If you ask someone about their favourite car, you will generally reach a point in the conversation where you start talking about whether it's a petrol or a diesel model as their preferred type - and why they wouldn't drive anything else. There are certainly pros and cons to each fuel type, and most people who have driven both during some stage of their lives will definitely have a preference to one or the other. And, it isn't just down to how much it costs you to fill up the tank either.
If you take a look at the price per litre that both petrol and diesel are selling for at your local forecourt in recent times, it is easy to make the assumption that petrol cars are perhaps better. But how long does that fuel last?
Generally speaking, diesel is longer lasting than petrol, which tends to offset the better prices petrol is available for. Furthermore, diesel cars will often be more economical to run - which if you are using your car every day as transport to work then this will be a big plus point for the diesel models.
However, a petrol car has its plus points too and if you are looking for something smooth and quiet, then a petrol car will generally spring first to mind. It doesn't matter how good your diesel car looks, it always has that tendency to sound like a tractor or a lorry starting up when you first switch the engine on. You will never get that problem with a petrol engine, unless there is something severely wrong with it!
Of course, some of the advantages and disadvantages lie with the age of the cars you are comparing. For example it would be unfair to compare a petrol car that was fifteen years old against a brand new diesel model that is undoubtedly going to be quieter than its own fifteen year old counterpart. A lot clearly depends on what you can afford to buy when you are considering what you need.
Furthermore, while no one likes to think about the potential need for any repairs, a defective engine running on petrol will usually be less costly than its diesel alternative. So there is clearly a lot to think about when comparing the two.
But in the end, the deciding vote will always go to personal choice. And, just as you will need to shop around for a good car insurance policy, you will also need to compare different cars to see which one is going to provide the best service and all round benefits for you. In fact this is important to do, no matter how often you might get behind the wheel.