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

ruking1

Rio Vista is an interesting area. Years ago when the kids where young, we used to go road biking on the dike top roads. Not too many eco cons there. But that is not very surprising as they are more of a do as they say lot, not do as they do! It's a HUGE natural gas field. It also has one of the biggest Belgian endive farms. It also has wind turbine farms. There is some manufacturing.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rio_Vista,_California

But yes, I think a diesel MB Sprinter motor home would be a great way to see CA, if not the USA! If you are not quite at your end destination for whatever reason, there are almost no limits to where you can stop & get 8 hrs of sleep.

gagrice

You can get them with the 2.1L diesel. However I see they have cut the torque in the Sprinter to 265 ft lbs.

http://www.caranddriver.com/mercedes-benz/sprinter/specs

ruking1

Here is an interesting (Business Insider) article on CVT's versus multiple speed automatic transmissions. http://www.businessinsider.com/consumers-dislike-continuously-variable-transmissions-2016-10?ref=yfp

Tthe bottom line is it's interesting that for someone with such critical CVT/ AT experiences he doesn't note/document the range of the CVT mpg advantage, i.e., like:gasser 20 to 22 mpg Acura MDX A/T vs CVT mpg of ? ?

Articles I've read that the best: one to two mpg better.! ? From what I've read is clear that they've never tested the diesel/CVT., as there are zero on the market .

andres3

ruking1 said:

Here is an interesting (Business Insider) article on CVT's versus multiple speed automatic transmissions. http://www.businessinsider.com/consumers-dislike-continuously-variable-transmissions-2016-10?ref=yfp

Tthe bottom line is it's interesting that for someone with such critical CVT/ AT experiences he doesn't note/document the range of the CVT mpg advantage, i.e., like:gasser 20 to 22 mpg Acura MDX A/T vs CVT mpg of ? ?

Articles I've read that the best: one to two mpg better.! ? From what I've read is clear that they've never tested the diesel/CVT., as there are zero on the market .

Yes, he probably doesn't note the amount of improvement because they are negligible. He also doesn't mention that the true cost to own a CVT is sky-high thus far since they've been extremely unreliable.

But why let that get in the way since he probably just invested money in a CVT belt manufacturer.

gagrice

ruking1 said:

Here is an interesting (Business Insider) article on CVT's versus multiple speed automatic transmissions. http://www.businessinsider.com/consumers-dislike-continuously-variable-transmissions-2016-10?ref=yfp

Tthe bottom line is it's interesting that for someone with such critical CVT/ AT experiences he doesn't note/document the range of the CVT mpg advantage, i.e., like:gasser 20 to 22 mpg Acura MDX A/T vs CVT mpg of ? ?

Articles I've read that the best: one to two mpg better.! ? From what I've read is clear that they've never tested the diesel/CVT., as there are zero on the market .

Sounds like a half hearted Honda commercial. The Subaru I drove with CVT was far from impressive. Left the dealer went right up a long hill. The screaming of that 4 cylinder gas engine was enough to turn me off on an otherwise decent vehicle. If memory serves, Subaru was trying to build a CVT that will handle the torque of their diesel engine. An Outback or Forester with their diesel and a 6-7-8 speed auto would be on my list. Name one AWD gasser wagon sold in the USA that is rated at 42 MPG?

With the drivability and agile handling of a passenger car combined with the versatility of an SUV, the Subaru Outback is up for any adventure. Our turbocharged Boxer diesel lets you go further and boasts improved responsiveness and torque and impressive pulling power. With extraordinary fuel efficiency, a driving range capable of travelling over 1000km on a single tank1 - less stops means more fun.

http://www.subaru.com.au/diesel

fintail

Another couple days on the road, more 40 mpg motoring, with diesel about the same price as RUG (~$2.60 or so). Gasser, why?

Don't want a CVT though. I rode in one a few days ago (Yaris), I know it's a basic car, but man it droned a lot. I like the 7th gear loafing of my high torque engine,

ruking1

I'm not sure why you have $2.60 ULSD/RUG @ app the same price.

I got a heads up for Gainesville, Georgia of $1.99 RUG/$2.25 ULSD!

Silicon Valley, CA has $2.75 RUG/$2.79 ULSD.

We are pretty much on target/track for 18,000 miles each: Jetta TDI 40 mpg/GLK 250 BT 36 mpg. 450 gal/500 gal.
I'm glad for the glut!

ruking1

ruking1 said:

I'm not sure why you have $2.60 ULSD/RUG @ app the same price.

I got a heads up for Gainesville, Georgia of $1.99 RUG/$2.25 ULSD!

Silicon Valley, CA has $2.75 RUG/$2.79 ULSD.

We are pretty much on target/track for 18,000 miles each: Jetta TDI 40 mpg/GLK 250 BT 36 mpg. 450 gal/500 gal.
I'm glad for the glut!

Anybody can check these on fuelly.com. The gas like models posts 25 mpg/23 mpg. So with the same amount of (ours 18,000 each) mileages, that's 720 gals/783 gals = 60 % to 57 % more fuel for gassers.

Diesel or not, http://www.wsj.com/articles/nissan-formally-takes-controlling-stake-in-mitsubishi-motors-1476965004 one could say: it's a dog eat dog world? 1/2 place Toyota, 1/2 VW, 3? Nissan-Renault-Mitsubishi?

TMI: Fuel on CC's can literally be on 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 percent, points make real monies disappear!? Unless there are cash discounts, CC use can be the better option !!??

fintail

I'd rather pay $2.60 and be in WA than pay $2.25 and be in GA

andres3

Speaking of differences in fuel for differing States, how hard would it be to convince CA that we want truly premium gas with 93 octane and no Ethanol or MTBE or whatever other junk they use to water it down. 91 Octane really is not Premium.

ruking1

Your question also calls into question what the 87 octane RUG is.
(without the octane boost provided by 10% ethanol, not that it matters much with all (4)) diesels.)

The one time I had to use RUG (87) in the Z06, the difference was instantaneous and complete from so called premium@ 91 Octane.

I also have read that ethanol addition allows the refiners to refine RUG/PUG to a much lower natural octane, ergo cost savings.

It also goes without saying E10, E15, E85 drops fuel mpg. Ergo, more fuel consumption.

So as "ECO Con speak" goes 22 mpg premium gas consumption is less & better than 36 mpg ULSD!

ruking1

Slow diesel news day! The latest tank, filled the MB GLK 250 BT with 15.5 gal @ 562.5 miles = 36.29 mpg, Shell ULSD @ $2.63 local. This tank was mostly (brutal) commute with a trip to & from SF, CA. AC is used most days.

http://www.cnbc.com/2016/10/20/mitsubishi-nissan-news-carlos-ghosn-on-how-to-help-mitsubishi-motors-get-back-on-track.html?__source=yahoo|finance|headline|headline|story&par=yahoo&doc=104037582&yptr=yahoo&ref=yfp

Almost 1.1 M of falsified emissions & ...who cares? But it goes back @ least 16 years & still who cares?

gagrice

Just tried to build a Mercedes GLE 300d, and they don't come up on the MBUSA website. Have we seen the end of the 2.1L diesel in SUVs? They show up in the Sprinter in a lower torque version. Your GLK and Fintail's "E" may be the last of the breed.

ruking1

It very well might also be a bump in the " diesel" road. I was "heartened", if that is the appropriate word by the latest Wells Fargo Bank experiences. More to the diesel point, the GM, Ford, Chrysler, other OEM's TDI entries.

I know that this site & our hosts are particularly sensitive to political discussions. I'm fine with that, in isolation. But one has to really have a Pollyanna or Sergeant Schultz view of the world, if one does not see (let along act like) politics drives EVERYTHING! Now this should NOT be!! In the very worst case we should at least have the illusion that it doesn't

One relevant example, the revelation that US regulators want to leave VW Corpoate in a very very weakened financial position, for a relatively small (but diesel) infraction, where much GREATER & worse systemic (gasser) US infractions by notably GM, Ford, Chrysler, Toyota are barely given a wink or a nod.

