Originally Posted by AF
You really do become more ignorant every day. Modern day automotive diesels aren't the clattering, smog producing diesels of yesterday.
people are afraid of what they do not understand, and aren't eager to give things a second chance. americans are especially adverse to accepting new technologies and ideas when they're already nicely settled into their outdated ruts. a lot of good ideas fail to catch on in this country, even if it could benefit us dramatically.
Originally Posted by Ochdx
Again, this is my opinion based on my previous experience with diesels - they are just nowhere near as smooth as most gasoline engines.
what is your previous experience with diesels? trucks, buses and 20 year old diesel powered cars? modern diesel engines combined with modern refining techniques are producing diesel-burning engines that run cleaner, smoother, more efficiently, and with more power AND torque than thier gasoline counterparts. there's a pretty good reason why every major european manufacturer offers a good lineup of diesel engines, and they're extremely popular. even honda, champion of environmental-friendliness and smooth/reliable/efficient engines, has developed one. i'm sure mtviewguy can give much more detailed information..
Originally Posted by Ochdx
Over there you can get a BMW 7 series, fully loaded, yet equipped with a 2.0 diesel engine, and it will get its ass kicked by a geo metro.
that's an interesting assertion. care to provide some specs to support that claim?