'14 Jeep GC Ecodiesel

[DAN V]

Has anyone else besides me checked this Jeep out yet? Looks like it is powered by VM Motori out of Italy. This is same motor that was in the Jeep Liberty back in '05 and '06. except for the fact that it is a V-6. it is the same one that is in the new 1500 also. Anyway, I went and checked out the new GC and it is pretty nice. I did not actually check out the engine as the weather was very cold last week. I was able to check out the inside and there is definitely lots of elbow room and leg room. Very nice Jeep but not cheap.

 

[rscurtis]

I looked at one last Tuesday while having my truck inspected. Started instantly at 25*, no smell even from a cold start. The EPA highway rating is 28 MPG, so it should do 30.

 

[DAN V]

Yeah I know. That is pretty good. Even though it gets less mileage than my Passat I am considering getting one since there is more space for groceries and the dog I am leaning more that way. I really don't like having to duck my head when getting into the VW and throwing my back out of place.

 

[Bob4x4]

They have them at the training center. The instructer that drives it loves it. He says very torque yang gets 30 mpg on his commute

 

[MLee]

Does it have GLOW PLUGS? My son has a 06 Libby and the glow plugs gives him problems every year. Now he gets to have one removed cause it broke off in the head and hard to get to. Anti-seize and just snugged tight last time and now its a problem.

 

[Bob V]

I had a Liberty with the VM Motori, and I can say I am NOT a fan. TOO many problems and EVERYTHING is hard to work on. Typical Italian engineering, use it for four years and throw away and buy a new one. They are really not designed to be serviced.

 

[DAN V]

I had a Liberty with the VM Motori, and I can say I am NOT a fan. TOO many problems and EVERYTHING is hard to work on. Typical Italian engineering, use it for four years and throw away and buy a new one. They are really not designed to be serviced.

So Bob, What you are saying is I would be better off not getting the Jeep GC ?

 

[Bob4x4]

The Libby was not the best engine for sure and Chrysler never got too serious about it imho.Hopefully the v6 is a better set up.On paper it looks good,till it gets in the hands of a the consumer in the states we won't know for sure.IIRC it does have glow plugs but they were designed to be easily removed(with out hindrence from carbon build up)and do not use 12v but less and are very fast to heat-no wait

 

[DAN V]

They have them at the training center. The instructer that drives it loves it. He says very torque yang gets 30 mpg on his commute

Is there any way you can ask the instructor how many miles per tank he is getting and if he is filling up at 1/4 tank or what? Thanks.

 

[Bob4x4]

I wont be back out there till February........




i

 

[DAN V]

OK no problem. Thanks, for the input. I am still leaning towards the GC due to the headroom and the space inside.

 

[Gonzo 1066]

I ran into a gal that was just turning 180,000 miles on her Grand, Said that she had to have the EGR system cleaned at 100000 miles and got better than 30mpg on a long trip..

 

[Bob V]

Just looking at the costs it doesn't pay out to me. Looking on line I find that the diesel option is $5000. MPG is 24 HWY for the V6 gas 4X4 and 28 MPG HWY 4X4 for the diesel. If you drive 15,000miles a year the V6 GAS engine will use 625 gal of fuel at $3.25 = $2031 a year. 15,000 miles in the DIESEL will use 535.7 gal at $3.75 for a total of $2009 a year. That's only $22 a year in savings, and that not including the costs of urea, that will be at least $20, so using the # from the internet I don't see any real savings for the diesel. Now, add the extra $5000 for the diesel option, and the extra costs for maintenance of the diesel, its a lot of money just to be able to use a green hose at the station. These are just numbers from the internet, but I do think they will be close. I know we never got over 28 MPG in our liberty, and it was a smaller rig and just a 4 cyc, but it only had a 5 speed automatic compared to the new 8 speed. I am also using the price difference between gas and Diesel at this time which is right at .50 a gallon right. The price difference over the last year has been between .75 to .00. The V6 gas is 290 HP compared to the 240HP for the diesel, but the torque is where the Diesel really shines.
Again, this is just my opinion, but for diesel engines fuel economy to really shine the price for diesel HAS TO BE the same as the gas or the extra MPGs don't pay out. Of course, if you are going to be doing a lot of towing the diesel might look better.

 

[DAN V]

That does make alot of sense. There really isn't much saving, especially with having to buy DEF at 8 gallons per time. I was not sure about buying one but now aI think I will not. One factor is that the dash is all digital now. I would not want to know the cost of replacing the whole instrument cluster just to replace the speedo. i really do not need a Jeep. Just had a thought of maybe. I do not want to go with gas because i like to be able to pump my own fuel with the fuel card. I will keep my VW and maybe in several months go look at a new truck for the same price as the GC. Thanks for the input Bob.

 

[DAN V]

If I need/ want an SUV I will probably look at CL and find one cheap I can pay cash for like a Dodge Durango or a Jeep GC gas model. A beater that I can run around in town with when I don't have that far to go.

 

[rscurtis]

Don't believe the EPA numbers. First, the cost is less than $5K, and that's over the V6. It's less than $3K more than the hemi. I forget the name of the publication, but they did a recent test of the Eco Boost, the new Chevy with the small V8, and the Ram EcoDiesel. Testing consisted of normal driving with some trailer towing. The Ram did 15 MPG and the other two were in the single digits. The diesel will exceed its ratings, and the gas ratings will be something you dream about at night. If it turns out to be a good platform like most of the years of the Cummins, the resale value will cover the cost of the option.

 

[larime2013]

I have a 2012 gc with the v6 averages 19 around town 24 highway plenty of power but not like the v8 which gets less milage I really don't believe the diesel will be worth the extra cost of the engine ,and higher fuel cost just to get 28pg as for the gc limited you cant go wrong lots of room and comfort and the all time 4 wheel drive works fantastic I was skeptical of it at first as I have always been able to select my 4x4 options In a 1/2 ton pickup the diesel will great good combination of power along with better milage

 

[DAN V]

I have a 2012 gc with the v6 averages 19 around town 24 highway plenty of power but not like the v8 which gets less milage I really don't believe the diesel will be worth the extra cost of the engine ,and higher fuel cost just to get 28pg as for the gc limited you cant go wrong lots of room and comfort and the all time 4 wheel drive works fantastic I was skeptical of it at first as I have always been able to select my 4x4 options In a 1/2 ton pickup the diesel will great good combination of power along with better milage

i will have to agree with you. I do not feel like spending 46k on a rig that does not get much better mileage than a gas rig. Especially in the GC.

 

[rscurtis]

Keep in mind that your 2012 uses the Mercedes engine- the VM is supposed to be quite a bit more fuel efficient.

 

[kvtcomdo]

Had the 06 Liberty CRD; it was just fine, no issues.

Traded it for a 2014 JGC with ecodiesel. So far loving it.