[Huck]

We think of them as loud, hard to start and foul-smelling

But that's only because they're loud, hard to start, and foul-smelling.

[B Knotts]

My diesel car is loud. It’s not really hard to start or foul-smelling, but that’s a personal preference, I suppose.

But my car is 22 years old.

The new diesel cars are not any of those things.

[Alter Kaker]

But that's only because they're loud, hard to start, and foul-smelling.

Wrong. I drive a sporty Alfa Romeo diesel, and it's quiet, easy to start and smells just fine. Also, it moves like a bat out of hell and gets 35 mpg.

[bert]

.....But that’s only because they’re loud, hard to start, and foul-smelling......

Actually, you’re wrong. I have a 5 cylinder turbocharged diesel van that sold by Dodge but made by Mercedes that is quiet, easy to start, and has no odor. As a very large vehicle it gets 23 mpg at cruise with lots of power. While still accelerating, It stalls out at 83 mph as directed by the computer.

It is 10 year old technology in a ‘06 model.

[AnalogReigns]

I rented a 1.6L diesel VW Golf in Germany. It was as quick, if not quicker, and easy to drive as a gasoline car. Started immediately every time. At first I wasn’t even sure it was a diesel, until I rolled down the window at a stoplight, and yes, there was a little growl, barely perceptable. Otherwise, in no way was it “loud, hard to start, or foul smelling.” Just 50 mpg on the Autobahn.

I’ve talked to some mechanics about them in the mean time, the difference is electronics. The fuel and ignition control is fully electronic now; old style, (loud, hard to start, and foul smelling) diesel engines like in the 70s and 80s were mechanically controlled.

The engineering elegance of a modern diesel car is a far cry from the hokey double motor contraption of a hybrid. I’d put my money on a MODERN diesel any day.

Oh, and a diesel Golf at only 1.6 liters will do 125mph steady on the Autobahn.

[Cobra64]

But that's only because they're loud, hard to start, and foul-smelling.

You should spend some time in Europe. There are diesel 5-series Beemers and Benzes over there. They don't smell, don't pollute, are faster than many gasoline engines over here.

BTW, I'm not a Greenie nor a CAFE advocate. My AC Cobra: