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

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Comments

  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450

    RE: Comment about California diesel prices being lower than regular.

    That has not been the case in northern CAL. Diesel is priced about 10 cents higher than regular and this trend has been consistent for some time.

    Cheapest price I have paid for RUG over the last year is $2.67 at Costco. That lasted about a week, back up to $2.77. Filled the Touareg TDI at $2.43. Cheapest RUG in the County is $2.53 cheapest ULSD is $2.39. It is good owning a diesel in San Diego. B)
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Filled an hour ago for $1.89. Forgot to look (was at a Murphy) but gasbuddy.com says diesel was $2.21 there, premium $2.29.
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    benjaminh said:

    from today's New York Times:

    "...the Jetta — and its sibling the Golf — have emissions similar to those of a typical modern 18-wheeler..."

    http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/19/business/the-owner-has-a-crucial-part-in-volkswagen-diesel-repair.html?_r=0

    I seriously doubt their conclusion. The allowable NOx for a VW TDI car is .07 G/mile. The allowable for a semi is 8.613 G/mile. That is 123 times more NOx than the VW TDI that is compliant. And notice all the rags use the 40 times figure rather than the 5-40 times figure of the actual tests. Worst VW TDI would emit one third as much as the Semi is legally allowed to put out. And it would be a rare VW TDI owner that puts as many miles on their car as the Semi owner.
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    benjaminh said:

    The 2016 Honda Civic turbo is rated 42 mpg on the highway, compared to 45 for a 2015 VW Jetta TDI. But since diesel costs more than regular, you'd actually pay about $50 a year more to fuel a Jetta TDI compared to the Civic. Even after VW fixes their diesels, the fuel cost math seems like an uphill climb at this point. After the fix, the VW diesel is still likely to have good low-end torque, but so will the Civic turbo. And it seems likely the Civic turbo will beat the Jetta turbo diesel for 0-60 acceleration.

    What is really sad is Honda used to build good mileage cars. 1986 Civic CRX was rated 42 CITY, 51 Highway with 46 MPG Combined. And was a real Hoot to drive. Last Honda I drove was a 2010 Accord. What a noisy pig that was. 30 years later they are 30% worse for mileage. :p
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,583
    That's right. When I got my Bluetec, they were apparently not in demand, and I got a really good deal. When it came time to move on, that Bluetec vs Prius article was still fresh, and apparently spiked demand - the lease payment for cars with roughly identical MSRP was $150/month more for the diesel. I wouldn't save nearly that much in fuel. Even though I like the MB diesels a lot, in the end, cash talks. I'd definitely do diesel again, if the deal was right. I'd even buy one if I could get the C250 4Matic wagon we'll never see.

    Those lease rates published above are also high - I'd only agree to such a monthly on one with much less up front, maybe 80% less. Lease specials are like MSRPs - open to negotiation. One can do better than published figures.

    Regarding mo monies, indeed, if one is going to hold for more than about 8 years, buy. If one is going to get bored in 5, I think it is usually better to lease.


    ruking1 said:

    Well it isn't ! I did the math on the side of the diesel, You need to do the math on the side of the gassers . Then, compare/contrast! Despite being posted too far away's back, essentially that's what Fintail did when he leased the diesel. @ that time diesel was probably cheaper than like model gasser. So that was the reason why he tried the diesel.

    So when he went to lease a new Mercedes-Benz, the gasser was (probably) cheaper, ergo gasser.

    The key is always to run the numbers, for ones particular scenarios.!

    So for example, that's why you see me running a consistent (12 yr/15,000 miles per year/180,000 mile) schtick, which gets to cpmd: total to x,y,z whatever (cost per mile driven)

    So for example if you maintain a $.84 cpmd: lease, over 180,000 miles you're paying about $151,200. Vs .3064 cpmd: own

    One conclusion, if you have to have "new every 2 " (jingoism, three years actually) are moe monies down and way higher cost per mile driven.

  • texasestexases Member Posts: 11,144
    I don't worry about semis vs. VWs, last time I checked the TDI wasn't delivering my food. Turns out a remote sensing firm ID'd the TDIs as off the scale 6 years ago:
    http://jalopnik.com/did-one-company-spot-volkswagens-diesel-deception-six-y-1737309474
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    edited October 2015
    Yep and I think the truth of the matter is is that the VW diesel's are NOT going to multiply like rabbits after all of this! The latest data indicates that the diesels PVF of all OEM's of all types is @ 3%. The population is at 5%, if you add the light trucks and more special purpose vehicles .
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    edited October 2015
    texases said:

    I don't worry about semis vs. VWs, last time I checked the TDI wasn't delivering my food. Turns out a remote sensing firm ID'd the TDIs as off the scale 6 years ago:
    http://jalopnik.com/did-one-company-spot-volkswagens-diesel-deception-six-y-1737309474

    You post indicates that the EPA/CARB were totally asleep at the wheel! Again, it confirms what I have been saying from the start..... (We be doo in the Sergeant Schultz) The exact same thing is occurring on a much grander scale with all the bigrigs and all the other EXEMPTED emitters.

