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Comments
Too bad, I think an outdated engine is the only problem with this otherwise fine SUV.
I understand what you're getting at about the new GV. But I think we have to admit the sales figures show they made a good decision as far as the market goes. Given their background, the new GV could hardly be doing better than it is unless they were giving them away in cereal boxes.
And in most of the world, the need for a product such as you'd like to see, is covered by other Suzuki models such as the Jimny. When you look at the GV's sales last year in North America, it's easy to conclude there's not enough people who want that sort of car.
No bad vibes yet with our GV.
BTW, someone's trying to get an '06 GV exclusive website going here:
http://www.metatrox.net/GV/
Does anyone else notice that all of the reviews on the GV say it is a great car except for one thing...The rear door opens towards the curb? Well, they tell Suzuki to get wit hthe program, but then why aren't they bashing the new Rav4 for the door opening the same way!!! It is like Toyota is a god that they don't want to upset or something fearing retalition. just my two cesnts on the subject,and I would love to see what the rest of you think.
I can't see the door opening on the curbside a big deal unless you do all your shopping in a big city where you park by a curb. When has anybody done any grocery shopping, home improvement store, mall, etc. and parked in a street?
I think it works well because the door opens on the driver's side and you can walk right to either door when the rear door is open.
For me personally, it works great when it's parked in the garage and the door opens so that I can unload and walk into the house without walking around an open door.
It's not a huge deal, but I still don't understand why the manufacturers don't move the hinges for North America - they don't have any problem moving the steering wheel and controls over.
People who want to dis the Honda CR-V bring up the rear door a lot. :P
Don't worry about it swinging open too easily. It's actually unusually resistant to being opened. It closes easily, though.
Or, is the unqualified MARKETING success of this new model really the chief yardstick by which it ought to, and will be measured, on down the road? To me, again, only time will, (and it WILL), provide us with all those answers.
In the meantime, on other engines/models elsewhere in the world: The Jimny is a direct ancestor of the Samurai. Fully agreed, too small and Samurai like, it could never sell here in today's market. What other 4wd model is there is out in the rest world besides the new GV, (xostnot)?, I don't know of one, do you?
Diesels elsewhere, and in the new GV. As folks with keen vehicular interest(s), we know the VW TDI mill well, and therefore are great admirers it, right? Then we also know there is an optimally equipped, (for OR duties), diesel powered, HIGHLY ECONOMICAL new GV elsewhere. Why not here?
I think the old prejudice against diesels, (in the New World), ought to/will become history sooner than one may think. Guess what vehicle won the 24 hrs. of Le Mans this year? How about a,(get ready for it), DIESEL POWERED!!!
Audi.
On to a hypothetical, (or is it?). Say more fun stuff happens over there in the Middle East, and guess what, whatta ya know, it affects gas prices, M O R E.....
Now fast forward to [whomever] thinking they need an economical new SUV, (say about two years hence). Sure, the all new GV has it's SLIGHTLY more economical, (than the 2.7), all new 3.2 liter gas engine by then. But also imagine if there was a diesel engined one there on the lot too. One that gets approx. 36mpg city highway combined. Don't you think my buds, there could/would be a market for them after all, even here in North America?
A couple of other things. First, it's always been the case that YOU/we have to be careful of what YOU/we
DON'T ask Suzuki for. Why? Often it seems nearly impossible to get what YOU/we do want, (to see happen with the brand), no matter how hard YOU/we might ask for it....
Secondly, I wonder, do you suppose any of us might live long enough to see THE NEW RETRO manifesting its self in form of SIMPLICITY of vehicle design/engineering and function, all committed towards the precept of yeilding maximal fuel efficiency at the end of the process, thus replacing todays marketing glitz and glamor as first place in importance? By default, as world wide energy resources are depleted, I do. So just sitting back and waiting for all this to happen, while being dealt out [only] the hand those marketing types want you or I to buy, (just suffering this gladly from any manufacturerer!), is looking more and more antiquated an equation each and every day, in my book.
