Edwin Pawlowski said:
Here in CT we get hosed on taxes. Diesel was a buck higher but is now 90¢
As for longevity, many do last much longer than gas engines, but some have
proven to be less reliable over time. I don't know about the TDI. VW
does have a lot of experience with them though. Remember the Rabbit? You
could always tell the diesel from the black soot up the back end.
I'm wondering if the Prius owners will be a happy bunch in five years as
the batteries start to fail. Or what the resale value of one at that age
will be even if otherwise in good condition.
That's the same thing I'm wondering about Prius owners... what WILL you do
when the batteries start to fail??? I've read something recently that
suggests eventually (and soon) a "lease" option will be available for the
batteries. The article also pointed out that even when the batteries are no
longer useful in the car, they still have over 80% of their usable life
remaining, and could be used in a variety of applications. But it didn't
say what those applications could be.
Based on everything I've read over the last few years, the VW TDI is so
clean it even exceeds California requirements... produces virtually no
smoke or soot unlike the diesels of old (including my 1984 MB 300D) and
offers quick starts and few problems in cold weather.
I plan to go check out the new 09 version at the dealer tomorrow. They're
taking orders, but won't commit to a delivery date, only saying, come drive
the one we have on the lot (which is loaded with advertisements about being
green and high mileage).
Willy