I know someone here will hate this...

[devenex]

...but I am excited about the Fiat 500 coming to our market.

Especially: http://www.500bydiesel.com/home.html

Say what you will about the whole Chrysler deal, but the Italians are responsible for the most cutting edge small displacement diesel technology. And I love me some small diesels!!!

[bigluelok]

what does the msrp look like on one of those?

[devenex]

They haven't released much info about coming here other than that it will be before xmas '10.

I imagine they should go for around what a mini cooper does. Maybe less as the motors have less power. But the diesels will probably be significantly more than the gassers as VW's TDI's can't stay on lots (at least on the west coast).

[scooterwerx]

yesss! i am very stoked to finally see euro style mini cars coming over here! 3 cyl diesel power!

[devenex]

You are officially my main man now werx! I thought I might be the only Diesel Dork on this forum to be excited about these cars

And looking into things more the Fiats cost less than Minis in the EU. Yay!

Plus Ford is rumored to be bringing the Ka into North American markets. The Ka uses the diesel motor manufactured and used by Fiat. Options!

Heres the Ka:

[Bear45-70]

It is obvious that none of you ever owned a Fiat, so you would not understand what Fiat stands for.

Fix It Again Tony

[Wheelman-111]

Greetings:

Thanks for the laugh, Bear.

However it's likely that the storied Italian company has learned, just as that Japanese feller Honda did. Hondas were no paragons of reliability early on.

I suspect today's new Fiats are on a par with VW - the only major Euro maker of affordable cars that never left our market.

[devenex]

I'm unsure of the rest of the car, but I don't doubt the motor. Fiat really has their diesel stuff together, and I know first hand as my dad has a diesel Jeep liberty. What does that have to do with anything you ask? Fiat made its motor . American car companies only care about the big 6 or 7 liter Cummins diesels now, totally got smoked on making efficient small blocks unfortunately.

But I'll definitely be monitoring to see which has the fatal flaws between the 500 and Ka.

[Bear45-70]

Greetings:

Thanks for the laugh, Bear.

However it's likely that the storied Italian company has learned, just as that Japanese feller Honda did. Hondas were no paragons of reliability early on.

I suspect today's new Fiats are on a par with VW - the only major Euro maker of affordable cars that never left our market.

You are preaching to the choir when it comes to the early Honda. I owned a Honda N-600 for 4 years and used it as a commuter car. Which probably proves I am as crazy as you are.

[circusracer]

My daily driver is a 2005 VW Golf 1.9l turbo diesel. Even with the rocketchip installed I still get 45mpg. (could be better if not for the lead foot)

[Wheelman-111]

Greetings:

Quoth The Bear:

Which probably proves I am as crazy as you are.

Pah! You merely aspire to my Nexus of Nuttiness! I rebuilt an XS Yamaha with a bad second gear dog and a bad oil consumption habit. Twice!
I kept a Ford (Fix Or Repair, Daily) Maverick 302 alive for 5 long years in salty Quebec winters. It was so rusty that aside from Galvanized metal, pop rivets and Bondo, it woudn't even cast a shadow. In a panic stop situation, (and there were many...) I could lift the carpet and drag a foot.
Both of these vehicles should have been summarily sold or scrapped, but I seem to get attached to bad vehicles. Especially if they're fast. Proabably why I've never owned a Diesel.

But Hark! What light upon yonder zither breaks? TDI could make me reconsider:
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/13/detr ... 8-v12-tdi/

I'm a peripheral visionary. I see into the future, but only way off to the side.

[devenex]

TDI's are awesome too. But I must have some psychological disorder as I would sit in my '79 Rabbit and think "this could be smaller."

Best part about that Audi; urea injection!!! Keep those emissions down by peeing in the tank. Hopefully you can manage to go under (injection) pressure

[808BMW]

Hi

428 lb.-ft. of torque


I went to a lab here (You may have seen Mera on the show Dirty Jobs? They made the seaweed health pills, BioAstin) and one of the scientists was showing me how they make algae into biodiesel. I've also seen this mentioned on the tv show "Extreme 4x4" as a future option of producing your own biodiesel (it is retardedly easy to grow algae).
Better than this whole corn/ethanol/lies they are forcing on us right now

[Wheelman-111]

Greetings:

Quoth Devenex:

But I must have some psychological disorder as I would sit in my '79 Rabbit and think "this could be smaller."

Then most of us have the same disorder. Think that statement all the way through, and you finally understand why you/we sit astraddle a Spree/Aero/Elite. 50ccs. (give or take...) It's just enough.

My bill for psychoanalysis will follow.

[Bear45-70]

Hi I went to a lab here (You may have seen Mera on the show Dirty Jobs? They made the seaweed health pills, BioAstin) and one of the scientists was showing me how they make algae into biodiesel. I've also seen this mentioned on the tv show "Extreme 4x4" as a future option of producing your own biodiesel (it is retardedly easy to grow algae).
Better than this whole corn/ethanol/lies they are forcing on us right now

Greetings:

Quoth Devenex:

But I must have some psychological disorder as I would sit in my '79 Rabbit and think "this could be smaller."

Then most of us have the same disorder. Think that statement all the way through, and you finally understand why you/we sit astraddle a Spree/Aero/Elite. 50ccs. (give or take...) It's just enough.

My bill for psychoanalysis will follow.

You guys real worry me when I pay attention to what you are saying.