Hi all. So I, very sadly, sold my 2002 Jetta Wagon, and ended up picking up a 2005 Chrystler Pacifica. I was in the market for something with a 3rd row and was mostly looking at minivans, then found this Pacifica at a nearby dealership and really liked its combination of size and utility (like the porridge that Goldilocks ate... just the right size). It gets really good reviews, crash test data, and reliability reports, so I'm back to my first American car since the 80s.

Now, this shares the same platform as the MB R320, which comes with a CDI option. This, of course, is my dream car but the cheapest used one within 500 miles cost 3x the Pacifica. Do you all think it would be in any way doable to drop a CDI engine into the Pacifica? That'd be super, super sweet.

Doable? Yes.

Affordable? You tell me. 

I suspect the easiest way would be to find a Euro Pacifica diesel wrecker for the transplant, it's have all of the goodies needed.

You know you're dreaming big time now Nate.

 

Yep. I spoke to someone who does engine conversions and he said the tranny and engine alone would be $20k. Not worth doing. 

natescape:

Not worth doing. 

Especially at $1 a gallon premium for diesel or biodiesel fuel.

 When I weighed the current difference in my current class of vehicle  ... an eight passenger Honda Pilot - similar to your Pacifica ... the improved fuel economy a diesel would offer v. price premium for a diesel vehicle of the same size, the argument to buy (finance) a diesel vehicle was difficult to justify. Realistically the only option for a diesel with extra passenger/cargo space in North American at the moment is the R and GL class Mercedes; while they are nice vehicles, its hard for most people to justify $60,000 for a vehicle that gets a few more miles per gallon than their lower priced gasoline powered counter parts. This wasn't easy even when there was only a few cents difference per gallon, but now at $1.00 ... its even harder. I'm thinking conspiracy!

Rich - we finally agree on something again :-)

Did you notice the Audi Q-7 Gas/Hybrid is not going to be imported at this point due to the poor value of the dollar?

http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/03/24/audi-cancels-q7-hybrid-american-plans-blames-crashing-dollar/

Strange days indeed, Very peculiar ______

Rich:

... its hard for most people to justify $60,000 for a vehicle that gets a few more miles per gallon than their lower priced gasoline powered counter parts. This wasn't easy even when there was only a few cents difference per gallon, but now at $1.00 ...

But you can't burn biodiesel in a gasser, which is why a great many of us are driving diesels.

soypwrd:

But you can't burn biodiesel in a gasser, which is why a great many of us are driving diesels.

Oh don't get me wrong Ron, I have little problem in spending a little more for biodiesel ... but would like to be an advocate for a "realistic" alternative fuel choice. I sense that if it costs Americans more to buy the vehicles AND refuel them that its an uphill battle for acceptance.

Its frustrating to see the only 'family sized' diesel vehicle choice costing twice as much as a gasser and showing an EPA sticker of only a few miles per gallon improvement. Combine that with a $1.00/gallon premium to fill them with biodiesel or diesel and many will opt for gasoline again. My fear is that all these new expected clean diesel models will end up being delayed due to expected poor sales and contemplating correctly that "what 'normal' American is going to switch to a diesel sedan, wagon, crossover or SUV if they initially cost more, have higher repair costs and aren't saving any money on fuel?"

My example: Since I sold one of our TDIs this past fall, I've put all the miles on our family sized 8 passenger Honda Pilot. I routinely get 23 MPG on this 4WD V-6 gasser and have contemplated a MB CDI model. Initial price is about twice that of a Honda Pilot and fuel economy improves only slightly. Initial price, insurance and financing cost aside (as they are different vehicles), I've calculated that at current diesel/biodiesel premiums that even at a 30% efficiency improvement (would need 30+mpg) I would still come out behind. (and I'm unsure just how many MPGs better I would see over the current EPA 24 highway stickers)

I guess I'll wait to see what the new crop of VW TDI will be like ... if my 'hip' can take it, I wouldn't mind driving a smaller car that gets 45 mpg again and just keep the bigger car for family travel and larger loads.