When purchasing a vehicle, one of the questions you need to consider is whether or not you should buy a car with a diesel engine. This engine type has many advantages versus gasoline engines, but does have a few differences. One of the major advantages with this type of engine is the efficient use of fuel you will get, depending on the type of car that you drive. Smaller cars with diesel engines often get excellent mileage, stretching your dollar further and causing less pollution to the environment. The fuel may cost more at the pump, but with careful driving and maintenance, you can stretch it further.
Another advantage of this type of engine is the added power that comes with it. This is the reason that they are often found in vehicles such as trucks and sport utility vehicles. If you are going to be pulling a trailer, motor home or do a lot of towing on the road, you do much better with a diesel engine. They have the necessary torque to pull a large load safely. This can be imperative if you are a farmer, have livestock or a boat.
These engines, over time, have been manufactured to emit lower amounts of pollutants into the air such as hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide. With the rising fuel prices, gasoline has risen to be nearly as expensive as diesel fuel. With these two factors combined, you may be better off purchasing a car that runs on diesel versus gasoline.
These cars also have a history of lasting much longer than gasoline powered vehicles. In many cases, you will see a diesel engine run to 300,000 or 400,000 miles over its lifetime, depending on the model and manufacturer. If properly maintained, the engine can often outlast the body it is installed in. This will save you a lot of money in the long run on maintenance, repairs and vehicle replacement. As with any car, part of this is doing routine maintenance and repairs to keep it in top running condition.
Whether you should purchase a car of this type will depend largely on your needs. New, these vehicles can cost more up front but pay back the dividends in the long run. You can often find a used model for much less that will give you a long life span. When you consider your purchase, outline how you will use the vehicle and the budget you have to buy it.