It just might be on sites like this, we can affect some of those positive changes, while remaining aboard our favorite ride(s)?
PS: A four cylinder all new "Vitara" model wouldn't sell? No reason why not in my opinion if it was simple, economical and tough off road. Whoa!, here I am talking NEW RETRO yet again. Why not...
Nwdsmn.
It could be that we won't see diesels here until we have cleaner diesel fuel. Then again, who knows what's conspiring against this by Big Oil, Big Car Makers, Big Politics etc.
Been reading up on "Peak Oil" recently. I've known about this problem for many years, but I didn't realize how serious things could get. Never mind driving Jimny-like cars, the survivors may be doing well to have bicycles. Which we would be using far more if we want to delay or avoid the looming collapse. In that sense, what engine the GV has is largely irrelevant.
No doubt some accountant decided economies of scale did not justify 4-cyl and diesel versions in North America. Yet.
exhaust-not
For perspective, the vehicle that I'd be giving up is my 50mpg Jetta diesel wagon manual five speed. I only see the cost of fuel going up.
Each day, I am more and more scared to replace my diesel with a gasser that gets less than half the mpg....
Then again maybe xostnot (you've) got it right? Afterall, there's no small 4 cylinder VW TDI powered SUV cousin offered along side it's larger Toureg stablemate. Still with no apologies necessary, (before), Suzuki historically made it's reputation selling a distinctly different product. Namely a real SUV, albeit one which traded glitz and glam in favor of stock out of the box OR capability, while returning decent mileage figures with it's four cylinder models.
Still, (xostnot), I feel it was not so much the oft seemingly mindless dictates of the North American marketplace that killed the 4 cylinder Vitara. Remember, there is still an '07 4 cylinder Honda CRV due out in October. But instead, by allowing the Vitara to grow so VERY long in the tooth, Suzuki assured the demise of it's 4 cylinder SUV all by it's self. Had similar efforts been made to ALSO redesign and significantly upgrade the woefully inflatable toy look Vitara, while improving it's performance, and dare I say it?, even enhancing it's fuel economy at the same time, (yes, other mfgrs. can pull this off, so why not Suzuki?), well, if, if, if, I think "it" would also be selling well out there on the lot alongside the new GV.
Instead what do we get? A tarted up, (though doubtless improved), Chev Equinox, (the "all new" '07 XL-7), as an answer to a niche marketing question which, who or whom, (I'd ask?), was asking [of Suzuki] in the first place???? This is the future for Suzuki?
Suzuki needs to start [yesterday] to communicate better with it's customer base about where it is heading, along with getting serious about soliciting input from it's clientelle. Particularly it needs to get serious [also] in the area of fuel economy, if it hopes to hold on to it's current gains in the North American marketplace.
Saw a piece the other day rating the Suzuki website as last place in terms of effectively dissemenating info out there into cyberspace. ALL of this, (and more), needs to change, or ultimately many of us will be changing [driver's] seats.
Nwdsmn.
">link titlehttp://www.suzukiauto.com/sr_06/grand_vitara/tajima/news.php
Cheers from Dowunder
Ron
Ok then, that still does not fix my vibration issue and melting floor.
The melting floor I can take care of myself, by building heat shields out of aluminum plate (available at Home Depot). I will just cut and bend pieces of aluminum plate around and above the exhaust system and that takes care of that! Of course, it costs me money out of pocket, but this is just a design flaw plain and simple. I would like to see the exhaust system on a '07 Grand Vitara to see if the heat issue has been addressed. It would be nice if Suzuki would reimburse me for any money spent fixing THEIR problems.
Vibration: The vibration certainly feels like drivetrain. If I accelerate to 55-65 mph, and immediately put the auto trans in neutral, the vibration goes away. It isn't wheel balance. It isn't the torque converter. I'm beginning to think that it isn’t the driveshafts either. This feels like engine harmonics. Perhaps a weak cylinder? Maybe a couple of collapsed lifters? Partially clogged fuel injector? Poorly designed fuel rail/ return system? Crappy engine management software? I don't know. I'm still working on it. If the dealer can't find the vibration, I will. The hard part is ruling out major components such as transmission and engine. I have to narrow it down.
I will keep all posted on my progress. Even if I do find a solution, I may still trade it in or use the lemon law. It really all depends on how I am treated by Suzuki Corporate.
Right now in Chino, California it is 113 degrees Fahrenheit (45 degrees Celsius). I wonder how many Grand Vitaras are melting their floors as I type this?
Regards, Vitara4me?
The melting floor still sounds like Suzuki's problem from the original issue. I wouldn't bother with heat shields until they correct their problem.
We just made a trip from Lake Havasu,Az to Vegas this weekend and it too was over 110*F. We were fully loaded, A/C on and cruised at least 70mph without any hot problems. With the majority of highway driving, we averaged just over 22mpg. That was actual mpg, not reading the cheezy digital gauge.
Let us know how Suzuki takes care of your issues.
Excess exhaust temps (egt) is causing your floor to melt. This is probably caused by excessive leaness in your fuel mixture. It could be one cylinder or more than one.
To prevent this, manufactors often dial in extra richness into the mixture (I know for a fact that VW and GM do this, everyone else probably does) to preserve the cat converters. Extra fuel reduces egt.
I have read numerous stories of people who with the help of software, leaned out the mixture and got more mpg and hp. A few of these people have also gotten melted cats!
The outside temp should not affect your condition. Drive your zuke hard then look at the cat in a dark garage. If it is glowing red, then that is not normal. If I was a 'zuke mechanic, I'd get an infrared temp gauge and compare the temp of the exhaust coming out of your zuke to others that are still stand ing on the lot. I'd also test the O2 sensors as these can cause these problems. Other things that cause your cats to over heat via excessive leaness include too much alcohol in the gas and a bad gasket somewhere.Don't insulate the floor as that is a bandaid solution. If your car is running hot like that, I guarantee you that you will have more problems down the road, like a blown head gasket.
As for the heat in your area, well, keep mind that most every car company in the world torture tests their cars in Death Valley. Even Alfa Romeo (who hasn't sold a car in the U.S. for years) has brought in cars to the 'states under the karnet program and has used to Death Valley to shake down their cars. Last week, it hit 126f degrees there.
To be sure, you can check the floor yourself without removing the seat. Just lift up the carpet.
There is a plastic "door sill plate" that you just grab with your fingers and pull up till it pops loose. Then remove the two black round plastic carpet retainers behind the brake pedal. (they unscrew counter-clockwise). Next, remove the "dead pedal" by simply pulling up till it pops loose. Now you can lift up the carpet and take a look at the big white piece of foam (this melts last), and the black, gooey tar like sound insulation (this melts first). If there is a small black stain in your carpet (where the heel of your foot rests while driving), then this is the tar like material leaching into your carpet.
If any of you that own a 2006 Grand Vitara with an auto trans live in a warm or hot climate you really should check your floor. I can't be the only person out there with this issue.
regards, Vitara4me?
In my mind, you might be the only one that has this problem, as no one else seems to be having it. What were you thinking pulling a trailer for 40 miles at 6500 RPM, redlining the car up a steep grade???? Most vehicles under those circumstances are going to get a very hot catalytic converter. this car by far is not made to do 6500 rpm up a mountain for 40 Miles!!!! You are very lucky that Suzuki did not deny the repairs since you were redlining the car. Be lucky you weren't driving a GM or Ford vehicle, because you probably would have blown the engine!!!
From your description it doesn't seem that actual melting is occuring. Rather, it sounds like the floor is softening. Of course, neither melting nor softening should be happening.
tidester, host
We haven't towed anything. I think we talked about this before and I agree with pciro2180. I wouldn't tell Suzuki too much about what you were doing, but they should be able to tell from the computer what the engine was operating at during that situation.
