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Tallgeese wrote:

Until very recently, diesels were not an option for America.

Not an option? or not a "good" option.
... and please define recently.
Because I recall being able to buy a diesel vw most of the years I have been alive.

gd wrote:

Did you read the smurfing mileage? It has more than the 11 year Jag dad bought a few years back. It also has more than moms old Nativa (Mitsubishi Montero Sport in USA) Dad is pondering on selling the former at 12 grand because of its great conditions mechanically and in the bodywork. Both owners, my dad being one of them have babied the car a lot.The jag currently has 84k miles. He got it with 36k. The Nativa was sent to a junker at 120k miles. The thing couldn't be looked at without breaking down. A freind's mother has a Nativa with around 242k according to him and the damn thing needs a repair almost monthly.

I guess the pricing is reasonable. It could, though, be a lemon.

For me to get into any car with less mileage would have run me more money than my bank was willing to give me.

My Ford Aspire had 230,000 miles on it when it finally died. My Tempo had 198,000. My goal with any vehicle is to get 250,000 out of it (roughly the distance to the moon).

I have a friend who had an Oldsmobile with over 500,000 miles(!) on it when he finally replaced it. The car he has now has over 300,000 on it.

Some people care about low mileage, I'm not one of them.

dv wrote:

I bought my car with relatively low mileage: but at 25k per year, it didn't stay that way for long.

Don't you live on Puerto Rico, gd? Are 60 mile commutes common there?

er  isn't the main island only like a tad over 100 miles wide?

Bren wrote:

, and it will have been cleaned a lot more often than most cars.

my cars are an L of of lot cleaner than any rental I have ever driven

Jokotai wrote:

Hey, not so.  You can absolutely get an American-made diesel vehicle.  Any of various massively oversized pickup trucks, the Freightliner Custom Van (which are actually quite nice, designed by Mercedes), or just go all out and get yourself a Kentworth (9 MPG!).

Of course, keeping log books and trying to follow hours of service regulations might be a drawback if you go for the larger option.

Seriously, I'm hoping that the fallout of auto companies in the economic crunch will result in more European-styled competition, with the additions of Opel and Fiat to American car lots.  If you get those, one or two diesel models are bound to enter the lineup.

Edit: I've just forgotten that there's a new American regulation that requires some diesel vehicles to use an exhaust fluid, which exhaust gasses are passed through so that sulfuric emissions are eliminated.  This fluid is horrendously expensive and, just like the catalytic converter, doesn't live up to its design.

and it sounds like it restricts exhaust pressure which will lower the MPG.

Does anyone ever look at the environmental impact of the additional fuel used as a result of these smog gimmicks?

resedit wrote:

Jokotai wrote:

I've just forgotten that there's a new American regulation that requires some diesel vehicles to use an exhaust fluid, which exhaust gasses are passed through so that sulfuric emissions are eliminated.  This fluid is horrendously expensive and, just like the catalytic converter, doesn't live up to its design.

and it sounds like it restricts exhaust pressure which will lower the MPG.

Does anyone ever look at the environmental impact of the additional fuel used as a result of these smog gimmicks?

What's worse, and any truck driver will tell you this, the government is changing regulations on a yearly basis, without concern of what happens to the industry.  But, that's for another thread.

Gd, refresh my memory: What type of red car does your dad have? I thought you said he had a Ferrari, past-tense? Is this a different car? Just curious.

Noticed a couple HHRs on my commute this morning. They look better irl than in that picture.

Pithecanthropus wrote:

Here's my car.

that parking lot looks familiar

I'm majorly bummed today. Missed out on a 2001 Chevy Prizm (basically identical to a Toyota Corolla) for $1000 on Craigslist. Reason given for why so cheap is that it had 194,000 miles and an oil leak (timing chain cover). Body and interior looked well above average. He didn't leave a time that was too early to call, only not to call after 10pm. Was too lazy to wake up early and see if it was still available. He email me back about noon and said it was gone.


I don't need a second car but it would be very nice to have something economical like that!

WhirlinGraphics wrote:

I'm majorly bummed today. Missed out on a 2001 Chevy Prizm (basically identical to a Toyota Corolla) for $1000 on Craigslist. Reason given for why so cheap is that it had 194,000 miles and an oil leak (timing chain cover). Body and interior looked well above average. He didn't leave a time that was too early to call, only not to call after 10pm. Was too lazy to wake up early and see if it was still available. He email me back about noon and said it was gone.


I don't need a second car but it would be very nice to have something economical like that!

That is a bummer.

I wish the Geo Metro was still around. That would be perfect for my commute. My father in law did buy one used, and is fixing it up. He commutes every day in it. Yes, it sucks in just about every way conceivable, but you can practically drive across the state on a gallon of gas.

Bren wrote:

Gd, refresh my memory: What type of red car does your dad have? I thought you said he had a Ferrari, past-tense? Is this a different car? Just curious.

Ferrari as in he had it from 1999 brand new to 2000. That car was a silver c
F355 spyder with a black interior and a black softtop. Currently from last november -
the red NSX-T (model year 2005) with a black interior.

Sounds like he almost changes sports cars more often than I change me pants.