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Diesel MiniVans

144 messages,  Last post on Mar 23, 2012 at 8:31 AM

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What is this discussion about? Diesel, Van

Messages Page 14 of 15

#125 of 144 Re: Newbie, frustrated minivan mom [ateixeira] by gagrice

May 27, 2008 (10:02 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (May 27, 2008 9:07 am)
Do any sticker under $30 grand, for instance?
 
I don't think you can get any hybrid SUV under $30k. The cheapest is probably the Escape hybrid in the low $30ks. The HH is well into the $40k range. And these are very small SUVs. Someone wanting an SUV right now can get some killer deals on new and used SUVs. VW makes a great mini-van with diesel. I see them all the time in San Diego. They all have Mexico plates. I thought I saw one with US Government plates and did not get a second look.

#126 of 144 Article on upcoming Diesels in recent Wards magazine by lizziewriter

May 27, 2008 (10:32 am)

It's scary out there, with the price of gas and everything else, who knows what the future may bring. I was just looking in the April 2008 Ward's Auto World (cover "The Endangered Clutch Pedal") and stumbled across a couple of articles on diesel. There are model names and a bit of background on the diesel market in Europe, and this and that, and overall I think there may be something in it for everyone. See if you can find a copy.

#127 of 144 Honda 2009, Toyota 2010 by lizziewriter

May 27, 2008 (10:37 am)

Replying to: casnapper (May 25, 2008 8:05 am)
According to the April 2008 Wards Auto World, for 2009 Honda/Acura lists the following: 2.4L I-4, possibly V-6 Acura TSX, TL or RDX, Honda CR-V and Pilot.
 
Toyota for 2010: V-8 Tundra, Sequoia.
 
I'm sure they'll be pricey though!
 
Good luck!

#128 of 144 Re: Newbie, frustrated minivan mom [gagrice] by qbrozen

May 27, 2008 (10:45 am)

Replying to: gagrice (May 27, 2008 10:02 am)
We talking Canadian $$?
 
Escape hybrid starts under $28k. Vue Hybrid starts ~$26k. (US $)

#129 of 144 Re: Newbie, frustrated minivan mom [qbrozen] by ateixeira

May 27, 2008 (12:09 pm)

Replying to: qbrozen (May 27, 2008 10:45 am)
I was gonna say...
 
Vue actually starts in the $24s, waaaaaaaay below $30 grand.
 
I'm staring at an options list right now. Honestly, I don't think you can get one over $30k even if you factory order every single available option. I'm guesstimating but they top out around $28k, it seems.
 
Escape hybrid starts at $25,075 for FWD, plus freight. Mariner a tad more. Didn't Mazda get one? Easily under $30k even w/AWD.
 
The Touareg II TDI runs $68,320 plus freight for starters. That makes a Tahoe hybrid or RX400H seem downright cheap. You may be able to buy 2 hybrid Highlanders. Close.
 
EDIT: Yes, you can actually buy 2, if you don't need a Highlander Limited.
 
The Benz GL is 50 something without the diesel, so I'm sure it's more than any Tahoe/RX/HH by far.
 
Jeep has the only down-to-earth price. Let me see, the diesel adds 1655 to the Limited, which starts at 35,965 for 2WD, plus freight. So over $38 grand before you add options.
 
The Highlander hybrid starts at $33,700 and the Limited is $39,950, add freight for both. Right near the Jeep GC CRD basically, or cheaper if you don't need a Limited.
 
Dunno, the diesels don't stack up well in price.
 
* Vue & Escape much less than Grand Cherokee CRD
 
* HH much less than GC Ltd CRD, but HH Ltd a little more
 
* RX & Tahoe hybrid much less than Benz Diesel or Toureg
 
The Jeep beats the Highlander Limited, but let's face it, mileage won't even come close, plus diesel costs more. Operating costs will be much higher for the CRD either way.
 
Plus I saw gas for $3.79, while diesel was $4.59 and higher in most places. I actually saw $4.10 gas and $4.99 diesel.

#130 of 144 Re: Newbie, frustrated minivan mom [ateixeira] by qbrozen

May 28, 2008 (7:48 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (May 27, 2008 12:09 pm)
Huh. You're finding different numbers than me, even. I thought mine seemed high. I seemed to remember them being cheaper. I just looked at Edmunds before my previous post and it said "starting at $xx,xxx," which are the numbers I used.

#131 of 144 Re: Newbie, frustrated minivan mom [ateixeira] by gagrice

May 28, 2008 (10:38 am)

Replying to: ateixeira (May 27, 2008 12:09 pm)
I think you and I have a different view of what is and what is not an SUV. FWD CUVs are not SUVs in my book. To each his own. Even the AWD Highlander is suspect as an offroad or towing vehicle. Two of the criteria to get the moniker SUV attached.

#132 of 144 Re: Newbie, frustrated minivan mom [gagrice] by qbrozen

May 28, 2008 (10:46 am)

Replying to: gagrice (May 28, 2008 10:38 am)
Two of the criteria to get the moniker SUV attached.
 
hmmmm... really?
Who owns the definitive definition to sport-utility vehicle?
I would think it is anything that is both sporty and has utility. Heck, if I read that a certain way, nothing that is termed an SUV would qualify because I don't find them at all sporty.

#133 of 144 who put the s in suv ? / refuel-america by elias

May 29, 2008 (6:11 am)

the s in suv is not for sporty like sports car, it's for sport like off-roading. personally i don't think offroading is a real sport like auto racing is. i'm needing increased capacity, maybe will trade my TDI for a gas minivan. Either that or trade my fun-car for a gas minivan. The only diesel "minivan" is the sprinter at double the cost and none of the nifty amenities of the gas minivans they are giving away at dealerships.
 
btw, in the new england area the ads for Jeep/Dodge refuel-america plan are inconsistent. some say 87-octane only and/or no-diesel. it actually looks like an interesting offer, especially for anyone considering buying the diesel jeep. maybe it's the dodge diesel pickups which are not included in the plan.

#134 of 144 Re: Newbie, frustrated minivan mom [qbrozen] by gagrice

May 29, 2008 (6:22 am)

Replying to: qbrozen (May 28, 2008 10:46 am)
I don't find them at all sporty.
 
I don't either. "Sport Utility Vehicle" does not imply Sporty to me. It is a vehicle used to enhance whatever Sport you may like to do. Fishing, hunting, boating, skiing, camping, etc etc. I suppose someone could argue that a BMW X5 is Sporty as it out handles most cars on the road. For me, when I think of Sporty cars I think Porsche or Ferrari. When I think of SUV it is somewhere in a range from Explorer to Suburban. For me it is a real stretch calling an RX350 an SUV. I am glad they came up with CUV. It covers a lot of wagon type vehicles that cannot perform as I would require an SUV to perform.
 
For most people a mini van would be better. And a diesel mini van would be great.

Messages Page 14 of 15

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