If I gave up on Touaregs, I'd probably look for a 3/4 ton Dodge Cummins diesel with a manual. I wouldn't want anything that big either, but like you said, there are no real good options for smaller diesel vehicles that still have robust engines in north america.

 

1/2T with LZ0 or a SUV with it would be my choice... But there won't be value in it as they are super costly.

 

Pretty much, yep. Don’t feel like spending $80-$100k to have what I already had just with a bit more feature content. I was aiming for 2014-2018 for prices around $30-$45k but that leaves with the eco diesel(run away!), the 3.0L powerstroke(also a poor option from what my friends at the ford dealers say), and that’s about it. So it would have to be a gasser if I choose not to get another SUV, where’d I’d either go back to the Touareg or the ML or X5 diesels.

 

If you don't care about FE, you can get a 3/4T with good engines, used... SUVs, only custom swaps pretty much... There's a massive gap in the offerings out there for sensible, useful vehicles.

 

There's a massive gap in the offerings out there for sensible, useful vehicles.

Indeed... in Europe/UK you can still buy dozens of excellent quality AWD/4WD diesel SUVs from almost every major company: Mazda, Skoda (VW), BMW, Land Rover, Kia, Mercedes Benz, etc.

 

If something ever happened to my Touareg, I'd buy a 88-91 Grand Wagoneer, completely restore it, then 4BTA swap it. That would be pretty much the only comparable vehicle in terms of capability and reliability imo.

 

Jeez I'm sorry to hear about your touareg! I remember your buddies Touareg last year (trailer wasn't hitched right 🧐)

There are dozens of fantastic options out there for a daily driver SUV that can tow. Diesel? No, but there's no need for diesel anymore. It's expensive, maintenance intensive and under powered.

 

Yep that’s the one! Although the accident was from him avoiding a deer, and his trailer became detached while it was airborne lol. I suppose you’re right about diesels though. But no gasser could match that fuel economy my deleted tdi would get. I love a good diesel, and that 3.0L is a GREAT diesel. Makes me sad to be without it and driving this 2.0L eco boost edge as my rental 🤮

 

Jeez 2 Touareg's in 2 years 😢

As far as matching the economy AND matching the towing capacity? Unless you go with one of the ****ty small displacement American half ton diesels, then you're right; you cannot have the mpg and also the towing. But, if you're willing to give up a few mpg for an increase in HP and a huge increase in reliability, there are numerous options out there for you.

The 3.0 TDI is a great engine and platform, but it's wildly underpowered and unreliable in 2024 dollars

 

If you want FE with a 3L, get an A6..... if you want to still tow, get a Q5... the Q5 is much easier to find

 

Ford doesn't have a 1/2T Diesel.... just sayin... unless you're talking about them heaps that are no longer being sold.

 

Yeah not anymore. I’m talking about that 3.0L power stroke that was sold in 2018(maybe into ‘19). I thought well of them but my best friends dad is a master ford tech and he says to stay further away from that engine than I should from that 3.0L eco diesel. Largely because it’s French 😂

 

Yup... those boat anchors were only around for about 3 years before Ford gave their heads a shake and dropped them.
Not the best of options unless you're being forced into it at gun point.

 

There was a local "deal" yesterday that wouldn't start after an extended sitting..... but someone scooped it up.... I just attempted to point you to it, even though it wasn't in your hood.

 

Yeah, no I’m good thanks 😂 I think my neighbour is gonna buy it from me, he likes doing VW swaps. He’s driving a 2.0L TDI Tiguan with Torsen that he made a couple years ago from a crashed Audi and crashed Jetta when his Tiguan 2.0t went. He wants to use the 3.0L TDI for something interesting

 

Yep very true, so what would you recommend then?
And for your last note there, the ford half ton diesel makes very similar output in a bigger and bulkier vehicle, I was never needing more power from the Touareg when it was stock. Deleted though, it was an animal. After the emissions stuff was gone, I had no issues except for a crank seal leak and a filter housing leak. Both easy and not expensive. I know there’s a list of common issues on them, but I always trusted it. Except for that damn cp4

The Ford 3.0 diesel was an absolute heap of crap. To be honest, I believe the 3.0 Duramax is hot on its heels though based on what I've seen the past year or so and the for whatever Duramax is also a huge piece of crap.

NY recommendation? For the same towing capacity but In SUV flavor?

Cayenne. Q7. Sq7. Q5 or sq5 (only 5500 lb in those). Land cruiser or Sequoia. Any flavor of Land Rover.

Ford doesn't have a 1/2T Diesel.... just sayin... unless you're talking about them heaps that are no longer being sold.

The 3.0 junk that they stopped making after like 3 years

 

The Ford 3.0 Powerstroke is closely related to the European Ford Lion engine, specifically the TDV6 and SDV6 used by JLR - enough said! The GM 3.0 Duramax is related to the smaller 3 & 4 cylinder diesels used by Opel/Vauxhall and Fiat