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Clean Diesels bring a mess of decisions

Detnews.com -- By Brian J. O'Connor

A clean diesel car can be good for the environment -- but will it end up cleaning out your wallet? With mileage that can be as much as one-third better than comparable gasoline engines -- hitting more than 40 mpg on the highway -- clean diesel engines can take a big bite out of your car's carbon footprint.

The new diesels are much improved over the models that appeared in the late 1980s, with lowered tailpipe emissions and quieter performance that refutes diesels' reputation as noisy stinkpots. But the premium cost of diesel models and diesel fuel mean they also can take a bite out of your wallet.

In many cases, it can take years for drivers to see real savings from the improved mileage of a diesel, notes John O'Dell, senior editor of the Green Car Advisor at Edmund

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Submitted Mar 15, 2010 By: UncleCurt

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TeachR06 Champion Author Raleigh Posts:3,535 Points:1,012,760 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:46:14 AM Ignore TeachR06 Report Abuse Diesel is really high now. Can't imagine how much higher it will be this summer!
rvn4me Champion Author Texas Posts:1,872 Points:555,410 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:43:02 AM Ignore rvn4me Report Abuse Now watch the price of diesel really go up.
Rick01 Champion Author Utah Posts:4,036 Points:1,414,615 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:42:23 AM Ignore Rick01 Report Abuse When they jacked the price of diesel to 30% more than gas they lost me.
clement007 Champion Author Cleveland Posts:2,136 Points:879,325 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:40:14 AM Ignore clement007 Report Abuse Go diesel.....
arinkrat17 Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:1,497 Points:365,540 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:40:08 AM Ignore arinkrat17 Report Abuse diesel cars gets better mileage but more to buy from the start
ifallsguy Champion Author Minnesota Posts:2,738 Points:758,800 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:40:04 AM Ignore ifallsguy Report Abuse add in changing exhaust soot filters
DerTaubman Champion Author Detroit Posts:2,400 Points:555,380 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:39:49 AM Ignore DerTaubman Report Abuse The cost of Diesel will go higher as more people start driving them. [Edited by: DerTaubman at 3/15/2010 7:40:09 AM EST]
KB8ZGU Sophomore Author Michigan Posts:144 Points:284,120 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:37:59 AM Ignore KB8ZGU Report Abuse Diesel fuel is still not available in all filling stations and when it is, it costs much more. The analysis for payback has to be done on hybrids and EV as well. So far, as long as gasoline is less than $4 @ gal, none of these alternative fuel vehicles can compete.
tomok Champion Author Portland Posts:18,323 Points:1,369,085 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:37:38 AM Ignore tomok Report Abuse Diesels have much better fuel mileage, lower repair costs and diesels do NOT stink! - the sulfur in diesel has been removed. Still need more vehicles with high MPG, a reasonable cost, are ‘multi’ fueled and very reliable.
Lukus Champion Author Halifax Posts:3,504 Points:712,265 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:37:02 AM Ignore Lukus Report Abuse That will leave it to a driver to choose whether to invest for a longer payoff or pay now for a less fuel efficient engine.
jimraehl Champion Author Utah Posts:2,187 Points:670,615 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:36:04 AM Ignore jimraehl Report Abuse Diesel fuel used to be cheaper than gas.
JCUBE Champion Author Michigan Posts:3,561 Points:950,100 Joined:Aug 2003	Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:34:52 AM Ignore JCUBE Report Abuse Diesel right now is higher than gasoline, and from what i understand is easier to produce than regular unleaded. Go figure....GREED!
Skipper52 Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:2,551 Points:632,950 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:34:08 AM Ignore Skipper52 Report Abuse Diesel should be cheaper than gas as it takes less to refine it from raw oil. In the 60's and 70's it was always less than gas and diesel got better mileage back then. It's all about price fixing now.
Cheymike Champion Author Wyoming Posts:1,131 Points:181,275 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:30:09 AM Ignore Cheymike Report Abuse @ danny... you need to check out some of the new diesels. VERY quiet. I've got an 09 Ram diesel and it is almost as quiet as a small V8.
