I just got my issue today and read the TDI (and other car) reviews immediately. Not a bad review... yes, I agree that CR is not the font of all wisdom when it comes to things automotive, but they do provide a comprehensive review of generalities, which is what the average Joe wants for comparison purposes.
I sincerely hope that someone here at Freds who is far more knowledgable that I will write a letter to the CR editor (they publish some intelligent, well-written letters in each issue) providing feedback re: the realities of TDI emissions. How, it is cleaner in some respects than a small gas engine (like VW's 2 liter) and dirtier in others. Also, it would be nice to see someone point out (in the mainstream media forum that CR resides within) the hypocrisy of how a huge lumbering 12mpg SUV can be classed as a Low Emissions Vehicle based on it's output of emissions per gallon of fuel burned and in complete disregard that it (the SUV) must burn 4 gallons of fuel for every 1 gallon burned by a TDI to go the same distance. A brief mention of the high sulphur content in US diesel/gas as compared to Euro fuels and how that plays into higher emissions for all cars would also be nice.
I really think that such a letter needs to be written, and hopefully published... if someone here wrote such a letter, I would be happy to sign my name to it (electronically, of course)... maybe we could have a bunch of 'signatures' on it (once a draft is agreed upon here in the Forum) to better it's chances of publication in CR.
What do you think... ? Anyone interested in trying to draft such a letter and post it here for others to review/contribute to... after which we can all 'sign' it and then one person can print it and mail it off to CR?
BTW, how they managed to get only 29mpg from a 5speed TDI in city driving is beyond me. Also, I agree... gas stinks pretty bad itself.
blue909