Many, many moons ago (1983), I got a job picking up parts for big rigs. I was given a 1981 GMC pickup with a 305 engine. Every day, I was given $50 for tolls and gas, and driving around the NYC/tri-state area (mostly northern NJ), I always had to fill up to get back to Long Island (admittedly, it had an electric liftgate, so that added weight and killed the aerodynamics). Shortly thereafter, I was given a 1982 GMC with a true diesel (6.2) with no tailgate.
I cannot recall ever having to fill up to get home with that truck. So I was bitten by the diesel bug then and there.
Working with guys who have all these gas pickups and hearing them whine about mileage, I naturally went to diesel. Now have a 2007 Dodge MegaCab with the 5.9 Cummins.
As for cars, my first VW diesel was a 1980 Rabbit pickup.
Went back to gas for awhile, and found a 1989 Jetta N/A in CT. The rings went after 224k, so i bought a 2009 Jetta TDI. With fuel prices starting to rise, I am getting another engine in the 89.
As for these sites, after beating my N/A for the beater car it was, that attitude changed finding sites like this. I never in my right mind could imagine the number of VW fanatics on the ol' WWW.
Though I love cars, I can barely change my own oil. I get my head spun around with the mods you can do with these VW diesels, yet still maintain EXCELLENT mileage. The guys I work with break my chops about being a diesel fan, but it is their loss. Even explaining to them that you cannot look at the price difference in fuel, but the mileage per tank, they still have their heads in the sand. One guy is happy getting 300-350 out of a Honda. Even with local, highway and stop and go, 550 per tank is my average. Again, HIS loss.
30-35 mpg may be nice in a gasser, I'll take the 45+ in my TDI.
And FWIW, screw big oil and OPEC. I'll get something that gets great mileage and looks nice, which leaves the Prius out...lol
The TDI rides like a dream. Only fault is (as another poster pointed out) is the right leg/knee can get cramped by the console.
He's right, but at 40-50 mpg, I'll live with it.
And the PRIUS is just plain ugly. Stupid NY State will let hybrid drivers ride solo in the HOV lanes, but not my clean diesel TDI. I've had my car for 2 yrs next month, and will hit 30k this weekend going to work.