    Keep in mind that the results are totally suspect because they don't mention a word about 97% to 98% of the rest of the GASSERS. Municipalities will say that 5% of the PVF causes the majority of the gross pollution, again 97 to 98% gassers . So for example, IF that is true, that would mean that .015% of diesels MAXIMUM might hit the suspect list out of 1.65M. So even in this rarified group of gross polluters, it's easy to see that diesel cars potential is very, very, very low.

    So one totally false assumption is that the majority of gassers are pure as the driven snow.

    SOS/DD. Crisis du jour. Go after those on political hit lists.

    Here is a California example . Current estimates @ 33M registered vehicles, gassers @ 97% to 98%. One article that was posted on the site said that there are 70,000 affected California VW diesel vehicles. The math would indicate the percentage at .00212 %. % wise, this is the literal drop in the bucket, minuscule.

  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    texases said:

    I don't worry about semis vs. VWs, last time I checked the TDI wasn't delivering my food. Turns out a remote sensing firm ID'd the TDIs as off the scale 6 years ago:
    http://jalopnik.com/did-one-company-spot-volkswagens-diesel-deception-six-y-1737309474

    I don't worry about a few VW TDIs driving through my neighborhood. I do worry about the 1000s of trucks coming across our Southern border every day delivering everything from Avocados to Cadillacs. Then hauling stuff back all using fuel from Mexico we have NO clue on its sulfur content. Let's not offend our neighbors to the South they have to make a living just like we do. What I see is stake bed trucks hauling up produce and hauling back old tires and appliances. Many spewing more black smoke than our 70,000 VW TDIs would spew in a lifetime.
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    edited October 2015
    gagrice said:

    benjaminh said:

    from today's New York Times:

    "...the Jetta — and its sibling the Golf — have emissions similar to those of a typical modern 18-wheeler..."

    http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/19/business/the-owner-has-a-crucial-part-in-volkswagen-diesel-repair.html?_r=0

    I seriously doubt their conclusion. The allowable NOx for a VW TDI car is .07 G/mile. The allowable for a semi is 8.613 G/mile. That is 123 times more NOx than the VW TDI that is compliant. And notice all the rags use the 40 times figure rather than the 5-40 times figure of the actual tests. Worst VW TDI would emit one third as much as the Semi is legally allowed to put out. And it would be a rare VW TDI owner that puts as many miles on their car as the Semi owner.
    That is why I would want mine tested! In effect, it would be a practical elocution.

    5 times to 40 times is a HUGE, HUGE spread. So there will be part of the population that will be in complete compliance. In the worst case, if a certain population of the drivers actually drive LIKE the EPA test??!!! Indeed whether or not the BMW X3 was driven just like the EPA test, the fact of the matter DIESELs ( the one tested anyway) can easily comply. Seems to me the issue was cost control.

    Remember you all, the tested sample out of 425,000 "affected TDI units" are only two. So, on a practical basis, how can you get a SPREAD of 5 to 40 times? Or does that really mean one of 2 tested was 5 times over and the other one,#2/2 tested was 40 times over???? This notion approaches total absurdity or another example of an out and out LIE !! This means you are basing a criminal penalty & scientific conclusion on a sample of .00000471 %.. The other side of it : everybody is COMPLETELY silent about whether or not all of the gassers 97 to 98% can meet the current standard of .07 g / per mile. Other articles, while they do not give exact numbers/%'s, indicate that the majority of the GASSER passenger vehicle fleet does NOT comply with the 2008 .07g/mile standard.

    Just the fact that there is a (HUGE,HUGE,HUGE) range that one could fall in the smog test for passing should tell one something very fishy about all of this!
  • gagricegagrice Member Posts: 31,450
    I think it meant the Jetta TDI put out up to 40 times depending on the driving circumstances. I don't recall the Passat TDI going that high. It makes sense if your are pulling a long grade like on Interstate 5 over the Grapevine the engine runs hotter and puts out more NOx. I would like to see a chart of the trip North and back.
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    edited October 2015
    Slow diesel news day!

