New Colorado diesel report.

IdaD wrote:
I agree with you that part of the problem with this little duramax is you can only get it on the higher trim levels, but in the real world that's going to push the prices up to where it may not make much sense to a lot of people to get a baby diesel.

Absolute stupidity on the part of manufacturers, in my opinion. When I was shopping for my Tundra I looked at the GM products. In order to get the 6.2 gas engine in the half ton, I had to have a high cost trim package that I didn't want.

With the Tundra, you could get the 5.7 in the bottom of the line truck with zero options if you wanted it.

I love my new Ram, because it is a Tradesman with a few options and the Cummins. I don't want or need the bells and whistles. I want and need a good engine in a solid platform.

I think the Colorado could be a great option. There are lots of people that "want" a pickup but don't "need" a full size 900 lbs/ft torque diesel pickup.

The Tacoma costs about as much as the Tundra and gets about the same gas mileage and has less capabilities... but the Tacoma outsells the Tundra! Priced right, this could be a great truck. 30 mpgs is awesome. For people that use trucks to go to Home Depot on the weekend, haul the kids to soccer practice, or other light duty jobs this is a GREAT choice.

Price point will be key though. They will sell some of these trucks at $40K, but they will sell a LOT more at $30K...

rjstractor wrote:

IdaD wrote:
I agree with you that part of the problem with this little duramax is you can only get it on the higher trim levels, but in the real world that's going to push the prices up to where it may not make much sense to a lot of people to get a baby diesel.

Yes, especially if the demand is so high that you can't get one deeply discounted like you did yours. Obviously you got a lot of truck for your money, but for me where I am in my life I don't want that much truck. A 30 mpg daily driver than can comfortably tow 5K really appeals to me, but not for $45K.

Ha yeah for that kind of $ it really limits the market segment. Now you're as much as an eco boost or Eco diesel which are more truck for the same $ or close to a HD diesel with the right deal.
Love the idea of the little diesels in these new trucks that get killer mileage.

IdaD wrote:
I agree with you that part of the problem with this little duramax is you can only get it on the higher trim levels, but in the real world that's going to push the prices up to where it may not make much sense to a lot of people to get a baby diesel.

Yes, especially if the demand is so high that you can't get one deeply discounted like you did yours. Obviously you got a lot of truck for your money, but for me where I am in my life I don't want that much truck. A 30 mpg daily driver than can comfortably tow 5K really appeals to me, but not for $45K.

This is an issue I have as well, why are they not allowing the Dmax in the lower trims. I would suspect that there are a lot of commercial customers that would check the Diesel option if it could be had in lower trim levels.

rjstractor wrote:

IdaD wrote:
Agreed, but I paid under $40k for the truck in my sig.

You got a screaming deal for sure. A bare bones truck like the one in your sig has an MSRP of $48K. Optioned out similar to what a diesel Colorado comes with standard puts it way over $50K MSRP. If one could get the same pricing on a diesel Colorado it would be in the low 30s.

MSRP was $51k on mine, I paid $39k. It's an ST optioned out with all the basic SLT features (cloth, carpet, chrome, uconnect 5.0, etc), plus some functional stuff like 4wd, anti-spin diff, brake controller, spray in bedliner, cold weather, protection and a few other minor options. It basically has what you'd get in your garden variety SLT/XLT type trim level trucks sitting on lots. Not overly fancy but not a fleet truck either. Plus a Cummins motor of course.

I agree with you that part of the problem with this little duramax is you can only get it on the higher trim levels, but in the real world that's going to push the prices up to where it may not make much sense to a lot of people to get a baby diesel.

IdaD wrote:

NJRVer wrote:

Powerdude wrote:
$33k-45k for a mid-size truck???

Unless you're driving 35,000+ miles per year, you'll never make your money back in fuel economy for the diesel option.

No more out of line than $60,000 for a full size truck.:(

Agreed, but I paid under $40k for the truck in my sig. A diesel Colorado is more fuel efficient and easier to park, but not nearly as versatile, roomy or capable. I think it's an interesting truck that might fit some people really well, but if they actually price it in the mid $30k-40k range (real-world) they are going to struggle to move them. I think most folks would balk at paying full-size price for a mid-size truck.

x2

looks like a great "little" truck. The after market tuner companies could have some real fun with it. Look pretty fast right out of the box.

AlmostAnOldGuy wrote:
I have been stunned at the cost of some of the new mid-size SUVs. This is priced in the same range and looks like much more vehicle.

Now to see if my better half might like a truck. :)

To be fair, in the late 90's and early 2000's, trucks and SUVs were no where near as refined as they are today. It costs big bucks to do the finish work on a vehicle to "Refine" it. It's just like building a house. Relatively cheap to lay the foundation and studs, but finishes and final touches cost an arm and a leg... Ugh!

I have been stunned at the cost of some of the new mid-size SUVs. This is priced in the same range and looks like much more vehicle.

Now to see if my better half might like a truck. :)

IdaD wrote:
Agreed, but I paid under $40k for the truck in my sig.

You got a screaming deal for sure. A bare bones truck like the one in your sig has an MSRP of $48K. Optioned out similar to what a diesel Colorado comes with standard puts it way over $50K MSRP. If one could get the same pricing on a diesel Colorado it would be in the low 30s.