May want to keep that gas-guzzler……..

[DeeZee]

Has anyone else been doing the math lately on getting a more fuel efficient vehicle?

Check out this calculator.


http://www.edmunds.com/calculators/gas-guzzler.html

Over the weekend I explained to my wife that for us it just didn’t make sense to purchase a Hybrid or a more fuel efficient vehicle even if gas costs $7.00 a gallon.

[davidB]

it doesn't make sense for a lot of people to be getting a new vehicle in times like these. I mean unless you're going from a suburban to a motorcycle as your only vehicle.

but hell, if it gives you a reason to get a new toy you can afford, then knock yourself out.

[cryan]

Even if the cost savings isn't there, a low mpg vehicle still equals more consumption. Which, over time leads to higher demand for fuel, fewer resources, and as a result, higher prices.

If you can do it financially, it's worth feeling a little better about how much fuel the guzzler is guzzling. Putting it in numbers, there are over 5.2 million registered vehicles in LA County alone. If 5.2 millon vehicles all of the sudden drove a vehicle that gets 40 mpg, compared to say, 20 mpg, the reduction in consumption is astonishing.

[DeeZee]

Originally Posted by cryan

Even if the cost savings isn't there, a low mpg vehicle still equals more consumption. Which, over time leads to higher demand for fuel, fewer resources, and as a result, higher prices.

If you can do it financially, it's worth feeling a little better about how much fuel the guzzler is guzzling. Putting it in numbers, there are over 5.2 million registered vehicles in LA County alone. If 5.2 millon vehicles all of the sudden drove a vehicle that gets 40 mpg, compared to say, 20 mpg, the reduction in consumption is astonishing.

When her vehicle wears out we will get her a more efficient vehicle. But now it does not make sence........for others it might.

She burns through 60 gallons a month and at $4.50 a gallon that is $270. Her car is 10 years old, in great conditon and paid off. Insurance and DMV fees, oil changes etc... is about $1,000 a year. The total cost to operate that vehicle is $350 a month.

Me...that is a different story. I burn through 100 gallons a month

[Docklobster]

Maybe they can create a calculator that will show you how much you save if you bike to work. Lets see depending on how many watts I burn I will need to up my food/calorie intake Vs. the price of gas, can't forget to add the fancier new bike, new bike clothes,lights, ...... I think I will still save money biking...

[cryan]

Yeah, I preach now but I was in the same situation last fall... The perfect vehicle - All paid off that I could beat on, take camping in the middle of nowhere, move things, etc. It only got 16 mpg but the only time I'd drive it was over the weekend. Then some drunken fool decided to drive through my yard one night, crashing into the thing, and totaling it! The guy took off, but luckily for me he left his license plate behind. I was able to use the insurance money for something more efficient, but I do miss the versatility of that truck and I would probably still be driving it. I didn't start thinking about the consumption thing until I had to get something else.

[Shu]

Work truck
03 Silverado 1500 that has a 24 gallon tank(16mpg)....I use 1 3/4-2 tanks a week(5 days).....my boss is dying right now...

Personal car
07 Jeep Patriot that has a 12 gallon tank(25mpg)....I've owned it for 15 months and have only put 8500 miles on it(2K on a mtn bike trip to Colo and 1100 on a Downieville trip)...majority of around town miles on it are for mtn biking too....

I bought the Jeep last year b/c everyone was talking how gas was going to be $3.50 before the end of last summer...I had no idea that 15months after buying it the gas would go from $2.65(apr 07) to $4.65(June 08 )

[Rascal]

I've been telling people this for years now, or at least since the Prius came out.

Looked another way. Imagine if you didn't have a car and wanted to buy a Prius, not just to 'save the environment', 'be green' or any of that other BS, you just wanted to save money.

Most people just look at the fuel economy, glance at the purchase price then go out and buy a car. I keep trying to tell people, you have to do the math and figure out the total cost of ownership.

If the end result is to have the most amount of cash in your pocket, it doesn't always make sense to buy a 23k Prius when you can get a a 12k Kia. The fuel economy benefit isn't always enough to outweigh the benefit of a cheaply priced car.

Do the math.

[CPATCRASH]

Originally Posted by DeeZee

Has anyone else been doing the math lately on getting a more fuel efficient vehicle?

