I really like diesels, who would have guessed?
I like the better mileage, lots of torque, long life.
Not all diesels are simple, but Detroits which I've come to like more and more are extremely simple to work on, parts are easy to get, and cheap as far as diesel parts go, which is not that bad.
A complete new fuel system; pump, injectors, and all only cost about $260 for a 4 cylinder Detroit.
Yes they take more oil to change and a couple fuel filters, but that's not troublesome.
I don't care for the smell of unburned diesel much, (or gas for that matter) but one running well and not left idling avoids the smell and is a good thing in it's self.
The extra noise is not great, but something to live with for all the other benefits, and a Detroit does sound good.
No points, plugs, or wires to mess with, in fact I don't even have a battery in my truck yet, and it still starts and drives around.
If you like manual you don't mind shifting, and if you like an automatic shifting is not a problem. So the way I see it the narrower power band and generally lower RPM is not a problem.
At least that's my opinion.
Grigg
