My reply to them:
Gentlemen,
While driving my diesel VW from Idaho to California Sunday I heard a portion of your show where a young lady wanted your opinion on the Golf TDI (diesel) and my ears perked up. I hoped I would hear all the good reasons to consider one of these cars. You told her to steer clear of this car for three reasons, and as I heard them I understood two things - 1) You must not have any recent experience with these fine engines, and 2) You have given advice contrary to the whole reason of existence of your show! The things you mentioned as diesel negatives might frighten someone who buys a car as an appliance - just show me where the steering wheel and gas pedal are, I don't want to know anything about the engine. But on Car Talk, supposedly by spreading knowledge about how engines work, you're encouraging people to educate themselves and overcome the usual hazards of ignorance, fear and superstition!
So, let's talk about diesel engines of the VW TDI - slow? nope. Great torque. Remember people buy horsepower, but they drive torque. This car has even more Fahrvergnugen than their gas models. Diesel fuel problems? Matter of perception. Let someone start getting 45-50 mpg, and diesel stations start appearing everywhere. This easily-learned skill of finding fuel (any truck stop and many other locations, well indicated by signage) will empower drivers. And smell? Mostly a thing of the past. Yes, the exhaust has an odor. So does gas exhaust, paint, etc etc. At least the exhaust contains very little carbon monoxide, and the black smoke you're used to seeing from school buses or large trucks just isn't there on these new engines.
If you keep any records about who calls and you still know the lady's name, please send her to our forum at
www.tdiclub.com and there the truth will make her free!
Otherwise great show..
Pat Stevens