Trucks may be different but, in cars, in the USA, diesel doesn't make sense economically (bottom line). A (~) 15 to 20% boost in mpg is offset by the 15 to 20% higher price of the fuel. Then look at who offers diesel autos, it's Volkswagon, unless of course you'd like a VW. In the US the highest priced auto, maintenance wise, is anything European. Doesn't make fiscal sense to own diesel. My neighbor has a diesel Passat...very nice car, I had to ask what the TDI stood for! I'll stick with second hand, Pacific rim, gas powered for now. Regardless of effect on the planet, I'm moving in what gets me around in the most economical and expedient fashion. I wont ride the bicycle to the market on Saturday morning because the car will get me there and back faster giving me more time to do what I want (sail maybe?).

Call me very lucky, I have a choice, that's were I suppose a lot of us get rubbed the wrong way. Maybe when I retire I'll ride the bicycle to the market. Maybe when I retire it wont be as important to shave a few hours off the regatta commute and I wont mash the gas pedal to the floor at every chance. Then again, maybe I'll be that old man putzing around in that 60's supercar that gets 8 mpg, that I may have to pour lead additive in the tank to get it to run proper. I don't see the majority of Americans wantingly wasting fuel (except for maybe the occasional Karl <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />) we just want to have a choice.