Ask the AutoblogGreen readers: what's the best diesel truck or frugal SUV?
The knowledge base of the AutoblogGreen readership is quite amazing, and I take great pride in the fact that almost all of the comments our readers leave are smart and useful. And, since you're all smarter than I am, I'd like to pick your brains about the best diesel truck or frugal SUV (the way you helped out before).
A friend of mine has gotten fed up with his F-250 and wants to replace it with something more nimble and maneuverable. He prefers a diesel, because he wants to use biodiesel when possible. Other requirements are that this truck be able to tow a boat, which is about 2,000 pounds, now and again and it not be crazy expensive ($20,000 or so would be great). Good mileage and low emissions obvious are pluses.
At this stage in his research, he's kind of leaning toward a 2006 Jeep Liberty Diesel. They're available used for around 20k and he's read that some people are using B100 in them just fine (and Jeep sold them with B5 in the tank). With user mileage reported to be in the 24-32 mpg range (which is more than some sources say), that's not too bad, considering he's likely to use this truck for his daily driver as well. He's ruled out a new Jeep Grand Cherokee as they're too expensive, and he'd like more information from people who have experience with the Commander. He's not locked into the Jeep brand, but it seems like they're offering what he's looking for.
So, what do you think he should get?
UPDATE: added SUV to title and story, instead of just truck.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Pep Boys Sux 4:11PM (6/17/2007)
Would it be pernicious of me to say, when all is said an done, that a person could purchase a used small gas-powered SUV with an I-4 engine making 23 mpg in real-world driving for less? I'm all for people buying B20 or B100 (God knows we need them), but it's the frugality in me speaking.
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Sebastian Blanco 6:02PM (6/17/2007)
Not pernicious at all.
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jason burroughs 7:13PM (6/17/2007)
A Jeep Liberty is not a truck, it's an SUV. Also, my understanding is that they have discontinued the diesel version of the Liberty, in favor of a Cherokee diesel. If he wants a used one, the 2006 model definitely works with biodiesel (including B100), but several of my customers with them hate them. They LOVED them when they first got them, but lots of problems have changed their opinion. One customer got some bad biodiesel and spent $6000 at the dealership because of the way it affected the computer, causing a chain reaction of replacing parts that were not bad.
If he wants a truck, only the 3/4 ton and larger are available with a diesel engine, so you're not really going to find anything nimble and maneuverable. Some other options are an old Isuzu pickup (some models available with a diesel), or an old Scout or Bronco from the 70's.
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Sebastian Blanco 7:20PM (6/17/2007)
Jason
I've changed the headline so it includes SUVs. Thanks.
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susan.kraemer 10:12PM (6/17/2007)
Sebastian,
What would happen if we tried to import EVs from Europe, like The Smart EV or the Doblo EV SUV?
Would we get arrested and thrown in Guantanimo? How about if we arranged for 60 minutes to cover the ordeal?
I want to buy the Smart EV you wrote about last week selling at Infovel in Switzerland for instance. No doubt half the country would.
You people with expertise in the auto industry, please detail for me what would happen exactly. How are we prevented from doing this?
http://www.infovel.ch/eng/partner_interna.asp?rivenditore_ID=476
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Mark Bishop 2:56AM (6/18/2007)
Just to throw a completely different idea into the discussion... What if your friend buys a small car that gets much higher gas mileage and then just rents a truck for those few occasions when towing the boat is necessary. A 24 hour truck rental is around $60 where I live. I would recommend comparing how often the truck would get used versus the cost of buying, insuring, and maintaining a truck. Renting can be much cheaper depending the frequency of need.
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Owen 7:23AM (6/18/2007)
Mark, excellent recommendation, we do the same thing, I go out and rent a minivan for long trips instead of driving one daily. When I need to haul something huge, It's only $19/hour to rent a truck, I can have it there and back within the hour, I save that much alone for 35 mpg vs. 15 mpg in one tank of gas. We use the MINI and the Fit for all of our commuter/runabout duties.
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Phil L. 8:52AM (6/18/2007)
Not to rain on the rental parade...
Typical automotive rental contracts specifically prohibit towing. In particular, every SUV rental I've seen doesn't allow towing. Also, take a look at the SUVs in the rental lot next time you're at the airport: They don't have hitches.
Moving truck rental places are a better bet - but you're more likely to end up with a large box truck. Something I wouldn't want to try backing down a boat ramp.
Another take on this discussion: 2000 pounds isn't all that much weight in the towing world. There are many cars and minivans that can handle this load (I tow a 2500 pound GVWR popup camper with a minivan, and have been very pleased with the combination).