Sort of off subject, but I've been denied warranty because of "flashing" my GM trucks computer and a lift kit. Manufacturers are getting smart and denying claims to people putting aftermarket kits on their vehicles.
I was even asked by a Ford dealer if I put a K&N filter on my Mustang. If the oil from the filter gets on the MAF sensor and burns it out, warranty denied.
Dclark, I have a question. If the engine is running lean, wouldn't the exhaust manifold or pipe get red hot? OK, 2 questions. If the catalytic converter was red hot wouldn't that be an indication of too much fuel/hydrocarbons and the cat overheating or working too hard? Maybe one bank is running lean and the other rich and also causing a vibration.
Has anyone scanned your computer or even checked your tailpipe for emissions? It seems something should be very obvious.
I hope you get it figured out. Let me know if you need me to look at anything else. Budman
P.S., it was a good weekend in Vegas. Deuces wild!$$$
The Grand Vitara only has 184 HP. With the family and luggage in the car, and with the trailer in tow, it puts quite a strain on the engine. You posted, "What were you thinking pulling a trailer for 40 miles at 6500 RPM, redlining the car up a steep grade????" The Grand Vitara has an automatic transmission. I CAN"T force it to up-shift into a higher gear. The Suzuki chooses the gear and I have no input. Even if I lifted my foot off the accelerator, the trans still would not up-shift (another problem with the transmission shifting logic/ software). If the engine had just a little more HP and torque, I would not have had this problem, as I would have been in a lower gear. How many of your owners out there have even attempted to tow with your Grand Vitara? You are in for a big surprise!
You can only drive so slow on an Interstate Highway. Even at 65 MPH, I saw Toyota Tundra with a huge boat in tow, passing me as if I was standing still! Also saw a Hyundai Tuscan pulling a U-Haul closed trailer and he passed me no problem. Most people drive between 85-90 MPH on the way to Vegas. Most of the highway is in the middle of the desert and it is mostly flat and strait. I was TRYING to keep the speed at 55-65 MPH because I had a trailer in tow, and the Grand Vitara chose either 3rd or 4th gear to go up the hill. Yes, it was revving quite high, but if I lifted my foot enough to let the trans up-shift, the Grand Vitara would damn near came to a stop on the hill. When I tried to lower the RPMs, by lifting my foot off the accelerator, the Grand Vitara slowed to 40 MPH!! Sure, the engine is now at a happy 4,500 RPM, but now I am in danger of being rear-ended. Unless you have towed up a hill with your Grand Vitara, you really can’t chastise me for what happened.
When I asked the dealer if I could tow with my 2006 Grand Vitara, the answer was, "Yes". According to the sales brochure, I can tow. The Grand Vitara tows just fine on a perfectly flat road, but it does not pull well on hills; not at all. It just does not have enough power or torque to get the job done properly.
I did tell the dealer about the high RPM, and how the trans would not up shift. Even the factory rep told me that his company car (2006 Grand Vitara) does not sometime up-shift while accelerating up a freeway on-ramp. The rep stated that sometime you have to lift your foot slightly to get the trans to shift. So there is some sort of problem with the trans shifting logic. The Grand Vitara is a "Drive-By-Wire" vehicle. What this means is that there is no "throttle cable" between your foot and the engine. The gas pedal is an electronic device, like a volume control, that tells the computer how far to open or close the throttle. There is a little electric motor on the intake manifold that actuates the throttle. Somehow, there is a problem with sensor input to the trans computer, or the programming is way off.
My Grand Vitara is a very early model, built in 2005. I will be driving a newer 2006 or a 2007 soon to see if any of these problems have been addressed.
Regards, SkyRedline4me..
I've been driving into a head wind and going up a slight grade and the trans would shift in and out of overdrive. I've found it better to just leave it at #4 until conditions change. I've found that my Honda and truck with 200hp more than the GV does the same thing on the same road so I never really found any fault with the GV.
