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Author Topic: hybrid vs diesel Post a Reply Back to Topics
REPLIES (newest first)
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Jarod13
Champion Author Virginia

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Message Posted: Sep 3, 2010 2:02:53 PM

bruceha2000 -- your raise some very interesting points regarding the comparison between the Prius and the Jetta TDI...thanks

As far as the comparison between the hybrid Prius and the diesel Jetta TDI, I'd prefer the Prius, especially if it were more affordable.
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bruceha2000
Champion Author Vermont

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Message Posted: Sep 3, 2010 9:53:38 AM

Seemed a fairly well balanced article. But the author makes the same mistake I have seen many times before:
The traction battery in the Prius is not UNDER the rear seat, it is BEHIND the rear seat cushion.

The comparison he FAILS to mention is reliability. The Prius receives a reliability rating of 10 out of 10 from US News and World Report. The 2009 Jetta TDI managed a FEEBLE 5 out of 10. That is a big lean toward one car over the other when they are otherwise fairly equal, including price, based on their specific strengths.

The only other point I would argue (never having driven a Jetta TDI) is this comment related to the Prius:
"You will need to renounce some of this exceptional thrift on fossil fuels to keep up in normal traffic sprints".

Why? I see no reason to race from red light to red light. That doesn't mean crawling off the line though. Indeed, somewhat 'brisk' acceleration gets you up to speed where you can run a steady speed in electric (assuming the battery charge is not low). You would use MORE gas accelerating to 35 slowly.

0-35 MPH in ~8 seconds is a pretty common acceleration rate from a red light in traffic. NO car has a problem doing this. I am, BTW, sitting at just over 62 MPG and 120 miles on the current tank ('04 Prius). My commute comprises everything from 25 to 45 MPH and a 2 mile hop on the interstate. Plenty of stop signs and signals to boot. I think I'll skip the Jetta TDI.
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armstrmb
Champion Author Houston

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Message Posted: Sep 3, 2010 8:40:10 AM

Hybrid vs. diesel

Glitzy vs. practical

Dreams vs. reality

Hard decision.
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vandamme
Champion Author New York

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Message Posted: Sep 3, 2010 8:31:21 AM

The hybrid makes more sense in city traffic. My driving is rural where the diesel is more cost effective. We need to have parity in fuel taxes and allow diesel particulate emissions. It would have a big impact on fuel consumption, and diesel can be made from different renewable feedstocks. Diesel hybrid would be the best of both worlds.
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dan30thz28
Champion Author New Jersey

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Message Posted: Sep 3, 2010 8:11:37 AM

Diesel hybrid is the way to go.
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ByGuy
Champion Author Dallas

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Message Posted: Sep 3, 2010 8:07:58 AM

Diesel has improved greatly since the early days.
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Foxychic
Sophomore Author Miami

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Message Posted: Sep 3, 2010 8:06:16 AM

I'm not interested in neither hybrid or diesel.
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racerdj
Champion Author Indianapolis

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Message Posted: Sep 3, 2010 8:04:44 AM

I'm parcial to the hybrid.
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MUSTANGSRUS
Champion Author Ontario

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Message Posted: Sep 3, 2010 8:04:40 AM

Rather have the VW. And why not a diesel hybrid?
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nerde
Champion Author Florida

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Message Posted: Sep 3, 2010 8:04:14 AM

I'll take hybrid, less dependent on big oil
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pulpwood
Champion Author Mississippi

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Message Posted: Sep 3, 2010 8:04:11 AM

Go for both.
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jony
Champion Author Florida

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Message Posted: Sep 3, 2010 8:04:07 AM

so many decisions to make , oh well, can't afford any of them so I don't need to be concerned
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GAC1Shirt
Champion Author Georgia

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Message Posted: Sep 3, 2010 8:04:03 AM

Diesel has stones, why not make a Jetta TDI with a hybrid system?
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fire@53
Champion Author Philadelphia

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Message Posted: Sep 3, 2010 8:04:01 AM

Been looking at the TDI. But most dealers make you pay sticker price. I just may keep my 83 Suburban diesel. At least it is paid for. 28K will buy a lot of fuel for the suburban.
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Patch44
Champion Author Buffalo

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Message Posted: Sep 3, 2010 8:03:31 AM

Not ready for either one at this point.
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DrZNY
Champion Author Albany

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Message Posted: Sep 3, 2010 8:03:12 AM

Hybrid wins, because it is cleaner and greener than diesel!
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Cruiser340
Champion Author Grand Rapids

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Message Posted: Sep 3, 2010 8:02:36 AM

how about making a Diesel hybrid that even looks good.
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dondee118
Champion Author Kansas City

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Message Posted: Sep 3, 2010 8:01:47 AM

I agree with Salty Dog.
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SaltyDogMA
Champion Author Massachusetts

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Message Posted: Sep 3, 2010 7:59:44 AM

Why "vs"? What we need is a diesel hybrid.
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Buffalo Joe
Champion Author Alberta

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Message Posted: Sep 3, 2010 7:57:30 AM

Are they North American built?
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SpruceGuse2
Champion Author Michigan

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Message Posted: Sep 3, 2010 7:57:30 AM

I wouldn't trade my hybrid for a diesel for any amount of money. It's the best improvement for automobiles in the past 60 years-Automatic transmission was the last great improvement.
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JimTee
Champion Author Tampa

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Message Posted: Sep 3, 2010 7:57:19 AM

Why not a hybrid diesel?
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braves89
Champion Author Chicago

