Diesel for me, though I have only owned petrol cars in the past, though have driven a few diesels. As a company car, the equations are different - the CO2 emissions of the diesel are better, as is the fuel economy, but the 'trade-up' cost favours the
VTEC. Overall there was nothing in it financially, so I decided to go for the diesel on the basis of more usable performance... That's more for the missus than me - I'm happy to change down 6th to 3rd and red line it on a typical A road overtaking situation, but it's not something that comes naturally to her...and even the best of us occasionally have trouble keeping a high revving petrol engine in the power band on public roads (even if it's fun trying).
I was always a petrol head and still wonder if I've made the right choice, but I think this diesel engine is the best I've tried, and decided it was time for a change.
Haven't got the car yet so can't confirm if I've made the right choice - but I guess there are pros and cons of both, and if I was buying privately I think the
VTEC would stack up better.