off-roader
Expedition Leader
I like that idea instead!The alternative I'm kicking around with my better half is to tame the vehicle a little and sell my other car.
I like that idea instead!The alternative I'm kicking around with my better half is to tame the vehicle a little and sell my other car.
In the end it is a 16 year old vehicle. Because of the it's age, it's value is greatly diminished. The going rate for a 16 year old Montero is about $3000 give or take a few hundred.
I am leaning more towards keeping it at this point.
As far as a more modern replacement vehicle with similar attributes...body on frame, factory locking rear, 7 passengers, 16-20 mpg...I don't think there is one. Keep it.
I wish mine EVER saw 20 MPG. Between the lights on the rack that act like a parachute, the tires, and my heavy foot, I usually see around 16. I might keep it until 2015, since rumor has it, Chevy might release the Colorado in a Turbo Diesel! 2.8L is the rumor. I wish Toyota or Nissan would bring a diesel offering stateside. All that torque in a smaller truck! Great for off-road and way better gas mileage. Imagine if we got the Monty in the turbo-diesel!
We are the major country lacking in diesel options due to stricter emission laws. (insert many political issues here).
I would almost venture it has less to do with stricter emission laws, than it does with a lack of interest from your general consumer. I think with VW, Audi, BMW (I think) pushing the diesel state side we might see more in the years to come. Plus a good portion of people who would buy diesels now that don't have the horrible memories of GM Diesel, i.e A 350 that kinda runs on diesel...
Plus to add is the "noise" of a diesel which is now almost gone. And yes the cost may be slightly higher to build a US Diesel, but it would I think be worth it for whom ever decides to make the first move.
Let them keep thinking that. Will drive down the prices of used TD's on the market.I agree with you that a lot of people think loud and black smoke with they think of diesel and that is unfortunate.
That said, I hear they're also bringing the Audi TDI's to the US including their flagship A8 TDI. This is the one that Top Gear was able to get 50MPG :Wow1: out of on a trip from the UK to Scotland and back.
Season 4, episode 4: London to Edinburgh and back (800 miles) on one 20 gal tank...They have had the Q7 with a TDI option stateside already. An A8 in TDI sounds sweet, though! I need to look up that episode...:smiley_drive:
I would almost venture it has less to do with stricter emission laws, than it does with a lack of interest from your general consumer.
In the US we only have one diesel, the big rig taxed.