    So with all the VW "diesel fiasco " clarification articles that I have read, right now I am just fine with VW coming up with US last place and further down the pipe hardware @ software remedies for the 2009 Jetta TDI. TBD, but in-line with EPA/CARB emissions laws, the warrantee should be 7 years and 70,000 miles. Cost per mile driven wise, I'm actually hoping for the average priced buyback. But if they offer a new car under CA law, (YIPPIE YAW HOO!) make mine a GOLF TDI! Or maybe by then I might throw the 12 Touareg TDI into the mix?

    5 months ago my daughter did a 2,600 miles cross- country trip in a 2004 Honda Civic, with her sister. Somehow recently, she and I got on the subject of cross-country travel.

    Long story short and on-topic, IF it was a choice between the 2004 Honda Civic or anyone of the diesels, she would pick a diesel. She has been up-and-down the Pacific Coast,@ least 4 times in the 2003 Jetta TDI. @ least twice in the 2009 Jetta TDI, & probably equally in other gassers.(she's been out of the house since 18 yrs old, so I don't know other approximates) So she's not a gas/diesel noob.

    While the 2004 Civic has been an absolute trooper of a car, it has taken more dollars to maintain @ operate the same (187,000) miles as the 2003 Jetta TDI. In effect, it is less durable. By definition, it is also less reliable.

    So for example, we do 20,000 miles OCI's. @ that point it has used a minimum of 1qt and needing another. We do 30,000 miles OCI's on the diesels, because remarkably (I did not see that as remarkable until I got the Honda) the 2003 Jetta TDI needs only 1/4 to 3/4 of a qt,aka a lot less. This is probably TMI, but M 1 oil's are used in both vehicles.

    This might make a lot of our diesel skeptics laugh, but I'm the only one out of the four in the family that likes the (gasser) 2004 Honda Civic ! ? They could care less about diesels!? But they sure don't mind driving them? They also like the higher mpg. Go figure?
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    edited October 2015
    Most of you probably have suspected @ continue to suspect this ! Having new type transmissions may NOT be ready " for prime time " being mated to a gasser !

    http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/business/2015/10/21/complex-new-transmissions-causing-headaches-for-drivers.html

    Having said that, the 6 speed DSG, 7/ 8 speed auto transmissions for three diesels have been troopers. Needless to say, the 5 speed MT has been flawless.

    Off-topic, but on the 2004 Honda Civic, I am holding my breath because my Honda guru has told me that IF the automatic transmission were to fail, it will fail normally before 250,000 miles. The jury is still out on the CVT's.

    Any sort of reasonable reliability, durabilty findings/conclusions on the turbo 2016 Honda is easily 5 to 10 years & 180,000 miles out. Since Honda has always done a wonderful job on their MT's, I would surmise that they probably put the best one technologically on this new example.

    I am also wondering out loud, since "the ricer age segment" has already come, long gone and are easily 15 to 20 years older. "The fast & furious" movie was produced in 2001.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    edited October 2015
    gagrice said:

    I don't worry about a few VW TDIs driving through my neighborhood. I do worry about the 1000s of trucks coming across our Southern border every day delivering everything from Avocados to Cadillacs.

    Maybe you need to worry more. B)

    "A modern diesel car pumps out more toxic pollution than a bus or heavy truck, according to new data, a situation described as a “disgrace” by one MEP."

    Diesel cars emit up to four times more toxic pollution than a bus, data reveals (theguardian.com)

    If the data holds up upon review and gets widely reported somewhere other than in @fintail's favorite rag, it would really be a sooty black eye for diesel.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    edited October 2015
    "General Motors Co Chief Executive Officer Mary Barra said on Wednesday the company has not adjusted its expectations for diesel vehicle demand because of the Volkswagen AG emissions scandal.

    "Our outlook for diesel remains unchanged. I think it is too early to look and make any judgments on that," Barra told analysts on an earnings conference call."

    GM's CEO says no change in diesel demand expectations due VW (streetinsider.com)

    Meanwhile, all of VW's diesels in the EU that use the EA 189/Euro 5 engine are off the table - mostly A3 and Golf TDIs, but actual numbers haven't been reported.

