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The diesel engine car or truck is a more expensive vehicle than a gasoline engine one. The diesel engine works with very high compression ratios and that causes more cylinder pressure so a diesel engine must be built to stand up to a lot more abuse than a gasoline engine. The diesel also has bigger parts, such as the block, the cylinder heads, the pistons, the crankshaft and the valves and that just costs more.
Right now diesel fuel in my area is $2.59 a gallon, and premium gasoline is $2.35, yet the diesel is still less costly in the long run, because a diesel engine will get more miles to the gallon. The prices used to be the other way around, but after Katrina damaged or destroyed a lot of fuel refineries, diesel costs have been on the rise. No one noticed at first because gas was rising also, but when diesel began to cost more than gas, it made a lot of heads turn.
Diesel was less costly because it takes less time to process raw petroleum into diesel fuel. Gasoline, on the other hand was more expensive than diesel because the process from raw petroleum took longer. When the refineries were repaired or rebuilt after the hurricane, processing gasoline took first priority. The law of supply and demand took over, and diesel prices rose. Another problem with the diesel situation was the push for the low sulfur diesel, which caused refineries to have to be re-equipped to produce the new fuel.
There have been many improvements in the diesel engine in the past few years, and it looks like the diesel may be in for a come back. There is a lot of renewed interest in diesel passenger cars and light trucks. Even Mercedes is putting out a diesel E class sedan. When Mercedes talks, auto manufacturers listen.
The final choice of whether to buy diesel or gasoline engines is up to the individual buyer, and what he is looking for. What are you going to use the vehicle for? How many miles you travel in a year? Do you do any heavy hauling with your vehicle? Do You want your car to pass the 200,000 mile mark?
Gas engines run smoother, but the diesel engine beats the gas hands down when it comes to staying power. Diesels last just about forever when they are taken care of properly, and they are work horses when it comes to hauling and towing.
The diesel generally costs a little more, but not all that much. With today's car prices what they are, two thousand dollars for a vehicle that will last twice as long is not asking too much.
The best advice you can get is to try both types of vehicles, drive them, check them out, look online for all the information you can get about both types of engines. Knowledge is power, and you can make the best choice for yourself if you are armed with information about the car you decide to buy.