Used Diesels Commanding Higher Resale Prices

Buyers are bidding up prices of used vehicles with fuel-saving diesel engines, industry analysts say.

A diesel engine added about $1,000 to the roughly $50,000 sticker price of a new 2005 Mercedes E320 CDI sedan. Two years later, that option fetches $2,500 more at wholesale auctions than the gasoline-powered engine on the same model, the Black Book used-vehicle price guide reports.

"As American consumers, we're looking to get better fuel economy, but we still want that full-sized vehicle," says Black Book managing editor Ricky Beggs. "The technology is so much better today, and the versatility and the accessibility to get diesel fuel are there."

The Power Information Network estimates that U.S. consumers will buy more than 500,000 vehicles with diesel engines this year. The network predicts that figure will more than double by 2011.


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Will_ - 7/24/2007 12:52:07 PM

+4 Boost

One of my father's neighbors collects old diesel cars. He has about three 300Ds alone that I know of.

I think it's great that the perception of diesel cars is changing.

w209w114 - 7/24/2007 1:54:03 PM

+3 Boost

My father has a 300D turbo coupe (less than 9000 coupes ever made for the entire world) and its a great car. Id like to see what the new diesels drive like.

jon21 - 7/24/2007 12:56:20 PM

0 Boost

Gasoline Ferrari and Gasoline Porsche still command higher resale price.

Monk - 7/24/2007 2:16:41 PM

0 Boost

shut up idiot - of course they do for the image and performance
what a stupid bast***

1970toyotamarc - 7/24/2007 3:48:22 PM

+1 Boost

Let's not get ahead of ourselves. Sometimes after a day reading Autospies, I feel like I am going to combust in a ball of diesel fuel. There are practical reasons why diesels are doing well on the resale market, reasons spelled out in the article.

"As automakers introduce more diesel-powered cars, he says, the growing supply of used diesel cars will ease prices."

"...actions reduced the supply of new diesel-powered vehicles. That helped drive up prices of used diesels, he says."

Dont forget that the Prius, for many of the same reasons (limited availability, novelty), also has an incredibly high resale value.

Bmw8ter - 7/24/2007 10:42:59 PM

0 Boost

You're forgetting that diesel fuel cost less per mile than regular petrol.

Rupert - 7/24/2007 5:50:32 PM

+1 Boost

Diesels have higher resale in Europe too - for example, a 3.0d and 3.0i X5 cost about the same new, but the 3.0d is worth quite a bit more, even when like 6 years old.

EnnNorak - 7/25/2007 8:13:21 AM

+1 Boost

I came within $100 of making a deal on a new Mercedes diesel back in the sixties. I walked out when the sales manager tried to get another $100 from me after agreeing verbally on a price. I would probably still be driving that car today had the dealer not reneged. Diesel technology has improved exponentially since then. BTW, walking out is a good strategy when the dealer tries to screw you as, more often than not, they will run after you in the parking lot in an attempt to seal the deal. Never put up woth any BS from a shady dealer -- try to get his franchise terminated by complaining to the manufacturer in the form of an intelligent letter to the CEO and all the corporate directors.