Disqus - Latest Comments for SurfPonto

Re: Smart to be all-electric in U.S. and Canada; gasoline goes away this fall

SurfPonto — Tue, 14 Feb 2017 12:41:20 -0000

Dangerous vehicle on the freeways of Southern California.
Always amazing to me when I see one fly by in the fast lane.

Re: 2017 Chevrolet Cruze Diesel sedan rated at 37 mpg combined

SurfPonto — Mon, 13 Feb 2017 13:29:53 -0000

Long distance road trips

Re: 2017 Chevrolet Cruze Diesel sedan rated at 37 mpg combined

SurfPonto — Mon, 13 Feb 2017 13:29:20 -0000

Nice to see they are actually offering a manual in the Cruz

Re: Which VW diesels can be fixed (updated), and which can't?

SurfPonto — Mon, 06 Feb 2017 12:15:22 -0000

Not really news as this was expected.

"An SCR system includes a considerable amount of hardware, so adding it to a car would likely be complex and expensive."

Unfortunately this accounts for the largest percentage of TDIs on the road.

Re: Diesel owners in Germany who sue VW face significant hurdles

SurfPonto — Fri, 06 Jan 2017 11:38:54 -0000

Yes you are correct. I have no clue what is going on ..,.roll eyes.

My point is that the US and the EU have different air pollution standards.

EU standards have traditionally been focused on CO2 and not NOx.
It seems it should be easy to bring the European TDIs into compliance, at least to meet the less stringent EU specs.

Not saying this is necessarily a good thing but .........

Re: Diesel owners in Germany who sue VW face significant hurdles

SurfPonto — Thu, 05 Jan 2017 12:26:25 -0000

Why would German TDI owners sue ?
Are they pulling the TDIs off the road or requiring modifications?

Re: Chevrolet Cruze Diesel prices released, from $24,670 up

SurfPonto — Mon, 12 Dec 2016 12:20:47 -0000

40 mpg?
Would like to see the real world driving numbers that show that.

If you look on Fuelly drivers are not getting close to that on average. Unfortunately they don't break it down by highway versus city driving but I am guessing that 40 mpg hwy is rare in a gas Cruze.
The diesel on the other hand, no problem.

I agree that the price premium for the diesel may take quite a while to break even though .

Re: Chevrolet Cruze Diesel prices released, from $24,670 up

SurfPonto — Mon, 12 Dec 2016 12:13:31 -0000

Incorrect

Re: Chevrolet Cruze Diesel prices released, from $24,670 up

SurfPonto — Mon, 12 Dec 2016 12:12:34 -0000

Please explain this line : Prius is still more efficient than this on the highway.
How?

Also what maintenance concerns ?
On our TDI we have been replacing the fuel filter and doing oil changes per specs and have had absolutely no issues.

Re: Chevrolet Cruze Diesel prices released, from $24,670 up

SurfPonto — Fri, 09 Dec 2016 12:13:04 -0000

Depends on your needs.
Diesels are better for long distance driving, Hybrids better around town

Re: Chevrolet Cruze Diesel prices released, from $24,670 up

SurfPonto — Fri, 09 Dec 2016 12:09:02 -0000

Yeah but then you have to drive a Prius .
Really can't get past the new body style.

Re: Diesels to lose two-thirds of current market share in 10 years: report

SurfPonto — Thu, 08 Dec 2016 11:13:17 -0000

Very true in San Diego

Re: Diesels to lose two-thirds of current market share in 10 years: report

SurfPonto — Wed, 07 Dec 2016 12:12:53 -0000

True if you leave out Class A motor homes, full size pickups that need towing capability and semi trucks.

Really don't see a technology that can replace these currently.

Re: Diesel: Mercedes asks if it's worth the effort, Audi sticks with it for U.S.

SurfPonto — Fri, 02 Dec 2016 12:16:39 -0000

Bio-Diesel and renewable diesel are two completely different fuel types.
Quote :
While Diesel HPR does not contain biodiesel, it is made from similar renewable biomass sources including recycled fats and oils. Refined from renewable biomass through advanced hydrotreating technology, Diesel HPR meets the toughest specifications required by automotive and engine manufacturers, enabling the fuel to be used by any diesel vehicle.

Re: Mazda diesel to arrive fall 2017, it says, in new CX-5 crossover

SurfPonto — Fri, 18 Nov 2016 16:27:47 -0000

Personally I would worry about screwing up my warranty rather that save a few $ on urea.

I live in San Diego so I don't have to worry about my diesel polluting more in cold weather.

Re: Mazda diesel to arrive fall 2017, it says, in new CX-5 crossover

SurfPonto — Fri, 18 Nov 2016 16:14:46 -0000

Thanks for posting that.
I run that in my TDI and it runs great.

Re: Mazda diesel to arrive fall 2017, it says, in new CX-5 crossover

SurfPonto — Fri, 18 Nov 2016 16:14:06 -0000

How about range?

For example. Say I want an AWD SUV to drive me from San Diego to Mammoth in the winter which is around 400 miles.

Re: Mazda diesel to arrive fall 2017, it says, in new CX-5 crossover

SurfPonto — Fri, 18 Nov 2016 16:11:57 -0000

$50? Never heard that.
Source please.
Why would anyone do that on a newer vehicle under warranty?

Re: VW dealers use diesel buyback to offer deals even before TDI owners bring in cars

SurfPonto — Tue, 08 Nov 2016 11:13:36 -0000

That is probably what we will do at some point.
Not rushing since we have an extended warranty that is good for 100,000 miles.
Unfortunately every time I drive it, I am thinking in the back of my mind, what happens if someone slams into me and totals the car. :-(
Insurance coverage would not be close to the current buyback from VW.

Re: VW dealers use diesel buyback to offer deals even before TDI owners bring in cars

SurfPonto — Mon, 07 Nov 2016 11:13:55 -0000

WRX is a nice car, My son owns a 2015.
Downside is the mpg with the all wheel drive
Upside is the amazing performance as well as Subaru reliability.

Re: What will VW do with TDI diesel buyback cars? It's not what you think

SurfPonto — Mon, 07 Nov 2016 11:10:55 -0000

Sorry for being unclear.
That is our combined mpg for the 60,000 we have owned it.
I mostly attribute this to relegating it to long road trips which diesels favor.

Re: What will VW do with TDI diesel buyback cars? It's not what you think

SurfPonto — Fri, 04 Nov 2016 12:19:16 -0000

Yeah that would be a great environmental solution.....

Re: What will VW do with TDI diesel buyback cars? It's not what you think

SurfPonto — Fri, 04 Nov 2016 12:17:43 -0000

Regarding : Their combined mpg is nowhere close to that EPA or real world

Here we go again.
Our Golf TDI has averaged 46 mpg since we bought it in 2013
many long highway trips.

Re: VW dealers use diesel buyback to offer deals even before TDI owners bring in cars

SurfPonto — Fri, 04 Nov 2016 12:14:42 -0000

Not really many options if you want a small performance hatchback with manual transmission.
Besides a VW GTI I may look at a Mazda 3

Re: Virtually all VW diesel owners will take settlement terms for 2.0-liter TDI cars

SurfPonto — Fri, 07 Oct 2016 12:21:55 -0000

Still on the fence about our 2013 Golf TDI.

Like I have mentioned before it has been resigned to our long road trip car.
We just returned from Mammoth which is somewhere around 800 miles round trip.
Really hard to beat the TDI for this purpose.
52 mpg average.