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Location: The Frenchie Farm, Where We Grow 'em Big!
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Reputation: 1084
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I hope they bring this Cooper D to our shores. 50 mpg/hwy with no help of hybrid batteries, would this be enticing to the US public? We're looking at the Jetta TDI. We may reconcider if this comes out.
A word about that "50mpg" claim: Motor Authority is a British-based publication, and consequently their mpg claims are almost certainly based on an imperial gallon, which is 25% larger than a U.S. gallon. To get a more accurate US mpg claim, knock off 20% of the imperial figure; in this case, that means 40mpg.
Neato... unfortunately I don't want to be splattered in an accident!
MINI scores better than an F150 in impact.
Plust you've forgotten that the ability to avoid an accident is your best choice. I'd take a MINI's superior handling and braking over just about any sedan south of 30K.
Drive what you want, but don't think a small car isn't safe.
As for the MINI D, I'll pass in favor of the JCW MINI, for now.
How does diesel make economic sense? 10% more expensive, 30% better mileage but 20-25% higher fuel costs, more expensive maintenance. If you drive 10k/yr you'll save maybe $200/yr not counting maintenance.
I was chatting to a car enthusiast friend a day or so ago.
He'd just driven the Mini Cooper Diesel and he felt that the engine did not go well with the car. His words were that you expect a Mini to be peppy, but the power delivery of the diesel seemed at odds with the car.
Location: We_tside PNW (Columbia Gorge) / CO / SA TX / Thailand
34,690 posts, read 57,994,855 times
Reputation: 46166
50 MPG (US gallons ) since 1976 in my StealthRabbit (about the size of a Mini, but much more utilitarian / sustainable, and the last one I bought cost $35 COMPLETE and running). Check your neighbor's brier patch, that's where I find them. I have got some for free.
Drove it today, still working fine.
Quote:
How does diesel make economic sense?
not for all, but necessary and very favorable for many. (I ONLY need to change filters once / yr... NEVER plugs and wires )Been doing diesel for over 50 yrs. and some of my daily runners (farm / construction equip) are from the 1930's, and fire right up to plow snow, as they have for 80 yrs!
There is a reason, Top Gear guys hate diesels.
There is reason, you stay away from VW product.
If you want very good mpg and RELIABLE vehicle, you may want to shift gears into better known for both choices.
I'm always for more diesels here in the US, and obviously the Jetta has always been the car to beat. Even here in Missouri, I've never had to "plug" my diesel in to keep it warm...same time it stays in the garage overnight, but during the days it sits out at work...so even with the temperature sitting around 20°-30°F really doesn't seem to effect the vehicle at, specifically for starting...fuel economy does drop pretty considerably during the winter though, combination of the cold starting/warmup and the winter diesel fuel.
Something else to note, the Jetta tends to do better than it's advertised fuel economy, especially at times other than winter...during winter, I tend to average just a bit better than advertised. Gas vehicles tend to get their advertised fuel economy whenever you drive like you have an egg under your foot. I've averaged 44 MPG combined city/highway with my 12' Jetta TDI and 6 Speed MT. From late spring-mid fall I would average 50 mpg on my daily work commute, averaged 50 MPG this summer on a 1100 mile round trip vacation, and the best I've seen out of the car has been 62 MPG on my daily work commute (3 miles roads, 17 miles highway).
LOVE THIS CAR!!!
As to the efficiency, I actually own another Jetta 5 cylinder. It has averaged 27 MPG during the time I've owned it, and the best it's ever received on the highway has been 31 MPG. So I'm getting an additional 13 MPG over my BEST MPG with the gas 5 cylinder, with 6 speed AT. Considering how regularly attain 50 MPG, I'd use that as a better estimate for my highway MPG, giving me 19 MPG more fuel economy over my gas equivalent.
It doesn't however make financial sense over the current base model car, with a $15,000 starting price, and an estimated 34 MPG highway...it takes years to realize the thousands in savings you get from the base model car...but for me, it was never a matter of base car to diesel. The conversation was diesel and GLI, which requires premium further mitigating the cost premium from the diesel fuel.
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) since 1976 in my StealthRabbit (about the size of a Mini, but much more utilitarian / sustainable, and the last one I bought cost $35 COMPLETE and running). Check your neighbor's brier patch, that's where I find them. I have got some for free.
)
Been doing diesel for over 50 yrs. and some of my daily runners (farm / construction equip) are from the 1930's, and fire right up to plow snow, as they have for 80 yrs!
