New York Auto Show: clean diesel Jetta SportWagen coming to us in 2008 {Autoblog Green}

Apr 21st 2008 9:59PM I am the original owner of an '03 VW Golf GL TDI 5spd. All of you anxious to own a diesel should understand what you are getting yourself into. I love the car, but with diesel fuel at $4.25 to $4.50 in the mid-Atlantic area, the efficiency is more than a little blunted. $/mi comes out less than a Ford Focus now. But, fuel prices fluctuate.... Also, VW has had problems with the intake manifold clogging with soot - me included. $300 bucks to clean out. There goes some nice fuel savings again. Oil changes will also set you back - synthetic only, plus fuel filter (water is a problem in diesel)runs about $90 each time. No more speedy lube for you guys for $25! But, the basic Golf is a solid car with the highest on-road safety record of any other small car based on historical real world driving crash stats. Can't beat that. Plus, I do have (just checked) 680 miles on the recent tank of B20 with a couple gallons to go.....