This is also beyond my pay grade, as VW's US yearly sales market share is between 2 to 2.5%. Also, if 20% of the VW's US yearly sales are diesels, that puts the gasser US market share percentage at less than 1.6 to 2%. With the majority of VW's being gassers & small gasser cars @ that, VW has a very small US market yearly sales footprint to begin with.

The % of affected US market share TDI (475,000) units versus the PVF diesel (3.45%) percentage and also total 2014 passenger vehicle (.001729%) percentage demonstrate overwhelmingly anti PVF (VW) diesel bias.

ruking1

The Eco Cons double standards have been,is, remains the a central issue! It's true for solar, In this article documents wind . How many winter turbines do you see in any city ? It has been true for diesel. http://www.forbes.com/sites/realspin/2016/10/21/winds-double-standard/?ref=yfp#12e3d8e64c83

..."The environmental left has been unrelenting in its insistence that the federal government, states and academia exhaustively scrutinize all possible health risks from traditional energy extraction and generation. But when it comes to green energy, they don’t want the same standard of scientific inquiry."...

gagrice

My whole take on W&S is it stinks. It has tripled our Electricity costs over the National average. And they have the nerve to say it is comparable to fossil fuel generation. I think the best analogy would be Hydro electric power, the powers built dams like there was no tomorrow. Then realized they make more problems than they solve. If you get a chance walk around under those windmills. That smell is from dead birds and bats.

Clean coal and clean diesel is superior to the alternatives. When you look hard.

fintail

If the hypocritical eco-weenies make it so my E is the last of the diesel line, it will likely become a longterm keeper.

ruking1

http://www.autoblog.com/2016/10/20/vw-10-billion-settlement-eliminate-tdi-fix/?ref=yfp

It would actually be funny if the headline becomes the ruling! (4 more days till Oct 25, 2016) I've read that WJ Clinton POTUS appointed him.

So for example, if they were to give me (more) $20,000 as per article (2009 TDI Jetta $12,975 with option) because I no longer have an option (to keep it, anticipating a "fix"), those $$'s would be better. Fair would to either pay for the taxes on the replacement vehicle, or grant a Fed/state tax credit. .

We have been able to use all but $8.00 of the $2,000 VW GW. We have 1 tow on VW Road Assist. So four days before the anticipate decision, the amounts could be $5100, $12,975 or $20,000.

gagrice

Maybe the reason there are so few MB, BMW and Jeep diesels. People are snapping them up before the hammer falls on all diesels. Far less than 1% of the inventories. Now here is something interesting. Bob Baker VW has 15 new VW TDI vehicles listed for sale. That is the same Bob Baker that owned the local Lexus dealer, that got the cop and his family killed. Is he telling the authorities to shove it?

https://www.cars.com/for-sale/searchresults.action/?zc=91901&rd=40&stkTypId=28880&mkId=20089&fuelTypeId=31766&sf1Nm=price&sf1Dir=ASC&sf2Nm=location&sf2Dir=ASC&page=1&perPage=50&sortFeatures=buryUsedLowPrice&sortFeatures=buryNewLowPrice&sortFeatures=buryLowPriceOlderThanSix&sortFeatures=buryNoPrice&searchSource=GN_REFINEMENT

ruking1

That indeed maybe be the case. Entries seem to abound: Mercedes-Benz, Land Rover, Range Rover, Jaguar, BMW, Jeep, GM, Ford, Nissan, Chrysler, Chevrolet.

It's going to be interesting what VW will do with the 3.0 L TDI owners. ( VW Touareg, Porsche Cayenne and Audi.)

ruking1

Not to bore you guys to tears, but gas, gas hybrids, E15, E85, EV, can/do NOT meet 2025 54.5 mandated EPA/CARB mpg standards !! Indeed US market OEMs are pleading for a rollback. Keep in mind this is with gasser pick up trucks getting 15 miles plus.

As I have shown, even the government/s CHEAT/LIE!! Imagine that? They do EXACTLY what they accuse the OEM's? They are complicit. Indeed not to have not known is an absolute degree of incredulousness !

"Diesel gate" only highlighted what industry folks have known ALL along. @ best EPA/CARB "SPOT" tested. To have said that they spot tested (TDI's) is being enormously generous, bordering on lying! The numbers are a sham!

Large gasser SUVs that "allegedly" get 25 mpg, get " allegedly" 15 mpg on E85. Ok, there is no real news here! It's all along been known the E85 @ 15 miles a gallon is actually rated (for EPA/car mpg purposes) for 100 mpg!!!

As you've heard me mention more than once, rug/pug & ULSD are joined at the (refinery) hip: 19 gals/12-13 gals/42 gal,barrel=45.2/31%. If 12-13 gals of ULSD are banned, what are the Eco Cons gonna do with it ? Are they really going to treat it as hazardous-waste ? They think they have problems now?

This is really the most incredulous thing. ULSD ( technically that is false, sulfur is ZERO) can be gotten on demand from natural gas. The other sources are almost too numerous to mention.

We live in absolute and total energy abundance! Yet the Eco Cons insist it's finite. Actually the opposite is true, EV is! EV loses 13% after 1 year. It also loses 13% seasonal. Practically speaking it only gets about 80% of the range at a normal speed's. So a 100 miles range battery charge is more like 80 miles. Seasonally it can drop another 13% to where 54!miles range is optimistic.

So my 210 mile trek to South Lake Tahoe that could take me anywhere from 2.75 hours to five hrs, should now take me a satisfying 3.9 days @ the very least?

40% of the US grid electricity is provided by coal-fired plants. It is known that Germany because of greater EV demand is building and enhancing coal-fired plants now @ 47.1%. Germany is much further down the Eco conservative (renewables) path than the US!!! ?? Yup & 50% plus of the PVF are diesels!

While it varies, per kWh are app: 2.1 cents to 4 cents or less wholesale prices. http://www.eia.gov/electricity/wholesale/xls/ice_electric-2015final.xls

I pay 24 cents per kWh, in NO CA.. I'm sure no eco con sees the massive % profit here!?

Germany pays like 35 cents.
https://www.ovoenergy.com/guides/energy-guides/average-electricity-prices-kwh.html

http://www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly/epm_table_grapher.cfm?t=epmt_5_6_a

gagrice

ruking: I pay 24 cents per kWh, in NO CA.. I'm sure no eco con sees the massive % profit here!?

Lucky you. on my latest bill the first 393 KWH were at 19 cents. From there on up it was 39 cents per KWH. We suffer in the heat to keep our bill from going into the stratosphere. You have cheap alternative with the Geysers thermal generators. We are stuck paying for W&S farms that only work part of the time. So we need NG backup generators also running. This guy has found the best way to beat the system. If it was only diesel.

ruking1

In the macro of things, (I would not want folks to think I'm only concerned about diesel) that a few headlines & shots should be titled in this article: http://www.freep.com/story/money/cars/2016/10/22/detroit-3-ford-gm-fca/92416356/?ref=yfp

" Save Our Planet: Get Rid of UAW (American) jobs! "

So if one reads between the lines, the once proud Big Three US auto makers could be in danger of .5 to 1 (left) standing? So, ...the middle class wonders why the middle class has been, is, continues to lose its membership?

ruking1

gagrice said:

ruking: I pay 24 cents per kWh, in NO CA.. I'm sure no eco con sees the massive % profit here!?

Lucky you. on my latest bill the first 393 KWH were at 19 cents. From there on up it was 39 cents per KWH. We suffer in the heat to keep our bill from going into the stratosphere. You have cheap alternative with the Geysers thermal generators. We are stuck paying for W&S farms that only work part of the time. So we need NG backup generators also running. This guy has found the best way to beat the system. If it was only diesel.

