My Favorite Commercial from Super Bowl LVIII was by Volkswagen: “An American Love Story” #video

| February 13, 2024

  As a long time Volkswagen guy … I enjoyed the “An American Love Story” commercial (YouTube) in Super Bowl LVIII. Of course there were a lot of creative advertisements, but the VW one tugged at my heart-strings. Those who know me, know that I’ve had a memorable history with VW vehicles, from my high […]

Taylor’s first VW and a CinciTDI Throwback Thursday #TBT

| December 7, 2023

About a month ago, I stumbled across a photo that I think was used as a header for the CinciTDI website at some point after Katelyn and I sold our VW Jetta TDIs, but I had to smile noticing the Volkswagen in the header photo was once Taylor’s GTI. Very good memories for sure (and […]

Watch vintage comedy TV before bed and sleep better #TBT

| August 31, 2023

Brenda and I have transitioned from “mostly news” in the late evening to watching a half-hour of vintage comedy on TV … at least before bed. The repetitive drumbeat of depressing, anger-inducing news is not very conducive for a good night’s sleep. One of the funny shows we enjoy is the late 1960’s sitcom “Get […]

My son Taylor will like a tweet/photo in my Twitter feed

| April 24, 2022

For a better reference to the subject line, see this post! (tweet below) 😊

Hm, where did I park that VeeDub Beetle again? #humor

| May 23, 2021

An Akron/Canton CAK photo from my Palm Treo in 2006 #TBT

| April 1, 2021

While cleaning up one of my old Flickr accounts where my Palm Treo 700p photos were backed up, I stumbled across one of the first photos with it I took and posted to this blog – June 2006. Even though the camera was lacking by today’s cellphone standards, I still think the Palm PDA turned […]

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow. Slick roads and an accident.

| December 19, 2020

Although this is the second snow of the season, the weather has turned colder and we ended up with a touch more of the white stuff this week … and with it, yet another accident on Bethany Road to our rear. I saw the flashing sheriff’s car lights and since I’m working from home, I […]

Waiting for a Halloween updates from my granddaughters

| November 1, 2020

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Love our current vehicles, but do miss my VW Jetta TDI #TBT

| July 16, 2020

The publicity around Ford’s new “bucking” Bronco for 2021 had me thinking about cars this week … as well as seeing a post from 12 years ago highlighting 100,000 odometer reading on Katelyn’s first car. Bronco aside, a few of my favorite vehicles are running through my head, but have a special soft spot my […]

The Fiat 500X and selling hot dogs from a VW bus in NYC

| June 7, 2020

Just an automotive kind of filler today after sharing Erwin Wurm’s “chubby” Volkswagen Hot Dog “microbus” from NYC last week on Tom Appel’s Twitter feed. The discussion started when I commented that the Fiat 500X Sport reminded me of the “plump when you cook it” Ballpark franks commercials in the 1990s.  Eventually I shared the […]

As My Desultory Blog grows, it is becoming increasingly difficult to search and find archived information #TBT

| February 27, 2020

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Loved those Volkswagen conversions like the Brubaker Box #TBT

| January 9, 2020

It’s fun to remember all the cool looking Volkswagen conversion back in my youth. I loved the dune buggies and sports car models (that looked fast, but were VW Bug slow). Here’s one that I never saw in person, but back in the 1970s … when “vans were cool” … this would have been great. […]

Ever see a two wheeled VW Beetle? Let’s ride …

| October 30, 2019

There are few limits when it comes to loving Volkswagen Beetles – how about a 2-wheeled bicycle version? Pretty creative.

A 1974 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia: The 2nd car I ever drove.

| September 17, 2019

After receiving for my learner’s permit (at age 16 in Ohio the 1970s), my family took a long summer vacation out west. One of the stops was to visit a long-time work friend of my dad’s who lived just outside of San Francisco in Los Altos. One of the cars he had was a bright […]

Another Volkswagen in the family – Taylor’s 2019 VW Alltrack

| August 18, 2019

Taylor‘s new 2019 Volkswagen Alltrack – 8/15/2019 After a fantastic week with Annalyn here in Cincinnati, Brenda and I are in recovery mode.  I’ll need to spend a little time getting back to my emails and piled up work but I plan on archiving a few photos from the week (in a day or so). […]

Was it that long ago? My BIODZL Volkswagen Jetta TDI #TBT

| August 15, 2019

Has it really been over 15 years since I was commuting back and forth from NE Ohio in my 2003 Volkswagen TDI (and filling up with biodiesel or seeing my car image on other peoples’ blogs?) Yes it has been awhile. After posting about a friend’s new Volkswagen Atlas (Tim Hunter sent me a new […]

