Diesel Engines…Not So Bad Anymore?
In fact, Dennis Sanders likes his a lot…
I know what you are thinking. You are probably remembering the diesels, General Motors introduced in the 70s when they basically put modified gasoline engines that supposedly took diesel fuel into their cars and the result was disasterous. My diesel runs great even in the harsh winter climate of Minnesota. (My car starts even when it’s 20 below.)I got this car for two reasons: first, it has great mileage. It’s about the high 30s in the city and in the low to mid 40s on the highway. Since I drive to work (there are no buses that go to my place of work in the ‘bubrs) I only have to fill up about once a week. (When I was taking the bus, I filled up every two weeks.)
Second, it puts less greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. It’s not perfect, since there are still bad particulates, but because of government mandates, it’s getting cleaner.
I made a decision in the free market to get a fuel efficient car. So, the rising fuel prices do take some bite, but not as much in the long run.
More alternatives are needed and this is a good alternative in the short term, but what about those who can’t afford transportation like Dennis’? What about those in the lower income brackets who have to consistently settle for the gas guzzling hand-me-downs of the upper and middle classes?
My point is, the free market isn’t the cure-all for everything. It’s a good start, but something else needs to happen in order to make hybrid transportation available to all. Because otherwise, we’re going to be running into the same problems over and over and over again.
3 Responses to “Diesel Engines…Not So Bad Anymore?”
I drive a used Toyota Corolla, and I’m getting about 30 mpg. Corollas really aren’t that expensive …
–|PW|–
One look in the paper tells that camrys, corollas, sentras, accords are a dime a dozen. All are generally reliable and get decent mileage. There are tons for less than 5k. But, for many folks a car is an outward show of their personality. So even those that buy the gas guzzlers like the look an SUV projects, even if it strips them of cash. Believe me there are plenty of folks around me that make far less than I, and drive far larger and nicer cars.
My husband and I solved this by driving a honda civic and a toyota corolla—both used —to work, and saving our honda crv for the week-ends -for trips and hauling junk around. That way you get the best of both worlds. I DO wish they’d lower the price of the hybrids or offer other incentives to encourage consumers to drive them, tho.