OMG! As I scrolled down to see the picture, (sorry hosts) my visceral reaction was it's an odd house! I'm glad I wasn't sipping coffee, as I scrolled further & saw it built into a Prius!!!

The (odd house) picture reminded me of old upstate New York odd houses. (never thought I'd be waxing about the old days) Do organizations like the hysterical society preserve houses like that , for hysterical value of course?

fintail

I notice this thread isn't moving to the top with new posts. Another software flaw, or did it offend someone who lacks the courage to say it, kind of like with the inconsiderate drivers thread?

Hooverville house attached to a Prius, sounds right. I honked at a Prius in my evil diesel yesterday, as going 10 under and virtually stopping for a turn seemed like the right thing to do for the "driver".

iluvmysephia1

I notice this thread isn't moving to the top with new posts. Another software flaw, or did it offend someone who lacks the courage to say it, kind of like with the inconsiderate drivers thread?


I have noticed this same thing going on for a few days in here. Just for this thread, though.

ruking1

The 2017 Jaguar F Pace TDI, CUV sounds hot!

The hefty price tags (4 trim models) & 318 # ft of torque are less than total excitement.

Mercedes-Benz with the 2.1 L 369 # feet of torque & $$'s & $500 lower than gas models indeed sets very high bars.

fintail

Topped off the tank at $2.60/gallon for Chevron diesel today - RUG was 7 cents more, PUG must have been close to $3. Why wouldn't one want a diesel in a car like this?

I last topped it off in Yakima, 5 days ago. Drove around there, back and forth from Yakima to Naches twice, then home, then around the area for a few days, all for under $20.

ruking1

Indeed, gasolines @ 19 gals /ULSD @ 12-13 gals are natural product yields of refining a barrel of oil (@ 42 gals plus 3-4 gals of resultant product additions), amongst other products.

When combined with other factors: the higher gasoline demands (95 % to 97% GASSER PVF) & more importantly much smaller (3% to 5% ULSD PVF) weaker ULSD demands, (way more ULSD is refined than the ULSD PVF can use ) price differences are almost structural.

So given the prices you mentioned & adding 10 cents per gal for PUG, the like model MB GLK 350 for 18,000 miles per year @ 22 mpg will use app 818 gals. ($2.77= $2,266 ) vs (36 mpg for ) 500 gals. ( * $2.60= $1,300 per year) Or for savings of app $966 saved per year. PUG is 74.3% more than ULSD.

So the Envir Cons will have one believe that burning 818 gals. of PUG are LESS consumptive than 500 gals. of ULSD. for the same amount of mileage.

gagrice

Ruking, be careful while in the city, this may not stay upright. Another cover up that will end up in court.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_LEANING_TOWER_OF_SAN_FRANCISCO?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2016-10-24-00-08-11

gagrice

I think the handwriting is on the wall for our Touareg TDIs.

Audi will buy back 25K older-generation diesel cars in the U.S., according to Der Spiegel. The company is being forced to buy back the Q7s because they are too old to be fixed to meet emissions standards.

http://seekingalpha.com/news/3215742-audi-buy-back-25k-cars-u-s

Is this why we are seeing the reluctance from MB to put out their 2017 diesels???? The Ford Transit diesel is looking better every day. I can buy a stripped one and customize it. Or they build them just for Stever, sans diesel.

ruking1

gagrice said:

Ruking, be careful while in the city, this may not stay upright. Another cover up that will end up in court.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_LEANING_TOWER_OF_SAN_FRANCISCO?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2016-10-24-00-08-11

Too funny, the building might wind up being taken down explosively. That too might end up in court. Most folks don't understand that below Montgomery Street, SF, CA used to be underwater! So if the foundations are not done beyond right...... (bed rock as I recall it's about 250 feet)

Is that what the Eco Cons mean about rising waters in the "low" lands!? ( building ill conceived & executed sinking app 2 to 3 ft)

I can't even make this stuff up !! It would've been even funnier if DiCaprio owned part of this building.

ruking1

gagrice said:

I think the handwriting is on the wall for our Touareg TDIs.

