The 65MPG Diesel Builds, but will not sell in the US
09-09-2008 | 12:42 PM
#16
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From: Oregon
I think people were starting to come around in America. After a pretty poor GM engine, lots of people did think of diesels as noisy, difficult to start, and sometimes problematic.
People with big truck or pickup backgrounds, though, I think were quicker to come around to the advantage of diesels, especially since the MPG advantage seems to broaden the heavier you are hauling. Several engines (like the 5.9) also created a reputation of having a service life several times longer than the gas motor options.
Now, though, it seems to me the EPA regs have greatly increased the cost of a diesel, decreased the fuel efficiency advantage, and decreased the reliability advantage... On top of that, diesel fuel is now more expensive than premium gas, where it had traditionally been quite a bit cheaper than regular gasoline...
People with big truck or pickup backgrounds, though, I think were quicker to come around to the advantage of diesels, especially since the MPG advantage seems to broaden the heavier you are hauling. Several engines (like the 5.9) also created a reputation of having a service life several times longer than the gas motor options.
Now, though, it seems to me the EPA regs have greatly increased the cost of a diesel, decreased the fuel efficiency advantage, and decreased the reliability advantage... On top of that, diesel fuel is now more expensive than premium gas, where it had traditionally been quite a bit cheaper than regular gasoline...
09-09-2008 | 12:52 PM
#17
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The only thing the Smart car is good for is, you can get 2 in 1 parking spot!!
BTW my Civic gets 34mpg on the low side,38 high side, can carry 5 adults +luggage while doing 80mph comfortably if needed.(that's only 5 over out here in AZ).
Oh yea, my Civic EX is only about $1800 more than a decked out Smart Car.
Did I mention the Civic will probably last a heck of a lot longer also.
So if you ask me, the Smart Car is actually pretty Dumb.
BTW my Civic gets 34mpg on the low side,38 high side, can carry 5 adults +luggage while doing 80mph comfortably if needed.(that's only 5 over out here in AZ).
Oh yea, my Civic EX is only about $1800 more than a decked out Smart Car.
Did I mention the Civic will probably last a heck of a lot longer also.
So if you ask me, the Smart Car is actually pretty Dumb.
09-09-2008 | 03:00 PM
#18
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Joined: Dec 2005
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From: DFW, Texas
Well, not really. I mean, if you just need something small and economical to commute or run to the store the "smart car" fits the bill. Id never drive one, but more power to those who want to. Youd be surprised at the number of people who never leave the city limits. These arent made to compete with a Civic on a road trip, they are for those living in congested urban environments.
How cool would one be with a 2cyl diesel engine?!?
How cool would one be with a 2cyl diesel engine?!?
09-09-2008 | 04:36 PM
#21
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Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
The Mercedes Smart Car has been available in Canada for several years with the 2 cylinder diesel engine.
The diesel version does not meet the US EPA & Carb emission standards
so a gasoline engine version was developed for the US market.
The diesel version sold in Canada is nearly identical to the European version that has been around for a long time.
It gets incredible mileage, (75+mpg Canadian/63mpg US), on the highway.
...Joe
The diesel version does not meet the US EPA & Carb emission standards
so a gasoline engine version was developed for the US market.
The diesel version sold in Canada is nearly identical to the European version that has been around for a long time.
It gets incredible mileage, (75+mpg Canadian/63mpg US), on the highway.
...Joe
09-10-2008 | 10:33 AM
#22
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Well, not really. I mean, if you just need something small and economical to commute or run to the store the "smart car" fits the bill. Id never drive one, but more power to those who want to. Youd be surprised at the number of people who never leave the city limits. These arent made to compete with a Civic on a road trip, they are for those living in congested urban environments.
How cool would one be with a 2cyl diesel engine?!?
How cool would one be with a 2cyl diesel engine?!?
If it's raining, just go the ZipCar option if you're in a city. I'm in the country so adverse weather is just an excuse to fire up 5.9 liters of diesel fury!
09-10-2008 | 11:41 AM
#23
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From: Oak Hills CA- Elizabeth City NC
I think I will stick to my cbr1000. 45mpg or better and it will do 180+. Gotta be more fun than a smartcar and I probably stand about the same chance of survival if I get in a accident.
09-10-2008 | 03:43 PM
#24
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From: DFW, Texas
Hey I love my ninja for commuting. The ram sees action about 2x a month. But its not for everyone. The smart car is a viable alternative for those not so bold to strap an engine to their um.....lower appendages.
09-10-2008 | 05:24 PM
#25
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Yeah but anything over 750CC won't pass muster with the Admiral. Plus, I get bunches of storage on my geek ride. However, if I could get anything I wanted, it would be a Kawasaki Concours 14. I can only dream though.
