EskimoJoe said:
The unelected bureaucrats in the epa really made owning a modern diesel expensive. The old 5.9 mechanical cummins and even the old mercedes diesels were economical, had excellent longevity, and were simpler engines than their gasoline counterparts.
I would argue that the consumer is just as much to blame for this. Ever since the turbo diesel became available to the light duty consumer, they have been doing everything to turn them up more and more. Not because its needed to tow, but mostly because rolling coal and black smoke is cool and bigger is better.
And in a quest to sell more trucks, manufacturers have turned it into a horsepower war when diesels of 10 years ago were sufficient. Who needs 450 hp and 900 ft-lbs to tow in a light duty truck?
Today's diesels are so complex with sensors on top of sensors, advanced turbo designs ($$$), and emissions crap that they are no longer as reliable as their ancestors of just a few years ago.
Meanwhile, gas engine options are as powerful AND efficient as ever, and now have the same torque as those diesels of yesterday with twice the hp. Modern transmissions make sure they always stay in their power band when its needed, and lope along when its not needed. And they are still relatively simple, cheap and reliable.