New Diesel Pickups an uneconomical choice?

[Tomscreek]

I'm driving my last diesel that's for sure. I don't tow often enough anymore to justify the diesel. Upfront cost, fuel cost, fuel economy (or lack of), and maintenance costs make it a no brainer for me. A gasser will do just fine next time.

 

[Regcabguy]

Ncostello, don't worry about VW. There new 200 hp common rail engine will be released for march or may of this year. I am looking forward to the jetta TDI. Also, many more car MFG are finally releasing diesel engine options!



Also this gas VS diesel debate has been over for a long time. Diesel wins hands down, easy of diagnoses, repair, maitence... . except for fuel filters LOL.



And yeah like every body here, 100 bucks a fill up is not fun but 600 plus HP and 18 mpg plus is something a gas engine will never match!



Richard

My buddy's a VW dealer. Factory claims Sept. as software failed at 90,000 miles. They have to pass emissions here for 130,000. New software has been developed and is being tested in real world conditions from scratch again.

 

[raychem]

My buddy's a VW dealer. Factory claims Sept. as software failed at 90,000 miles. They have to pass emissions here for 130,000. New software has been developed and is being tested in real world conditions from scratch again.

Yeah! After I posted I started serching the TDI club and June was there estimation. Well I still would like to get one. Every time I go to Europe, the jetta is my car of choice and I love it. Can you say 300 hp and 500 FT lbs of torque!!!! The tires will hate you.



Richard

 

[jandr]

Everything good costs a fortune. I get 20+ mpg out of my 2006 Dodge with it's Cummins. It's stock so smog checks aren't much of a concern (except the fee and nuisance) if or when it starts. I got a good deal on my truck by shopping and I believe the invoice difference was about $4500 for the Cummins over the Hemi. I don't know much about the Hemi but I like the power and torque of my truck. I pay about $. 50 a gallon more for diesel, where I live, over unleaded. That varies but the calculated range means a gasser would have to get 16 to 17. 5 mpg to spend the same amount of dollars to drive the same miles. Anything less than 16 to 17. 5 and the diesel actually costs less to drive. I personally have never gotten that out of any V8 gasser I've owned. I drove my daughters '04 V8 Tahoe on a 450 mile freeway trip and got 17mpg so I'm sure it's possible. Sure, when diesel fuel used to be less than regular, it was a win/win. I suppose now we need other reasons to spend the extra on a diesel truck.

 

[nickleinonen]

my truck is paid off... i have no other expenses for it other than fuel, insurance and maintenance. it gets the same economy in my driving as a minivan with a v6. if i had some skinny tires under it with lower rolling resistance, it could get better economy. if i could keep the boot out of the throttle, that would help too. . not driving 50km a day in stop/go traffic would be the best

even with fuel costing more that gas, it is still cheaper for me to keep my truck than to get another vehicle to commute or to take the loss and sell it for something smaller