I think some folk need an introduction to high pressure common rail w/ pilot injection.
Testdrive in a Diesel Cruze
2017 with leather package.
This was a short test drive. The plastic was still on the seats, just off the truck on Saturday.
Pros
Diesel knock is absent, just as advertised.
9 speed automatic shifts smoothly - double clutch technology works. You have to get on the "oil" to make it downshift forcibly enough to feel it.
Stop-start technology.
Diesel torque + 9 speeds - pretty good acceleration
Cons
Low pitch engine rumble is always there - in no way is this silent propulsion.
Normally I would go with the Volt but the choice is not so clearcut here. There's zero state incentives, I'd have to buy the Volt and get 0% financing to go along with a modest amount of manufacturer's incentives. Even with the fed tax credit it's stretching to make the number close enough.
This was a short test drive. The plastic was still on the seats, just off the truck on Saturday.
Pros
Diesel knock is absent, just as advertised.
9 speed automatic shifts smoothly - double clutch technology works. You have to get on the "oil" to make it downshift forcibly enough to feel it.
Stop-start technology.
Diesel torque + 9 speeds - pretty good acceleration
Cons
Low pitch engine rumble is always there - in no way is this silent propulsion.
Normally I would go with the Volt but the choice is not so clearcut here. There's zero state incentives, I'd have to buy the Volt and get 0% financing to go along with a modest amount of manufacturer's incentives. Even with the fed tax credit it's stretching to make the number close enough.
1 - 3 of 57 Posts
There is a couple more issues with diesels.
Not all gas stations have diesel pumps, and sometimes you must wait because gas cars have taken the 1 or 2 diesel pumps, even when the other 7 pumps are empty.
Fuel filters must be changed on a routine basis.
Turbochargers often have a shorter warranty than the engine does. Read your warranty carefully.
Diesel fuel can 'gel' when it gets really cold, and this will strand you.
I love our diesels, but there are some drawbacks over gas engines. Their big advantage is that they are not hurt as bad by high output use. Heavy payloads, high speeds, mountains, high altitudes, see a small loss of MPG than you see in gas engines. Turbo diesels love high altitude compared to naturally aspirated gas cars.
That being said, the Volts are a better fit for our family. Gas is everywhere, but for normal driving we seldom use gas anyways.
Not all gas stations have diesel pumps, and sometimes you must wait because gas cars have taken the 1 or 2 diesel pumps, even when the other 7 pumps are empty.
Fuel filters must be changed on a routine basis.
Turbochargers often have a shorter warranty than the engine does. Read your warranty carefully.
Diesel fuel can 'gel' when it gets really cold, and this will strand you.
I love our diesels, but there are some drawbacks over gas engines. Their big advantage is that they are not hurt as bad by high output use. Heavy payloads, high speeds, mountains, high altitudes, see a small loss of MPG than you see in gas engines. Turbo diesels love high altitude compared to naturally aspirated gas cars.
That being said, the Volts are a better fit for our family. Gas is everywhere, but for normal driving we seldom use gas anyways.
Chevrolet and GMC discontinued the stick shift Duramax 6.6L powertrains long, long ago. And when they were around, the manual trans engines were derated to lower torque and hp. The 5 and 6 speed Allison transmissions could take way more abuse than the manual trans or clutch could. It is not unusual for an Allison to over 100,000 miles towing at stock HP levels if you replace the spin-on filter and change the oil as recommended. I think at least one guy went over 250,000 miles IIRC.One thing I have learned is to never own a diesel automatic.
You ruin the diesel unless you run it through a good old 5 or 6 mt
New diesel chevies come with a stick for a reason, don't waste your time learning the reason through experience.
Just buy the manual off the bat and smile
Love that Allison. My race truck pushes 936rwhp through an Allison 6-sp. Enough torque to destroy any light truck manual trans instantly. So much torque is available that I detune it to hold it at no more than 1500ftlb to save the drivetrain and crankshaft.
1 - 3 of 57 Posts
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