Petrol or Diesel?

[slippyjim]

Hiya,

I am thinking about getting a new car but can’t decide between a petrol or diesel engine. I live on Tenerife and drive approximately 2,250 km a month (approx 27,000km a year), most of this is done in short journeys, under 20 minutes, the longest journey I do is approx 80km there and 80km back again, this is probably only once or twice a month though.

I was going to get a diesel because of the better fuel economy and diesel is approx 20% cheaper than petrol here, but yesterday I was told that diesel engines are not very good for lots of short journeys due to taking longer to warm up than petrol engines. Is this true?

I am looking for the cheapest engine to run in the long run so would you recommend a petrol or diesel engine?

Many thanks,
Steve

[speedracer1407]

Since you live in a very mild climate, I don't see the long warm-up times being an issue, especially since 20 minute journeys are quite long enough to warm any engine. The fact is that any diesel you buy will get better mileage than similar-powered Gas options. That, combined with the lower cost of Diesel fuel, and I can't see any reason for you to buy a petrol car. Today's diesels are so damn good, it's hard to justify the inferior mileage of a petrol. And unless you're looking at larger cars with equally large, powerful petrol options, you'll likely be more satisfied with the punchy, torquey diesels than the weedy, gutless petrols offered in small cars.

[king2163]

Gas option is better becasue it is cheap and also not make any pollution.

[speedracer1407]

Originally Posted by king2163

Gas option is better becasue it is cheap and also not make any pollution.

Um, the Original poster said that Diesel in his area is significantly cheaper than gas. And Gasoline engines pollute just like any other petrolium-based combustion engine. Actaully, Diesels are cleaner in some respects, but emit more particulates. It's a tradeoff, but one that's beginning to balance with the latest particulate filters and urea injection.