Well, lately I’ve been looking at new cars. Why, you ask? Well, I’m not really sure. All I know is that I want something different (more sporty, and more efficient) than my truck. I can’t imagine that gas prices are going to get any cheaper, and, currently, I’m getting a max of 20mpg. Plus my truck is horrible for driving anywhere other than in town. The A/C doesn’t really work (it probably needs a recharge), there’s no cruise control, and it’s just a pain. Over the last year, I’ve looked a various different cars. I’ve always wanted an Audi TT. However, I’ve definitely gotten a lot more realistic over the last year. Granted, I would still love to get a TT coupe, it’s definitely not in the cards. So, I started looking at something like an Acura RSX Type S.
However, after going to the Telluride Film Festival that came through town, I’ve been infatuated with Biodiesel. This has been furthered by the article I saw in wired (talked about in a previous article). The wired article is really nice because it gives you multiple ways of making it.
Well, this has gotten me thinking about a diesel engine. In the US, that leaves 2 manufacturers: Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen. Needless to say, a Mercedes is a little out of my price range, and the problems that my Dad has with his, alone was enough for me to look elsewhere. This left me with a VW with a TDI Engine.
I swung by the VW Dealer here in town last weekend looking to test drive a Jetta TDI. Unfortunately, the only ones they had were still packaged up. Apparently they had just gotten there Friday night, and hadn’t been touched. The guy I was working with told me to swing by early in the week to take one for a spin. Well, I never got around to it until today.
The only had 1 of the 2 that were still packaged left! However, they did have a used one that someone had brought in. It was a 2003 model, but nothing has changed between the 2003 and 2004 models, so I took it out. I was very impressed with it. The turbo is a nice change from my 4-cylinder truck, that’s for sure :) It’s amazing how crappy my truck felt compared to it, but that really wouldn’t take much. So, I brought it around the block, and onto the freeway. I was easily able to get up to speed, and the cabin noise (which most reviews complain about) wasn’t bad at all. It’s a little bit noisier than a regular car, but nothing really noticeable. Even with the windows down, you could tell it wasn’t a regular unleaded car, but it didn’t growl at you, nor did it sound like a semi truck. Plus the louder noise was only really noticeable when going from a stopped position.
All in all, I was very impressed. Plus making biodiesel would be fun. In a way, it’s a lot like when I modded my xbox. It’s definitely the engineer coming out in me. I gotta have something to tinker with. The only thing, though, is that I really don’t want to give up my truck. I do enjoy having it for when I want to move things. Plus, if I were to make biodiesel, I’d need a way to get the used cooking grease from restaurants to my place. I don’t think I’d want to stick it in the trunk of a jetta, but my truck would be perfect. Plus, there’s the fact that I’d need a place to made the biodiesel. Currently I don’t have anywhere.
I think I’m going to wait for awhile, though. Currently my truck works fine, and I did just put a lot of money into it because of its recent problems. Plus, this way I can wait until there’s some customer incentives, like 0% financing. Hopefully by that time, I’ll have figured out if I really want to do this, plus I’ll know how much living without a roommate will put a damper on my finances.
the jetta diesel is very nice. i’ve test drove them a couple of times too and was very impressed with the lack of noise, expecting a bit more than what it did. and that gas mileage would be very, very nice about now :)
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