Re: diesel alfas; was 'importing cars privately'

[White Anthony <anthony.white@domain.elided>]

> As for your French rental of a 156 with a 1.9 JTD (Diesel). This car is 
> anemic and slow even if it isn't a rental. I've driven a 156 with the 
> 2.4 JTD, and believe me, better than a 1.9 JTD it might be, but its 
> nothing to write home about performance-wise (got great gas milage 
> though even when cruising at 110-115 MPH - it just took forever to get 
> there).

Turbo diesels are almost always like this, though.  Manufacturers seem to think that they can put the same capacity diesel engine in a car, without any consequences, and just benefit from the improved fuel consumption.  

Personally, I maintain that, given the better fuel consumption, they should put an engine with the same power output in the car, still benefit from the improved fuel consumption, and have a whole truckload of additional torque to boot.  

And, of the contemporary European diesels, the ones with five-speed automatic boxes seem to be the best -- the auto suits the character and power delivery of the diesel to a much greater extent that a manual box.  

Kind regards,
Anthony.  
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