Gas Prices Options

[Bleyseng]

What is everyone paying for gas?
Its $2.00 for regular here in Phoenix.
Was $1.80 in Seattle when I left on Thursday

Geoff

[need4speed]

I ought to start a new thread for this. But it's related;

I'm looking into replacing my daily driver 240 Volvo with a more fuel-efficient car. The ultimate choice seems to be a TDI-based VW. The results of my "research":

1. California EPA restrictions impose a tax on diesels in 2004, because of tighter restrictions on Diesel fuel sulfer content. Since diesel fuel sold in California won't be able to meet those tighter restrictions until 2006, no diesels can be registered in California until that time, without the seller (or manufacturer?) paying this surcharge. Hence, VW has bowed out of the California market with their diesels. You may blame the California EPA for making overzealous restrictions that the diesel fuel suppliers can't (or won't) meet. Or you could blame the diesel fuel suppliers for not gearing up their production facilities to produce enough of the fuel that meets those requirements. I personally blame the oil companies, of course. That's just the way I am. Either way - the price of Diesel in California will definately go up as a result, and either way, VW told California to f-off.
So - IF the oil companies come through, and start supplying the low-sulfur diesel in California, or IF these restrictions are lifted, VW *may* again supply Diesels in California in 2006.

2. The Jetta is a tiny, tiny car. It has a crappy reliability rating from Consumer Reports, and from my brother in law's personal experience. (He was so pissed about his 92 Jetta, he said he'd disown me if I bought one). The TDI motor is readily available for the Jetta, and rates about 50 mpg on the highway. No hybrid I know of will do that. Hybrids tend to be better in stop-n-go traffic, because of the ability to utilize the regenerative braking. Hybrid proponents dispute this as anti-hybrid propaganda. (seems to me, the ideal compromise would be a diesel hybrid?)

3. The Passat is larger, same class as the Accord. I think it's based on the Audi A4 body. It also has a much better reliability rating than the Jetta. Also, generally about $10k more. The same 1.9l TDI engine still gets 50 mpg. I don't understand the physics behind that, but obviously, the Passat isn't going to have the same zip that the Jetta has with the same engine.

4. The Passat offered the TDI motor in 1996, 1997, and 1998. They were very rare. And the "official" VW "certified pre-owned VW" program won't sell a car older than 1999. 1999 was also the body-style change for the Passat. The 2004 Passat has the TDI motor as an option - but NOT in California.

5. The Toureg's V-10 is apparently also a Diesel. NOT available in California. This engine supposedly gets 35 mpg on the highway, which is better than the projected milage for the new hybrid trucks coming out of Detroit NEXT year. Damn, wouldn't it be kick ass to crowbar that v-10 into a teener. Along with the triptronic?

6. So far, it's been impossible to find a TDI Passat (1996-1998) in California. If anyone knows of one for sale, I'd like to hear about it. TDI Jettas come and go, and I guess the later ones may not be as bad as the 1990's ones. It also SEEMS that when I've seen TDI Jettas advertised, they're a couple thousand MORE in California. I may end up looking for one in Phoenix.

I only need a car to commute with, which means a Golf might even suit me - but for the occasional drive of kids and friends to school, basketball practice, etc. . . man, that's a tiny car.