Last Friday, I traded my 1992 Dodge 250 4X4 with a Cummins diesel, for
a new Ford Escape.  I must admit, there was a lump in my throat as the
Dodge faded from view in my new rear-view mirror.  It was "head and
shoulders" the best vehicle I've owned in my life -- no other will come
close.

I purchased it new in late 1991 from a auto broker here in Victoria,
BC.  Over the past 15-16 years, I put 216,000 kilometers on it, and
while there were the normal range of problems with the body, the only
work done to that Cummins diesel (aside from regular maintenance, of
course) -- two serpentine belts.  That's it...!  It's almost
unblieveable.

I do not miss Chrysler Canada -- they are total jerks to deal with.  I
had to sue them when they wouldn't do anything about the peeling paint
four years after I bought it.  I posted an article here about that
several years ago at:

http://groups.google.ca/group/rec.autos.makers.chrysler/browse_thread/thread/209
c30ef1fb5202d/b40c1caed3a79e91?lnk=st&q=dodge+peeling+paint+willie&rnum=1&hl=en#
b40c1caed3a79e91

But I will miss the truck.  It took me to California and northern
Mexico a couple of times.  To Yellowstone and all over the central US.
All around the province of BC several times.  Up to the Yukon and
Alaska -- all of these trips hauling a camper and sometimes towing a
trailer.  Lot's of city driving, too -- I've commuted to work in it
every day for almost 16 years.  When I traded, it was still getting
around 25 MPG on the highway, there was no smoke in the exhaust -- even
under load, and no oil used between changes.   What an engine...!

But after 16 years, I'd had enough of the the noise and rough ride.
I'm not doing the hunting and fishing that I once did, approaching late
50's -- it was time for her to go.  For the trade, I received about
half of what I paid for it -- also pretty damn good for a 16 year old
vehicle.

Anyone soul-searching whether to buy gas, diesel, hemi, power stoke,
etc., the Cummins is one fine, fine engine.