Toyota Echo vs. VW Jetta diesel

Let's take the post below a step further. How does an 03 Toyota Echo (01 Echo pictured) compare, fuel economy wise, to an 03 VW Jetta diesel.

The Echo will cost you $9k; the Jetta, $17k to buy from me. That assumes they're in good condition, average mileage, etc. The same rules apply to both.

The Jetta will get about 45 mpg average (the same as the Toyota Prius, below); the Echo will still get the same 35 mpg I mentioned below. The VW Jetta costs only $8k more, the same as the Prius, below.

If you buy the Jetta, it will take you again, a long time to recoup the cost of your investment. That assumes the Echo is costing you $225 more per year for fuel, but the vehicle cost you $8k less to buy...

The Echo is still the better purchase for your pocketbook, compared to a Prius or Jetta.

But, here's another interesting part. The diesel Jetta is a better buy for you than the Prius. They get about the same mileage. They both cost about the same. But, the Jetta diesel will run, and run, and run. 200k, 250k, 300k miles if you take care of it and change the oil. The Prius is going to need those $3k batteries sometime before 100k miles. And, as you approach 100k miles, your average mileage is going to go down in the Prius.

Another benefit of the Jetta vs. Prius, and I confess I haven't researched the cost details, with the use of biodiesel, the Jetta becomes an even better deal over the Prius.

Biodiesel is the use of old vegatable oil, such as used by McDonald's, to create diesel fuel. Now, someday, and it may be soon, biodiesel Jetta's could be a better value for the consumer vs. the Echo. Someone needs to tell me what it costs per gallon to make or get biodiesel.


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