The wind whispers... Jetta...

[roup42]

My '96 Mazda is nearing 100k miles and near the end of its life. It's starting to fall apart. I've thought about hybrids, but looking into a bit I'm not that crazy about any of them. After just a little bit of online comparing, however, I'm already mad for the Volkswagen Jetta. I don't know what it is, I just dig the whole car. I stopped by a

Comments

[asd109]

Just a heads up, there are new laws about diesel fuel going into effect shortly that may cause temporary price increases and/or supply disruptions for diesel fuel:
http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/servicerpt/ulsd/index.html

2007 and later models can only use the new ultra-low sulfur diesel. 2006 and older models can use either the new or old diesel. That said, I think California's rules phase out the old diesel faster, so supply may be more limited in CA. The flip side of this is that since CA is loosening it's control on sales of diesel cars now that the new fuel standards are in place, it's possible that more gas stations will start carrying diesel if more people are driving diesel cars.

The lower sulfur fuel is expected to give slightly lower fuel economy. This is even more likely in 2007 and later models which will have better emissions controls. (The old versions couldn't use the same controls because the sulfur in the fuel clogged the filters.) In CA a new 2006 may need to be retrofitted with the emissions control systems to be legal (but I'm not sure about that).

I'd sing the praises of our Prius, but if you've already decided against a hybrid, then there's not much point.

If you're not going to get a hybrid or a diesel-are you dead set on a brand new car? Those two options limit you to new cars a bit, but otherwise buying a year or so old car can save you a lot of money, and you still have warranties and such in place for a few years.