Bought a new Toyota Prius...

[Sid Post]

Curious, what keeps the world class diesel small cars and truck out of the U.S. market. I see references to various diesel models but mostly Toyota and perhaps primarily small trucks that are both inexpensive and run strong for a very long time.

The GM "350" Diesel killed the non-commercial automotive market in the US. Diesel has also gone from being cheaper to more expensive then gasoline. Add direct fuel injection in modern cars and the fuel economy advantage diminishes significantly and cannot offset the higher initial purchase price.

I do like my air quality however folks are living and breathing where these vehicles are sold and used.

Modern diesel engines really have little in common with their older generations. The rattle and smoke are gone with modern design and they have various clean emission techniques that make them as ~clean as comparable gas engines.

PS. Full disclosure I do not care for VW - ask me about our 75 Dasher- you will never buy a VW- horror story but did live through it..barely...dumb car...or maybe it was just the criminals that sold and serviced it.

I have owned two VW diesel cars ~2 decades ago. Both diesels were very efficient and reliable. Today, I would be all over a new VW TDI.

 

[Sid Post]

I absolutely cannot stand how damn quiet these things are when they are running. My father has one and he has almost hit me twice while he was backing up.

In Europe there is talk of requiring a hum or some other "noise" so blind people don't step out into a cross walk in front of one and get run over.

 

[SSonnentag]

The 2012 Prius already has a "noisemaker" a.k.a. Vehicle Proximity Notification System (VPNS). Mine has one, but I pulled the plug on it. I enjoy "stealth" mode in parking lots
I loved my Charger R/T, but the fuel bill was killing me, and I like gadgets.... a.k.a. Prius.

The Prius has absolutely no problem keeping up with traffic. It has the same 9.7 second 0-60 time as the Honda Civic, which is in the ballpark with most other small cars on the road.
Anyway, I'm enjoying the car, keeping up with traffic, and am averaging 50.1 mpg on the first 3200 miles so far. No complaints here. Battery life seems to be in excess of 10 years, so no worries there either.

 

[T.K.C.]

I am glad that you are enjoying your new car.

 

[hung-solo]

From an owner of a Hemi Challenger R/T that gets I-don't-give-a-s^%#-gas-mileage, please stay the F&*( out of the left lane.
Thank you.

A fu***ng men! if you want to conserve fuel then drive as far right as you can please. let the rest of us get home faster.

 

[hung-solo]

The GM "350" Diesel killed the non-commercial automotive market in the US. Diesel has also gone from being cheaper to more expensive then gasoline. Add direct fuel injection in modern cars and the fuel economy advantage diminishes significantly and cannot offset the higher initial purchase price.



Modern diesel engines really have little in common with their older generations. The rattle and smoke are gone with modern design and they have various clean emission techniques that make them as ~clean as comparable gas engines.



I have owned two VW diesel cars ~2 decades ago. Both diesels were very efficient and reliable. Today, I would be all over a new VW TDI.

if america gets smart they would import those fantastic fuel saving diesel cars sold in europe. not mention the hilux.. ohhh yeah!

 

[TimberWolf7.62]

Fixed

I too have seen some Prius owners driving like a bat out of hell. They're saving the world at 85pmh. Reminds me of crazy ass soccer moms in minivans.

That being said, going that fast, doesn't the Prius only get 18mpg? That's what I've heard I just don't know if it's true.

Yeah, can you spell hypocrite? "Oh, I own a Prius, I'm saving the world - -- BUT I'm driving at a speed that I only get 18 mpg". LOL! Nice. My Challenger is rated at 16 city 25 highway so it's a damn shame if I'm coming close mileage-wise to a Prius being driven beyond its intended limits.

 

[WA Martin]

Felt like showing this. They just unveiled specs last night for the Empulse and Empulse RR. 100+ mph top speed and over 100 mile range on one charge.

Hum, that should get me to town and back, if I park when I get to town and walk to all the stores within a three mile radius.

Seriously though, if they weren't so blooming expensive, and had more range, and in the larger vehicles had better mileage, I'd try one. But let's be honest - you're still burning fossil fuels to drive one. Conventionally you are doing it enroute. Electroventionally, you're doing it in someone else's backyard.

 

[wildmanh]

Back in College I drove a 1982 4 door Chevy Chevette Hatch Back with a 1.8L Isuzu Diesel engine and a 5 speed manual transmission. Worst I ever got in it was 34 mpg and the best was 51 mpg on a long summer drive. Wish we didn't give it away when I moved after college.

VW, Jag and others have some sweet diesels that get 40 to 70 mpg. If they were available here and I could afford one, I'd jump at the chance.

To the OP, Congrats on the new car. My old boss's wife has one and loves it.