2002 Volkswagen Jetta

I've put almost 5000 miles on this car and it is delivering all the way. I'm averaging about 49 mpg (85% highway) and I'm not even babying it. It handles the curves like a dream. There's plenty of pep and it has enough power to maintain the cruise going up steep hills.

The reaction I get from most people when they find out it's a diesel is "Those things are loud and stink!" Truth is that it's not very loud, maybe a little more noise than a gasoline engine. And it's not any more stinky than a gasoline engine.

The worst part about having the diesel is at the gas station itself. Some places have fairly clean pumps and some don't. Diesel just doesn't evaporate like gasoline. I just use a paper towel to hold the pump handle and that works just fine. After all, with the great mileage, I'm not having to fill up as often!