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Phil L. 8:56AM (6/18/2007)
susan.kraemer -
Regarding importing a car:
I wish it was that easy. Basically, you won't be able to get the car registered for use on the road unless it meets US standards.
There are many aspects to this topic, which has been hashed to death elsewhere. One place to start doing some reading:
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/
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mlhm5 9:39AM (6/18/2007)
If you want a truck with a diesel engine and want the best, my advice is to wait until 2009 and take your pick from Toyota, Nissan or Honda.
The engines will be the best diesels in the world.
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Drew 7:44AM (6/19/2007)
You want a fuel efficient, utilitarian diesel SUV/truck that gets good mileage for near or under $20,000? Sure, you can get one. Just not in this country.
On the bright side, you can get a Hummer that seats 4 (barely), which costs more than a small house, gets 8 mpg, and can't carry more than a small labrador.
If Jeep ever gets smart (and I'm not hopeful about that, having seen the Compass, Patriot, and Commander), you'll have a Wrangler Unlimited and small pick-up to choose from.
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Dave 3:37PM (6/20/2007)
Depending on his priorities, he might want to consider buying a used VW Rabbit pickup and having someone drop a TDI in it (sometimes you can find one with a TDI already in it, but they're very rare). It won't tow a huge boat, but it will tow quite a bit.
This truck, nicely built, will cost you about $10-$15K, but it will perform like no other vehicle in the country. It will get 40-50 MPG, it will haul lots of stuff, it will tow reasonably large loads and it will hold it's resale value like a ROCK.
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Drew 9:57AM (6/25/2007)
Well this here is "the friend" in the aforementioned blog post. I appreciate all the comments and advice those of you have posted. Here's the lowdown/responses in somewhat of a unified order:
Small gas truck: thought about it, but the frugality in me sees the additional costs of a 3rd car: insurance, registration, in NC we pay property tax on vehicles yearly, inspections, oils changes, etc..... adds up... not to mention i have a 2 car garage and the who 3rd car outside in the driveway just starts to speak trailer to me....
RE old Scout, Isuzu, etc..... I have an old truck...it's giving me fits, I want something new and reliable and relatively hassle free--- plus kids are somewhat on the way so safe reliable comfortable etc......
Rental: just not an option. I live in a rural area, and truck rental rates by the day are not really applicable...plus there's the who towing not in contract, which i am pretty sure is correct. And i live 6 miles from the boat ramp, so some days, I'm out of work at 3 and I'm like...hey let's go out on the boat...and we go..... some days, we plan on going out, but it thunderstorms... so we don't go.... a rental truck just would not be practical....
RE: importing.... yeah! but then....it's not really possible
RE 2009: cant wait 3 years for a $40,000+ vehicle. I am hopeful that a) in 3 years I'll be financially secure enough to say afford a $40k vehicle or b) they wont cost $40k and will be great! (as hoped)
RE TDI/VW Rabbit Mash-up..... thought about that too...even watched an ebay auction on a 84 vw diesel (stock) truck..... but again...reliability, safe, not an old truck.............. problems......
---------------SO---------------------
As i sit here, i am the proud 1-week owner of a mostly new 2006 Jeep Liberty, 4x4, CRD Limited edition:
I drove 450 miles on one 20 gal tank of diesel. This was about 40% hwy and 60 rural stop/go/slow trucks/etc........ i am getting the cruise fixed right now so i expect mileage to increase. (A/C the whole way)
The Jeep has a lot of power for passing etc... nimble and is a stiff ride, reminiscent of my uncle's CJ-7 from mid-80's.
The limited editiion has all the bells and whistles, leather, sunroof 6-CD Sirius.... I finally feel ike an adult driving this thing.
It will tow 5000 lbs.......... i havent hooked up the boat yet, but i am confident and ready to work with it........
It's a little small---but i dont want a BIG SUV...i dont need it.......... this so far is suiting my needs quite nicely.... I'll post a follow-up at some point
Thanks
Drew
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Judy 3:21PM (11/12/2007)
Steer away from the Liberty Diesel. We have had nothing but problems with ours. Ours runs hot even when it's not towing. We had to cross the desert with the heater running full blast in 110 degree weather to keep the engine cool. The left taillight unit has been replaced 5 times and is still shorting out.
Love the car as far as size and whatnot, but it stays in the shop. Search the internet for the overheating problem... apparently Jeep knows about this, but there has been no recall or other action. They simply discontinued it.
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