cortttt said:
Have you checked out the Nissan NV? A gas guzzler but the doghouse may be gone.
I'm impressed by the acceleration and MGP of that diesel. I wonder if it'll be around in four years...
My guess is that the 2.8 diesel will be around for a long time to come, but the van itself won't. The engine has a long, successful track record all over the world-- it's only "new" here in North America-- while the van is not only of a very old design, but one that probably looks pretty obsolete to most potential customers compared to hi-cube rivals like the Promaster and Sprinter. I mentioned earlier about how the 4 cyl Sprinter seems to do better on fuel consumption despite a larger frontal area. This is a significant indicator of obsolescence that's more than just skin-deep.
I haven't looked at the NV for several reasons that (like my knees) probably apply only to me and not anyone else, though I thank you for the suggestion. I plan to keep my mobile home at least temporarily, and there are precisely two parking spots available there, both under carports. One of these spots is short with a relatively high roof, and the other long with a low one. It so happens that only two currently-available van-models will fit in either one or the other-- the 118" low-roof Promaster or the GM twins. Since I have a trailer on order I really don't need a van for the living space. They're on my list strictly due to being cheap but capable, long-lasting tow vehicles. (Though, if I get one, I still want access to the back from the cab. I mean, it seems pretty silly not to be able to do that in an emergency, or even just for convenience.) I'm sort of tempted to buy something with more towing capacity, however, in case the 12' cargo trailer proves not to be as long-term habitable as I'm hoping it will be. So I'm also considering one of several 2500-series pickups. Or I may buy nothing at all at the rate I'm going. I already own a Dodge Caravan (3500# capacity) that ought to pull my soon-to-be-built aluminum 6x12 just fine, so long as I don't overload it with junk. The Caravan won't go all the places I'd like to be able to go and has other inherent design shortcomings for this job, and I worry for the legendarily-delicate transmission despite the fact that I long ago added a transmission oil cooler. But it's in good shape and paid for. And...
Best of all, I don't need a ladder to get into driver's seat. The more new vans and trucks I test-drive, the more the always-excessive ride height irritates me. I've owned five pickups, including one 3500-series 4x4, and never needed a running board or anything else to climb into any of them. Yet with the single exception of the pricey Colorado/Canyon, today I can't find a single one where I don't.
What on earth are the engineers thinking?
