Lease almost over..worth keeping my Eco-diesel or return?

[SSingh1975]

Hey all

Been a while since I posted here.....'23 Rubicon here with eco diesel. Bought it when I was commuting to clinic (healthcare worker here). Then job moved to full remote and we use our EV more now for short runs .

Only have 15k miles on it and zero issues. Had a fuel pump recall and dealer kept it for a week (part backordered). And got another new recall and I've made appointment to drop truck off at dealer this coming monday.

Lease is coming up in 3 months and due to diesel variants holding good resale, I'm about $5k positive vs lease payoff.

Don't mind buying it out either but the only thing that concerns is lack of diesel parts later on?? Also, not sure how reliable Eco-diesel will be once out of warranty (next year).

I've considered GM Canyon Elevation 4x4 as well. GM is giving insane lease deals on these right now ($400/month with $2k down). I have been in contact with a GM broker over at LeaseHacker forum and I can buy my truck and then trade it and roll that equity into the lease with zero out of pocket. The residuals and money factor are really good as well currently (seems GM is trying to lure buyers back into their trucks). OR I can just finance it out since I have tier 1 credit.

The only thing on the GM is the new 2.7 4 cylc turbo. Not sure how reliable it is over time. And gas milege is meh for even a small 4 cyc engine but since I work remote, it's not much of a critical point except more runs to Costco gas station.

Anyone here has considered GMC Canyon?

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[ChrisNLA]

Hey all

Been a while since I posted here.....'23 Rubicon here with eco diesel. Bought it when I was commuting to clinic (healthcare worker here). Then job moved to full remote and we use our EV more now for short runs .

Only have 15k miles on it and zero issues. Had a fuel pump recall and dealer kept it for a week (part backordered). And got another new recall and I've made appointment to drop truck off at dealer this coming monday.

Lease is coming up in 3 months and due to diesel variants holding good resale, I'm about $5k positive vs lease payoff.

Don't mind buying it out either but the only thing that concerns is lack of diesel parts later on?? Also, not sure how reliable Eco-diesel will be once out of warranty (next year).

I've considered GM Canyon Elevation 4x4 as well. GM is giving insane lease deals on these right now ($400/month with $2k down). I have been in contact with a GM broker over at LeaseHacker forum and I can buy my truck and then trade it and roll that equity into the lease with zero out of pocket. The residuals and money factor are really good as well currently (seems GM is trying to lure buyers back into their trucks). OR I can just finance it out since I have tier 1 credit.

The only thing on the GM is the new 2.7 4 cylc turbo. Not sure how reliable it is over time. And gas milege is meh for even a small 4 cyc engine but since I work remote, it's not much of a critical point except more runs to Costco gas station.

Anyone here has considered GMC Canyon?

The GMC Canyon / Chevrolet Colorado are at the top of my list if my next truck isn't a full size or another Gladiator. The 2.7L is pretty proven at this point. In the fullsize trucks it seems to have garnered quite a bit of trust. I'm sure its not without fault - but so far I'd buy one.

As for your diesel. Diesels do NOT like short commutes / rides. Some of the repair bills will be high out of warranty - like if it needs a turbo at some point - which seems to be not uncommon. You have already had one of the other expensive weak links addressed. It might be worth considering a genuine Mopar extended warranty if you decide to keep it - atleast the drivetrain only warranty.

Something to keep in mind about the Elevation trim level. Those do NOT have a two speed transfer case like our Gladiators (NO low range), so keep that in mind if it is relevant to you. You'll need an AT4 trim or higher.

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

I’d keep it as they aren’t made anymore and are getting harder to find. Worst thing that could happen is you offload it then 6 months down the road decide you really liked it and want another one. Then ya can’t find one. The Canyons will be around if you change your mind. A Diesel Gladiator will not.

 

[Maximus Gladius]

Think of your diesel (or any diesel really) as a work horse or Clydesdale. Their main purpose is work for long periods, long hauls. Your little short trips with a diesel will destroy it. If you can, keep it for cross state trailer pulling holidays and find some other gasser for the short stuff

 

[John in the Woods]

Keep it.