    Volkswagen halts sales of European TDI models (digitaltrends.com)
  • carboy21carboy21 Member Posts: 760
    edited October 2015
    So if the world was/is able to bankrupt VW, it will shake (9.0 richter) the German auto sector to its core !! We already have seen that when the VW scandal broke. The world thinks it now haas problems in Europe, China & Russia, Middle East ???
    ==========================================================================
    German government will not let VW go under. EPA emission limits are just an arbitrary figure which VW does not have respect anywhere in the world. No other country in the World is going to challenge the German government. It will be a trade war.
    Even in USA there will be a deal struck with the Federal Government and the EPA.
    Otherwise Germany will boycott American goods most notably stop all Boeing orders and buy Airbus.
    I am willing to bet, there will be a compromise with the EPA or a long drawn out court battle if VW refuses to pay any fines to the EPA or the Feds .
    Worst comes to worst, VW walks out of USA lock stock and barrel without paying a single dollar in compensation/fines/recall and it will not dent their bottom line :smile:
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    edited October 2015
    You are confirming what I am saying!

    If Germany were smart, they would call our wind and solar bluff also ! The smartest thing everybody can do: EXEMPT ALL of the US market's 425,000 VW diesel's. Yes, worst case, slap em on the limp wrist @ say bad boys/girls/it's/ transgender and move on.

    So for example, IF they spend upwards of $2,500 per car to fix the problem, or are forced to do a $15,000 per case buy back. IF it is true that the VW A loses money rather than VW Corp's $400 to $600 a car, they can stay out of our market for @ least six years to 38 years for the dismal 2.5 % US market share VW A has! Indeed as you say, VW Corp would acutually make MORE money by getting OUT of US markets!

    So what would happen if Germany cancels six years to 38 years of Boeing airplane orders, etc.,etc.? Anybody with half a brain knows that one Boeing aircraft pollutes more than passenger car diesels,(like gals of fuel expenditures). It is also done@ 0 to 50,000 feet, as opposed to car diesels @ zero to say 10,000 feet, which is far far worse! (As in exponentially worse) so for example if the average aircraft idle consumptionis 1000 gallons per hour, that's 2.67 years of fuel or 40,000 miles.

    Cancel the Iranian deal? Geez everybody & their brothers wants to deal with / do bit niss wid Iran. Oh and would we rather all of the German auto plants go to now Mexico or where ever, instead of parts of the US ? WE don't even put domestic auto plants in ! !!
  • carboy21carboy21 Member Posts: 760
    edited October 2015
    Cancel the Iranian deal? Geez everybody & their brothers wants to deal with / do bit niss wid Iran. Oh and would we rather all of the German auto plants go to now Mexico or where ever, instead of parts of the US ? WE don't even put domestic auto plants in ! !!

    VW could walk out of USA and start business with Iran and built plants there. So could most other German industries. Obama can only watch impotently . German labor unions (IG Metal) are as strong as the UAW here and will not roll over and watch Obama rob their livelihood.
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    edited October 2015
    Yes, all it takes is time! Even one of our hosts questioned why it was a big deal that GM NOW wanted to sell GM cars made in China rather than in the United States IN the US! Keep in mind that UAW labor et al., now has more seats are on the GM board and more GM stock ownership that it did when it was protesting jobs leaking out of the United States!

  • andres3andres3 Member Posts: 13,966

    Some thoughts on EPA/CARB and their role in this issue.

    Trust but verify is an interesting idea. Why didn't VW verify that the emissions control work? Where was the head dog while all this was going on, or for that matter, what were the little dogs doing??? Why did VW hire dishonest people? Where were the checks and balances? What kind of QA/QC process do they have that allows 11 million vehicles to be sold with cheater software?

    EPA & CARB are completely out-gunned by the private sector. Consider that EPA has to regulate all these companies/brands: Acura, Alfa Romeo, Audi, Bentley, BMW, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Ford, GMC, Honda, Hyundai, Infiniti, Jaguar, Jeep, Kia, Land Rover, Lexus, Lincoln, Maserati, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mini, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Porsche, Ram, Scion, Smart, Subaru, Toyota, Volkswagen, and Volvo.

    EPA AQ regulates: Marine Remanufacture Kits, Large Engines, Non-road Large Compression Ignition (NRCI) (2012 - ), On-Highway Heavy Duty - Diesel and Gasoline (2012 - ), Early Large Engine (NRCI and On-Highway Heavy Duty - Diesel and Gasoline 2011 and Earlier), Non-road Small Spark Ignition (SI), Marine SI, Marine CI, Snowmobile, Locomotive, Large Spark Ignition, Non-road Evaporative Components...

    EPA AQ regulates: 518 coal, 1,101 petroleum, 1,725 natural gas power plants (along with the states).

    EPA AQ also has to deal with all the air monitoring and 50 squabbling states.

    All this on a budget of about a billion. http://www2.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2014-03/documents/fy15_bib.pdf Compare that to how much all the private sector companies can spend.

