I test drove the new diesel Jeep Cherokee yesterday at the dealer. You wouldn't know it was a diesel unless you opened the hood and listened to it run. With the hood opened, it was still fairly quiet for a diesel.
The only style difference is the word "DIESEL" underneath the model's name on the rear hatch. It did not have the CRD label on the body anywhere. Maybe on the plastic engine cover. http://z.about.com/d/suvs/1/0/_/Q/-/-/Engine.jpg They had 4 of them on the lot ranging in price from $ 42,000 to nearly $ 44,000, and none had 4 wheel drive nor any of the off-road package options. It had a sun-roof, and not just a moonroof. The fuel tank is 22 gallons, only a few ounces bigger than the gas version. It does not use Mercedes latest diesel emission technology, but is built in Berlin. EPA mileage estimates were 18/23 for the 4x2 model with street tires. I think the only other SUV you could compare it to would be the 1980 diesel International Scout 2, which was the 1st readily available SUV to put a turbo on the diesel. The differences though are quite dramatic. The Scout only had 2 doors and a 4-speed transmission and none of the modern gadgets of the new Jeep like Stereo/DVD, Sunroof, power steering, quietness, torque, horsepower, etc. The Scout had a solid front axle and leaf springs. But it did have a removable top and a real tailgate. The turbo-diesel Scout is extremely rare, and keeping one running can be a full time job. ( I couldn't find one on the web, although there are a few gas powered Scouts on E-bay motors. ) Since Jeep sold 11,000 diesel Liberty's, I would expect them to try to build at least that many Cherokees, so they should be around for many years to come. [ I don't know how many turbo-diesel Scout's were manufactured, but the total number of all 1980 Scouts was only around 13,000. ] You could also try to compare it to a diesel Toureg, or a Ford Excursion, but I can't think of any other SUV's that are readily available that have a turbo-diesel, except the humongous MXT. One of the reasons to consider a Jeep is the choice of aftermarket accessories. Jeep lovers claim that you don't buy a Jeep, but you build a Jeep, or something like that. Another reason, might be that someday you could rig it to run off of vegetable oil, or Bio-diesel. The stock Cherokee does not have a good departure angle, meaning the rear hangs down low especially with a tow hitch. But this can be overcome with a body-lift, suspension lift, bigger tires and a different bumper, for another $ 3,000. Then there is another $ 1,000 for a better front bumper with winch. And then another $ 500 to upgrade the roof rack. So you are looking at way over $ 50,000 to get this diesel Cherokee ready for the Sierra Madres. But then you have another problem - the diesel fuel in Mexico may not be compatible with this new diesel emission parts. To the best of my knowledge the turbo feature, does absolutely nothing at low speeds, but does provide a noticeable boost once you step on the pedal. The diesel jeep has only a limited warranty package. David Locklear P.S. On E-Bay motors is a 1980 Scout 2, with a gas motor and lots of off-road goodies. Bidding has just passed $ 2,000. It is in Washington state. I am guessing if you could find a turbo-diesel Scout and it was in good shape, that it would cost you around $ 7,000 or more. Here is one: http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/2158000-2158999/2158571_6_full.jpg Ref: http://www.greencarcongress.com/2006/06/chrysler_introd_1.html http://members.aol.com/EldonMcf/index.html http://ih.off-road.com/ih/IH+History/The-Demise-of-International-Harvester/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/264061 http://alternativefuels.about.com/od/dieselreviews/fr/07GrandCherokee.htm --------------------------------------------------------------------- Visit our website: http://texascavers.com To unsubscribe, e-mail: [email protected] For additional commands, e-mail: [email protected]
