MMisencik157

The older ones get better gas mileage because they dont have a DPF (diesel particulate filter) which is essentially a giant filter in the exhaust that traps soot. Any diesel 2007.5 and newer has a DPF. DPFs arent cheap either, I believe the Ford dealership wants ~$2,000 to replace the one on any of their diesel trucks. Im pretty sure this causes much of that huge jump in price. Also incase you were wondering why DPF equiped diesels get worse fuel mileage than non-DPF (aside from the obvious restriction they produce), it is becasue they clean themselves by injecting raw diesel fuel to burn the soot which turns it into ash which is less harmfull to the enviornment.

deepbluejh

Which cars were they considering?
Are there any other affordable diesel passenger cars available for sale in the US right now besides the ones from VW?

dombey

So here are my quick thoughts on diesel. You'll notice I own one. Diesel makes sense if you are buying for the right reasons and under the right circumstances.
There was, at the time, no gas car that offered the level of performance AND mileage that the 335d offers. Not even close. Even the new 328, with comparable mileage, is only comparable in performance because it has an 8 speed and other updates; the motor itself puts out way less torque and less hp.
Diesel does cost more when fuel prices are lower because the diesel taxes are higher. However, in AZ right now, it costs less because of demand dynamics. This is relative to premium. You have a hard time making the math work when comparing diesel to regular. Again, you have to be comparing cars with performance traits and then you'll likely be looking at a premium gas alternative.
Diesel cars cost more...only if demand holds up. We bought ours at the end of the year when the dealer had like two dozen on the lot and tons of trunk money. Handed us $8500 off Msrp without even trying. That made it LESS expensive to buy than the gas 335i which was in big demand.
So, it is possible to buy diesel and save a ton of cash if the circumstances are right. The knock is on certain models at certain times in certain circumstances, not so much on diesel in general.

cdelena

I tried to keep my distance from the squabble but it seems he wanted the Golf TDI, she wanted a Prius, and they wound up with a Elantra. Thus far they are happy with their decision.

ElTianti

This is why you don't see many diesel cars for sale in the US. The superior MPG offered by a diesel doesn't offset the extra cost of diesel over gas or the extra cost of diesel car over a gas powered one.

RC 94

I disagree completely. There is a generalization of diesels as heavy duty trucks, as in shooting black smoke, being smelly, and dirty in general. With this generalization in place, most car buyers don't even think about a clean diesel because to them diesels aren't clean. Once you get past that idea, you see people starting to buy them more. Diesels themselves were up 35% this Quarter, versus the same Quarter last year. That's a HUGE increase.

And besides, the price of gas versus diesel depends on where you are and the time of year. Right now premium and diesel are the exact same price where I live. I just got back from a 100 mile trip, in a Jetta TDI, where the average speed was about 72 mph. At that rate we averaged 48 MPG. If we had been in a 2.5, and gotten close to maybe 29 MPG, that's a 19 MPG difference. That's pretty substantial.

And if you want substantial, the CX-5 diesel is supposed to get 53 MPG highway on the US-Cycle. That's insane.

The Gasman

I had an 83 Mercedes 300d that was a TANK and it never got below 30mph.

My new to me diesel truck though...not so much, but still better than a gas version.

TheDonEffect

Bingo. For a gas effient people hauler, the jetta or passat wagon tdis are hard to beat imo. Torque, mpg, and resale value. Still, i wish one of the japanese makes would bring theirs here.

ElTianti

But a Prius C has a lower MSRP and returns 50mpg highway and it runs on fuel that 30 cents cheaper a gallon than diesel. If MPG is your top priority, at least in the US were diesel cost more, a hybrid is a better choice than a diesel.

fishfryer

Since the diesel has a greater range it means you fill up less often, since filling up at the gas station takes time and time is money and I think my time is worth $500/hr I'd save $1,000 per year with the diesel. You're savings may vary.