You're too stupid to... own a diesel small truck

[ducatiz]

+1


I'd be interested in the Colorado/Canyon as a commuter, but I'll have to do the math again.  My guess is at 30mpg it won't pay off soon enough.  A minitruck can't replace the 2500HD on the farm, and we need the seating of the Subaru... so this would be an "in addition to", not an "instead of" for myself and my wife.    This same issue has put a damper on other diesel options like the Jetta and Golf.  Diesel Jetta Sportwagen, while cool, doesn't have AWD or 9" of ground clearance.  Since we get 8-12" of snow at a time in winter, I want to keep at least two vehicles with decent ground clearance (always have backups... especially when you live in the middle of nowhere).

Oh well... since I completed some --*ahem* certain mods-- to the Silverado a couple weeks ago, it now gets 19 mpg.    Between that and the Subaru's 25+ mpg, we're not too horribly bad off.

I think getting a small diesel commuter will make more sense once we have a third kid (none now, 4 planned).  At that time, we'd have to upgrade from the Scooby-doo to a Tahoe/Suburban... so then I will want to have a much more efficient commuter vehicle, and the Subaru will probably go down the road.  Hopefully by then there will be more small diesel options.

With the 2.8L Duramax model and a long bed and crew cab, you can approximate much of the Silverado's utility, but not sheer payload of course.  Add 4wd and you've got plenty of options.

With any truck, you're not going to seat 6 ppl easily, esp not with child seats. 

I wonder what the 30 mpg estimate for the diesel Colorado is based on?  which engine?  probalby not the bigger one.

[Duck-Stew]

Now I'm curious and anxious...

Mostly about the Dodge 1/2 ton and the Nissan.  We'll see how those 2 fare.  

I read the article referenced here: http://gas2.org/2011/03/15/ford-exec-says-diesels-don%E2%80%99t-make-sense-for-america/ about Ford not bringing diesels to America.  I have to disagree but that's just me.

Perhaps if more diesels were on the American roads, it would bring down fuel costs....  But, that's just my ramblings.

[duc_fan]

This is probably old news to some of you, but I just looked at Chevy's website for the first time in a while... the Cruze diesel is only available as an auto. 

If I was in the market today, that killed it for me.  Not gonna buy another slushbox.  We already have three, and they're barely tolerable.  Can't wait to get my GTI project back on the road.  3-pedal is where it's at, both for fun and fuel economy.

[J5]

This is probably old news to some of you, but I just looked at Chevy's website for the first time in a while... the Cruze diesel is only available as an auto. 

If I was in the market today, that killed it for me.  Not gonna buy another slushbox.  We already have three, and they're barely tolerable.  Can't wait to get my GTI project back on the road.  3-pedal is where it's at, both for fun and fuel economy.

its funny they do that

down here when the cruze came out it came as petrol and diesel

the base model cd
high level cdx

the gf wanted auto and you couldnt get the cdx in auto diesel
only the cd you could get in diesel and pick an auto as an option

[Randimus Maximus]

Allegedly, Toyota could use the same engine as Nissan in the Tundra: http://www.autoblog.com/2013/09/02/toyota-tundra-cummins-diesel-engine/

I was told we were in negotiations with CAT.

Who knows.

[DarkMonster620]

Allegedly, Toyota could use the same engine as Nissan in the Tundra: http://www.autoblog.com/2013/09/02/toyota-tundra-cummins-diesel-engine/

I was told we were in negotiations with CAT.

Who knows.

Why not the KD or VD Series? I did like the L series and HD/HZ series engines . . .the KZ was 'ok' . . .

[DRKWNG]

Why not the KD or VD Series? I did like the L series and HD/HZ series engines . . .the KZ was 'ok' . . .

Better question; why not put one in the Taco?

[DarkMonster620]

Better question; why not put one in the Taco?

Calling Randimus to the Pink courtesy phone, calling Randimus to the Pink courtesy phone, please pick up any pink courtesy phone to answer your call!



D;

[Randimus Maximus]

Better question; why not put one in the Taco?

If I were calling the shots, that would have happened about 5-10 years ago.

Would have been a logical first step in getting our dealers ready for a diesel.

The truck and engine is the easy part.

Getting our dealers ready to service a diesel is the hard part. 

Since we've not had a diesel in our lineup since the early 80s, most of our stores are not equipped to handle such repairs.

But I digress.

[DarkMonster620]

..., most of our stores are not equipped to handle such repairs.

But I digress.

So, no hand tools for diesels? Not looking to start an argument or anything, but, if that were the case, the shade tree shops would not be able to take out or re-install the pumps and injectors . ..  after that, some call me 

Diagnostics upgrade is just that, a download, maybe some new cables, you don't want anyone loosening a fitting on a CRi diesel with preasure in it . . . Most tests are done via OBD plug  . . .

[ducatiz]

Perhaps if more diesels were on the American roads, it would bring down fuel costs....  But, that's just my ramblings.

With increased demand it would bring prices up but production would lower it medium term.  Diesel is easier to make and biodiesel blends are true "green" fuels with built in socalled carbon offsets.

[Randimus Maximus]

So, no hand tools for diesels? Not looking to start an argument or anything, but, if that were the case, the shade tree shops would not be able to take out or re-install the pumps and injectors . ..  after that, some call me 

Diagnostics upgrade is just that, a download, maybe some new cables, you don't want anyone loosening a fitting on a CRi diesel with preasure in it . . . Most tests are done via OBD plug  . . .

Unless one of our dealerships is partnered with a Ford, GM or Ram franchise, the likelihood of them having a technician capable of working on a diesel is low.

I don't believe we even have many within our own organization to train technician how to diagnose & repair diesels.

Having a diesel certified technician at each selling dealership would be a requirement.  Tools would be as well, but we would automatically ship those to the dealers through our tool vendor.

[DarkMonster620]

Unless one of our dealerships is partnered with a Ford, GM or Ram franchise, the likelihood of them having a technician capable of working on a diesel is low.

I don't believe we even have many within our own organization to train technician how to diagnose & repair diesels.

Having a diesel certified technician at each selling dealership would be a requirement.  Tools would be as well, but we would automatically ship those to the dealers through our tool vendor.

Need one?

[duc_fan]

Yep... tools are one thing, knowing how to use them is something else entirely.  Check out the Duramax forums for horror stories about dealers with clueless techs.  There are some great dealers & techs, but then there are some terrible ones.

[Randimus Maximus]

Yep... tools are one thing, knowing how to use them is something else entirely.  Check out the Duramax forums for horror stories about dealers with clueless techs.  There are some great dealers & techs, but then there are some terrible ones.

At some of our dealers that have domestic franchises, their $30+/FRH diesel technicians are being lured away by the oil field or mining operators for even greater pay.