New guy looking to get into diesel for simplicity and MPG!
 

Hi there, everybody! I've done some passive reading on the subject of hypermiling and I do try to get the most out of my gas tank by not wasting braking and driving less aggressively (when I remember), but I was never really into the community. I presently own a 2003 Saturn that has given me no end of troubles and all sorts of things have gone wrong with it. At present the engine thermostat is broken, so my fuel consumption is far higher than I like. That'll get fixed, but my opinion of the car won't. This spring/summer I'll be looking into a replacement vehicle and I'm thinking maybe a Mercedes 190D if I can find a clean one. They seem to be highly regarded for longevity, and 35-40MPG seems doable easily, while still riding in comfort and relative style.

there where a lot of small diesels in the 80s
its just there's not many of each type :D

other then the 190D is the I-mark diesel its a SOHC 1.8L


there's a laundry list of small diesels from ford, Toyota, Isuzu, GM, dodge and others. its just they never made any in a large amount.

Mercedes and VWs are the ones in the largest amounts on the road.

I also like the 190D. That's really a die-hard vehicle, and still stylish if you care for that. Some older Mercedes-Benz cars are still great daily-drivers...

I get 45mpg on my 2001 TDI, and that has an automatic transmission.

It's also worth to note the adaptability of Diesels to some alternative fuels. For an IDI such as the one into a 190D, both biodiesel and pure vegetable oils are viable, while a DI can also handle ethanol decently.