What kind of car do you drive? - Page 40

I'd like to see how those black wheels would look on my Dodge....

I think they'd be YUMMMMY.......

Yes, Fred's vehicles are still across the street.

 

 

Wheels need a color change, or a strip-n-polish, but I think I'll wait for warmer days. 

Jeep Wrangler

I have a 2010 Mazda 3 Hatchback and just added a 2011 Ford Escape this past weekend.

I drive a 2008 Honda Civic Lx sedan and my wife drives a 2009 Ford Focus sedan. 

06' Lexus IS350 soon to be destroyed by our soon to be here baby boy.  I wish I could fit my golf bag in the trunk AND keep my 10" sub box

03 F350 dually.  When I get around to fixing the brakes, I will also be driving a 1966 Mustang.

Why?  I had a Dodge 3500 Dually that was capable of 24mpg hwy  and my Dodge 2500 CTD was about the same.  Diesel baby!

2010 BMW 335D that my company is paying the monthly payments for me :D its also amazing to get 45-50 miles to the gallon highway and over 30 in town while still being super fast when I want it to be.

 

 

That engine in the 335D is fantastic.    In Europe they offer that same engine in the 535 and it is a great match; I don't understand why they don't offer it in the US since they already have it in the 3 series and hence have all the service and parts network already set up.    I've got the 535i in gas, but would have bought the D in a heartbeat if it was available here.

You def ain't lying when you say that about the engine. I couldn't be happier with this car. I didn't even know I wanted a BMW let alone a diesel until my ol lady basically made me buy this car ha. I have no complaints other than the expensive maintenance!

I was told BMW didn't continue with the 335D model or expand upon it because the demand wasn't as high state side. But they supposedly have plans in the works to bring in another model of the diesel within a year or so. It might be something I'll look into eventually

This is true for a lot of manufacturers. For example there is a very nice diesel ford focus in Europe that is not available in North America, so much for domestic automaker. I feel it has to do with the stigma attached to diesel in North America. Most people associate diesel with tractor trailers or old VWs that smell and are loud and thus manufacturers are reluctant to offer it over here. 

07.5 Chevy crew cab 2500 6.6L diesel
08 Ford F-250 5.4L
08 Ford Escape

That's exactly why they haven't caught on. They did a study and the majority think of big loud black pouring smoke trucks when you say diesel. I know I used to but that's from being brought up as a farm boy. These cars have changed my entire view as far as cars and diesels go.

After high school I did an apprenticeship as an auto mechanic and worked as a licensed mechanic for 6 years after and from my experience diesel is the way to go. I am glad to see that manufacturers are going to start releasing more cars in North America with diesel and I am certainly going to consider it when I trade in my civic. 

Several of my best friends are mechanics for the big brands, they were tickled pink when I came over with a diesel car. They love it not because its a bmw but only cause its a diesel ha. Cracks me up all the time cause they always want to drive it since I'm the only one we all know with a diesel car

I would buy a diesel to drive back and forth to work in if it wasn't for a couple of factors:

 

The federal excise tax here in the U.S. is 6 cents higher on diesel than gasoline, so diesel is always going to be more expensive.  Given that nearly all of the new diesel mid-size cars get around 34mpg, and my Kia Optima averages 32mpg for me, it would never be cheaper than a gasoline car.  The newer diesels don't have the drawbacks of the 80's models, and wouldn't hurt me any, but there's no economical reason to switch at this time.

 

Same reason I didn't buy a hybrid.  With the higher price of the hybrid vs. mpg for me, it would take me around 7 years to break even.  I have never owned a daily driver car for 7 years, so I wouldn't save a dime, and more likely pay more to drive.

 

I have a toy for weekends, but driving to work and back everyday, I look for something large enough to be comfortable (mid-size), economical and warranty coverage.

Fair enough, it was the same for me when considering the hybrid civic. It only gets a few mpg better than mine, especially since my car is a 5 spd manual (2008 model so back then it did get better mileage than auto which would not be true now) but the hybrid option adds $7,000 to the price tag which would take the better part of a decade to make up the difference.