Check out this calculator.


http://www.edmunds.com/calculators/gas-guzzler.html

Over the weekend I explained to my wife that for us it just didn’t make sense to purchase a Hybrid or a more fuel efficient vehicle even if gas costs $7.00 a gallon.

you just get her a new car?

Originally Posted by Docklobster

Maybe they can create a calculator that will show you how much you save if you bike to work. Lets see depending on how many watts I burn I will need to up my food/calorie intake Vs. the price of gas, can't forget to add the fancier new bike, new bike clothes,lights, ...... I think I will still save money biking...

I have ridden my bike to work a half dozen times now and my wife tells me the money I think I am saving on gas I am spending on food, beer and bike parts.

[BobBurnes]

Originally Posted by DeeZee

Has anyone else been doing the math lately on getting a more fuel efficient vehicle?

Check out this calculator.


http://www.edmunds.com/calculators/gas-guzzler.html

Over the weekend I explained to my wife that for us it just didn’t make sense to purchase a Hybrid or a more fuel efficient vehicle even if gas costs $7.00 a gallon.

I love my Nissan Titan. No, it may not get the best gas miliage in the city, but I just went to and 3/4 of the way back from Deer Valley, Utah on a tank of gas. Justified.

[Big Rick]

Originally Posted by CPATCRASH

...the money I think I am saving on gas I am spending on food, beer and bike parts.

Nothing wrong with using your economic prowess to support local breweries, local growers, and your LBS rather than Big Oil

[BobBurnes]

Uh....Nissan's not an option. Score!

[zerordl]

While I can appreciate the logic of this argument - and I do not dispute the simple math regarding which is ultimately cheaper - comparing a $23k loaded Prius to a $12k Kia is not comparing apples to apples.

Besides getting a real-world 45 mpg, the Prius comfortably seats five people with ample storage space to spare. Comes with satellite navigation, satellite radio, keyless entry and a variety of comfort features that are more on par with a luxury car such as a Lexus (in fact, many of the systems are the same as found on Lexus models).

Imagine, if you will, that you're in the market for something nicer than a base model economy car. You're going to spend close to $20k no matter what. In that regard, the Prius starts to make real good financial sense when you factor in the nominal price difference and mpg.

Originally Posted by Rascal

I've been telling people this for years now, or at least since the Prius came out.

Looked another way. Imagine if you didn't have a car and wanted to buy a Prius, not just to 'save the environment', 'be green' or any of that other BS, you just wanted to save money.

Most people just look at the fuel economy, glance at the purchase price then go out and buy a car. I keep trying to tell people, you have to do the math and figure out the total cost of ownership.

If the end result is to have the most amount of cash in your pocket, it doesn't always make sense to buy a 23k Prius when you can get a a 12k Kia. The fuel economy benefit isn't always enough to outweigh the benefit of a cheaply priced car.

Do the math.

[DeeZee]

Originally Posted by CPATCRASH

you just get her a new car?



I have ridden my bike to work a half dozen times now and my wife tells me the money I think I am saving on gas I am spending on food, beer and bike parts.

Because that is the way you roll!

ps. No on the new car

that is the way I roll

[CPATCRASH]

Originally Posted by DeeZee

Because that is the way you roll!

ps. No on the new car

that is the way I roll

I remember a thread a while back about you wanting a car for your wife? Am I wrong?

[Permagrin]

I did a rough estimate and came to the same conclusion. Right now I don't have a car payment so if I bought one to compensate for the gas I use, 1. I'd be within $100 of my current cost including insur for said new vehicle and 2. I'd probably be willing to drive more because I was paying less for gas and be right back where I started.

I'll keep my tacoma, thank you. I can take it out in the middle of nowhere and live in it if I have to camp for the rest of my life . Hmmf, I wish.

[RacinJason]

My truck will cost me around $1000 per month in gas.

My motorcycle will cost me less than $250. And I will have to deal with less traffic.


If it adds only $130+ 50 for insurance it might be worth it.
It will save me $570 a month

If buying a motorcycle adds $750 per month to you bills then it is not a great deal. But that would be one heck of a motorcycle.

I would be going from a beast to a 50 mpg bike. I love my truck but I shouldn't drive it everywhere its just uses to much gas.

[queenwilhelmina]