[Dawson]

I did the math too, and one thing you HAVE to consider is term of ownership. If I had a diesel Patriot, I'd keep it for the life of the vehicle. The math is in this post: CLICK. I seriously doubt CRD would be more than a $3k option, considering by the time it comes out here, maybe '10, there will be many other diesel vehicle options.

Let's see how much longer we can beat this dead horse! Bottom line is, Diesel IS cheaper in the long run (not those who lease/buy for a few years), and it is better for the environment. OH, let's not forget the added power, good for off-roading and hauling, just what a Jeep is meant for!

 

[KemnitZ]

Here in Latvia, we have diesel Patrot 2kEUR cheeper then 2,4CVT...http://www.jeep.lv/lv/models/?c=patriot&p=prices + average fuel consumption around 40% less, despite diesel is around 10% more expensive. It's bad that tese engines does not support biodiesel...

 

[aj1]

saw an ad someplace but could not find it however jeep is thinking of offering a swapable diesel, kinda plug and play for the wrangler

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/13/jeep-performance-may-offer-diesel-engine-swap-kit-for-wrangler/

Jeep Performance, a division of Mopar, is reportedly working on an engine swap kit that would allow owners to install the 2.8L diesel four-cylinder from the last-gen Liberty CRD in their Wranglers. The 2.8L four-cylinder produces 160 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, and while it was good for 21 mpg city/26 mpg highway in the Liberty,



I just watched a video at the BMW site they are going to offer a 3 series car diesel I think it had twin turbos, this autum. also the Bmw x3 in the UK actually costs less than an x3 gas, and gets about 13 mpg better,

 

[Dmentd_Dan]

Bio diesel costs about 80 cents a gallon to make... The kit to make it can be put together for a few hundred or ready bought for about a grand...

 

[tasar]

I own a 2l diesel patriot and wouldn't go back too a petrol car

the price of diesel is a little higher here in Aust between 5c and 25c depending on price cycles

the reasons For liking the diesel
1. get 550-700k per tank 45l don't have too fill as often - thats about 10-12 days for me - old car was at least weekly
2. 6spd manual gear box is great
3. power
4. towing is a breeze doesn't change the fuel economy much get about 8l per 100k towing about 700kg
5. torque
6. Turbo
7. cruising a breeze - once in 6th gear hardly have too change gear
8. green issues
9. servicing differences minimal if not cheaper

disadvantage

1. noise at idol
2. no auto
3. higher per litre cost (only due to taxes though) which should change as diesel cheaper to make

 

[HoosierMud]

From 2005 article on diesel engines: http://www.allbusiness.com/transportation-warehousing/599027-1.html

While most of the article focuses on truck fleets, I thought this was interesting on ULSD.

Next year fuel suppliers will begin delivering ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel (ULSD). The following year will see essentially no diesel available for road use that is not almost sulfur free. This will, of course, affect the lubricity of the fuel, but it will also likely affect its cold weather performance. Infinium, a European-based additive supplier with low sulfur fuel experience, in a published report says, "Removing sulfur has an impact on diesel fuel characteristics. Cetane and cloud-point are elevated while aromatics are lowered. Although the magnitude of these changes will depend on the type and set-up of the refinery units, they will typically make fuels less responsive to cold flow additives. It is likely that fuels of the future will become more challenging to treat to meet refiners' and marketers' needs."

 

[Walkeraviator]

You guys are missing the point entirely. Diesel isnt just a short term option. It is our only option at a renewable fuel to usewith limited technological changes. All electric cars are expensive to develop. The reason we need Diesels in america is for those of us who have the ability and knowledge (not mention desire) to make biodiesel now. Eventually people will realize that Biodiesel is a much better alternative to gasoline that E85 (which has a higher carbon footprint per gallon than gasoline AND causes corn prices to skyrocket). This is the reason we need to fight to get diesels in america, not simply for the joy of having a diesel.

 

[Dmentd_Dan]

to tack on to walkeraviators's post:
Biodiesel is much better than petroleum diesel at lubricating and smells nice at the exhaust too.
a little trivia knowledge:
When Mr Rudolph Diesel first invented the diesel engine in 1892 it ran on peanut oil, later after he was assasinated, the petroleum industry came out with their own fuel and had the balls to call it "diesel Fuel"!

 

[jepstr67]

First, the life time warranty would need to cover the CRD.
Second, Diesel would need to cost about the same as gas. Both the engines and the fuel.
Third, they would have to listen to just about every other post on "Chrysler listens" where people absolutely dwell on the need for a diesel.

Here is the important statement

"I would hesitate to discount the possibility of new
products on the horizon,"

Basically, we might make one available.

And: Those of us in customer service have no idea what the company is really going to do but we have been instructed to be as vague as possible using as many words as possible so no one can tell what we actually say or mean.

 

[HoosierMud]

My point, is there are pluses and minuses to diesel engines. Before anyone buys one, they need to take ALL the information into account before purchasing a diesel. For me, as I have stated before, I DON'T want a diesel. I really can't "babysit" my car in the cold winter climate. I need to know that it will start after setting outside from 3 AM till I get off work anywhere between 12 and 13 hours later. All those MPG and torque ratings wouldn't mean a thing to me if my vehicle doesn't start--and I'm one hour away from home.

