Why is Europe so fond of diesels?

[cobram at juno.com]

Other countries are much more fond of Diesel cars, especially the
countries where they are outlawed.  They are outlawed solely because the
governments of some countried don't tax diesel fuel (or tax it lightly)
in order to keep transportation costs low.    Utility vehicles, such as
decked out GM pickups are allowed, they fall between the cracks. 
Grandfathered cars, those diesels licensed before they were outlawed,
command premium prices.  I "understand" that you can buy the paperwork
for pre-ban diesel and "import" a newer model, early Mercyless Benz Vin
tags are held on by philips screws....
Uruguay is an experience also, every car ever imported into the country
since 1910 is still on the road, and most cars have been converted to
gas-oil (diesel) to take advantage of the lower fuel cost.  
Since fuel price is controlled by the government the price varies
greatly, as an idea, on one trip to Brazil had me paying $3.75 US a
gallon for gasoline, alcohol was at $1.50 and diesel was at 17 cents a
gallon.  Inflation was running rampant and price corrections for the two
fuels were at different times of the month.
A 1984 300TD with 1976 240D paperwork goes for about U$15000 now, without
paperwork...maybe U$2500.

I hear existing diesels are grandfathered under Californias new laws,
wonder if these are going to appreciate in value too.

BCNU,
Cobram at Juno.Com
http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Flats/1469/

________________________________________________________________
GET INTERNET ACCESS FROM JUNO!
Juno offers FREE or PREMIUM Internet access for less!
Join Juno today!  For your FREE software, visit:
http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj.