Top 3 reasons to buy a diesel in Lafayette

Jul 15, 2015

Traditionally, when you thought of diesel, you likely thought of heavy, lumbering, industrial trucks. But, advancements in the diesel industry in recent years are causing people to rethink that reputation. According to a report from the Diesel Forum, the industry “has made great progress on a path of continuous improvement to virtually eliminate the key pollutants associated with on-road diesel engines.”

Emissions are just one of many areas where diesel has gotten more attractive to car buyers. We have compiled the top 3 reasons to buy a diesel in Lafayette

1. Better fuel economy. Diesel engines get more horsepower per gallon of fuel because they have a higher compression rate. This means they have better fuel economy than gasoline vehicles. Not to mention, the turbocharged direct injection (TDI) system in the Jetta and Passat amplifies this efficiency.

This translates to a saving, of not only dollars, but of time. The money saved will vary from car to car, but the time saved is the real difference maker. Diesel engines get about 30 percent more miles per gallon than the same car with a gasoline-powered engine (and that number increases on the highway). This means that each tank of diesel will last longer than a tank of gas, reducing the number of times per month that you would have to stop and refill. (Imagine driving to Disney World without having to refuel)

2. Lower maintenance. Diesel engines have proven to have a longer lifespan than their gasoline counterparts, because they work differently than gasoline engines. For starters (no pun intended), diesel engines don’t have a fuel injection system. That alone will reduce repair costs, and allow for a more reliable engine. Also, in a diesel, the air is compressed before it is injected. This causes the air to heat up to the point where the diesel ignites when it is injected. There are no spark plugs, so you don’t have to worry about them going bad or causing a “miss.

3. Tax incentives. The strides that the diesel industry has made has paid off, not just in performance, but in making a “greener” vehicle as well. To go along with that, the government offers tax credits for clean diesel vehicles. The credits are only valid on the purchase of new cars, but could net the purchaser more than $1000 at tax time.

There are many other benefits to buying a diesel, increased torque, engine power, resale value, etc. If you want to learn more, check out the new 2015 Jetta TDI or the 2015 Passat TDI.