MertieMan Champion Author Lexington Posts:9,837 Points:1,920,260 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:30:07 AM Ignore MertieMan Report Abuse Diesel is still higher than gas and I have never really seen a clean diesel, so what is the point in buying one?
REKEY Champion Author South Carolina Posts:3,647 Points:730,450 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:28:01 AM Ignore REKEY Report Abuse How long to recover the higher cost from buying a Hybrid?
murushi Champion Author Ontario Posts:3,080 Points:604,005 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:27:50 AM Ignore murushi Report Abuse Well said, JimL1!
JimL1 Champion Author Phoenix Posts:3,148 Points:386,670 Joined:Jul 2003	Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:21:38 AM Ignore JimL1 Report Abuse As long as prices are set by how much the consumer can be ripped off for, rather than what wold be a reasonable profit, the complicated costs benefit analysis will be necessary. Why, you might ask? The answer lies in the fact that the vehicle manufacturers have already done those same calculations in arriving at what price they can sell their vehicle. There will be no significant cost savings until, perhaps some new company will start basing their prices on the old method of their costs plus some reasonable profit. The same is true for the oil producers, except as aggravated by the speculators.
fcdriver Champion Author Tennessee Posts:2,859 Points:601,470 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:21:36 AM Ignore fcdriver Report Abuse we musttake the bad with the good
FuelOilOH Champion Author Cleveland Posts:1,115 Points:574,595 Joined:Oct 2007	Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:19:44 AM Ignore FuelOilOH Report Abuse For open road driving there's no better choice thean a clean diesel. I'd like to see a clean diesel hybrid of some kind.
olcowboy14 Champion Author Spokane Posts:4,678 Points:742,185 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:19:39 AM Ignore olcowboy14 Report Abuse It appears that you will pay at one place or another.
danny999 Champion Author Florida Posts:3,701 Points:662,860 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:18:55 AM Ignore danny999 Report Abuse not interested in noisey deisels
TheSnowstorm Champion Author Montreal Posts:4,463 Points:1,004,880 Joined:June 2005	Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:17:55 AM Ignore TheSnowstorm Report Abuse I have many friends who drive diesels and love them for the better mileage and lower operating cost per mile. The new one aren't noisy and don't stink. Luxury brands including Mercedes Benz sell may diesel-powered, high end vehicles everywhere in the world except in the US.
rsm315 All-Star Author Detroit Posts:838 Points:219,530 Joined:Dec 2009	Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:17:32 AM Ignore rsm315 Report Abuse Diesels have come a long way, but not far enough. get on the job and get ahead of these forien companys
wild3bill All-Star Author New York Posts:900 Points:1,040,400 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:16:57 AM Ignore wild3bill Report Abuse Carbon foot print shrinks if you use Bio Diesel that took CO2 out of the atmoshpere in the past year. Fossil fuel Diesel releases CO2 now made from carbon that has been underground for 250 Million years
turbosaab Champion Author Cleveland Posts:9,129 Points:1,437,690 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:15:16 AM Ignore turbosaab Report Abuse Clean diesel is a great technology, but the price is too high. Like hybrid technology, it takes too long for savings at the pump to pay for the premium cost.
billy44bo Champion Author Mobile Posts:3,292 Points:622,105 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:15:05 AM Ignore billy44bo Report Abuse Why are we so afraid of diesel? cost of the upkeep let the fuel system get dirty and just watch to repair cost be the same as a house note
rocket_ron Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:1,418 Points:1,041,940 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:13:48 AM Ignore rocket_ron Report Abuse I wish GM or Ford would offer a small displacement diesel. They don't and I see no plans that they will ever offer them here. I guess that I stick with gas for my car and diesel for my truck.
Zonk Champion Author Michigan Posts:1,587 Points:1,150,820 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:13:17 AM Ignore Zonk Report Abuse I don't like the noise and smell of diesels.
abuck Champion Author Pittsburgh Posts:3,295 Points:591,145 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:12:54 AM Ignore abuck Report Abuse give and take.....what works best for you....