Content by Netflix and Amazon and filming Hillbilly Elegy

| August 5, 2019

While Brenda and I wait for the new season of our favorite book-to-television Amazon Prime’s “Man In The High Castle” series, we (or should I really say “she”) got hooked on the popular binge watched series “Stranger Things.” It is amazing how our television habits have changed in this past decade? Gone are the weekend […]

Volkswagen is winning us back and easing bounteous warranty

| August 1, 2019

CinciTDI GTG at our house August 20, 2008 – Throwback Thursday #TBT It has been a while since posting anything on Volkswagen or to the TDIClub forums; I’m likely I’m still sore over their “dieselgate” failure and the company giving up on diesel cars in North America. Still, I’m drawn to VWs and their excellent […]

Volkswagen will be keeping one customer and making new ones

| September 23, 2018

According to my very pleased Volkswagen driving daughter, she’ll likely stay committed to the VW brand IF they continue to appreciate her as a customer. She was one of the first owners of the new 2018 Tiguan last year and has been very pleased with the first year vehicle. The performance, including regular 30+ mpg […]

Twitter is still my social network of choice for interacting

| September 15, 2018

A shocking number of Twitter impression for a simple Volkswagen Beetle update I posted yesterday – well over 100,000. I do use Twitter regularly to share and comment a variety of topics, but rarely have tweets generated more than 10,000 looks or a handful of retweets and likes (on the other hand, my blog’s Google […]

Volkswagen wants incentives for diesel cars removed in Germany

| December 11, 2017

After years of leading the "clean diesel" push and getting their hand slapped for cheating on emissions testing, Volkswagen looks to be giving up on fossil fuel or at least diesel cars. In fact according the New York Times, VW wants the German government to phase out subsidies they lobbied for for years that favored […]

Another great Jay Leno’s Garage video – a 1974 Porsche 914-6 GT

| November 29, 2017

One of the best YouTube channels for car lovers is Jay Leno’s Garage. He always has something interesting and the older I get the more I appreciate his highlighting cars I remembered and envied. The 1974 Porsche 914 (or previous up to 1972 version 914-6 GT) was my ideal teenage car as it was still […]

Together with family – Time flies when you are having fun #TBT

| November 2, 2017

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Family weekend, a new Volkswagen and the prodigal son returns

| August 29, 2017

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Archive: How 11 million VW TDI diesels cheated emission tests

| August 18, 2017

Archiving the New York Times article that offers an explanation for those who are still wondering what Volkswagen DieselGate was all about. The software sensed when the car was being tested and then activated equipment that reduced emissions, United States officials said. But the software turned the equipment down during regular driving, increasing emissions far […]

My daughter would really like to own a Volkswagen again

| July 26, 2017

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The Volkswagen TDI diesel scandal timeline and summary

| May 14, 2017

My take after reading the informative Volkswagen Diesel Scandal timeline article published in the New York Times a couple months ago was that the stricter diesel engine emission standards imposed by the U.S. EPA forced Volkswagen in a corner. With the prospect of losing business, they opted to "cheat" in order to continue selling their […]

Looking back a few years to when I started to blog

| April 28, 2017

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Disgruntled Volkswagen TDI owner not happy with buyback

| December 21, 2016

Now that Volkswagen TDI owners have to accept the performance debilitating modification or return in their diesel cars in for compensation as the settlement enters the "compensation phase." Some have been stripping parts off their cars prior to turning them in. Joe Mayer, in Cincinnati has take that a step further … and stripped "the […]

VW to Fix or Buy Back 80,000 Emissions-Cheating 3.0-L TDIs

| December 20, 2016

The vehicles affected include the Volkswagen Touareg, Audi Q7, and Porsche Cayenne Diesel. Reuters reports that U.S. District Judge Charles Breyer said owners of the vehicles affected will receive “substantial compensation” for getting their cars fixed. German auto part supplier Robert Bosch, which allegedly colluded with VW to cheat emissions, will also settle with U.S. […]

Other European Diesels of Polluting More Than VW TDIs?

| September 23, 2016

Volkswagen isn’t the only automaker skirting diesel emissions laws—many automakers build cars even dirtier than VW. Source: Study Accuses Other European Diesels of Polluting More Than VW TDIs A study concludes that Volkswagen TDI diesel are among the cleanest of all the European brands. That could be the reason the Paris Auto Show are showing […]

Many Volkswagen TDI Diesel Models May Never Return

| September 3, 2016

A sad day for those of us who appreciated the efficiency and longevity of a small VW TDI diesel. 🙁 Volkswagen won’t try to revive its position as a leader in diesel-engine technology in North America, says the recently appointed head of the company’s operations. The technology needed to bring the engines into compliance, along […]

The Acoustic Function that lead to the VW emissions scandal

| July 23, 2016

The development of Volkswagen’s emission defeating device may have initially had the best of intentions, according to Road and Track. It started with engineers in 1999 who were working to quiet the diesel clatter on an Audi V-6 engine. They were  using "Pilot Injection" to inject an additional amount of fuel to a cylinder when […]

