We're shopping for a new car as well

[bushpilot]

WOW Bill. This is interesting.

I didn't know BMW even made any of their cars available in a diesel.

they had 'em here in the states YEARS ago...5 series had a D offering,
it was a dog & not a seller so they discontinued the availablity states side,
but theyve always offered diesels in europe (cloth interior too).

mercedes did the same thing....stopped offering D cars in the states...
and only recently w/ the bluetec cars have they spun up the availablity
here in the states.

 

[bushpilot]

I'll be track'n this Thread. We're in the market for a new 2nd car also. Guna keep the 350 for Towing/Travel but looking for something Diesel or a Hybrid. Scarey though.. Don't know much about the Hybrids.

expect to see some heavy taxation begin on the hybrid electrics...
fees for "battery" handling etc...fairfax county begain levying a
fee against these owners when they were involved in ACCIDENTS
because "special" handling was required by "rescue" personel.

before i bought our 04 6.0L i looked hard at the prius (fugly)
and the civic hybrid...the electrics on both cars had 8yr warranty
on the batteries and electric motors (which was good).

most of the hybrids are using CV trannies...nothing new, but new
in automobiles just the same.

the hybrids are NOT getting the advert'ed mpg and the diesels (tdi)
from vw are better mpg wise...but now that folks are discovering that
they are snapping up the TDI's and paying a premium for even the
USED ones (vw stopped the importation of the tdi for about 1.5yrs
while the EPA figured out what the acceptable levels of emissions would
be)...the tdi is now resuming re-entry to the us market.

 

[BamaSixGun]

It might be a good idea to stay away for the Lexus RX400h hybrid.

We have moved some that were lease returns, and our driver said they ran like junk.
Problems with running long enough to drive them to the truck and hardly enough power to get up the ramps.

 

[bushpilot]

It might be a good idea to stay away for the Lexus RX400h hybrid.

We have moved some that were lease returns, and our driver said they ran like junk.
Problems with running long enough to drive them and the truck and hardly enough power to get up the ramps.

same thing w/ the LS430h....only gets 20mpg WITH the hybrid !

 

[Maxtor]

To bad you are stuck on diesel. The 2007 Ford Focus SES that the wife bought is a great car and gets very good mpg. Very low maintenance, comfortable, and 33-37 mpg on the hwy. We tested the accord, camry, kia's and others, but came back to the Focus. Of course the Focus is not in the same class as a BMW, but costs less and less maintenance.

 

[bushpilot]

To bad you are stuck on diesel. The 2007 Ford Focus SES that the wife bought is a great car and gets very good mpg. Very low maintenance, comfortable, and 33-37 mpg on the hwy. We tested the accord, camry, kia's and others, but came back to the Focus. Of course the Focus is not in the same class as a BMW, but costs less and less maintenance.

worthy of consideration that is for sure !

the ford web site says "up to" 35mpg (24/35) so sounds
like youre getting even better than that.

i think when you weigh the msrp that focus is a serious
contender....and when you consider the cost per gallon d vs g
its hard to argue against.

Ford Vehicles: 2008 Ford Focus - See pricing details, photos, options, packages, and more

 

[Blue01F250]

seriously take a look at the diesel jetta's -- heck, there is one for sale on some diesel boards for about $20K and its fairly new and a very nice and safe and gets hella mileage!

 

[no-red 6 0]

We're staying flexible with our choices for sure,I'm not sure how much the Diesel engine option will be but we're looking for around $7k.

I really like the styling of the 335i/d as a whole I'll sell the Mustang to get the new car.

i just read a blurb about them the diesel powered mag...sounds interesting but perhaps $$

the 09 x5 xdrive35d = 25 mph hiway
the 335d = 33 mpg

both are 3L inline 6 twin turbo and 265hp/425lbft

 

[Fire1]

expect to see some heavy taxation begin on the hybrid electrics...
fees for "battery" handling etc...fairfax county begain levying a
fee against these owners when they were involved in ACCIDENTS
because "special" handling was required by "rescue" personel.

"Special handling", that is bull hockey. Sure you have to be careful, but unless you have a battery rupture you are fine. Just do not cut into one of the clearly marked ORANGE high voltage wires.

 

[sagebel]

I love my Jetta but I don't think you can find a decent used one under $10K. It is also a little small for a family of more than 4 but is great for those daily trips that not everyone goes on. The Passat saw a limited run with the diesel and it is a little larger than the Jetta

Scott