An ever increasing number of car manufacturers are offering the option of a diesel engine to new car buyers. These engines have come a long way from the days of rattling engine sounds and waiting for glow plugs to light before starting the ignition.
Diesel engine sales have tripled over the past ten years and now represent four percent of new car sales, with popularity in the SUV range extending that percentage to ten percent.
The lure is more kilometres per litre of fuel and longer engine life, but the savings depend heavily on how the car is used. Diesels are at their best when it comes to distance travelled. Their efficiency drops sharply if their use is restricted to " stop and start " city car travel.
One of the advantages of diesel over petrol is the lower emission of Co2 from the tail pipe - but diesel engines need regular periods of distance running to burn away the buildup of debris in the exhaust system, and this can not be achieved in city use.
Traditionally, diesel fuel was priced lower than petrol because it required less refinement but these days the price of both fuels varies widely. World demand is a factor and with diesel it has to compete with the need for heating oil during the northern hemisphere winter. Prices rise when demand reaches a peak.
Making a decision between petrol and diesel is best done after a careful comparison. Petrol engined cars are usually way cheaper than diesel and the latest technology has narrowed the fuel use gap. Unless the lifestyle has changed greatly, the use history of the previous car would be a good guide to such a comparison.
Like all big spending decisions, first doing " homework " to get the facts right is essential. Buying a new car is usually the second most important financial decision in a persons life - and that is not something to be taken on pure impulse !
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