So. You're looking at new car purchase options. You've probably narrowed down to a particular model from a specific company. But there's one more choice to make before you sign on the dotted line - Petrol or Diesel. Ideally, a diesel car sounds cheaper to run, doesn't it ? But considering the premium one usually pays to buy a diesel variant of a car over a petrol variant, is it worth it ? Nowadays, fuel costs are spiking up like mad. Since diesel is cheaper than petrol, it would be an obvious decision of most buyers to go in for a diesel car.
Consider a Maruti Suzuki Swift. This is an ideal example. The top of the line Petrol variant (Zxi) costs Rs. 6,91,000 (ON ROAD MUMBAI). While the top of the line diesel variant (ZDi) costs Rs.8,34,000 (ON ROAD MUMBAI). That's a price differential of nearly 1 and a half lakhs !! But is this extra expense really justified ?
The worth of this investment really depends on the amount you drive. If you're driving more than 60,000 to 70,000 kilometres in a year AND, you're planning to hold onto the car for around 4 years, the investment is worth it. This is not just because diesel is cheaper. But, consider the extra cost of the car too.
*None of the costs above include the cost of spares, servicing and other miscellaneous repairs.
Under Total Cost for 60,000 km (1 year out of 4 years), the price break up for the diesel car is:
60,000 km x Rs. 3.6 = Rs. 2,16,000/-
Rs.1,50,000 / 4 years = Rs. 37,500/-
However, if you drive less than 60,000 km per year, then it may not be an economically viable decision to go in for a diesel car.
Hence, if you'll be mainly doing city driving (upto 50 to 60 km per day) you'll be better off with a petrol car. It'll end up being cheaper than buying a diesel car. However, if you drive alot (above 100 km per day), you'd be better off with a diesel car. Hence, go in for a diesel car only if you drive more than 50,000 km per year. Otherwise, it'll be money down the drain. Judge for yourself. Buy smartly.
The worth of this investment really depends on the amount you drive. If you're driving more than 60,000 to 70,000 kilometres in a year AND, you're planning to hold onto the car for around 4 years, the investment is worth it. This is not just because diesel is cheaper. But, consider the extra cost of the car too.
|
|
Petrol Car
|
Diesel Car
|
|
Extra Cost of Car
|
-
|
1,50,000
|
|
Cost of fuel
|
Rs. 75 per liter
|
Rs. 55 per liter
|
|
Efficiency
|
15 km/pl
|
15 km/pl
|
|
Cost per km
|
Rs.5
|
Rs. 3.6
|
|
Total Cost for 60,000 km
(1 year out of 4 years)
|
Rs. 3,00,000
|
Rs. 2,16,000 + 37,500 =
Rs. 2,53,500 /-
|
|
Total running cost for 4 years
|
Rs. 12,00,000 (3,00,000 x4)
|
Rs. 10,14,000 (2,53,500 x 4)
|
*None of the costs above include the cost of spares, servicing and other miscellaneous repairs.
Under Total Cost for 60,000 km (1 year out of 4 years), the price break up for the diesel car is:
60,000 km x Rs. 3.6 = Rs. 2,16,000/-
Rs.1,50,000 / 4 years = Rs. 37,500/-
However, if you drive less than 60,000 km per year, then it may not be an economically viable decision to go in for a diesel car.
|
|
Petrol Car
|
Diesel Car
|
|
Extra Cost of Car
|
-
|
1,50,000
|
|
Cost of fuel
|
Rs. 75 per liter
|
Rs. 55 per liter
|
|
Efficiency
|
15 km/pl
|
15 km/pl
|
|
Cost per km
|
Rs.5
|
Rs. 3.6
|
|
Total Cost for 20,000 km
(1 year out of 4 years)
|
Rs. 1,00,000 /-
|
Rs. 72,000 + Rs. 37,500 =
Rs. 1,09,500 /-
|
|
Total running cost for 4 years
|
Rs. 4,00,000 (1,00,000 x 4)
|
Rs. 4,38,000 (1,09,500 x 4)
|
Hence, if you'll be mainly doing city driving (upto 50 to 60 km per day) you'll be better off with a petrol car. It'll end up being cheaper than buying a diesel car. However, if you drive alot (above 100 km per day), you'd be better off with a diesel car. Hence, go in for a diesel car only if you drive more than 50,000 km per year. Otherwise, it'll be money down the drain. Judge for yourself. Buy smartly.
- Naayl Humza,
14 year old Car Enthusiast
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