So I test drove one of these rare Mercedes Benz Diesel powered Jeeps today. The motor and gear box felt really good but it is still a Jeep...

So what is the collective wisdom on these things? I am looking for a replacement for my Subaru Turbo Legacy GT because I do a bit more towing then I expected and the Subaru does not like that duty.

I spend about 80% of my driving in Urban Traffic and the other 20% on I5 driving the speed limit in a straight line.

For fun times in the twisties - I have still have Ducati and BMW Motorcycles...

D

IATN is down for maintainance so I can't view problems right this minute. I like to old 4.0 Jeeps, the newer gas V6 have issues. All Chryslers seem to have more than their fair share of stupid electrical crap. Bad dashes, bad fuse boxes, bad modules, bad everything . Auto transmissions with no dipsticks, clever...you go to the dealer to see if the fluid is low. With Merc gone and Fiat involved who knows about parts.

If towing is involved I'd think the Sube would be better than the little Jeeps. Kia Sorrento or equivalent Hyundai or most any of the Toyota SUV offerings. The midsize Ford SUVs seem pretty reliable with very few complaints that I've heard. Even a Trailblazer or Envoy seems to live well past 150k without many issues.

My friend bought an Envoy with the inline engine, and it had massive stupid shit go on it. Things that shouldn't go on a properly designed car. I'll ask about the details, just for old times sake.

All the dodges I've had, had dip sticks for the tranny. I have heard about stupid electrical shit in some of the older ones, but haven't experienced it happen to me (but have seen some).

Heard back about the Envoy (low mileage, not beat on):

Front wheel bearing - twice. Hydraulic clutch fan. Rear resonator rotted out. Rear axle seals leaked contaminating the rear brakes. Alternator - twice. Upper ball joints - twice. Stabilizer end links. Window regulators - twice. Blower motor resistor. Tie rod. Spare tire winch siezed. Thermostat. Gas cap.

I was thinking about another car for the ridiculous failures..

I passed on the Jeep. Too small for such a large car - crapy MPG for such a good power plant etc.

Derek. We don't know much about your wants and needs.
How many miles will be driven?
What percent of that will be towing?
What kind of load/package are you towing?

I've always been partial to Toyota stuff when it comes to non-Subaru larger vehicles. For lighter duty towing, I'd be partial myself to getting a 4Runner or Land Cruiser. I'd also buy one of the two Starlets up there for quick trips to the store. And a early 90s Impreza for those occasional snow storms and rally spectating or volunteering.

The main option is a classic landcruiser with a retrofitted diesel - I would buy a diesel landcruiser in a second if Toyota would import the damn things.

So to Grant's question. I drive a wopping 12 miles each way to work in traffic. Then I typically drive another 30 miles or so for appointments every day in urban settings, 80% on the freeway. I park in downtown parking garages so nothing too big.

On about every 5th weekend I like to tow a 3000 Lbs wells cargo trailer with electric brakes about 80 miles each way. About 20 times a year I make this same drive with out the trailer.

A few times a year I like to tow a 2800 Lbs boat with out trailer brakes for distances unknown but lets say and average of 200 miles.

The rest of the time I load up the car with bikes, big huge batteries(8D), sails, furniture etc.

I like to be able to seat at least 4 in comfort.

I like to get around 20 MPG in combined driving.

I do not care one bit for navigation systems, dvd players, and other things like that.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/19/2011 09:12AM by derek.

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derek
The main option is a classic landcruiser with a retrofitted diesel - I would buy a diesel landcruiser in a second if Toyota would import the damn things.

So to Grant's question. I drive a wopping 12 miles each way to work in traffic. Then I typically drive another 30 miles or so for appointments every day in urban settings, 80% on the freeway. I park in downtown parking garages so nothing too big.

On about every 5th weekend I like to tow a 3000 Lbs wells cargo trailer with electric brakes about 80 miles each way. About 20 times a year I make this same drive with out the trailer.

A few times a year I like to tow a 2800 Lbs boat with out trailer brakes for distances unknown but lets say and average of 200 miles.