My 21 is s few trips short of 150K and still pulling strong.

Enjoy, and give it a good workout now and again.

 

[Janster]

I used to own a 2016 GMC Canyon with the V6 & 6 speed auto. Bought it new and traded it in 2024 for my JT. The 2016 was the previous generation.

It was a great truck. Long story short… It didn’t matter what transmission you had (6 or 8speed), I came to my own conclusion that the programming for these transmissions (shifting) was a bit lacking. Search ‘chuggle / stutter’ - you’ll see lots of complaints. My 2016 had the same issues. I learned to drive it with a heavy foot and it’d work fine.

I was considering buying another one, but decided I didn’t want the 4cyl. Not only that, but I think GM dragged their feet for sooo long before the new generation trucks were available. At some point, they had hundreds & hundreds of trucks sitting in parking lots waiting for parts.

But other than that….the truck was nice and didn’t give me any issues.

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

It was a great truck. Long story short… It didn’t matter what transmission you had (6 or 8speed), I came to my own conclusion that the programming for these transmissions (shifting) was a bit lacking. Search ‘chuggle / stutter’ - you’ll see lots of complaints. My 2016 had the same issues. I learned to drive it with a heavy foot and it’d work fine.

This has been an issue for GM for ages. They tend to program for soft shifting for some reason and it wears the transmission down quicker than it should. Have to get a shift kit/programmer to correct the issue. I’ve torn 2 4l80e transmissions up due to this. Next one will get a shift kit and hopefully last longer.

 

[ChrisNLA]

This has been an issue for GM for ages. They tend to program for soft shifting for some reason and it wears the transmission down quicker than it should. Have to get a shift kit/programmer to correct the issue. I’ve torn 2 4l80e transmissions up due to this. Next one will get a shift kit and hopefully last longer.

I learned on the 6L80's they left a certain amount of slip in the torque converter tuning, even when 'locked'. So, your converter clutch was allowed to slip full time. It would kill the converter prematurely.

Anyway - since I have HP Tuners I tuned that out on my Camaro SS to allow it to lock up fully. Guess what. Still drives exactly the same

 

[ChrisNLA]

I used to own a 2016 GMC Canyon with the V6 & 6 speed auto. Bought it new and traded it in 2024 for my JT. The 2016 was the previous generation.

It was a great truck. Long story short… It didn’t matter what transmission you had (6 or 8speed), I came to my own conclusion that the programming for these transmissions (shifting) was a bit lacking. Search ‘chuggle / stutter’ - you’ll see lots of complaints. My 2016 had the same issues. I learned to drive it with a heavy foot and it’d work fine.

I was considering buying another one, but decided I didn’t want the 4cyl. Not only that, but I think GM dragged their feet for sooo long before the new generation trucks were available. At some point, they had hundreds & hundreds of trucks sitting in parking lots waiting for parts.

But other than that….the truck was nice and didn’t give me any issues.

My understanding is that the newer 8 speeds are improved - but like anything, you know how that goes.

Our ZF8 speeds are widely regarded as among the best transmissions on the market. GM and Ford, not as much.

I'd take the 2.7L Turbo twice over our 3.6L. It may have more moving parts but it makes a truck load more power. I'm willing to risk it

 

[4-Low]

Frosty the Snowman will survive summer vacation on the shores of Hell before I'd ever own an EcoDiesel beyond powertrain warranty.

I've had two, one being a Gladiator, and both were trash with oil leaks and other issues. The Gladiator actually randomly caught fire before it reached 20,000 miles.

Then this week a video hit Dave's Auto Center channel on YouTube about a guy who had the infamous oil cooler failure on his EcoDiesel and because that failure wipes out everything else in the driveline his cost to get the Jeep back on the road is going to be many many thousands of dollars.

Unless you have REALLY deep pockets I would ditch that Jeep like a hot potato the minute the lease expires. There are so many midsize 4x4s to choose from these days with high-torque gasoline engines that have none of these problems, it makes zero sense to keep an EcoDiesel. There is not one thing about owning a diesel that's worth risking that much of an expenditure.

