New tow beast time

[Catigale]

Aus Deutschland according to my dealer

All information here falls under the usual Safe Harbor Statement of course

[Tomfoolery]

All information here falls under the usual Safe Harbor Statement of course

Is that something like "any port in a storm"?

[DaveB]

I have always bought a Standard Trans. (Stick Shift) and loved them for 40 years and always a F150 . New generations of F150 back 14 years ago changed the clutch so they only tow 2000 lbs. This I didn't know and felt I was very misinformed by bumper stensiled in 5000 lbs max.
All my previous F150 could tow at least 1000 lbs more than a automatic trans. Also got 1-to 1.5 mpg better milage and still do.
Good Old days have past and know I must go with the High maintance of a Auto Trans. and can no longer puch my truck to jump start when battery /other fails.
May have been a liability suit as I have had no problems towing my 4500 lb MacX.
I grew up with left hand on the wheel, right hand on the stick.
Dave

I know what you mean about limited stick shift cars here in the US. Many years ago my dad, a die-hard stick shift man, ordered a brand new Ford Granada with a stick shift (on the floor). The dealer looked at him like he was insane, but they ordered it and it arrived with the requisite shifter on the floor... the car was black with red interior, my dad's usual choice. I often wonder what happened to that car, because I'm certain it is one of only a very small handful (if any!) that were delivered with that specification.

[Boblee]

Pretty hard to buy a S/H auto over here even if you wanted one but with the younger girly and suburban 4wd types they seem to be getting more common.

[RobertB]

I grew up with left hand on the wheel, right hand on the stick.
Dave

Dave - and just like my late mother in law always said, I bet you could put the family Model T back together with hairpins and bailing wire

[DaveB]

And they had a saying ( Crank my Tractor)

Dave - and just like my late mother in law always said, I bet you could put the family Model T back together with hairpins and bailing wire [/quote]

[dlandersson]

Whenever I see "tow beast" I think...uuuhhhh...Igor, go and fetch me what I crave......

And they had a saying ( Crank my Tractor)

Dave - and just like my late mother in law always said, I bet you could put the family Model T back together with hairpins and bailing wire

[/quote]

[mastreb]

I'd love to find a mini-van with a diesel and a stick. *sigh*

Here's the mythical $40K diesel tow-beast. But it's an actual van:

http://www.mbsprinterusa.com/sprinter/passenger-van

Same drive train as the $70K GL class for half the price. Assembled in the U.S. from German complete knock-down kits.

Can't believe I forgot about the Sprinters. You can buy them in various stages of undress and build your own motorhome in it as well. A Mac and one of these done up as a mini-winnie would be the ideal retired couple life IMHO.

[Tomfoolery]

Are there any diesel SUV's out there that cost less than the $62k and up Mercedes? It looks like Jeep Grand Cherokee will have a diesel soon, but I don't see any others.

It looks like the turbo-diesel Grand Cherokee is now a reality. I've gotta go take a look at one.



http://www.jeep.com/en/2014/grand-chero ... cherry-red

[mastreb]

Are there any diesel SUV's out there that cost less than the $62k and up Mercedes? It looks like Jeep Grand Cherokee will have a diesel soon, but I don't see any others.

It looks like the turbo-diesel Grand Cherokee is now a reality. I've gotta go take a look at one.



http://www.jeep.com/en/2014/grand-chero ... cherry-red

Well, barebones it's only $10K less than the Benz. Optioned up to be similar you're right there in the same territory.

[Tomfoolery]

I don't know . . .

I priced out the Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited with diesel (lowest trim package with diesel, but forces some luxury package for $4k, too), 8-speed tranny, HD tow package (7200 lb), 4x4, trailer sway control, NAV system, and some other stuff, and it came to $47,780. It has all the stuff I want. Too much, in fact, but much of it is forced into certain packages.

Not that I wouldn't want a Mercedes. The admiral even more so (she's been eyeballing the BMW SUVs).

Of course, a gas powered Suburban or Excursion should be cheaper. I doubt the savings in fuel can get close to the extra cost of the vehicle itself.

Screen capture because I don't know how long the link will last.



http://www.jeep.com/hostc/bmo/CUJ201403 ... summary.do

[mastreb]

I did the math on fuel savings from our previous gas-powered GL450 and our newer diesel GL350. Turned out to be about $5000 per 100K miles.

Not enough to get excited about.

Matt

[mrron_tx]

That sounds like it might wind up being a good deal for Jeep But..... I think I will hang on to My 03 Dodge dually /w a Cummins diesel,auto,air, all the goodies....and still gives Me up to 29 mpg on the highway....26-27 towing My Mac. She's getting old , but She's still My Girl Ron. Dauntless.

[Dimitri-2000X-Tampa]

Hey what would a similar Dodge truck with a gas powered V8 get compared to that Diesel? Granted, my Sequoia may be heavier, but I only get 17 hwy and around 10 mpg towing the Mac on its dual axle trailer (probably around 4500 lbs).

[mastreb]

My diesel, which is very similar to the Jeep (and may actually be the same engine) gets 18mpg around town, around 22 on the highway, and it averaged 15mpg towing the Mac 8200 miles.