Volkswagen’s global-scale diesel-emissions scandal has sucker-punched diesel engines something fierce.
That’s exactly why if I were in the market for a new or used vehicle in the next few months, I’d buy something – anything – with a diesel engine.
First because diesels, scandal or not, are the car industry’s best-kept secret. And now, VW’s nefarious dealing virtually assures that those who aren’t scared off can drive a fantastic deal on a diesel-powered vehicle.
And not just for VW models.
Think of it like the stock market, where the time-honored adage is to buy low and sell high. Right now, diesel definitely is “low,” and if you’re a car shopper with checkbook in hand, the next few months might represent an unprecedented opportunity to get a bargain price on a fuel-saving technology that’s had its reputation dinged not for any rational reason, just corporate hubris.
So here are some guidelines on how leverage the laws of thermodynamics to keep more money in your wallet and simultaneously experience the vast driving satisfaction contemporary diesel-engine vehicles deliver.
For now, you’ve got to accept Volkswagen dealer lots as scorched earth
At least for a month or two until this all gets sorted out. Because VW isn’t going to stop selling cars with diesels. The company is just going to have to stop charging extra for them until everyone forgets.
But if you can wait to buy – and here’s what the smart money’s counting on – VW is going to have to incentivize new-car buyers to take a diesel. Probably heavily, in the form of up-front rebates, no-charge extra equipment, free-fuel cards (and if the company is smart, some kind of environmental-justice reparation like buying a rain-forest tree in your name), tasty stuff like that.
So take them up on what’s sure to be a plump deal. Diesels are the same sweet-driving, fuel-saving solution they were the day before VW admitted it cheated the emissions tests. As long as the engineers don’t have to drastically compromise their diesel engines’ performance or fuel economy to get them to exhale in compliance with the nation’s clean-air regulations, you won’t know the difference. But your wallet will, which we’ll address down below.
Shop diesel-powered models from other car companies
Yeah, with a few exceptions, most aren’t in the same affordability bandwidth as VWs. But if you’ve got the means to stretch a little, the same rules apply – diesels suddenly may be a tougher sell at BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Jeep dealers. Audi and Porsche are VW-owned brands that also sell diesel-engine models, although they probably won’t face the same degree of tarnish.
Many of the most-satisfying of all diesels are the SUVS from Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz that employ those engines. And as you’ll see below, if you buy one and keep it for a while, the overall savings compared with their gasoline-engine counterparts can be spectacular.
