New diesel choices?

[rbattelle]

except for the fact that people will pony up the extra freight for a hybrid, with almost no fuel economy benefit.

Well, that's sort of true, except that very few hybrids are actually sold. Even the Prius, for all it's "popularity" doesn't sell NEARLY so fast as Accords/Camrys/Civics/Cobalts/etc.

I thing all of us would wait on line with a check in hand to purchase a small diesel power pickup. 4 cylinder with a 2000# payload and 3500 # towing capacity , A simple interior like non electric mirrors or window or locks or seats , vinyl floor fabric seats bench seat for 3. locking diffs. and a low range transmission. No radio or gps we will put our own in, and a set of BF Goodrich mud terrains . And ! we dont want a 13 gallon fuel tank put a 25 0r 30 gallon tank in it.

I very respectfully disagree. I respect your preferences in a vehicle, but I don't necessarily share them, and I don't think "all of us" do, either. If everyone did, Ford would still be selling 1982 Bronco IIs and Rangers (both were available with a diesel), and Kia wouldn't be able to make enough Sportages to meet demand. Except for the diesel, you can buy a Canyon equipped pretty close to what you want today, and I don't see many on the road. Same with F-150, for example - you can buy a stripped-down fleet work truck very cheap (albeit sans diesel).



All I'm saying is, it's not some kind of "magic" that these small diesel trucks are not generally available, nor that the range of available vehicles is what it is. The whole idea of a free market (which was more-or-less alive and functioning until recently) is the law of supply and demand. Automakers stopped making these vehicles 30 years ago because people demanded other things.



Ryan

 

[DGamelin]

I have to agree with rabattelle said about supply and demand. I worked in a volkswagon dealership in the 80's among other places. I remember the 6. 2 Chevys and those little luvs and other diesels of the time oil leaking nightmares. I wonder if people had a choice to do it again with the more reliable motors if they would? Also the little diesels back in the 80s seemed to have gotten better mpg than the ones on today, except the vw who have always kept their mpg high. The jeep liberty at 24mpg seems to be a bit disappointing to me.

 

[Dieselnut59]

I have to agree with rabattelle said about supply and demand. I worked in a volkswagon dealership in the 80's among other places. I remember the 6. 2 Chevys and those little luvs and other diesels of the time oil leaking nightmares. I wonder if people had a choice to do it again with the more reliable motors if they would? Also the little diesels back in the 80s seemed to have gotten better mpg than the ones on today, except the vw who have always kept their mpg high. The jeep liberty at 24mpg seems to be a bit disappointing to me.

I easily get 30 mpg on the interstate out of my Jeep Liberty. Could probably get 35 if the damn thing were available with a manual transmission. Plus, it is a VERY strong running engine for its displacement. I am considering a fixer upper Isuzu, but they are totally gutless. I would rather do a conversion of a more "modern" diesel into a more "modern" vehicle. The 2. 2 Isuzu engines had a LOT of problems if turbocharged. I would really prefer a factory built machine like a Wrangler CRD or a Dakota with a diesel, manual transmission and 4x4.

 

[DGamelin]

30 MPG is good I would be happy with that. I have a friend that had one he said the best they get is 24 mpg. We had a luv in our shop in houston in the late 80's, we had a hell of a time with it and it was a gutless wounder.

 

[Dieselnut59]

30 MPG is good I would be happy with that. I have a friend that had one he said the best they get is 24 mpg. We had a luv in our shop in houston in the late 80's, we had a hell of a time with it and it was a gutless wounder.

I disabled egr and gutted the kitty. That helped a couple mpg. Around town it is more like mid 20s.

 

[Skydiver]

Automakers stopped making these vehicles 30 years ago because people demanded other things.



Ryan, don't forget that back in the 80s the Oldsmobile diesel really ended our diesel market. I know. I bought a brand new CHevy 1500 at age 19 with the 350 diesel. At 19k miles I was pulling the right head off. At 33k miles did another head job at my expence. At 49k it was leaking oil to the tune of one quart every 24 miles. After I sent them a letter. In 1984 a GM rep named Bill Foote called me and they installed a new long block for free. I had bought a running 1973 350 gas burner and rebuilt it with stock parts. There I was with a gas burner $1150 (parts only) invested sitting in my garage and a new diesel in my truck . I sold the new diesel for $950 to recover my money plus I had a child on the way. I remember the repair ticket at the Chevy dealer was $2200

 

[rbattelle]

Ryan, don't forget that back in the 80s the Oldsmobile diesel really ended our diesel market.

Good point. That certainly played a significant role. But part of me wants to think that after all this time, memories of that horror must be fading.



Ryan

 

[Regcabguy]

Why?

My friend rented a new Toyota Tacoma turbo diesel in Nicaraqua. QC 4wd,manual transmission. He loved it and he's not a diesel guy. The libs have a Euro love affair going but they reject two of Europe's shining examples of common sense: nuclear power and clean running,economical diesel powered vehicles. I don't get it and neither do they.

 

[Dieselnut59]

My friend rented a new Toyota Tacoma turbo diesel in Nicaraqua. QC 4wd,manual transmission. He loved it and he's not a diesel guy. The libs have a Euro love affair going but they reject two of Europe's shining examples of common sense: nuclear power and clean running,economical diesel powered vehicles. I don't get it and neither do they.

You nailed it there! It is a FACT the diesels are cleaner running and use less fuel than comparable gas engines, yet libs REFUSE to allow us to have the CHOICE to have them, by using the power of the EPA. Same goes with nuclear power, as you mentioned. The libs LOVE the anti-war, white flag waving French, yet REFUSE to give their power generation system a chance here in our country, even as they preach "alternative forms of energy" to "dirty coal".

We need to welcome the most viable form of "alternative energy" to the gasoline engine: Diesel, with open arms. Libs do not get it, in general. Let's change the laws that specifically harm diesels in this country and adopt a policy more like Europe which gives more efficient energy an advantage. People who love "hybrid" vehicles should be orgasmaticly thrilled with the thought of a diesel hybrid which would easily get 80-100 mpg!