 

[NC_Overland]

Even if you decide not to keep it, look at the leave buy out vs the value. Good chance you’ll have some equity there. You could make some money on it if so.

I originally leased mine and bought it because it was worth like $7k more than the buy out and it’s not a diesel.

 

[Vtur]

A common question getting some common responses as expected. I would keep that low mileage diesel, but I’m biased as am keeping mine past warranty lol.

Anyway, we have a fleet of 6 2023 Silverados with the high output turbo 4. Has good power and reliable except for 1 needed a transmission replaced at 30k miles. Our previous fleet of 2016 model trucks didn’t made it past 90k miles before the transmissions slipping out of gears.

 

[3TDJEEP]

As you stated, the Diesel is holding good resale value. There's a reason for that, its the best motor they have placed in a Gladiator to date.

Also, you mentioned your warranty is up next year but the powertrain warranty on the Diesel is 5 years or 100,000 miles.

I'd keep it. But I'm biased, I too own a 23 JTRD and wouldn't think of letting it go.

 

[DirkG]

Then job moved to full remote and we use our EV more now for short runs. Only have 15k miles on it and zero issues.

This already sounds like you should buy the Gladiator as you don't drive it more than a weekend / extra vehicle.

Lease is coming up in 3 months and due to diesel variants holding good resale, I'm about $5k positive vs lease payoff.

A good reason to buy it. You're buying positive equity.

Also, not sure how reliable Eco-diesel will be once out of warranty (next year).

You may want to look into a third-party extended warranty for extra peace of mind. Again, you're not driving it much so the risk of something happening in the short-term is not as high.

GM is giving insane lease deals on these right now ($400/month with $2k down).

Assuming you continue your driving pattern of about 5,000 miles a year, you won't drive this vehicle enough to get into another lease. I always tell people you'll need to drive 10,000 - 15,000 a year to make a lease make sense.

I have been in contact with a GM broker over at LeaseHacker forum and I can buy my truck and then trade it and roll that equity into the lease with zero out of pocket.

I'm not sure what state you're in, but here in CA, if you buy the lease - even if you're going to turn around and sell it - you have to pay the sales tax. So I'm just saying as an example - let's say your tax bill will be $3,500, you'd be paying that tax and then turning around and selling it. You'd be paying for the ability to trade it in.

The GMC Canyons are nice, but they're not Gladiators. I'd keep my EcoDiesel JT and enjoy as much miles as I can. Good luck

 

[3TDJEEP]

Frosty the Snowman will survive summer vacation on the shores of Hell before I'd ever own an EcoDiesel beyond powertrain warranty.

I've had two, one being a Gladiator, and both were trash with oil leaks and other issues. The Gladiator actually randomly caught fire before it reached 20,000 miles.

Then this week a video hit Dave's Auto Center channel on YouTube about a guy who had the infamous oil cooler failure on his EcoDiesel and because that failure wipes out everything else in the driveline his cost to get the Jeep back on the road is going to be many many thousands of dollars.

Unless you have REALLY deep pockets I would ditch that Jeep like a hot potato the minute the lease expires. There are so many midsize 4x4s to choose from these days with high-torque gasoline engines that have none of these problems, it makes zero sense to keep an EcoDiesel. There is not one thing about owning a diesel that's worth risking that much of an expenditure.

The "infamous oil cooler failure" was for the Gen 1 & 2's (2014-2019).

The 2020 Wrangler in Dave's video was a first year Gen 3 but had 125,000 miles. The dealer told the owner the oil cooler was bad and that they replaced it and flushed the contaminated coolant system. Obviously, based on Dave's inspection, the coolant system was not flushed out and was filled with gunk. But the dealer gave the Jeep back to the owner and the owner drove it with the gunk'd up coolant system which resulted in a blown head gasket. Had the coolant system been properly flushed, the engine would have been fine.

I can understand your dislike for the diesel based on your past experience, but your experience does not represent the norm. Actually the opposite. Most Gen 3 owners are quite happy with their Jeeps.

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