You're too stupid to... own a diesel small truck

[FatguyRacer]

no they aren't...they are withholding them because the other markets aren't EPA regulated with various levels depending on state and have stardards that make sense and that are are universally compliant and accepted across different world market zones....that and the foriegn markets have a much higher demand for those vehicles and they do not have to go through importation tariffs and so forth because the gas companies have the US politicians by the balls in reelection finance and other stated and unstated red tape to bring them here

When this changes, let me know when I can get an Amarok. 40 mpg in an all wheel drive truck is incredible.

I bet VW cant keep TDI's Jetta on the lot, (well maybe they can since the MK6 has been beat with the ugly stick) regardless of the cost difference between diesel and gasoline. 

Mine was so fresh off the truck, the dealer was still hadn't finished removing the protective shrink wrap from the car.

[The Mad King Pepe']

I bet VW cant keep TDI's Jetta on the lot, (well maybe they can since the MK6 has been beat with the ugly stick) regardless of the cost difference between diesel and gasoline. 

VW imports so few TDIs (Jetta & Golf/Rabbit) that there's a waiting list! Starting price is about $5k over the gas models and they don't even offer special rates or discounts on them. I really wanted to get one but ended up getting a used Civic (for half the price) instead.

[FatguyRacer]

5k over gas is about right. I paid 25500 for my 2006 TDI way back in Aug 2005. Then they stopped selling TDI's for 3 years. Dealer did not discount, but to be fair he didnt mark up either. I checked my sticker against the VW website.
 

[ducpainter]

Six figures is very attainable as an automotive technician.

I'd wager there are very few making that kind of money, and only in select markets.

Go ahead...prove me wrong.

[Randimus Maximus]

I'd wager there are very few making that kind of money, and only in select markets.

Go ahead...prove me wrong.

I said it was attainable.  Not guaranteed.

 

I knew a Master level technician here in Denver pulling down $200K+/yr.  And that was a few years ago.

[the_Journeyman]

It's a shame a good diesel mechanic is hard to find.  Locally, I saw a great buy at a used car lot on a diesel Liberty.

JM

[WarrenJ]

http://www.lostjeeps.com/forum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=54207

This is an excellent source of info on the diesel Liberties. 

[Howie]

In the metro areas where the cost of living is high top earning techs can earn 100K.  That said, in the dealers I worked in the top earning techs were either cheating or being fed the most profitable jobs or both.  Often the problem car doesn't get fixed because it goes to the kid who just got out of school, not the A tech.  Going for new product training was also difficult.  The boss wanted you in the shop making money, not at school costing him money.  Yeah, I stopped working in dealers in 1976, but things haven't changed much since.  

[ducpainter]

In the metro areas where the cost of living is high top earning techs can earn 100K.  That said, in the dealers I worked in the top earning techs were either cheating or being fed the most profitable jobs or both.  Often the problem car doesn't get fixed because it goes to the kid who just got out of school, not the A tech.  Going for new product training was also difficult.  The boss wanted you in the shop making money, not at school costing him money.  Yeah, I stopped working in dealers in 1976, but things haven't changed much since.  

...and it never will change howie.

[Zaster]

I have been looking to buy a pick up truck but can't convince myself to purchase a vehicle getting 20 mpg or less.
Germans have done a great job in making very fuel efficient diesel engines which haven't made it across the pond
due to politics and for the fact that diesel is more expensive than gasoline in the US...not so in Germany.
While gasoline sells for $8+ per gallon in Germany, you can get diesel for up to a buck cheaper.
The first manufacturer that offers a quality 30+ mpg mid size truck in the US has my money.

[ungeheuer]

When this changes, let me know when I can get an Amarok. 40 mpg in an all wheel drive truck is incredible.

Incredible is exactly what it is.  

7.8lt/100km (around 30mpg) according to this review  >>  http://www.caradvice.com.au/105919/volkswagen-amarok-review/  <<  Nice ute though, made in America too  

[mitt]

I said it was attainable.  Not guaranteed.

 

I knew a Master level technician here in Denver pulling down $200K+/yr.  And that was a few years ago.

Did you see his W-2?

mitt

[ducatiz]

Incredible is exactly what it is.  

7.8lt/100km (around 30mpg) according to this review  >>  http://www.caradvice.com.au/105919/volkswagen-amarok-review/  <<  Nice ute though, made in America too  

One thing to note is the tested mileage on the TDIs never shows actual mileage when broken in.  The current US Jetta TDI is rated at 42 mpg highway, but owners (and third party testing) has proven the TDI gets around 48mpg hwy after break-in.

My '05 Golf TDI easily gets 50 mpg on the highway.

Add around 20% to the posted figures for highway, the city mileage runs between 5-10% above the posted amounts.

[lethe]

One thing to note is the tested mileage on the TDIs never shows actual mileage when broken in.  The current US Jetta TDI is rated at 42 mpg highway, but owners (and third party testing) has proven the TDI gets around 48mpg hwy after break-in.

My '05 Golf TDI easily gets 50 mpg on the highway.

Add around 20% to the posted figures for highway, the city mileage runs between 5-10% above the posted amounts.

I get around 50 on my Golf, 40 would be if I'm whipping it a bit.

[FatguyRacer]

I think the manual trans makes a difference too. My 2006 has the 5 speed manual and my fathers 2009 has the manumatic auto trans and he gets about 3-4 mpg less than i do for the same type of driving. On a perfect day its not unusual to get 50+ mpg from the Jetta.

Even if that Amorak gets only 30+ mpg i would still want one.