Planning on a diesel liberty, but...

[VicR]

In 04 the wife is going to need a 4 door vehilce that is lower to the ground then a Ram, and I think the diesel liberty will fit the bill nicely, but I have a few reservations. I'm afraid I have been spoiled by the Cummins and the diesel jeep will disappoint me. Can it possibly match a Cummins/Dodge in power, economy, and longevity (total cost of ownership)?



My biggest concern is parts, now and in the future. With my Cummins, I can get engine parts for either of my trucks very easily nationwide, at about 50% of what the dealer charges. My concern with the VM Motori engine is getting parts for that in 5 or 10 years. Especially if Chrysler cant get the diesel Liberty to meet the 2007 emissions requirements and stops selling them. I'd hate to have an orphan if the only sell 10,000 in this country. The end of the first generation Dodge's are just reaching the 10 year birthday and it doesn't seem like Chrysler has great parts support for them, and they sold millions of that platform.



Its not hard to find a Cummins Ram, or even an old Mercedes diesel car, with 300,000 plus on the odometer. Does this engine have that much life in it?

Thanks,



-Vic

 

[illflem]

I have a work supplied V-6 Liberty and love it.

I think your concerns are legitimate but another way to look at it is that more than likely the diesel engine won't need any work on it long before a gas engine is shot.

I've had two Italian diesel tractors with 4 cyl inline air-cooled VM Motori engines, high hours before trading in with no engine related problems. They're a good unit and parts were readily available for the type I had at least because many Motori engines are used for generators on ships. VM Motori was bought out by Detroit Diesel in '95 and Detroit was bought out by DC a few years later, parts should be even easier now.

 

[onestackdram]

I really wouldnt worry about parts, due to the fact that todays cars (all of the new models) aren't released until a suffecient amount of parts are secured in the states. All makers learned this lesson after GM screwed up with the S-10 body style change in '94. It was a good little truck but had a lot of problems at the same time, and they came quick. Alot like the PSD boys are having now. No parts in the states and consumers were TICKED to say the least. (I know this cause I bought a '94) And GM lost a TON of customers because of it. Ford is going through it now. So it would be my opinion that everyone has seen what happens when you introduce a NEW vehicle and dont have parts available quickly.





JMHO



Russell