New Car Shopping

[woodsroad]

@Al: The urea tank is part of diesel emissions, not fuel supply. The VW TDI, though, doesn't use urea. Yet. It might have to move in that direction for the new Tier 2 emission regs.

In Pennsylvania, there are no diesel emissions inspections. So I am free to do a straight-pipe Diesel Particulate Filter delete conversion, re-chip and pick up a hefty increase in MPG, HP and torque.
@vorhees: How can you say that about Toyotas?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPXVhpA2loI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RPRHUIKUjl4

 

[peckinpahhombre]

I thought the TDI's required a fuel additive from VW called Urea (like the Mercedes Blu-Tec fluid)? I believe that lowers the emissions emitted.

It depends on the size of the engine. Smaller diesel engines, like that used in the Jetta and A3 can burn off emissions through a basic catalytic system. However for larger diesel engines (like the one in the Passat and other larger vehicles), a Urea solution is needed to assist this process because the catalytic system alone can't handle it. That's how it is in Canada at least.

 

[peckinpahhombre]

Woodsroad beat me to it.

 

[natibo]

Just don't borrow money for a new car. It's about the stupidest thing you can do. If you have to borrow money for a car, then you can't afford the car.

 

[woodsroad]

'splain me that one, Bo.
If I borrow money for a car, at 1.5% (current loans) and my investments are making considerably more than 1.5%, then I'd be losing money if I paid cash for the car.
With business use of the car, paying cash makes even less sense.
But, even if you are losing on the car loan proposition, I don't see how borrowing money for a car can be construed as stupid. It simply adds to the cost of the car. And there are damned few people in this world who can pay cash for a suitable vehicle. Granted, there are many folks who buy a lot more car than you think they might need, but...that's their choice. Now, if they are spending extra money on a car or car loan in lieu of other real necessities, then THAT is stupid. Otherwise, it's just a purchasing decision, based on how much you have and how much you want.

 

[ssjones]

Thanks Woods & Peck, I was unclear on the Urea fluid. I looked hard at the diesel when I bought my current daily driver in 2008 (Nissan Altima). I now have 375,000 miles on that car, so the diesel made sense. I think that was the year VW skipped the market, as diesel emission regulations were in limbo. The cost of the belt change also put me off. At that time, Honda was supposed to put a diesel in the Accord, which would have had a timing change. Honda pulled the plug on that motor, so I went with the Altima. I remember the TDi forum being very active and I'm sure they've finely honed the mods on that powertrain.