WonderfulMI Champion Author Michigan Posts:5,866 Points:811,375 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:12:48 AM Ignore WonderfulMI Report Abuse It is just another oil-based fuel.
cathevan Champion Author Manitoba Posts:2,133 Points:524,025 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:11:57 AM Ignore cathevan Report Abuse love my diesel truck
gabckmyr Rookie Author Michigan Posts:45 Points:162,795 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:09:45 AM Ignore gabckmyr Report Abuse GM was developing a small engine diesel for small to mid-size vehicle usage to be used domestically, but scrapped it because of their financial issues last year.
Masercal Champion Author Michigan Posts:3,610 Points:780,740 Joined:Oct 2007	Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:09:25 AM Ignore Masercal Report Abuse While these new diesel engines lower the carbon footprint of the vehicles they are in, they still rely on oil-based fuel. Continue to conserve and make the move to renewable and alternative energy today.
BKool Champion Author Michigan Posts:3,025 Points:1,439,170 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:09:24 AM Ignore BKool Report Abuse The U.S. does not have years to play with.
DeepInOhio Champion Author Ohio Posts:1,939 Points:631,185 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:08:59 AM Ignore DeepInOhio Report Abuse Shhhhhhh! The same holds true for most Hybrids but don't tell anybody. Shhhhhhh!
Don1222 Champion Author Michigan Posts:6,222 Points:764,955 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:08:34 AM Ignore Don1222 Report Abuse Support alternative fuels. Hydrogen fuel cells.
jppezz Champion Author New Mexico Posts:3,644 Points:716,155 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:07:26 AM Ignore jppezz Report Abuse My next vehicle will be a diesel.
moody4u Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:2,989 Points:577,075 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:07:23 AM Ignore moody4u Report Abuse We love the stink in our household.
cigarman409 All-Star Author Massachusetts Posts:825 Points:879,675 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:07:13 AM Ignore cigarman409 Report Abuse as supply and demand increases for diesal so will the price
biza4u Champion Author New Haven Posts:3,621 Points:659,455 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:06:39 AM Ignore biza4u Report Abuse The same holds true for most Hybrids as well
dhawk24 Champion Author Maine Posts:3,068 Points:675,380 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:06:12 AM Ignore dhawk24 Report Abuse They stink!!!
CSharpGuy Champion Author Colorado Springs Posts:4,569 Points:927,610 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:06:08 AM Ignore CSharpGuy Report Abuse You also have to consider the higher price of diesel over gas.
coughlin Champion Author San Jose Posts:1,142 Points:299,300 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:04:21 AM Ignore coughlin Report Abuse The smell and the noise keeps me away from them.
Jamer Champion Author Orange County Posts:3,987 Points:701,500 Joined:Jul 2002	Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 6:02:58 AM Ignore Jamer Report Abuse And as more people switch over to diesel the price of diesel fuel will just rise higher than it is now.
TerryLee Champion Author Ohio Posts:11,392 Points:2,144,940 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 5:59:46 AM Ignore TerryLee Report Abuse Diesel is to high. I'll stay with gas
weenerdog Champion Author Detroit Posts:4,938 Points:942,870 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 5:57:35 AM Ignore weenerdog Report Abuse I'd buy a diesel if I was in the market
ironbox_sara Champion Author Albany Posts:4,716 Points:1,297,400 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 5:56:52 AM Ignore ironbox_sara Report Abuse The price of diesel is not bad these days. Shhhhh!
tdilid Champion Author West Virginia Posts:5,339 Points:1,157,750 Joined:Jul 2006	Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 5:56:41 AM Ignore tdilid Report Abuse love my '09 tdi
lucky69 Champion Author Austin Posts:1,774 Points:629,420 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 5:54:22 AM Ignore lucky69 Report Abuse it is a decision for everyone to make individually.
Eichhornchen Champion Author Detroit Posts:2,737 Points:534,865 Joined:Feb 2009	Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 5:53:45 AM Ignore Eichhornchen Report Abuse need to make it affordable for the consumer
rbrowdersr Champion Author Detroit Posts:3,017 Points:986,275 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Mar 15, 2010 5:47:47 AM Ignore rbrowdersr Report Abuse Doesn't appear to be a difficult decision.