3. If it wasn't for soccer moms, we wouldn't have so many models to choose (and get spare parts) from. Of course, if you want to make it full 4WD, you have to swap a front axle. How bad is that?
That all depends how you look at the current models. I personally don't see much to choose from. Let's see, I want a solid axle, oops only one on the U.S. market. Let's see, I want a manual hi - low range transfercase, not many to choose from. How about manual hub's, not much selection there either. How about optional gears, out of luck. Now we do have a lovely selection of cup holders, tissue dispensers , vanity mirrors and floor mats. And if you think you might want to go off-road you can buy the trail package complete with cheap plastic wheel flares, the more expensive wheels to scrap on rocks and don't forget the chrome step tubes that put two dents in the rocker panel instead of the one the rock might have done. I don't see much of a choice between brand x or y. So I'm suppose to buy a 25K -30K vehicle and cut the front suspension off and cobble a new one together. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />
2. As gas becomes more expensive, diesel and bio-diesel become more and more attractive. There are even turbo-diesel hybrids out there now, in both commercial, military, and potentially full-production civilian applications (take the ground based rader and machine gun off the military DuraMax model). And more bio-diesel helps the American farmers as well as they grow the crops for it. Again, I don't see this as a negative.
Here is another down side in my view. Diesels used to have the very great advantage of simplicity of design which equated to very high reliability and low maintenance Now I realize there isn't much that can be done about the price of fuel (supply & demand), but bio-diesel isn't going to save me at the pump, but at least some of the money stays here. AS far as the hybrids are concerned, added complexity = higher costs in manufacture, maintenance and repair. Now if I had the financial resources of the government/military I wouldn't worry about repair/replacement cost when my $2000.00 hybrid powertrain controller died. I would just go to my warehouse full of spares and grab one off the shelf.
4. Uh...factory lockers do happen. The Jeep Rubicon. The Jeep Scrambler...ur, I mean Unlimited Rubicon. Hummer, I believe, and I think there's one or two more doing it (American) but I can't remember where I read it. Some help here?
I stand corrected. I was under the impression that it was controlled by the drivetrain computer.
6. Yeah, those greenies are shutting us down. That explains the explosion for just a few to over 50 SUV's in the last decade, including the new class of "over 6k" that are so big, they aren't SUV's, they classed as farm or construction equipment.
The reason they have to be classed as such is to skirt the EPA clean air regs, and guess who were pushing hardest for that. Don't get me wrong, I like to breath also. But if the hardcore greenies had their way you wouldn't be able to purchase a full size suv.
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Pop over to the Isuzu Diesel Board and look over some of the last year's posts. More and more good news coming out on diesels every year. There's a great post (see TD-hybrid link above) on city buses that get 50% more gas mileage than standard bus engines and, with clean burning diesel, would emit almost zero pollution. How's that for a great payoff?
That's great if it's affordable. I'm all for better efficiency, but at what price. A 6-7K hi-tech cutting edge super efficient diesel isn't worth a hoot if a $100.00 sensor brings the hole show to a stop. And I just don't want to need a second mortgage if something breaks.
Of course all of this is JMO <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />
Of course if
Isuzu wanted to have a Patrol like vehicle with a nice 3.5 - 4.0 TD <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/coolg.gif" alt="" />