And you thought Airstream trailers had a classic style?

| July 14, 2016

For Volkswagen fanatics who like travel and camping, there aren’t many better ways to show  your VW love than a Dub-Box Trailer. These lightweight trailers are unique and beckon back to day when the roads were open and free … so as long as you have a few bucks for gas and were not in a […]

What Volkswagen TDI owners need to know about the settlement

| June 28, 2016

As Volkswagen prepares to dole out $15 BILLION in a diesel emissions settlement for their cheating, here is what VW TDI owners need to know (Source: Yahoo Finance): Who can file a claim? Owners of certain Volkswagen and Audi cars with 2.0 liter diesel engines from model years 2009-2015 are eligible under the settlement. The […]

Turning a Volkswagen Jetta into the perfect VW pickup truck

| March 19, 2016

For my Volkswagen TDI guys who have always wanted a modern small VW diesel pickup … here’s the ticket!

VW Rabbit-Golf facelift through the years #GIF

| January 21, 2016

Calculating the Costs to Society of the VW Scandal

| January 10, 2016

The U.S. Department of Justice lawyers on behalf of the EPA are probably sleeping and dreaming dollar signs … a still unknown number but calculations mentioned in the WSJ top $45 Billion. They have an opportunity to capitalize on Volkswagen’s willful disregard and purposeful installation of “defeat devices” on Volkswagen, Audi and Porche TDI diesel […]

VW should hire a new FAST – the Bengals Andy Dalton

| November 11, 2015

An uncanny resemblance: Volkswagen's “FAST” and the Cincinnati Bengals Andy Dalton.  

EPA, Volkswagen Spar Over New Emissions Claims

| November 3, 2015

When there is blood in the water, it’s a feeding frenzy. Just as we Volkswagen diesel advocates were thinking “maybe” the company would come up with a fix … then the second shoe dropped. This news includes more diesel vehicles, this time the 6-cylinder TDIs adding Audi and Porsche diesel SUVs. According to earlier comments, […]

My 2015 TDIFest swag arrived this week

| October 28, 2015

It has been a while since attending a TDIFest, but each year I do help with the finances and bookkeeping for a popular Volkswagen diesel car club. One of the quirks of the TDIClub is that it is based out British Columbia, Canada and yet our annual “fest” is held in the U.S. The 2015 […]

Out with the old – Taylor sold his 2007 Volkswagen GTI

| October 15, 2015

Who knows if this was a good decision or not … but my son Taylor decided to sell his 2007 Volkswagen GTI (no … not a diesel TDI tarnished by the VW emissions scandal) and is looking to buy something new. Maybe it was due to driving a full size pickup and a large SUV […]

Dieselgate – the Volkswagen emissions cheating scandal

| September 23, 2015

As a long time advocate for long running and efficient diesel engines, I’m appalled to hear Volkswagen purposely cheated on emissions testing. I’ve been someone who has taken pride in the huge advancements diesel engine manufacturers and fuel refineries have made in the past decade (kicking and screaming) and have regularly posted stories in this […]

An interesting way to park your car and VW Golf TDI decision

| May 13, 2015

Besides having a chauffer park your car for you, the Porsche owner above has invested in a pretty cool CarDok. Not to be out done, my friend Tim Hunter has found an even better way to park his Volkswagen … (kidding) photo right. We were both somewhat distressed seeing his old TDI (now his daughter’s […]

Can I hold out for the 2016 Volkswagen Crossover?

| December 11, 2014

The U.S. built 2016 Volkswagen Crossover, teased way back in January 2013, may well be the replacement for my aging 2006 Honda Pilot that already has 200,000 miles – I’m not sure I can wait or whether the styling will change by then? It is starting to look like VW may give buyers a choice: […]

Thought 10 speed transmissions were only for 18-wheelers?

| November 23, 2014

Think again — According to Carxmotor.com reported in AutoExpress, the UK automotive news source, Volkswagen’s generation 8 VW Golf will have a TEN speed DSG transmission in their 2017 model. As much as I enjoy driving a manual, this is one gearbox that I’ll be glad is an automatic. Ten gears? DSG gearbox will be […]

North America to see the VW 4Motion AllTrack as a 2016 model

| November 22, 2014

  Volkswagen announced their AllTrack concept to a warm reception back in early 2012, but to me they seem a bit slow in getting it to the dealerships. Finally though, we are getting closer, since it looks like the bolstered Golf Sportwagen will be in the U.S. as a 2016 model. For Subaru Outback and […]

The Volkswagen Golf TDI looks to be delivering smiles for 2015

| September 8, 2014

New York Times auto guy Lawrence Ulrich seemed to be please with Volkswagen’s new 2015 Golf TDI … But no crossover, and no hybrid for that matter, can do what I managed in the new diesel-power Golf TDI: 60.6 miles per gallon over 75 highway miles along the Jersey Shore. That’s my personal highway m.p.g. […]

