can you tell the difference between regular and premium gasoline?

Depends.I get better fuel mileage with higher octane because it burns more evenly but I haven't really seen any difference in savings on cost...unless I'm putting around at low speeds or on highway.

The differences between regualar and premium is the octane rating. Which means the higher the octane rating the more resistence to detonation the gas has. Thats why higher perfomance cars such as ones with a higher compression ratio and if they are turboed or supercharged require a higher octane rating. For just normal everyday cars like a Corolla and a non Si Civic just stick with regular because using premium wont really hurt anything, but your just wasting money.

In my 2002 Honda RC51 1000cc V-twin sportbike ----> yes. I only run premium in it. I was once in a rural area with the tank almost dry. The only gas they has was regular 87. I filled up what I though should be enough to get me back into town. The bike ran like pure crap. I'm glad I didn't fill it up with 87 and when I got to another gas station in town, proceeded to top off the tank with 93.

In my 2008 Prius ----> no. There is no recommendation to use premium, nor can i tell the difference when i experimented. I just put regular 87 in it.

it may not be a high out put engine but others have forgotten one thing. the imports run a bit hotter and are prone to detonation issues if you use the low octane fuels. look in the owners manual and find the recommended octane fuel use that religiously and far few problems should occur, such as a c check engine light for a misfire/pre-detonation.

cost. most cars don't need it and a corolla definitely doesn't.

actually, premium burns at a higher temperature than regular. it's made for high compression engines.

Premium will cost you more and unless you're driving a high performance car (which you're not) it will do you no good at all.

premium is higher in octane and cost more then regular. regular gas is all you need for that car.

yes just look in your wallet