Maybe the next time you're in Vegas, we could meet for a couple free beers and swap GVs.
Too bad Suzuki couldn't bore and stroke the 2.7 a little more and make into a 3.0 or a 3.2 liter.
Is your a Luxury Model with the 5-speed auto? I would love to swap GVs and compare. I have another home in Henderson, so I could meet you at either the Sunset or Green Valley casinos. I try to avoid the Strip as much as possible as the tourists clog it up with traffic. Even the Fiesta would work.
When I test-drive the GV with the service tech, they always say, "What vibration are you talking about?". And I reply, "the vibration that is causing the rear view mirror to dance". Am I the only person that can feel this?
Perhaps you can drive it (a non-biased, non-Suzuki employee), and give me your honest opinion. I don't know how to give you my contact info in a way that the whole world does not see it.
I did go look at the new Saturn Sky. What a beauty! The Redline version does not come out until October.
Anyway, I pick up my GV today at the ex-Suzuki dealer (they sell only Subaru now) and they pretty much repaired all the damage they caused putting in the new carpet. Four of the plastic pieces that they had damaged were ordered, and came in the wrong color. So they have to re-order them....again. Plus, my new floor mats came in the right color, but they ordered mats for an XL-7! This time they told me that they are just going to give all the correct parts when they come in, and I can have them and install them myself.
Wow, the saga continues.........
We looked at the Vue but haven't been a fan of Saturn since having the displeasure of owning one of their cars.
My daughter goes to college at the International Academy of Design and Architecture in Green Valley. We bought her a condo while she goes to school and had so much fun we bought one out in Summerlin. We rarely go to the strip. The locals are more fun.
Maybe we can ask one of our very kind hosts to intervene and share our info. :shades:
Anyone with vibration problems who has had the tires dismounted for any reason, should know that Suzuki matches up not just rims and tires, but matches how the tires are mounted on the rims. They rotate the tires and rims with respect to each other, to cancel out imbalances, before doing the final balancing. That's what the colored dots on the sidewalls are for. Making sure the dots stay where they were is important if you want that great vibration-free sensation that our GV came with.
You would think by today they would have a decent product without having to go through so much trouble.
I have had my oversize truck tires rotated on the rim to balance them properly, but you wouldn't think it would be a problem with 16" or 17" tires.
As consumers we tend to go for lower prices, so the manufacturer can provide us with smoother rim/tire combinations made out of cheaper/less precise rims and tires by matching them up like this.
Part of it is that there are a few things that give an impression of a quality vehicle out of all proportion to the real quality of the vehicle. One is sound levels, which can be dealt with by acoustic insulation, and the other is vibration, which can be dealt with partly by carefully matching rims and tires. The vehicle could be a pos, but if it's quiet inside and smooth, it will seem nice.
You should be able to put on any of these size tires that won't affect your speedometer and will still maintain the same height as the original, they're called "plus 0" sizes.
235/65
245/60
245/65
255/60
Pls refer to www.ajeepthing.com/calculators.html. for a much better set of calculators for tires etc.
Best Regards
As for me, I want to be able to mount chains, and larger tires would prevent doing this, and so actually decrease the GV's capabilities in some circumstances.
I've currently got a quote at the local dealership here in Texas for a 2006 xSport 4WD. MSRP 23,294, minus 1,000 dealer incentive, minus 1,000 manufacturer rebate, and minus 3,000 for financing through Suzuki (I know, high interest rate but I'll just refinance later). So I'm looking at $18,294 plus ttl. Sound good?
Glad that you came back to the GV. I'm surprised that you like the gas mileage. That seems to be the thorn in the lion's paw.
If you can get all those rebates, that's an awesome deal, I'm jealous.
When you compare the gas mileage to the other small SUVs and keep with the V6, then the gas mileage is really not that much different amongst them. Besides, from what I've read, you really can't believe the mileage numbers that they stick on the side of the door anyway. I'll probably be picking up a pearl white GV xSport 4WD about mid month. Unless, ofcourse, something else catches my eye. Like the Mazda Tribute.
