Rough draft: Cost analysis of Diesel Wrangler

[GARRIGA]

You guys keep forgetting residual value. It’s not like you spent $5k (assuming you pay full retail and full retail is that much) and get nothing back.

Fact is that if FCA later discontinued the diesel it will likely increase in more in value just based on the number of hemi and diesel swaps. Some just need the torque. This is the most cost effective route.

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[jayvis]

You guys keep forgetting residual value. It’s not like you spent $5k (assuming you pay full retail and full retail is that much) and get nothing back.

Fact is that if FCA later discontinued the diesel it will likely increase in more in value just based on the number of hemi and diesel swaps. Some just need the torque. This is the most cost effective route.

Remember that there is such a thing as too much torque in off-roading. Seen too many folks pogo and flip their rigs because of too much instantaneous torque while crawling over large obstacles.

 

[JLURD]

So, you end up paying nearly a grand yearly to drive the EcoDiesel over the Pentastar, which doesn't seem as bad as I expected. But, you certainly will not ever save money with the EcoDiesel. It's an expense, not a savings to go diesel.

The funny thing about averages is they don’t always reflect the experience of a majority of people. Certainly a modest proportion live in markets which reflect the exact average delta between 87 and diesel prices. However the majority do not, with many in a substantially worse situation than your calculation and just as many (assuming something near a standard distribution) in a substantially better situation. I happen to live in a market where diesel costs less than 87, which is nice, but I’d still pay a premium on par with $1000 annually if I had to, given the intended uses. Also don’t forget the difference in fuel efficiency broadens as you add lifts, 35+ tires, and gear.

 

[NW_Jeep]

Diesel here is 10cents more than regular unleaded. If you put in plus or premium like many do diesel is cheaper by 30-35 cents per gallon personally could care less about the cost. I want the torque last 4 of VIN 5095

 

[JL.FR]

We must not calculate on the basis of economy. A JEEP is not a delivery truck that has to run at a low cost ... The JEEP is a toy vehicle ... A diesel engine has a lot more torque and works better than a gasoline in difficult terrain.

 

[GARRIGA]

Remember that there is such a thing as too much torque in off-roading. Seen too many folks pogo and flip their rigs because of too much instantaneous torque while crawling over large obstacles.

Wouldn’t that be mostly attributed to driver error?

 

[Crux]

Of course.
This engine will NOT be unsafe off road.
Lunacy.

 

[jayvis]

Of course.
This engine will NOT be unsafe off road.
Lunacy.

No one said it would be unsafe. I just meant that increased torque can increase the chances for mistakes off road. I for one am not a big fan of small diesel engines. The EcoDiesel is a slug in the RAM 1500 and it will be interesting to see how well it's accepted in the Wrangler and Gladiator.

 

[CarbonSteel]

This engine will NOT be unsafe off road.

No, but with the added complexity of the emissions systems, it may leave you stranded offroad.

 

[Crux]

No, but with the added complexity of the emissions systems, it may leave you stranded offroad.

Agreed.

A meteor could also hit my hood rendering my engine useless

 

[CarbonSteel]

Agreed.

A meteor could also hit my hood rendering my engine useless

The odds are slightly more in favor of a DPF/SCR/EGR/DEF issue happening.

Time will tell how reliable they are.

 

[toolaide4fit]

No one said it would be unsafe. I just meant that increased torque can increase the chances for mistakes off road. I for one am not a big fan of small diesel engines. The EcoDiesel is a slug in the RAM 1500 and it will be interesting to see how well it's accepted in the Wrangler and Gladiator.

This is like guns...guns don't hurt people...people hurt people. Same thing goes for Off Roading, if you lack the skills don't do it. They Vehicle doesn't do anything you don't tell it to do. If you put the vehicle in a position to break...it will. So, the real issue is the driver...not the vehicle or engine.

You put a 16 year old in a Super Car...the question is "WHEN" will the wreck it! They lack the skills and if left alone they will tear it up.

 

[GARRIGA]

With how Jeeps are used, it would be a massive liability to disable the vehicle if something like DEF runs out. They should do a 15mph limit in the event of an emissions failure.

You’d have to be very irresponsible to run out of DEF. it’s like a 7k fill up. This is like running out of oil. Very unlikely.

Can’t imagine any well maintained vehicle leaving one stranded unless they did something to cause them to get stranded.

 

[Mike630]

With respect.....

Do people actually care about cost effectiveness, or is that just something we tell our significant others to get away with stuff?

 

[GARRIGA]

I'm thinking more in the realm of sensor failure limp mode. Sensors will fail, my Ram's fuel sensor failed at 60k for example. Still runs fine. If the DEF sensor fails and the ECU sees 0 DEF, the motor will no longer start, stranding the Jeep in the wilderness.

Yeah. That’s a whole other animal. Unfortunate down side of technology.

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