Audi will buy back 25K older-generation diesel cars in the U.S., according to Der Spiegel. The company is being forced to buy back the Q7s because they are too old to be fixed to meet emissions standards.

http://seekingalpha.com/news/3215742-audi-buy-back-25k-cars-u-s

Is this why we are seeing the reluctance from MB to put out their 2017 diesels???? The Ford Transit diesel is looking better every day. I can buy a stripped one and customize it. Or they build them just for Stever, sans diesel.

If that article is true, the questions: what are the prices?

So for example if the option of getting a fix is REMOVED for my 2009 VW Jetta TDI ) (nexus: older rather than younger), there should be a penalty for that. Now "acceptance" of the buyback option yields $12,975/140,000 miles ($20,000) puts cpmd: ownership depreciation at approximately 5 cents a mile.

So for the Touareg TDI, I would expect no less,

So if that last article I read is correct, $20,000 would be the new number. In that case, I would've got my money back. I've already received the $1300 2009 IRS tax credit, the VW GW of $1,000 & 3 years of VW Road Assist. Again, some numbers should be assigned to removing the VW Road Assist 2 years early. Financing was done by VW @ close to 0%. So the best case MAY possibly be that VW will pay me to have put 140,000 miles on this car.

So for the TDI Touareg, I would expect no less.

So my next question: where can I get another one of these kinds of deals?

stever

gagrice said:

Is this why we are seeing the reluctance from MB to put out their 2017 diesels???? The Ford Transit diesel is looking better every day. I can buy a stripped one and customize it. Or they build them just for Stever, sans diesel.

Barely rode our bikes this last week on our camping trip. May as well downsize to a hatch since I have packing the other gear down to a fine art. May have to buy another unicycle if I get the urge to pedal - sold mine a few months back since I'm on the gravel out here.

fintail

Now this thread pops back up to the top, cool. Maybe a software glitch after all, or so I hope.

For the 2017 E diesel in this market, I read we don't have it because the new generation E has a different engine than the existing 2.1, and it wasn't federalized in time. I suspect because MB didn't submit it due to dieselgate fallout and potential extra scrutiny. I have no news of if or when we will see a C or E diesel.

Michaell

gagrice said:

Just tried to build a Mercedes GLE 300d, and they don't come up on the MBUSA website. Have we seen the end of the 2.1L diesel in SUVs? They show up in the Sprinter in a lower torque version. Your GLK and Fintail's "E" may be the last of the breed.

I saw an article this morning that the EPA is slow to approve the new diesels; for MB, it's impacted what vehicles they will offer it in.

The only one I heard about was the GLS SUV - not sure which diesel engine it is meant to have. Seems to be way too big for the 2.1. Not sure if MB will certify the 2.1 for 2017.

At the moment, the only diesel SUVs on the market are the Jeep Grand Cherokee and the Jaguar F-Pace.

kyfdx

Range Rover?

Michaell

kyfdx said:

Range Rover?

Yep, them too. Good catch.

ruking1

But this seems to be the real situation? PU trucks & large SUV's http://www.wsj.com/articles/detroit-keeps-foot-on-the-gas-when-it-comes-to-trucks-1477301402

gagrice

The Jaguar F-Pace is interesting and should be a worthy choice. Has some great electronics gadgets. Will go out and look at them. From the specs they are smaller than the Touareg or GLE. More a GLC or X3 competition. Looks like you can get the F-Pace nicely equipped for around $50k. EPA rates it 33 Hwy 29 MPG overall.

ruking1

TDI 2018 Chevrolet Eqinox 1.6 L, 236# ft of torque, 9 speed A/T. http://www.forbes.com/sites/kelleybluebook/2016/10/24/2018-chevrolet-equinox-completely-redesigned-with-diesel-efficiency/?ref=yfp#3ad5c97d1c1b

Approved $14.7 B VW deal? Would this mean arm twisting "fixes" are now moot? http://www.wsj.com/articles/volkswagen-s-14-7-billion-buyback-deal-on-emissions-scandal-approved-1477409939

kyfdx

The fixes are still on, assuming VW can come up with one that is approved. Most every report that I've read doubts they can do it.

ruking1

I think in very many ways that's too bad. VW has been the only OEM that I've ever dealt with that has ever stood as solidly behind its products (diesels in this example). Believe it or not, they make better products!.

