Who owns a diesel vehicle?

[Abelman]

Does it run well? Do you run biodiesel in it? Can you run standard vegetable oil in it?

I've been googling on the subject but was wondering on some of your opinions. What do you think are the best diesel passenger vehicles? I find a lot of VWs, and they're fairly inexpensive, but rare.

Any thoughts?

[CanuckAmok]

1. I've been reading up on Biodiesel lately...

Here are some good, informative links, including how to make your own biodiesel.

http://www.mirabilis.ca/archives/000239.html

http://www.wiseenergy.ca/index_files/biodiesel.htm

http://www.eya.ca/biodiesel/


My next project vehicle (once I get all this messy divorce stuff out of the way) is a 1994 Toyota Land Cruiser Diesel model, tweaked for biodiesel... I'll post my progress here as I, uh, progress...

I have a friend with a '99 Jetta TDI. It's a great, well put together car, and he's put alot of miles on it (200,000 or so).

I would stay away from oder VW diesels, thoug...the "Rabbit" era VWs had some reliability issues, diesel or otherwise.

[physioex]

2. There is only one manufacturer that is...

Selling new Diesels and that is Volkswagen with their line of Turbo Diesel Injection (TDI). Yes you can run them with biodiesel. I think they are a BETTER alternative to hybrids as a TDI Jetta doesn't cost much more than the gasoline version and gets much better fuel economy. It's is also mechanically simpler than a hybrid making for easier service. However I must caution you that VW parts maybe more difficult to find at Auto Zone than say a Ford.

[sbj405]

3. We have a Jetta wagon TDI

Haven't run it on biodiesel yet. We're in MD and there are a few bio diesel co-ops around, but not near us. BF gets a lot of his info over at tdiclub.com. They have a biodiesel forum and some regional forums, too.

[no_hypocrisy]

4. You can get a converter and run your diesel on used cooking oil from

restaurants. I'm serious. For cents on the dollar. Google to verify this claim.

[LauraT28]

5. I have an MCI Bus That i'm converting and will be buying VW Bug

Both Diesel and plan to run them on BioDiesel...I'm getting rid of the Blazer I have now and buying a 98 VW Bug cash..Only about 6K for one in exellent condition. Diesel is the better alternative to Hypbrid as Biodiesel is truely a renewable energy. I'm going to get a setup where I can make my own BioDiesel for the vehicals. I may not use my own homemade 100% of the time but it will be a high percentage of my fuel use and I believe with the Bug getting almost 50Mpg, and my using my own fuel the equipment to make Biodiesel will pay for itself in short order.

[lojasmo]

6. Golf TDI here

2003. I average 35 MPG in the city and 48 MPG on the highway. CAN run bio-d (in the spring, summer, and fall) SVO kit costs around $400 If you're getting a new one, either of these actions could void your warranty, and a new fuel pump costs $2000

Car is ultimately tuneable, and can be made to be VERY quick with a few bolt on modifications, though it is no slouch in stock form, and is very fun to drive.

No problems starting in the winter.

[Squeech]

7. Another biodiesel page

http://www.greasecar.com/

Pretty good description of the mechanics (including several failures), plus road trip stories about the oddities of begging random greasy spoon joints for their excess grease.