Having been a car enthusiast all my life, I could easily recognize cars by make and model on seeing the front of any car from the age of 8/9. My love for cars is ever intensifying. As I grew up, my place converted from sitting in the rear to the driver’s seat - my father now allows me to use the car. :)
I have tried and driven several cars of different make – mostly by want! Browsing through the latest car models and updates in magazines both online and offline is one my best past time hobby. The eternal warhead to choose between a petrol and diesel car is evergreen in Indian Market. Let me provide a standpoint on this topic.
Myths Busted:
Slow/Unresponsive: Gone are those days, when diesel cars were difficult to drive (pull). Today’s diesel car is equipped with turbo charged engines that help to pull the car easily in city traffic – when you need the most. Driving in the correct RPM, gives the best fuel economy and the engine provides the optimum response.
High Maintenance Cost: Getting the car serviced at regular time intervals is almost the same for both petrol and diesel cars now-a-days (leave aside a few hiccups).
Engine Noise and Vibration: Petrol Cars are silent and smooth. Diesel Engines now-a-days are more refined and many makes provide noise cancellation padding under the bonnets to reduce noise emission. Does not completely do the job but manages well.
Resale Value: Every Car’s value depreciates 30%-40% in the first year. It is always advisable to change cars at an interval of 4 years. If you can maintain well, it may serve you forever. If car has proper service history, resale can fetch more bucks than its petrol sibling.
Why Diesel?
With the steep increase in Petrol Price every now and then, car owners and first car buyers are inclined to go for a Diesel make to ease out the monthly fuel expenditure.
Recent Diesel Cars are reported to offer better mileage figures as compared to their petrol siblings. Hence it’s a win-win situation.
Some people have a love for Diesel Car, they don’t wish to opt for a Petrol anymore.
Can Diesel Car be VFM?
Frankly speaking, it depends on the number of kilometers you clock in a day. First Hand Diesel Cars come in a premium on-road price as compared to the Petrol Heads. Difference in Price Bands score in the range of 1 lac! In situations you end up paying more than 1000 INR in EMI’s. Now calculate your Savings. If you are driving for 25 kms/day that would consume say (2 Lt Petrol/Diesel) everyday.
2 Lt Petrol = 140 INR (1 L = 70 INR)
2 Lt Diesel = 106 INR (1 L = 53 INR)
If you are driving for 25 days in a month, the calculations will be like:
Petrol = 140*25 = 3500 INR
Diesel = 106*25 = 2650 INR
Savings = 850 INR/Month (keeping in mind 1000+INR EMI on Diesel)
Therefore, would you say Petrol Car is better? Choose your Poison wisely! ;)
Some factors to be considered:
If you go out for long drives frequently, diesel cars may suit your requirements.
If you clock more than 1000 kms in a month, diesel would be the perfect choice. (I do speak like a salesman.. Haha)
Diesel Cars offer better mileage than petrol cars in day-to-day running.
If you are more of a petrol buff, stick to a petrol car!
Petrol Heads complaining of steep rises in Petrol Prices can check out for LPG and CNG conversion.
Conclusion:
For me, Petrol would be my choice any day. Why? Just because I am more inclined to a petrol engine than a diesel. No Offense! I know people would come up with countless versions to prove that I am incorrect. My main motive was to shed some light on this evergreen topic. Please provide your valuable opinions.
~Somjeet~
