I drove to Conserv Fuels in Brentwood this morning to fuel up our 2005 Volkswagen Jetta TDI. I haven't driven the older of our two Jettas much since the switch to biodiesel so I'd never been here before. I drove around, searching in vain for the biodiesel pump. Finally, I parked and went to see the cashier. He looked apologetic and handed me the above piece of paper.
He told me they might start carrying biodiesel again, maybe in 10 days. Yeah. I didn't have time to drive to the Palisades to fuel up, but the Jetta still has about 3/8ths of a tank. So I guess we'll do that later in the week. If it was my car, mind you, I'd have just put in some regular diesel -- the Conserv station still has plenty of that.
This inconvenience hasn't dampened my enthusiasm for our 2005 Jetta TDI. Although it lacks the interior room, refined ride and highly supportive seats of our 2009 Jetta TDI, I vastly prefer driving our '05 Jetta.
I know its suspension is fairly rudimentary, but it was tuned with such love -- tuned to deliver handling that's as direct as possible without resorting to a harsh ride. I like how the car will rise to the challenge of any corner you pitch it into, so long as you're not put off by its body roll. This car is scrappy. Now I'm wondering if I should buy my own used Jetta TDI.
Erin Riches, Senior Editor @ 65,710 miles
firstwagon says:
12:22 PM, 12/15/08
Is regular diesel cheaper the biodiesel? (we don't get biodiesel in British Columbia).
I would buy a used TDI but they hold their value too well. A 5 year old one with 100,000 miles is the same price as a new Fit.
tcolberg85 says:
01:18 PM, 12/15/08
I'm convinced that biodiesel will be back because this dip in the economy is merely a minor setback in the grand scheme of the energy transition. For whatever reason, Americans don't seem to be able to look a year ahead and realize that as soon as the economy starts picking up again, demand for fuel will go up, and gas prices will be once again heading for their previous highs. When that happens, biodiesel and other alternative fuels will once again be in the limelight and the people who took advantage of the slumping prices of fuel efficient or alternative fuel vehicles will be sitting pretty.
gharry says:
02:18 PM, 12/15/08
Some of us Americans do realize that, but we're probably the ones that already didn't buy an SUV during the fad years.
sellaturcica says:
10:21 PM, 12/15/08
If you enjoy spending time with the VW service manager, buy a used TDI
the_big_al says:
01:50 PM, 12/16/08
What's interesting is that I passed a small shop today that had a sign out for biodiesel for $3.99. I about did a double-take to make sure and it was the correct price. Why would any body in their right mind buy this stuff at this price today? Sure a few weeks ago $3.99 would have been a good deal and it may be a good deal in a few weeks still, but you wouldn't get me to buy it for that price right now.