    EPA has trouble matching the private sector for salaries. Makes it tough to get the best and brightest?

    “In 2015, the EPA anticipates reviewing and approving more than 5,000 vehicle and engine emissions certification requests for over 4,100 different types of engines – a workload that has quadrupled over the past decade.” Did they get more money to deal with this? Of course not, a certain political party spends all their time trying to destroy EPA. If they spent even a bit more time using reason instead of beliefs things would get a lot better.

    And finally, http://www.businessinsider.com/afp-french-police-raid-volkswagen-offices-over-emissions-scandal-2015-10 (probably old news by now)

    All a good argument for shutting down the EPA; ineffective; waste of resources; they need more to function, so just cut the cord.
    '18 Porsche Macan Turbo, '16 Audi TTS, Wife's '19 VW Tiguan SEL 4-Motion
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    edited October 2015
    ..."EPA & CARB are completely out-gunned by the private sector"...

    What kind of revisionist history is this? Private companies actually discovered the issue ! ? Geez this was what 6 yrs to 2 years ago?

    Isn't this a good reason for a Prius ? What are we talking 15 miles a gallon ? Well it does have the new 8 speed Aisin automatic transmission !

    http://news.yahoo.com/king-off-road-toyotas-2016-8-seater-land-163858477.html
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    The Passat factory in Chattanooga cost VW a billion dollars, and the SUV line they are working on will be another $600 million. Okay, call it $900 million total for both after hefty incentives.

    But VW isn't going away. Their diesels may though.
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    edited October 2015
    stever said:

    The Passat factory in Chattanooga cost VW a billion dollars, and the SUV line they are working on will be another $600 million. Okay, call it $900 million total for both after hefty incentives.

    But VW isn't going away. Their diesels may though.

    I'm sure that's what you hope ! My money has been on NOT.

    I have zero incentive to switch to EV !? In fact, 0% incentive is a lie! The electrical power company is already penalizing me for using "too much". They might start threatening me if I go EV. To drive home the point they've been send me energy reports ! It is impossible for me to go "off grid" as we are enjoined from installing a solar array. Even if they UN enjoin us, given my bills, it will take about 29.2 years to break even. So do I reasonably think it will not need any repairs during that time frame ?

  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    edited October 2015
    "Remember RCA? Philips? Control Data? Burroughs? Kodak?" (Slate)

    Chattanooga would be a great place to play with this EV stuff. Lots of TVA power, okay sunshine, lots of experience with electric buses since '91 (CS Monitor) and the city owned electric utility is no slouch either - want 10 Gig net?

  • carboy21carboy21 Member Posts: 760
    edited October 2015
    stever said:

    The Passat factory in Chattanooga cost VW a billion dollars, and the SUV line they are working on will be another $600 million. Okay, call it $900 million total for both after hefty incentives.

    But VW isn't going away. Their diesels may though.

    They will definitely go away if they are forced to pay fines and compensation totaling 3 or 4 times the cost of the Chattanooga plant.

    Kia or Hyundai will gratefully buy up the plant with pleasure.

    Anyone laying bets that TDIs will get exemption in USA / Only the new model year 2016 will be asked to be modified.

    International trade will not be held hostage to jumped up EPA/ CARB/ CAFE buul crap.

  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    edited October 2015
    Well, the locals are aware that VW closed its last US factory in '88. But that factory was a kludge from the start, sold to VW by Chrysler.

    VW’s problems troubling for Chattanooga (AJC.com)
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    edited October 2015
    stever said:

    "Remember RCA? Philips? Control Data? Burroughs? Kodak?" (Slate)

    Chattanooga would be a great place to play with this EV stuff. Lots of TVA power, okay sunshine, lots of experience with electric buses since '91 (CS Monitor) and the city owned electric utility is no slouch either - want 10 Gig net?

    So do you ever wonder why the most EV's are in the area codes in California ? One clue, Zuckerberg lives in one of them.

  • carboy21carboy21 Member Posts: 760
    ruking1 said:

    stever said:

    "Remember RCA? Philips? Control Data? Burroughs? Kodak?" (Slate)

    Chattanooga would be a great place to play with this EV stuff. Lots of TVA power, okay sunshine, lots of experience with electric buses since '91 (CS Monitor) and the city owned electric utility is no slouch either - want 10 Gig net?

    So do you ever wonder why the most EV's are in the area codes in California ? One clue, Zuckerberg lives in one of them.

    Tesla is the biggest fraud on the taxpayers.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    lol, did you miss the part where VW has received about $900 million in subsidies just for the Chattanooga factory?
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    edited October 2015
    stever said:

    lol, did you miss the part where VW has received about $900 million in subsidies just for the Chattanooga factory?