New Volkswagen Seven-passenger CUV to be built in Tennessee

| July 14, 2014

  As hinted a few times before, Volkswagen has now officially announced that it will be building the new “yet to be named” seven passenger CUV  in Chattanooga, TN. The attractive American-sized crossover will help VW compete in the popular SUV/CUV market come 2016. Many VW enthusiasts (and potential new customers) with growing families have […]

Thinking about Volkswagen TDIs again. Thanks Tim! #sarcasm

| July 8, 2014

  Although it may seem as if our garage of family Volkswagens has dwindled in recent years (we’re down to Taylor’s GTI), I’m still thinking “seriously” about the new Golf Sportwagen IF it comes equipped as rumored in early 2015. Hopefully decision-makers are paying close attention to about every VW TDI enthusiast that I know (including […]

For those who understand a relationship with a Volkswagen

| April 19, 2014

Tom Salt put together a 40th birthday celebration for his 1972 VW Beetle — a drive from Britain to the factory in Germany where the car was built. Nicely done Tom. Video on Vimeo and a post on Katelyn’s goodbye to her 2001 Volkswagen Jetta TDI.

A Volkswagen TDI concept based on the 2015 Golf Sportwagen

| April 13, 2014

According to the folks at Autoguide, Volkswagen will be following the  VW Jetta Sportwagen with Golf SportWagen in 2015 and is teasing us with a diesel variant. The new TDI concept proposes an all-wheel drive 2.0-liter powerplant called the EA288 diesel. This new diesel would offer 10 more horsepower over the current diesel and could […]

A final goodbye to Katelyn’s VW Jetta TDI

| March 29, 2014

Good news … but sad news today. My daughter sold her 2001 Volkswagen Jetta TDI and it left with the new owner in Columbus today; hopefully it will mean as much to him as it did to her. The little diesel TDI is the only car Katelyn has ever known and it took her from […]

SOLD: Katelyn’s 2001 VW Jetta TDI and a family weekend

| March 3, 2014

The snow has returned again to stretch out this already long and cold winter. March has always been one of those questionable months, but one I generally associate with “spring” … so far not this year. Katelyn and Drew were home for the weekend and we had a great time together as usual. Besides talking […]

A 1947 Willys Pickup makes for creative VW TDI diesel

| February 6, 2014

Gauge Magazine featured a great Willys pickup conversion using a Volkswagen TDI diesel TDI engine. It is a bit “rust”ic … but would be pretty interesting to see. Check out the additional photos on the featureinfo page.

The VW TDI Jetta "Value Edition" gets a lower price

| January 10, 2014

If you are thinking about a new 2014 Volkswagen Jetta TDI this year the entry point just got a few dollars cheaper … thank you Chevrolet Cruze diesel for the competition — $22,115.  For an economy special, the Jetta TDI Value Edition actually includes quite a bit of kit, like heated cloth seats, satellite radio, […]

VW Think Blue Eco TDI diesel shows promising fuel efficiency

| November 19, 2013

It is about time Volkswagen diesel vehicles demonstrate what is in store for their new TDIs. (European story) Frugal hatchback travels 995 miles from Nantes to Copenhagen without refuelling On a 995-mile test run supervised by German inspection company DEKRA, the Golf TDI BlueMotion has returned an incredible 97mpg. The feat was achieved on a […]

Always thought the VW TDI diesel would be nice in a Jeep

| November 14, 2013

Nice Jeep project with a Volkswagen TDI diesel for someone with the time and money. It’s not cheap, but well designed and something most VW TDI advocates have thought about. Check out COTYbuilt and their step 1,2,3 components … I particularly like their 2010 SEMA project (video).

New TDI diesel engines from Volkswagen

| August 8, 2013

It makes me nervous when major changes are made to Volkswagen’s TDI engines, but according to a NYTimes Wheels blog article there are new efficient diesel power plants planned for Golf, Beetle, Passat and Jetta models next year. A few years the Pumpe Düse unit injector PD engine displace VW’s ALH motor which was one […]

A VW TDI GTG on Saturday and stopped to see Katelyn and Drew

| June 30, 2013

Click for larger panarama at Aaron’s (Growler) VW TDIClub GTG on Saturday Owning a diesel car again after a couple year hiatus (Katelyn’s doesn’t count) was a weak excuse to go to a TDIClub GTG in Millersport, Ohio on Saturday, but took the Mercedes Benz 300D to the Volkswagen diesel gathering just the same – […]

Desultory - des-uhl-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee

  1. lacking in consistency, constancy, or visible order, disconnected; fitful: desultory conversation.
  2. digressing from or unconnected with the main subject; random: a desultory remark.
My Desultory Blog