Back in the 70's, 80's and 90's diesel used to cost about 25 cents a gallon (or more) LESS than gasoline, so buying a Diesel car (or truck) got you a double savings, better mileage PLUS cheaper fuel.

It seems in the past 9 years or so, Diesel fuel went way up in price, relative to gasoline, over here in the USA. I think it was partly due to added taxes to the diesel fuel along with the laws to produce a "cleaner" diesel fuel, less sulphur, less polution, etc, and even higher demand, as there are lots more big-rig trucks flying up and down the highways now, along with lots more diesel F250's and F350's (Ford pickup trucks for you guys over there).

I did a "Cost-Benefit" analysis a few years ago because I needed a new truck to tow the horses to shows. I spent about a year asking horse trainers how they liked their diesel trucks, was it cheaper than a gas truck, what kind of mileage do you get towing the horses (10mpg was the standard answer) should I get a diesel or gas if I'm only doing one show a month, or less, etc.

Convinced I'd look sharp in a new F250 Diesel I went to the Ford Dealer, and nearly passed out when I saw the sticker prices! Sticker shock does not come close to what I had. Sticker OUTRAGE would be more accurate! You know where they list the "Options" (like a friggn' FM RADIO: $450, FM Radio with 6 disc CD: $650). well the "Option" of a 6.0 liter Diesel was, get this, about $5,000!

$5,000 and you are going to pay 25 to 50 cents MORE per gallon for diesel, and only get 10MPG hauling horses to shows?! YGTBSM.

So to save $5,000 on the truck, and get nearly -as good- gas mileage (but with cheaper gas), I bought the F150 with the 5.7L gas engine. It's been a good truck for what I do with it. The F250 would have been nice but really overkill for what little towing I do, to say nothing of the more expensive diesel fuel it requires.

I seriously thought about producing my own veggie oil fuel by using used fry oil from all the fast food joints around here, but someone has alrady got contracts for that.

Jack took me to my first 12 Hours of Sebring LeMans race last March, the fastest cars out there were the TDI cars, and Audi has won the race, the last 7 years, with their TDI car.

I'm a believer, I just wish I could find one I can afford!

And did I see someone drives their SUV 2 miles to the grocery store for lunch --every day--?? Come on, get a refridgerator and do it once a week, or ride a bike everyday. OR, God Forbid, WALK.

That is the single biggest difference I have noticed between Europe and the USA. So many people over there ride bikes to work, or walk, or take trains. NOBODY over here does, except Lance Armstrong of course...and all our Soccer Mom's drive Suburbans with...1 kid in the back.

Any wonder 60% of us are obese?