    I certainly didn't !
  • fintailfintail Member Posts: 58,583
    I wonder if any buyers of 90K+ VWs get big tax incentives.
  • carboy21carboy21 Member Posts: 760
    edited October 2015
    stever said:

    lol, did you miss the part where VW has received about $900 million in subsidies just for the Chattanooga factory?

    How many Tesla will the taxpayees buy ?? 0.00001 % ??
    At least 2.5% VW were bought by Americans this year.
    Elon Musk donates millions to Democratic Super Pacs .
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    ruking1 said:

    So do you ever wonder why the most EV's are in the area codes in California ? One clue, Zuckerberg lives in one of them.

    Don't see any recent numbers - back in 2012, the hot spot for EVs was ... Atlanta. (evsroll.com)

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

    I wonder if any buyers of 90K+ VWs get big tax incentives.

    I surely at this point do not know. However, if the EV is a VW Phaeton, smart money iwould be on yes! VW blew the Phaeton on the initial launch. So to me, it's a chance to recover all old & new R&D costs, swapping it out with the EV! it would be cool also if it came with the gassers and at least two diesel options ! One is the V10 553# ft of torque monsters !

    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkswagen_Phaeton

    And I was just saying these VERY things a couple of post back!? Did anybody else notice a familiar quoted source? ;)

    http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-10-21/vw-offers-deals-to-prop-up-u-s-sales-after-emissions-scandal
  • benjaminhbenjaminh Member Posts: 6,667
    edited October 2015
    from Automobile News:

    "VW's emissions retrofit may be among costliest recalls ever
    ....Volkswagen will have to find a place for a multigallon urea tank. They may have to drill through sheet metal to create a filler neck that’s convenient for consumers who would need to replenish the liquid every three or four months. It may cost thousands of dollars per car, he said.

    The urea technology has been used by most other automakers to meet ever-stricter pollution standards by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the California Air Resources Board. Volkswagen itself has been using it in the U.S. since introducing a reworked EA 288 engine on models like the Passat, Golf, Beetle and Jetta in the 2015 model year.

    The EA 288 was designed to accommodate a modular exhaust-gas treatment system. That could help, too. Volkswagen may have parts made for other vehicles that can be used for the older models needing new hardware, which would reduce the costs.

    “It’s going to require an uncomfortable amount of hacking at the car,” said Bill Visnic, an independent automotive analyst based in Weirton, W.Va.

    “There’s no real pretty way to put it. You’re going to have to drill some holes and run some lines under the car. You’ve got to find someplace to put the tank. It’s going to add up pretty quickly.”

    ....Linford Berry, owner of Mountain Valley Motors, a Volkswagen specialist in Dayton, Virginia, said adding a urea tank system to a customer’s Volkswagen TDI could cost more than $3,500 in his shop....."

    http://www.autonews.com/article/20151022/COPY01/310229965/vws-emissions-retrofit-may-be-among-costliest-recalls-ever
    2018 Acura TLX 2.4 Tech 4WS (mine), 2024 Subaru Outback (wife's), 2018 Honda CR-V EX (offspring)
  • benjaminhbenjaminh Member Posts: 6,667
    The photo of the factory in TN that goes with the article has the following caption:

    "An employee stands on the Golf production line at VW's factory in Wolfsburg. VW workers are angry at the software manipulation by some of the company's engineers."
    2018 Acura TLX 2.4 Tech 4WS (mine), 2024 Subaru Outback (wife's), 2018 Honda CR-V EX (offspring)
  • benjaminhbenjaminh Member Posts: 6,667
    andres3 said:



    All a good argument for shutting down the EPA; ineffective; waste of resources; they need more to function, so just cut the cord.

    People were literally dropping dead from smog before CARB and the EPA started tackling the issue. California started first, way back in 1960, leading the way to cleaner air for the US.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2Ra8PRtXSU


    2018 Acura TLX 2.4 Tech 4WS (mine), 2024 Subaru Outback (wife's), 2018 Honda CR-V EX (offspring)
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    yes but we already know that the USA doesn't rule the world anymore. Other countries will do what they want and what best serves the interests of their auto industry, not ours. The US market is very mature, very saturated. It makes perfect sense for them to pursue other markets.
    carboy21 said:

    Cancel the Iranian deal? Geez everybody & their brothers wants to deal with / do bit niss wid Iran. Oh and would we rather all of the German auto plants go to now Mexico or where ever, instead of parts of the US ? WE don't even put domestic auto plants in ! !!