I strongly suspect there's something wonky about the epa rating for the new GV. You have to make some allowance for it being in 4wd all the time, which costs gas but presumably provides a safety benefit. My experiences and investigations indicate the GV gets as good mileage as the new Rav4 V6, despite the Rav's much higher mileage rating.
Besides, the cost of the extra gas is less than the interest on the difference in what they cost.
This might be a little off subject, but everyone has been wanting a diesel version of the GV. I think it would be a great option. Most of my buddies have been switching to diesel in their trucks for performance and mileage.
The Jeep Liberty diesel sold "beyond expectations" but had to be discontinued because it couldn't meet stringent NOx standards.
Now the Jeep Grand Cherokee is being sold with a Mercedes diesel that can obviously tow more than the GV and is also a full size suv, but the EPA mileage is only 19/23. I already get that but can't tow as much. Kudos to those few that can beat the EPA estimates.
I didn't price it out and I'm not a Jeep enthusiast. What am I missing? Why would you spend the extra money for that minor fuel mileage savings? If the GV was diesel, could it still tow anything or more? Is everyone looking for that small diesel with great mileage?
Where is norwoodsmn when you need him?
Vitara4me, where are you? I looked on the carspace forum.
Vegas was good, wife had a good birthday$$$$
MPG, (Imperial)
city: 30.1
highway 42.2
combined average
test cycle 36.7
Torque
ft/lb 221.3 @ 2,000rpm
Wow, must of had the proverbial "Mutha" of all tailwinds to get 31.47usmpg! On the Jeep Liberty Diesel's demise, yes, it's reported to have sold well. All the more disappointing, (to Jeep folks I'd imagine), therefore that it's not because they COULDN'T design a replacement mill capable of running on the pending new cleaner diesel, rather, it's that "they" simply decided NOT TO DO SO.
Just who are they? Yes, Daimler Chrysler corp, those "Merc" guys again. Seen those trendy ads on your tube or flat panel lately? There's their German exec. touting one hi tec feature after another re: his literally all over the map fleet, while at the same time he won't authorize the expenditures necessary for production of a new enviro friendly diesel successor engine for the Liberty... Takes more than a bit of zing out of those glitzy ads for me.....
So its score: would be green, (Jeep Libetry in this instance), consumers zero, while "they", (the marketing types for yet another mfgr.), hold onto all the cards/beans REGARDLESS, here in this "priorities challenged" North American marketplace......
If you add up this and that factor[s], I have to pose the question, could it be some mfgr's are actually choosing to move FARTHER AWAY from responding to their SUV customer's real time real world concerns?, while instead choosing to first and foremost follow the dictates of their corporate bean counters? Sure seems so "over here". So just what will it take for some of them to realize we expect our own mfgrs of choice to step up to the plate NOW with more green vehicles?
Even though every day there is more awareness that we all oughta do whatever we can to conserve energy and keep as much co2 out of the atmosphere as possible, (notice what a hot summer it's been, again?), again look at DB's clear [marketing strategy?] statement re: the Liberty diesel, and Suzuki's, through it's sin of omission when it has an economical clean diesel engine in service "abroad" right now. Sure, it would have to be certified for import and perhaps modified for sale here in certain ways?, but why not at least make the announcement NOW S U Z U K I that you're looking into doing so?
No, diesel engines won't save our collective butts all by themselves, but for an interim period they seem one of the best bets. I have a niece who runs a bio diesel new beetle. Good on her, but net net, growing fuel consumes more energy than is produced. So lets slow our petrochemical dependance as far as possible while we look to bridge the gap towards future transpo energy sources, S U Z U K I.
Yes, all that torque produced by the Suzuki ddsi engine should be able to pull stumps, let alone a trailer, in clean-green fashion.
Over there in merry olde England, (xostnot), they get 'em in true, (Superior White), as well as our Pearl white, that nice Cats Eye Blue, (prior Zukes), and yes, forest, (Grove), green.
