Diesel Versus Gasoline Engine. The major considerations here are economic: initial investment, cost of fuel, cost of maintenance, cost of repairs, and depreciated market trade value. A diesel engine is not the ideal car for a weekend backyard mechanic. It requires special tools and special knowledge to repair, which means taking it to a garage or service department after warranty expiration. And there are not that many qualified diesel mechanics around, which means you pay more for labor.

The higher initial investment must be weighed against the length of ownership; in other words, will you get extra time and miles for having paid more? The lower cost of fuel and scheduled maintenance items must be brought into perspective, as must diesel durability. The projected life of a diesel is about double the life of a same-size gasoline engine pulling the same load. If you plan to buy the car and drive it until it drops, consider the diesel for longevity, if for nothing else. If you plan to keep the car for 1 or 2 years, consider the gasoline engine.

You must be careful with diesel selection, for there are two types: state-of-the-art, and gasoline engine conversions. State-of-the-art is more durable than its weaker, thin-skinned gasoline engine conversions. Finally, you are restricted in model selection, size, and style when considering the diesel. Not everyone makes a diesel.

Automatic Versus Standard Shift Transmission. You gain more economic benefits with the standard shift transmission because it gives a lower initial cost and greater fuel economy. However, some models offer only the automatic transmission, so if you favor the standard, your model selection will be restricted. The greatest advantage to the automatic is that anyone who can drive a car can drive one— no clutch, no shifting of gears. But anyone who has two functional hands and feet can learn the standard, and it only takes about a week. The cost of repairing or replacing an automatic is drama
tically higher than the comparable cost for a standard shift. The trade value of the two after four years will not be that much different.

Front- Versus Rear-Wheel Drive. The benefits of pulling a car (front-wheel drive) and those of pushing a car (rear-wheel drive) are the subject of much debate. The front-wheel-drive advantages popularly sold are that front-wheel drive performs better in adverse weather (ice and snow), that there is no transmission hump running the length of the car, and that for service purposes everything is all together, right up front. The truth is that once traction breaks, front-wheel drive is no better than rear-wheel drive in snow and icy conditions. Front-wheel drive is a more complicated drive train system and is more susceptible to malfunction than a rear-wheel drive train. Front-wheel drive bushings and couplings wear out faster than rear-wheel drive component couplings, and are more expensive to repair or replace.

Carburetor Versus Fuel Injection. Fuel injection is more efficient and costs less to maintain and repair than a carburetor. On the same size engine choose fuel injection when you have such an option.

Power-assisted steering is preferred primarily for ease of parking. However, most subcompacts park easily without power assist. The cost of power steering is high enough for you to consider doing without it. Test drive and park both types—with and without power assist— before you make a decision.

Rack-and-pinion steering is preferred to conventional ball-type steering for both durability and handling response. But it is not an optional choice that can be purchased, so you may have to buy a certain brand name to get it.

An overhead cam engine is preferred for longevity and performance. Like rack-and-pinion steering, it is not an option you can buy.

Be wary of component engine parts of dissimilar metals—aluminum heads with a cast-iron engine block or an aluminum engine block with cast-iron heads. Dissimilar metals contract and expand at different rates and tend to warp, crack, and malfunction. Aluminum wears out faster than cast-iron.