    VW could walk out of USA and start business with Iran and built plants there. So could most other German industries. Obama can only watch impotently . German labor unions (IG Metal) are as strong as the UAW here and will not roll over and watch Obama rob their livelihood.

  • benjaminhbenjaminh Member Posts: 6,667
    edited October 2015
    Even with cash on the hood, business is apparently slow at some VW dealerships in the US. From Bloomberg:

    "The deals have helped sales roughly keep pace with October 2014, said Randy Hiley, who owns Volkswagen dealerships in Texas and Alabama. Still, he said he’s worried that publicity about the emissions scandal and a lack of diesels will continue to hurt sales.

    Hiley said Volkswagen has given dealers cash to help them take care of customers, including more than $80,000 to his Texas dealership. They can provide loaner cars, use the money to give buyers a better deal without sacrificing dealer profit or just keep the cash if they have to take diesel cars on trade-in and can’t sell them until the automaker comes up with a plan for fixing the vehicles.

    Ginivan said the cash is given to dealers with no specific mandate.

    Even before the emissions scandal, Volkswagen was one of the bigger spenders on rebates and deals, according to Autodata Corp., a research firm in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.

    The VW brand spent an estimated $4,261 a vehicle in incentives last month, up more than 50 percent from $2,781 a year earlier and higher than the industry average of $2,507, according to Edmunds.com data compiled by Bloomberg Intelligence. The brand’s spending has exceeded $3,000 a vehicle since April.

    “They’re obviously throwing money at it,” Hiley said in a telephone interview. “We had a slow weekend and I don’t think we’ve seen the worst of this yet.”

    http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-10-21/vw-offers-deals-to-prop-up-u-s-sales-after-emissions-scandal
    2018 Acura TLX 2.4 Tech 4WS (mine), 2024 Subaru Outback (wife's), 2018 Honda CR-V EX (offspring)
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Kelley is claiming a 16% decline in VW diesel prices, but that number reflects auction prices.

    I'm curious to see if our "click-through" numbers show any decline in the number of searches for VWs by our site visitors.
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    edited October 2015
    Things are actually TOTALLY bullish for the VW 3.0 L Touareg TDI.! There are an agrgregate of $4,261 in known incentives! There are $2.000 loyalty & local incentives. Financing is @ .9% They are very, very, very low supplies. There seems to be even fewer buyers ! Blood appears to be running in the streets. I almost wish I didn't like my 2012 VW Touareg TDI so much ! I will probably kick myself in a couple years on the could've , would've, should've, principle.

    Unrelated to timely deals, I think going forward this is the opportunity VW & other diesel OEMs will have to use to bring parity to the future like model gas model prices. This is true even though it may cost more to bring a diesel to market. A notable leader and example would be MB in the GLK 250 BT @ minus - 500 MSRP. But we shall see, I'm sure there are other bigger fish to fry! US affected diesels are ONLY 3.9% !

    In less than a year, all this will totally be old, ho hum, news! Nobody will care that a 2009 Jetta TDI needed $2,500 of emissions repairs. Indeed EPA/CARB has already certified it, past whatever fix is approved, which could span 2 years. What? & what 425,000 cars were affected?

    I still think we are witnessing the outer manifestations of the VW INNER game: what will be the face of VW in 5 to 10 years?. Perhaps the " WOLF" is the ultimate logo, a drive to the brink of extinction, with an eye to a much leaner and meaner resurgence?
  • houdini1houdini1 Member Posts: 8,356
    ruking1 said:

    stever said:

    The Passat factory in Chattanooga cost VW a billion dollars, and the SUV line they are working on will be another $600 million. Okay, call it $900 million total for both after hefty incentives.

    But VW isn't going away. Their diesels may though.

    I'm sure that's what you hope ! My money has been on NOT.

    I have zero incentive to switch to EV !? In fact, 0% incentive is a lie! The electrical power company is already penalizing me for using "too much". They might start threatening me if I go EV. To drive home the point they've been send me energy reports ! It is impossible for me to go "off grid" as we are enjoined from installing a solar array. Even if they UN enjoin us, given my bills, it will take about 29.2 years to break even. So do I reasonably think it will not need any repairs during that time frame ?

    Well, if they did go away, those that already own them could name their own price if they ever chose to sell.