I remain green with envy in the norwoods....
But really, we're talking apples and oranges here, (pretty different configs vis a vis the euro Grand Vitara Diesel and the big chunky born in the USA Cherokee), if there is an attempt to compare the two? Obviously not applicable there re: the euro DDsi Grand Vitara's mileage figures, though again, like the Cherokee diesel, the GV euro diesel emits far fewer harmful emissions than what's produced by the standard, (for England), two liter Grand Vitara engine.
Sure, the stuff stinks, but the salient point(s) seem to be that diesel emissions from a state of the art turbo diesel, (again, the Renault sourced one in the euro GV is considered to be "one of them"), stinks far less in terms of emissions output vs. the petrol engines. Then there's the torque, or grunt factor, particularly at lower revs with a diesel. Just made for a Suzuki Grand Vitara for true "Sport" conditions? You bet.
Then, I have to wonder a bit if it's the price point factor that could present Suzuki with some probs "over here". Again, they have to pay for, (amortize), the development costs for that elaborate hi tec driveline system in the new GV. Add in a sophisticated turbo diesel option, and again we're up into full boat load prices. Still a heck of a value considering, but.....
But wondering/wandering farther afield, wonder if actually we may end up seeing the next compact economical, maybe diesel engined, true off road capable COMPACT SUV, coming to us from somewhere else, like say China? Think about it. Headline: Asian mfgr. of rugged compact fuel efficient 4 wd vehicles, to import vehicles to Canada/North America. Why not? As Suzuki goes upmarket after Gen X, (or whomever?), some innovative new mfgr. from Asia steps in to fill the vacant niche. I'd buy one.
Bio diesel would be great but for, (for clairfication), the cost of production. But the emissions are virtually nill. And, how could we devote enough land to grow that much fuel? Not for to long into the future..... But some can use MacDonalds french fry oil. There ya go, eh?
Nwdsmn.
The epa estimates don't tell the whole story. All diesels get close in the city to what they get on the highway. In my Jetta the worst mpg I got was 36mp and it took driving 100+ mph in the desert with the a/c on to do that!
Performance! Diesels are better suited for US driving conditions than a gasser. Peak power occurs in only couple of thousand rpm's, low enough to really shoot you through the lights and onto the freeway.
Quietnes! It may sound crazy, but it is true. They might be slightly noisier in theity, but out on the open road, that low rpm engine makes for less noise and vibration (a good reason why MB likes them). My jetta feels very relaxed on road trips.
Owner ship costs! Diesels don't require tuneups or O2 sensors. For that matter, they are still usually exempt from smog inspections.They are cheaper to maintain, plus they last longer than gas motors.
They run on diesel! They can even run on vegetable oil. But, understand this- if there ever was a major energy crisis, the govt will give priority to diesel/ kerosene production. That is beause out trucking/rail/ air travel industries rely on that and w/o them, they shut down and so does the economy.Owning a diesel could be the best thing in the world in that situation. Actually, I think it is now!
Is your Jetta rated for any towing or is it just a commuter? I know I'm comparing to a Jeep Grand Cherokee that can tow 7400#, but it only gets 19/23. It really didn't get a good review. The power comes on so soon, that it goes thru all gears before getting up to speed. It also complained of the vibration. This is obviously an entirely different setup compared to a commuter version. I was just trying to create conversation in my original post.
I think your Jetta would be perfect for todays driving and don't understand why more companies don't go in that direction.
I would love to have a diesel in my truck but I don't drive it enough to pay for the extra cost of the drivetrain and fuel. It would only be for the power part of it. The larger trucks just don't get the mileage that everyone claims. Dodge may be the only one to claim getting in the low 20mpg on the highway, on a good day.
I think this may pertain to larger diesels, but they normally require extra filters and oil for maintenance.
Most of todays gassers don't require any tuneups for 100k miles.
I think the diesel engine will outlast the car it's put in. I doubt too many people will drive their cars for 200k miles. I like that new car smell.