Now, if I had some "chump" change to buy a purely off-road machine, then I might look at a diesel. As it is, my play car is my daily driver.

 

[todde702]

I drove an 84 Rabbit Diesel for years, 54mpg on the highway (I had swapped out the 4 speed for a gas engine 5 speed). I live in the NE so plenty of cold winters. I never had to baby sit the thing and it always started right up. I literally turned the key, waited the 15 seconds for the glow plug light to go out, then cranked it right up. Gave it a rev or two, then started driving.
On another note, I test drove a 2006 Liberty CRD. It ran great, good power but man was it noisy! I thought I was back in my $400 rabbit again it was that loud. I was not impressed at all by that, especially since VW had made great strides towards making their TDI's so quiet.

Sometimes I think the petroleum companies don't want diesel vehicles in America...because the more diesel vehicles that show up, the more traction BioDiesel will gain. And if you're interested, youtube biodiesel, there are tons of videos of guys that show you their home brew setup for WVO and spending way less then a buck a gallon to do it too.

 

[Aus Patriot]

Yeh we have had our CRD for 3 weeks and it is noisy. Hard to imagine when you park it along side our VW Jetta Tdi. Same engines but the Jeep is much much louder. However during driving and at any speed you would not know it was a CRD. The Aussie Jeep Action Magazine here did an article on the Patriot and they said the same thing. Nosisy bugger.

But for me it was the CRD and nothing else. 600km per week to work and back petrol was a no goer. Just finished the 3rd tank of fuel. Got 48L in and did 801km.
Not bad for the 3rd tank. Only can get better.

 

[roberttroll]

The only reason diesel passengers cars are not widely available in the US is because of the Oldsmobile LF9 Diesel which came out in 1978. It was a terrible smoking lumbering beast with inadequate head bolts which would stretch. It soured American opinion in diesels as smokey and unreliable.

 

[canoenut]

Realistic diesel figures

That said, you'd still make that money back (assuming $5000) after about 25 fill ups (less than 10,000 miles)!

I have owned various VW diesels and would like to buy a Patriot with a diesel, however the figures being tossed around are misleading.

Check out autoexpress.co.uk site and the mpg (imperial) are 42.2 for the diesel and 29.7 for the 2.4l gas engine.

Fuel prices in the NE states yesterday were at $3.79 for regular and $4.59 for diesel.

Re-check your math. I calculated that in driving 20,000 miles per year, the annual savings at current prices would only be about $450!!! In other words, a far cry from a 10,000 miles break even point.

 

[snokat]

I test-drove the new Jetta TDI two months ago, it is a winner. Tons of torque and suppose to come in with a highway EPA of 40, but I understand it can get up to 50 MPG.
Diesel in the dirt would be so right-on-the-money, even with a 6-speed tranny. Earlier poster suggested that VW could be the first diesel with their new little 4X4.....what's it called?
Oh, the Jetta TDIs are going for about $25k.
I have had two diesels myself, a '75 MB 300D and a '79 Audi 5000. The Mercedes would never start when it was below even 35*. Oh, and yes that was the first year for the 5-banger, a non-turbo slug. The Audi was non-turbo as well, but benefitted from a 5-speed tranny. For their time they got great MPG, low 20s, and diesel was only $.50. YIKES!!!!

 

[JungleDeath]

snip...Earlier poster suggested that VW could be the first diesel with their new little 4X4.....what's it called?
Oh, the Jetta TDIs are going for about $25k.
I have had two diesels myself, a '75 MB 300D and a '79 Audi 5000. The Mercedes would never start when it was below even 35*. Oh, and yes that was the first year for the 5-banger, a non-turbo slug. The Audi was non-turbo as well, but benefitted from a 5-speed tranny. For their time they got great MPG, low 20s, and diesel was only $.50. YIKES!!!!

VW's CarUV is called a Tiguan. It is based on the new Passat B6 chassis. I drove a 2.0T gas and was quite nice. Diesel would be better. Salesman thought so too. Salesman also laughed when I asked about 2.0 cr.

Both my cars run B20 all winter long and have had no problems leaving for work in the morning. I leave at 7:15, wife leaves at 6:30 am.

 

[TheDemonator]

who cares Diesel is about 20% more per galon here then gas eating up any "savings" I would see driving to work.
and knowing that diesel will cost more when I buy it over gas it's just not worth it.

now when I see a hybird rolling out or full electric or alternative to gas/diesel is when I'll get excited.

20% more per gallon at the pump is a small price to pay when you would get somewhere around 100% better mileage numbers...

So when you ask "who cares"?... it should be everyone that cares!!!

 

[cooluks]

If they really wanted these things to sell with in diesel form, they'd have to stop making them with regular gas engines. As others have said, not many people will buy them if they know they can get basically the same vehicle for a few grand less. The Patriot right now starts at about $16,000. If it started at say $20,000 and there was no regular gas option it'd have more of a fighting chance. You have to do what Toyota did with the Prius - make it it's own vehicle.

I agree with you, they must stop making them with this regular gas engines.. The cheaper the better.. :banana:

 

[metalhead]

If I had a diesel patriot I would only have to fill up once a month instead of 3 times a month now. I would gladly pay 5 bucks a gallon or whatever once a month.