost-to-benefit relationship. Everybody loves diesel in trucks. The downside is the after-treatment systems can add $3,000 or more. It starts becoming cost prohibitive, especially in this segment, to pay a premium for both the engine and after-treatment system."
No 2016 diesel Tacoma coming - Toyota explains why (torquenews.com)
http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1095567_2016-chevy-colorado-diesel-specs-and-zr2-off-road-concept-from-2014-la-auto-show
"Remember that both disc and drum brake design has been vastly improved in the last 20 years. In fact, the current rear drum brake systems on today's cars would provide better stopping performance then the front disc setups of the '70s. And today's front disc brakes are truly exceptional in terms of stopping power. Combined with the fact that between 60 and 90 percent of a vehicle's stopping power comes from the front wheels, it's clear that a well-designed, modern drum brake is all that's required for most rear wheel brake duty."(link)
In my experience rear drums rarely need attention, unlike rear discs. But it's your money (and Toyota's).
The 2012 Toyota Tacoma features disc brakes up front, with rotor sizes ranging from 10.83-inches for the four-cylinder pickup all the way up to 12.56-inches for certain six-cylinder versions. Unfortunately, rear drum brakes are standard, which means that the Toyota’s stopping power is not quite as impressive as the Frontier’s, even despite the presence of ABS and brake force distribution.
Proof Toyota does not do well braking. Rear Drums the reason???
http://special-reports.pickuptrucks.com/2013/06/2013-light-duty-challenge-braking.html
Here's one that @fintail may enjoy:
World's first diesel racing car rebuilt in Germany (bt.com)
That said I feel much better having the extended warranty on my vehicles. The Touareg warranty includes brake maintenance. My wife's grand daughter was thankful for the extended warranty on the Sequoia. The driver side mirror was defective and it saved her $1200. I got a new NAV that I am sure they would have gouged me at least $2 grand for.
That is a lot of coin to restore an old diesel vehicle. VW/Audi has proven diesel is capable of winning any type racing. From Le Mans to Dakar.
http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/alternative-fuel/diesel/le-mans-diesel-winners
http://www.enginelabs.com/news/audi-reflects-on-15-years-of-le-mans-engine-development/
Then I remind myself that 99% of people who never need them never post.
The first diesel production car was actually a Citroen, but it didn't sell in significant numbers. The second car, the MB 260D, was made in much larger quantity.
MINUS - $500 cheaper 250 BT ( diesel) makes B/E (over 350 PUG) IMMEDIATE. MB is leading in the fight to lessen the TDI premium. Even @ that, PUG models outsell B/T models not only in the GLK model line.
Another example, I just recently reviewed the maintenance schedule ( the local VW dealers' web site where the 12 Touareg was purchased) for the 12 VW Touareg TDI with a more critical eye (reading between the lines) (next VERY minor service due @ 60,000 miles).
It would appear that I may have SEVERELY underestimated ITS durability and reliability.
The truth might really be 160,000 miles rather than the 100,000 to 120,000 miles that this thread has seen me post. I really say "MAJOR TUNE" of/@ 160,000 miles, ONLY because of common attitudes and AVG US miles of 12,000 to 15,000 miles per year , aka 11 years- 14 years .(to reach 160,000 miles, With those normal consequences.
So for example, @ 80,000 AND 160,000 miles, aka "MAJOR TUNE" in addition to (normal stuff (Ad Blue, oil and filter change, VISUAL inspections,) 3 filters are due to be changed: cabin, air, fuel filter/s (totaling $90. US, fuel filter being the most expensive @ app $60. ). Talk about gems being hidden in plain sight. There is a gem hidden behind that gem, but TMI is there. Unscheduled maintenance remains that. Needless to say, NONE of those 3 additional items are really diesel related.
Not to beat a dead horse and anyone can do the mathematics: but would one rather get 31 mpg ULSD or 20 mpg PUG over 160,000 miles 5,161/ 8,000 gals or 55% more?????. (local ULSD $2.91 /PUG $2.41)
I just got a (local) VW dealership email with a 15 VW Touareg TDI @ 1.9 % for 60 months
Heating oil is hovering around $3 now ( a little under, actually), and road diesel is about $3.45 (with gasoline $0.50 cheaper).
[L]eaked emails seen by BusinessGreen reveal the auto industry is deeply concerned about the plans and is now seeking to meet with councillors in an effort to amend the surcharge.
Councillor Claudia Webbe, executive member for the environment who proposed the motion, told BusinessGreen the surcharge was designed to tackle diesel emissions.
"We believe that the evidence on diesel vehicles is strong," Webbe said. "It damages people's health and we think it's right and proper that we try to stem the growth of diesel vehicles and that we surcharge those vehicles that are providing the most damaging pollution."
However, the auto industry was quick to criticise the new plans, accusing Islington Council of ignoring the technological advances it has made to reduce NOx from diesel vehicles."
London Borough of Islington to penalise polluting diesel vehicles (businessgreen.com)
Must be s lot of area 51 sightings going on !!!
Does the Toureg TDI require new spark plugs at 50K? I know my Mom's former gasser Cayenne did and it was quite an expensive service at the dealer.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD
No doubt it's a plan that charges the same for a 1985 diesel heavy truck as for a 2015 4cyl diesel car.
Toureg TDI, the TDI is a diesel engine, which sort of by definition do not use spark plugs. Part of what makes a diesel a diesel, right?
Perhaps you meant glow plugs or ???
Wow. You are right. I had a long day at work today. Wasn't thinking clearly.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2025 Camry SE AWD