My neighbor has one of those old Dodge Cummins diesels.
I also feel we should all be able to do 100 mph in the desert. If I see your Jetta fly by me, I'll try and draft you to add a few mpgs.
Yes, many cars "claim" to be able to go "Up" to 100K miles, but things like spark plugs don't hold up that long. The car will still run, but performance can suffer (been there, did it, done after doing service to my sisters car).
My best friend got a Dodge truck. i tried to talk him into getting the diesel, but he cited the same reasons you did. Now, he regrets it. Gaser engine winds out high when towing,and the thing gets single digit mpg when towing, about 14 around the town.
Diesel may cost more, but you'll get it back around depreciation.Here's something interesting- people who own diesel trucks report very little hit in mpg when towing.
Oh, my car uses one ordinary oil filter and the oil change interval is 10K miles. Every other change, I put in a new fuel filter.In addition, no valves have to be adjusted (hydro valves). In the course of 100K miles, my Jetta will end up costing less to service than the Honda CRV that it replaced.
I would never buy anything from Jeep. GM has a fine diesel that is made by Isuzu.
I would seriously consider the GV in diesel form, but it would have to get the same mpg that you claim.
My friend just got rid of his Ford diesel and replaced it with GM. Couldn't fix his trans. 2 more friends lost injectors and turbos on their Fords.
Jeep/NOT!
I just got my 06 Vitara back from doing a service at 7500 kms (sorry, Canadian eh, just under 5K miles) and told them about the vibration, at around 55 / 60 MPH ... it doesn't feel like the wheels, I'd bet on the drivetrain myself, and perhaps that's just how GV's are ... but the service guy said he didn't notice anything. I also asked him about the severe detonation (uphills when hot ... and I use mid range octane fuel) ... and you guessed it, the service guy didn't notice it either. Another issue that I and others who have driven my GV have found, is when it downshifts going up a hill, and the hill flattens out but there is still a slight grade (barely perceptable to the eye, but the GV computer senses it load/throttle/torque) it keeps it in the lower gear and the engine screams ... and the rest of my family is wondering when I'm going to shift to the higher gear ... and I remind them that it's an automatic !! So I have to let off on the accelerator, it shifts up, then back on the gas! No floor melting issues yet, but thx for the heads up.
Despite these inital hiccups, this GV is the coolest vehicle I've owned next to my 67 Mustang (the latter of which turned more heads).
Appreciate anyone's directon on this, as my experience with the dealer mechanic was anticlimatic.
I would think around 30mpg would be more like it for a GV with a diesel.
Also, don't discount the power difference. People asked me whether it is worth it performance wise, to "suffer" with a diesel. They must think that I am driving some gutless dump truck! In fact, a coworker bought a jetta wagon 2.0 gasser ( I have a wagon diesel) and I asked her why she didn't get the tdi. She said she didn't want something that was gutless. I asked her if she tried driving one. She said"no, I didn't want to settle for a diesel". See the problem here? For that matter, the diesel version of the Mercedes E sedan is FASTER than the gasser version! Oh, I have a eurochip, larger injectors and a lightened vr6 flywheel with a vr6 clutch (to handle the torque). I haven't timed my car, but if I floor it while doing 20 mph, the driving wheels will lose traction and the esp system will be activated. Woo hoo! I would love to have a high power GV diesel.
Check out the VW Toureg TDI. With ten cyclinders, it does get "only 25mpg" on teh highway. However, it has 303hp and almost 600 lbs(!) of tq. When VW/Porsche jointly held a test drive/conference on their new SUV, Porsche was a little miffed than the longest line was not for test rides in a 469hp but for the VW Toureg TDI. That was said to be the funnest ride of the bunch.
Driving a diesel feels like having a big, low revving v-8.
Ford power strokes are legendary for being junk. GM and Dodge both have good diesel trucks, but then again, they are huge trucks. I did see a jeep liberty diesel taxi cab in vegas last month though.