So over the years, none have been even close: Toyota, Chevrolet, Honda, Ford. Again this has been my anectotal experiences.

On the 2009 Jetta TDI, the est cpmd depreciation/ownership = 3.338 cents. for 140,000 miles.

gagrice

So those of US with Touareg TDI are still in the dark. My service manager said, buying the cars back and storing until a fix is ready, is better than going at it hit and miss at every dealership. They plan to set up storage and repair facility at some to be announced location. Fixing them on an assembly line would be far better than training someone in every dealership to perform the fix, whatever they come up with. It will be easier to sell them when they are repaired also. They person buying will know what they are getting.


The agreement does not cover about 90,000 cars with 3.0-liter engines that also had the cheating software. Volkswagen, regulators and consumers’ lawyers are still negotiating a possible settlement for those vehicles.

http://www.latimes.com/business/autos/la-fi-hy-vw-settlement-20161025-snap-story.html

xwesx

ruking1 said:

TDI 2018 Chevrolet Eqinox 1.6 L, 236# ft of torque, 9 speed A/T. http://www.forbes.com/sites/kelleybluebook/2016/10/24/2018-chevrolet-equinox-completely-redesigned-with-diesel-efficiency/?ref=yfp#3ad5c97d1c1b

Approved $14.7 B VW deal? Would this mean arm twisting "fixes" are now moot? http://www.wsj.com/articles/volkswagen-s-14-7-billion-buyback-deal-on-emissions-scandal-approved-1477409939

Nice! I haven't considered GM vehicles (ever), but I'll definitely take a look at this when we start getting serious about replacing our 2010 Forester. I thought we were completely happy with it, but my wife seems to be getting a little nervous after crossing the 7-yr/100,000-mile threshold. I think that all the work we ended up performing on it while it was under extended warranty took its toll on her peace of mind. LOL

Sadly, no manual transmission option, but I've already warned her that a MT is an unlikely feature of any new car we buy.

texases

What all problems did you have with the Forester? 2011-on have the new engine, so less chance of head gasket problems and no timing belt. We're looking into a new Forester, surprisingly they have some MTs on the lot!

ruking1

I read another article indicating the Equinox is made in China. It was a popular model losing its pizzazz. But for a few reasons the Equinox is doing well on the USA market. I'm sure a diesel with 9 speed A/T option is another great reason.

Non diesel related

I was reading an article saying that despite the fact that Subaru's are great cars, VERY popular, literally can't make enough of them, and a well-run company: that it may not be long as a brand/ and/or stand alone brand. The article mentioned that Toyota owns approximately.15%. The article mention there were other brands that were in the same predicament.

stever

Wiki says it's a bit under 9%. This was interesting too - "In May 2016, Fuji Heavy Industries announced that it would change its name to Subaru Corporation pending approval by its shareholders, with the change planned to go into effect in April 2017."

Subaru just dropped out of the top ten reliability list in the latest CR rankings. VWs don't fare too well either. Here's their brand list.

ruking1

Wiki is behind. The article I read (today's) was more financial in nature and not so much on reliability, etc. I think I may have read it on Bloomberg, but don't quote me.

stever

I was thinking there was a Mitsu tie-in at some point, and I had forgotten about GM's 20% ownership stake.

Hm, maybe it was Isuzu that used to share the Indiana factory with Subaru.

No diesel news today.

Other than the dieselgate settlement approval by the judge.