Petrol v Diesel Analysis Part 1

[lujabe]

You've pretty much answered your own question. You're going to lose a decent pot of money over the next few years after spending $50-60k, no matter what you choose. Just drive them both and get the one that you enjoy more. 3-5 years is a long time to live with the vehicle you didn't really want, all to save a maybe a few hundred dollars a year.

[roscoea26]

IXPLOR

Fuel prices in my area average:

Unleaded 116-120.9
Diesel 117-121.9

According to the Jeep site the 3.6 petrol averages 10.4l /100k whereas the 3.0l diesel is 7.5l/100k. I believe these figures are pretty much correct.

So if you do a comparison on a 1000k trip on those figures and using the top figures:

Petrol 104 litres x $120.9 = $125.74

Diesel 75 litres x $121.9 = $91.42

Difference = $34.32

If you use the vehicles for towing the diesel will use much less fuel than the petrol, my neighbour has the petrol and towing his work trailer which weights about 1.5 tonne loaded his vehicle is using 14l/100k average.

From talking to caravaners who are towing with the new diesel grands with the 8 speed transmission I believe that towing towing an average 2 tonne van the average is 12l/100k, the bigger vans 14l/100k.

My neighbour recently purchased an average van and has just purchased one a new grand because he realises the petrol is going to struggle and the fuel economy is not going to be great.

You can do all sorts of comparisons but if you kept the vehicle for 100,000k:

Petrol $125.74 x 100 = $12,574
Diesel $91.42 x 100 = $ 9,142

Difference = $ 3,432

Start towing a caravan and this figure will start blowing out and the diesel will come into it's own and earn it's higher price and it's resale value will be higher than the petrol.

If you want to use a Jeep for towing, it's a no brainer a diesel is the only option. The torque is far superior they will accelerate up a hill if you want it to, a petrol will really work.

There are so many vanners now towing with a diesel Jeep and I've spoken with many who have previously owned 200 series and they tell me that these were using high 20's whereas the Jeep is using much less fuel and very comfortable.

So if you're going to tow a van not now or down the track to me the diesel is a cut above the petrol, my neighbour regrets getting the petrol and wished he had of got the diesel in the first place.

[Veg]

Never driven the diesel except at test drive but my 2011 3.6 petrol is perfectly serviceable. I don't tow though, but will be dragging an approx 1100kg camper trailer soon. I expect it won't stress the V6 too much.

In real world usage though over 5 years I always get 13 litres/100km around town unless I drive like miss daisy, then it's 12. Might get into the 11's on a highway run.

[IXPLOR]

Thanks all some great comments here.

I was looking at an RACQ vehicle running cost comparison last night the CRD costs just under 16k per annum while the petrol just over 15k based on 15k klms per year travelled.

We purchased the diesel today, drove both back to back and the diesel came out on top. One major influencing factor is the greater range off road as we are planning a simpson trip next July among others and the idea of not having to cart additional fuel was very appealing.

[Cherokee30D]

Great choice IXPLOR (as mentioned in another post).
Keep in mind that you don't necessarily have to get your vehicle serviced at a Jeep dealer to keep your warranty. I have my own mechanic service mine since new, saving at least half the costs and still using specified oils etc.
Another tip that I was told many years ago. If you are in the middle of nowhere and run out of diesel, all farmers keep diesel.

Cheers, Craig

[Taprod]

Just get what works best for you, what you enjoy driving most.

As a V6 owner, I could not have been happier with my choice. I don't tow a caravan or camper trailer and when I do tow, it's a 4.25m tinnie or a trailer full of sand. I would love to have purchased the Diesel but couldn't have justified the extra $5k purchase cost.

If you tow regularly, get one of the more powerful variants. if you rarely tow, then you can't go wrong with the V6.

Since buying the vehicle 3 years ago, my ideas about what I will do with the vehicle have changed too, so buy the platform that is most versatile to your needs, I guess.

Good luck with your purchase.