    2013 LX 570 2016 LS 460

  • carboy21carboy21 Member Posts: 760
    houdini1 said:
    The Passat factory in Chattanooga cost VW a billion dollars, and the SUV line they are working on will be another $600 million. Okay, call it $900 million total for both after hefty incentives. But VW isn't going away. Their diesels may though.
    I'm sure that's what you hope ! My money has been on NOT. I have zero incentive to switch to EV !? In fact, 0% incentive is a lie! The electrical power company is already penalizing me for using "too much". They might start threatening me if I go EV. To drive home the point they've been send me energy reports ! It is impossible for me to go "off grid" as we are enjoined from installing a solar array. Even if they UN enjoin us, given my bills, it will take about 29.2 years to break even. So do I reasonably think it will not need any repairs during that time frame ?
    Well, if they did go away, those that already own them could name their own price if they ever chose to sell.
    Servicing them could prove expensive at the private garages .
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    edited October 2015
    If you are talking EV, I see precious FEW EV independent shops! This is even not far from the Tesla plant ! This is not even to get into the issue: do those independent shops really know what they're doing ? Used EV prices are literally terrible. Even CR which gave the Tesla 100% marks has had to reverse itself because of Tesla's terrible reliability, durability, & resale value. Almost any important infrastructure issue is nonexistent. In a matter speaking, you really can't even manufacture how bad it is, ...all the way around. So for governments who seemingly want to advance his technology, they are seemingly very hostile to advancing this...technology.

    Right now it seems the idea driver is an adolescence minded, auto journalist, hooked on sub 3.9 sec naught to 60 mph runs, burning expensive tire rubber, then turning it back to Tesla factory folks for software tweaks and rehab. Or a rich guy who wants a hobby.

    On the (4) diesel side, in approximately 365,000 miles, I've had ZERO drama. I did have the HPFP issue on the 2009 VW Jetta TDI. However VW picked up the tab, out of warranty. The thing is running like it did before. I was pleasantly surprised the mpg was exactly the same. The 120,000 major tune, water pump, timing belt interval will be due. Happy camper on this side.

    Here is one that CAN kill you and who's 24,000,000 units dwarf VW's 425,000 units and yet ...who cares ?

    http://news.yahoo.com/regulators-lawmakers-tighten-takata-recall-scrutiny-182826829--finance.html
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    I think the "problem" is too remote to hurt VW in the longterm. I mean, it's going to hurt THEM financially, but I don't think most buyers care about this stuff, or if they do, they'll forget soon enough, just like they did with all the other "scandals" at GM, Toyota, airbags, etc. If prices dip, it'll just be a blip and over in a month.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Audi sales are going strong.

    Of course, lots of people don't know that VW owns Audi.
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    I don't really see a way for the diesel passenger car market to expand in America anyway. Any ideas?
  • ruking1ruking1 Member Posts: 19,826
    edited October 2015

    I don't really see a way for the diesel passenger car market to expand in America anyway. Any ideas?

    I would think it depends what you really mean. For as many years as gas hybrid has been advanced blessings & all, the take rates are @ what 2.5%, if that? EV take rate is almost not measurable. Depending upon what figures you subscribe, diesel take rates range from 3 to 5% & that is with massive resistance . So gasser take rates are really between 95 and 97%.?

    So any OEM that gets into anything: be it gas hybrid, diesel, natural gas, EV etc., does it basically to increase their internal take rate %.

    So for example, VW has never made a big deal of diesels overall pvf %. They have measured it in terms of say 25% internal take rate of total yearly production.

    But the gasser [non-permissible content removed]'s face reality percentages in the 19 gal RUG/PUG vs 10 gal of diesel produced in a 42 gal barrel of oil. Most people STILL don't realize that better balance of gassers%'s & diesels %'s will let you use a lot less barrels of oil!!! But then the real goal has always been to use more, not less !! Of course you would have to pay correct lip service to using less, while actually using more.

    Having said that, the killer app, breakthrough technology, holy grail will allow a barrel of oil to be refined into 100% gas or 100% diesel or " a better balance" of both, whatever that means. By ratios, 95 to 97 % gassers are defacto "out of balance". It is at this juncture still a pipe dream.

    Another thing that most gas or proponents ignore is a gal of diesel does not have to be REFINED to be used as a viable diesel fuel. Indeed it can have ZERO ppm sulfur to 30 ppm sulfur for RUG/PUG. Needless to say that makes gas a minimum of 30 times dirtier!!!. With access to natural gas and certain chemicals a gal of diesel can be produced " built" if you will, in a warehouse!!! To do that with a gal of RUG/PUG is unthinkable @ this juncture.

    So the truth is you would have an easier time killing gas than you would diesel. This is not even counting the way diesel can be brought to market.
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    I mean new kinds of products to widen the buyer base and steal sales from gassers and hybrids.
This discussion has been closed.

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