Wow. I think I just saw my truck blush.
I must say that I'm happy with my G300DT. It is pretty simple to work on with the exception of replacing glow plugs and the left engine mount.
Yes, it does have engine electronics. However these shouldn't be a cause for too much alarm. In place of mechanical systems that wear, there are easily testable sensors and an engine control module that should never fail. (I develop microcontroller based devices for a living, so I'm biased). Some earlier complications dissapeared. For example, cruise control is just a bit of software and some switches. (Ask DUTCH about that ;-) Also, the rear brake pressure compensator went away in favor of direct ABS control.
When things do go wrong it tries it's best to go into limp mode (~88hp or 3rd gear). This has happened to me once for the transmission and once for the engine. I didn't bother to pull the codes for either.
Fuel economy has averaged 18.8 over 28Kmiles (min16, max24). I generally drive very smoothly in the city, can you say "momemum management". The mileage improved with 265/70R16's (from 255/65R16) and would probably improve again with 265/75R16's. It currently spins ~2600rpm @65. Fully loaded, it climbs all freeway grades at the limit, usually in 5th. Altitude has no effect except to slow the initial launch. The torque band is flat from 1600->3300rpm and drops off sharply on either side. More power can be had:
http://www.hs-elektronik.com/datenbl...es-g300td.html
The only real gremlin I have is that the intermittant wiper starts up on it's own every once in a while. Probably just an abraded wire somewhere.
Norm may have another one, or might be interested in bringing more in. It might be hard to justify though, what with the glut of G500's on the market.