My diesel gets better MPG than your hybrid

Well, to be fair, his diesel gets better MPG than many hybrids on the market. But it sounds like another of the type who has made up their mind before checking their facts. Hybrids aren't the only way to reduce fossil fuel consumption though. I really should print up several cycling jerseys with holier-than-thou type slogans on them... then see if that gets me run over more frequently!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Slair @ Aug 6 2007, 07:47 AM) [snapback]491167[/snapback]</div>

He should add "But consumes twice as much oil".

This website http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/sbs.htm is good for comparisons between vehicles. In general, Diesel is a little better but not as good as the Prius. For example this is the oil consumption of the diesel jetta, gas jetta and prius, respectively.

 

Glad to see that he has one that runs. My friend bought a 2006 Jetta Diesel and had nothing but problems with it. It was in the shop constantly and VW eventually bought it back from him under the Lemon Law. I have heard that is not at all uncommon.

 

'Snooty'

VW drivers aren't snooty?? I know more than a handful of VW drivers call Toyotas "overhyped jap peices of trash" and then explain to me how European cars are superior due to their 'engineering'. I don't think VW drivers have ground to call hybrid drivers snooty.

Do the side by side comparison that Alric points out at www.fueleconomy.gov and you will have the stats to show that the Prius pollutes less, gets better mpg, uses less oil, and is BIGGER than his Jetta. The stats there say that the 96 Jetta with the diesel engine gets 34 city and 44 hwy, while the Prius gets 48 city and 45 hwy. (and don't forget to emphasize that a gallon of diesel requires more oil to produce than a gallon of regular gas) The 2007 Honda Civic also does better than his diesel Jetta in the side by side comparison. I get pretty tired of Diesel enthusiasts trashing hybrids without doing any research into the claims they make. Diesels might become useful, but currently, they aren't as good as hybrids when it comes to pollution or oil consumption.

 

European fuel consumption data:

Volkswagen Jetta 1.9TDI 105hp (current model)
urban: 6,6 l/100km
extra-urban: 4,5 l/100km
combined cycle: 5,2 l/100km

Toyota Prius:
urban: 5,0 l/100km
extra-urban: 4,2 l/100km
combined cycle: 4,3 l/100km

Two comments need to be added to this:

1) In real life, many people will find it easier to get lower highway consumption on the Jetta than on the Prius because it is less sensitive to a more aggressive driving style.

2) The Prius is an automatic car and the Jetta is manual. The most fuel-efficient automatic diesel Jetta has:
urban: 7,4 l/100km
extra-urban: 4,8 l/100km
combined cycle: 5,7 l/100km

 

Also, do a side by side comparison of the 2006 VW Jetta diesel with the Toyota Prius, the air pollution score of the Jetta is an ghastly 1 out of 10!! Holy crap, even a 4 WD 2006 Chevy Suburban gets a 3 out of 10. (the 1996 jetta doesn't have a pollution score, but is probably not any better than the 2006). Make a bumper sticker that reads "Smog Machine" and slap it on his car.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Swanny1172 @ Aug 6 2007, 09:45 AM) [snapback]491187[/snapback]</div>

Don't forget that his diesel may not run all that clean either. Another of the Prius' advantages is that not only does it get excellent fuel economy, amongst current production vehicles it's tailpipe emissions are second only to a natural gas powered vehicle and their greenhouse gas emissions are the lowest I could find.

Tell him it's not just about fuel economy, it's more than that. It's about fuel economy, tailpipe emissions and working toward a goal of being amongst the first generations to leave this earth cleaner than it was when we were born.

 

here's your answer, this aired last year and is pretty comprehensive and realistic. Select the Hybrid Commuter Challange. Watch to the end were the real diesel vs hybrid answer comes out. Oh and realise that Zack is a total hybrid hatter. Note this was 7 different drivers and the Prius still beat the smog pumper and it's a manual tranny.
http://drivingtelevision.com/searchbysegments.php?segID=22

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Slair @ Aug 6 2007, 08:47 AM) [snapback]491167[/snapback]</div>

Jetta TDI vs. Prius. My unscientific comparison

I have both cars and here is my personal experience based on mine and my wife's experience.

2006 Jetta TDA package 0 with 16,000 5 speed
2007 Prius package #2 with 10,000

City mileage:
Jetta: 35 MPG
Prius: 58 MPG using P&G no EBH yet

Highway mileage:
Jetta: 50 MPG at 60 MPH 45 MPG at 70 MPH
Prius: 50 MPG at 60 MPH 45 MPG at 70 MPH

Dirver Seating:
Jetta: Good leg room and seat adjusts up and down
Prius: Need more leg room and up and down adjust

Comfort:
Jetta: lumbar adjustment and seat tilt
Prius: OK

Rear Seating:
Jetta: Limited rear seat leg room
Prius: Good rear seat leg room

Acceleration:
Jetta: Not great but adequate
Prius: Not as good but adequate

Ride:
Jetta: Sporty
Prius: Normal

Reliability:
Jetta: Not a single problem. Great Car. Wife's primary car
Prius: Not a single problem. Great Car. My primary car.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Slair @ Aug 6 2007, 09:22 AM) [snapback]491203[/snapback]</div>

I wouldn't hold my breath you'll see any change. This guy loves his car like you love your Prius. You're not going to convince him.

I've got a decal on my car with a gas pump and the Prius city/hwy mileage inside. I let that speak for itself. I also have the "Cool Planet Cool Car" window decal from the Union of Concerned Scientists. (Yes, it finally arrived.)

Of course, you can always park next to him with a "No, it doesn't" bumper sticker.

 

The 1,200 mile Hybrid-Road-Rally in 2002 proved automatic-transmission diesel didn't actually live up to the reputation often associated with diesels in general.

Of course, even then didn't have high expectations since the smog-related emissions were so much worse anyway. So most of the detail just focused on the hybrids... more info

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(bestmapman @ Aug 6 2007, 11:22 AM) [snapback]491238[/snapback]</div>

Impressive, the jetta seems the better choice.

I have a friend that has a Altima she gets the same MPG than My new 07 Hycam gets, and she paid a lot less than I did.... :mellow:

But oh well I'll just wallow in my Smugness of owning a hybrid

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(RinMI @ Aug 6 2007, 04:14 PM) [snapback]491200[/snapback]</div>

Amen! Thank you.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Slair @ Aug 6 2007, 07:47 AM) [snapback]491167[/snapback]</div>

Fueleconomy.gov gives his 96 Jetta a rating of 34 city, 44 highway. Better than some hybrids, but not better than a Prius.

 

Manual Transmission? Is that the name of the Mexican worker that signed off on the final QC report for those German vonder cars? Why in the world would I want to waste my time shifting gears manually? I get in my Prius, start it up, then select Drive. No manual shifting, no waiting for a 4-speed auto to finally shift down, just press the accelerator and be thrust foreward.

 

His diesel will come in handy when a total eclipse of the sun is desired.