The rest of the time I load up the car with bikes, big huge batteries(8D), sails, furniture etc.

I like to be able to seat at least 4 in comfort.

I like to get around 20 MPG in combined driving.

I do not care one bit for navigation systems, dvd players, and other things like that.

You mean you are saying you can survive without 5 level dual control Climate Control?

What would happen if everybody thought that way?

The only problem is that the classic Land Cruisers, in fact all of them until the mid-90s ones, have like a 2000 lb towing capacity.
There is a company in BC that imports the newer diesel Land Cruisers.

Quote
hudson
Heard back about the Envoy (low mileage, not beat on):

Front wheel bearing - twice. Hydraulic clutch fan. Rear resonator rotted out. Rear axle seals leaked contaminating the rear brakes. Alternator - twice. Upper ball joints - twice. Stabilizer end links. Window regulators - twice. Blower motor resistor. Tie rod. Spare tire winch siezed. Thermostat. Gas cap.

I was thinking about another car for the ridiculous failures..

That's all par for the course for a GM.

Some of this car stuff/failures are going to be regional. Envoys/TBs around here lose the exhaust at 125-150k. Wheel bearings (any GM) seem to go around 100-125k, other GMs will see 300k with no failures. Very few heater resistors go out. Ball joints never. They have been pretty reliable for the most part. Close to the newer Exploders anyway. Ford F series and Expeditions are a constant ball joint failure. Ford coils and spk plug issues are legendary as are GM intake gaskets. Pick your poison really.

Chrysler has for years experienced more stupid stuff than the others put together IMO. I sold Chryslers in the 70s, not much has changed sadly. Good looks on a lot of their products, poor engineersing or material selection. I've had 3 or 4 Cherokees, would have another as long as it didn't have the 4.7 POS V8. We've had 3 or 4 Caravan and Town and Country vans. I doubt I'll own another as long as there are Tahoes or Suburbans floating around (we don't drive enough to worry much about fuel mileage).

Too many of the new offerings have such poor gearing for towing. That affects capacity greatly. Identical Chev 1/2 tons vary about 2000lbs or more on the tow rating with diff selection. 3.08s is around 6500 and 3.73s around 9000 lb.

LandRover Defender?
Mercedez-Benz Gelundewagen?

Or, my personal favorite, Lamborghini LM.

Quote
derek
The main option is a classic landcruiser with a retrofitted diesel - I would buy a diesel landcruiser in a second if Toyota would import the damn things.

So to Grant's question. I drive a wopping 12 miles each way to work in traffic. Then I typically drive another 30 miles or so for appointments every day in urban settings, 80% on the freeway. I park in downtown parking garages so nothing too big.

On about every 5th weekend I like to tow a 3000 Lbs wells cargo trailer with electric brakes about 80 miles each way. About 20 times a year I make this same drive with out the trailer.

A few times a year I like to tow a 2800 Lbs boat with out trailer brakes for distances unknown but lets say and average of 200 miles.

The rest of the time I load up the car with bikes, big huge batteries(8D), sails, furniture etc.

I like to be able to seat at least 4 in comfort.

I like to get around 20 MPG in combined driving.

I do not care one bit for navigation systems, dvd players, and other things like that.

Have you tried driving a Honda Ridgeline yet? I don't love the way they look but it seems to fit the bill for you mechanically.

Quote
hoche
Or, my personal favorite, Lamborghini LM.

The newest guy on our LeMons team makes a living doing race electronics. He's updated a couple of those Lambo SUV's to Pectel and Motec engine management. He claims they are ridiculous fun once they run properly.

Test drove a G Wagen - I rather liked it, the G500. I need to keep an eye out for the G300TD.

There are 3 Lambo LM's for sale here in the Seattle area... though I have always liked them I think they are a bit too much for me.

Derek,
Just got an 05 Pathfinder. Not sure it would tow as much as you want, but it's rated to 6000# and the 270hp v6 is pretty strong, but perhaps no Lambo. IIRC GRM used one to tow a bunch and loved it. Seats 7. Oh, and it has that dual zone climate control that you were wanting!