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Message Posted: Sep 3, 2010 7:57:00 AM

these are options now but we need reneable energy vehicles for the future so we can stop relying on alll the foreign oil!
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2granny
Champion Author Michigan

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Message Posted: Sep 3, 2010 7:53:25 AM

Interesting at what price?
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jimbo1867
Champion Author Arizona

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Message Posted: Sep 3, 2010 7:52:24 AM

I'll take the VW anyday
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torn8owx
Champion Author Philadelphia

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Message Posted: Sep 3, 2010 7:51:51 AM

If you can find diesel cheap enough to overcome the upfront cost differential it could pay, especially since diesels generally have a longer life
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arinkrat17
Champion Author Twin Cities

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Message Posted: Sep 3, 2010 7:49:11 AM

diesel because more power
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df99
Veteran Author Rhode Island

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Message Posted: Sep 3, 2010 7:47:10 AM

I'll take the diesel every time. Its actually *FUN* to drive to go along with its fuel sipping. My overall average for all driving is 47.3 mpg over the first 28k miles.
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bgunner01
Champion Author Nebraska

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Message Posted: Sep 3, 2010 7:46:45 AM

I just don't understand some people's love affair diesels. I was talking with a friend this morning who used to own an F-250 with a diesel (now he owns a V-10 gas burner). He said the diesel took 15 quarts of oil for each oil change and cost well over $100 each time. He said his engine had three separate fuel filters that were also quite expensive to change. Diesel fuel, in my part of the country at least, is the most expensive of all fuels. Ownership/Maintenance costs plus noise and smoke/oder belching takes diesels out of practical ownership consideration for most folks.
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Ltdc
Champion Author Long Island

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Message Posted: Sep 3, 2010 7:45:26 AM

They hybrid represents more the future. At least it would seem.
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Radon
Champion Author Hartford

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Message Posted: Sep 3, 2010 7:45:16 AM

ok
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JCUBE
Champion Author Michigan

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Message Posted: Sep 3, 2010 7:44:50 AM

Who cares, another group of tree huggers promoting their wares.
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Zuman
Champion Author New York

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Message Posted: Sep 3, 2010 7:44:12 AM

What about price ?????????????????????
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dhawk24
Champion Author Maine

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Message Posted: Sep 3, 2010 7:43:30 AM

Neither one for me.
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FocusGuy
Champion Author Seattle

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Message Posted: Sep 3, 2010 7:40:08 AM

nat gas please??????????????????
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Gnusman53
Champion Author San Diego

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Message Posted: Sep 3, 2010 7:39:00 AM

Diesel is a choice ... and a good one, but not the only one...... bring them all to market... NOW and in as cost-efficient manner as possible....
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OilerFan
Champion Author Tulsa

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Message Posted: Sep 3, 2010 7:37:50 AM

I haven't noticed the TDIs having trouble "belching smoke". These cars burn pretty clean, in my opinion.
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DJRIO
Champion Author Miami

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Message Posted: Sep 3, 2010 7:37:43 AM

as long as MPG is hi in number figure that is all that matter.
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FuelBarge
Champion Author Long Island

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Message Posted: Sep 3, 2010 7:35:17 AM

IMHO, Diesel based cars should be reserved only to those owners who agree to maintain them, and perhaps even sign an agreement to that effect. Otherwise, you wind up with a smoke belcher that winds up sending smoke signals everywhere it goes. I always get a kick out of seeing all the soot around a Diesel vehicle where the exhaust pipe exits. The sad thing is, my cabin air cleaners only last about a year as they turn from white to dark gray from all that soot.
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rocket_ron
Champion Author Grand Rapids

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Message Posted: Sep 3, 2010 7:35:08 AM

Valricoslash, the reason auto companies are not working on diesel-hybrids is the cost. Are you going to pay a $5000 premium for the hybrid and another $2000 for the diesel? That being said, Citroen is working on one, but not for us.
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THEDodgeman
Champion Author Denver

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Message Posted: Sep 3, 2010 7:34:05 AM

keep your planet killing batteries....And I'll keep my three diesels....Thank youi
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Skipper52
Champion Author Massachusetts

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Message Posted: Sep 3, 2010 7:33:58 AM

We need to turn or trash into fuel. We are the largest producers of trash so it's a perfect fix.
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Cachase1
Champion Author Oklahoma City

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Message Posted: Sep 3, 2010 7:33:45 AM

I won't buy a Volkswagen until they stop building them in Mexico and solve their quality problems.
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DerHahn
Champion Author Illinois

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Message Posted: Sep 3, 2010 7:32:49 AM

diesel engines were designed to be efficient since the very beginning. biodiesel can be made from waste products.
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LocalSpyGuy
Champion Author Tampa

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Message Posted: Sep 3, 2010 7:31:13 AM

Sounds like a win-win situation.
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101Speedster
Champion Author Ventura

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Message Posted: Sep 3, 2010 7:26:08 AM

I agree with you Asbury.
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Asbury09
Champion Author Iowa

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Message Posted: Sep 3, 2010 7:24:21 AM

burn fast food oil and really save money while improving the environment
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jdhelm
Champion Author Iowa

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Message Posted: Sep 3, 2010 7:23:25 AM

I agree with Valricoslash
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ChuckGVT
Champion Author Vermont

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Message Posted: Sep 3, 2010 7:23:12 AM

Lower the price on both of these vehicles and they will sell better.
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Valricoslash
Champion Author Tampa

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Message Posted: Sep 3, 2010 7:20:23 AM

Take the diesel engine and combine it with an electric motor in a diesel hybred version of the Frod fusion, or Camry and get the ultimate mileage.
What the heck are we waiting for?
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