10-01-2008 | 12:34 PM
#26
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I have a Concours 14 and it is a great alternative to the truck on nice days or when I dont have to tow. You can find them cheap if you look around.
The Big 3 are just going down the tubes due to bad business decisions and poor market anticipation. The second the gas prices got to $3.00 a gallon they should have been pouring it on their R&D to come up with reliable and viable solutions to the Japanese vehicles that have always been better at making economical vehicles. What is REALLY stupid is Ford has a product that is already made and available and refuses to sell it in the US when their company is GOING DOWN THE DRAIN. People that usually buy a Toyota Pruis are not a stupid crowd and can do math just fine. It would not be hard to sell those Ford Diesel cars here and a LOT of folks would join the crowd to buy anything that has a roof and gets over 60 MPG. But, what do I know...
The Big 3 are just going down the tubes due to bad business decisions and poor market anticipation. The second the gas prices got to $3.00 a gallon they should have been pouring it on their R&D to come up with reliable and viable solutions to the Japanese vehicles that have always been better at making economical vehicles. What is REALLY stupid is Ford has a product that is already made and available and refuses to sell it in the US when their company is GOING DOWN THE DRAIN. People that usually buy a Toyota Pruis are not a stupid crowd and can do math just fine. It would not be hard to sell those Ford Diesel cars here and a LOT of folks would join the crowd to buy anything that has a roof and gets over 60 MPG. But, what do I know...
10-02-2008 | 01:15 AM
#27
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Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Grande Prairie, Ab
A huge part of the problem with acceptance is the discrepancy between the price of gasoline and diesel.
When I was there this summer, the difference was around 20%. Add that to the price premium charged to diesels and many diesel vehicles will be long paid for before the cost difference is made up.
If the US quit taxing the hell out of diesel, then you'd have a lot more diesels on the road.
For instance, in Canada, (where diesel is about the same price as regular), 75% of Jeep Grand Cherokees sold are diesels. In the US, it's 5%. That is about as apples/apples as a comparison gets.
The only difference is the price of the fuel.
When I was there this summer, the difference was around 20%. Add that to the price premium charged to diesels and many diesel vehicles will be long paid for before the cost difference is made up.
If the US quit taxing the hell out of diesel, then you'd have a lot more diesels on the road.
For instance, in Canada, (where diesel is about the same price as regular), 75% of Jeep Grand Cherokees sold are diesels. In the US, it's 5%. That is about as apples/apples as a comparison gets.
The only difference is the price of the fuel.
10-02-2008 | 10:06 PM
#28
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From: Southern Maryland
I read a article a while back where they pitted a full size benz diesel against a prius. I will try to find a link to the article. The benz came within mere points of the prius on fuel mileage and was an admitted better more comfortable car. Imagine if they brought out the prius with a diesel electric the thing would probably get 70mpg or better.
Here it is:
http://www.goodcleantech.com/2008/03...us_in_mpgs.php
10-02-2008 | 11:09 PM
#29
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Joined: May 2005
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From: Edmonton,Alberta
The Mercedes Smart Car has been available in Canada for several years with the 2 cylinder diesel engine.
The diesel version does not meet the US EPA & Carb emission standards
so a gasoline engine version was developed for the US market.
The diesel version sold in Canada is nearly identical to the European version that has been around for a long time.
It gets incredible mileage, (75+mpg Canadian/63mpg US), on the highway.
...Joe
The diesel version does not meet the US EPA & Carb emission standards
so a gasoline engine version was developed for the US market.
The diesel version sold in Canada is nearly identical to the European version that has been around for a long time.
It gets incredible mileage, (75+mpg Canadian/63mpg US), on the highway.
...Joe
Its actually a 3 cylinder, 800cc to boot
. Some friends of my folks have one and they make a lot of trips from their farm to the city and back (110km each way plus whatever they drive in the city) so the 70mpg is very nice for them, rather than a 25mpg minivan or the like. I've driven the little car, the tranny in auto mode is pathetic but in manual shift its fairly nice. It held 120km/h (70mph) no problem and it took less than highway width to turn around LOL.I know I'd love to see the diesel trucks that Toyota and Nissan offer in Australia, sold here.
10-03-2008 | 02:29 AM
#30
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Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Grande Prairie, Ab
I drove a gas smart car on the autobauns and did a lap with it at Nurburgring. The car is a hoot to drive. Very high quality workmanship. Unlike most other small cars, (and bigger more expensive cars as well), the Smart feels and looks like a quality auto.
It will cruise all day long at 153kmh, (governed), and I drove the 'ring in about 12.5 minutes...some of the most fun I've ever had in a car.
I seem to recall that I got around 35mpg while driving maxed out.
It will cruise all day long at 153kmh, (governed), and I drove the 'ring in about 12.5 minutes...some of the most fun I've ever had in a car.
I seem to recall that I got around 35mpg while driving maxed out.