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Author	Topic: Was your last/next Car Purchase to SAVE ON FUEL COSTS?	Post a Reply Back to Topics

flybigrc Rookie Author St. Louis Posts:71 Points:242,755 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: Sep 11, 2012 11:09:41 AM Ignore flybigrc Report Abuse My current car purchase is partly to save on fuel costs, going from a Saturn VUE 6-cyl getting 21 mpg to a Ford Focus ST 4-cyl that gets 32 mpg. I travel about 1400 miles a month. at $4 a gallon savings will be about $92 a month at $5 a gallon savings will be about $115 a month at $6 a gallon (god help us if it even gets this high!) savings will be about $138 a month Amazingly, I also save about $5 a month on car insurance.

flybigrc

Rookie Author
St. Louis

Posts:71
Points:242,755
Joined:Aug 2006

Message Posted: Sep 11, 2012 11:09:41 AM

Ignore flybigrc Report Abuse

My current car purchase is partly to save on fuel costs, going from a Saturn VUE 6-cyl getting 21 mpg to a Ford Focus ST 4-cyl that gets 32 mpg.

I travel about 1400 miles a month.
at $4 a gallon
savings will be about $92 a month
at $5 a gallon
savings will be about $115 a month
at $6 a gallon (god help us if it even gets this high!)
savings will be about $138 a month

Amazingly, I also save about $5 a month on car insurance.

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OceanArcher Champion Author Mississippi Posts:5,838 Points:1,354,125 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Feb 4, 2013 8:32:56 AM Ignore OceanArcher Report Abuse Nope - I just liked the looks of the car, and the wife was thrilled by the lighted vanity mirror ....
Banjoe Champion Author Winnipeg Posts:4,454 Points:640,620 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Feb 4, 2013 7:53:03 AM Ignore Banjoe Report Abuse Our latest vehicle was diesel and it's been a complete win for us. Not going back to gasoline engines without a really good reason.
cv Champion Author Raleigh Posts:15,349 Points:3,294,280 Joined:Oct 2003	Message Posted: Feb 4, 2013 6:43:02 AM Ignore cv Report Abuse No, my last purchase was a pickup truck to pull my boat.
davisadm All-Star Author Los Angeles Posts:704 Points:435,600 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Feb 4, 2013 1:19:03 AM Ignore davisadm Report Abuse No, much cheaper to drive an older car which gets less MPG, than to take on new car payments and increased insurance.
GrumpyCat Champion Author Alabama Posts:2,752 Points:809,895 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Feb 3, 2013 11:07:30 PM Ignore GrumpyCat Report Abuse Actually it was. Traded a 2008 F-250 Powerstroke for a 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML320 Bluetec. Went from 17 MPG highway to 29 MPG, cruise control at 70 MPH. With two dirtbikes on trailer the ML320 gets 21 MPG, the F-250 got the same 17 MPG as without. Both can haul my larger 7100 GVWR trailer. Both are 4WD or AWD. Both are diesel.
aalix Champion Author Orange County Posts:23,315 Points:4,148,100 Joined:Aug 2001	Message Posted: Feb 3, 2013 5:31:06 PM Ignore aalix Report Abuse My next car will be a gas miser.
peggypat Rookie Author San Diego Posts:29 Points:44,150 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Feb 3, 2013 4:38:50 PM Ignore peggypat Report Abuse Jetta Diesel in 2002. And I chose to work at a close office to my house.
WTM Champion Author Philadelphia Posts:5,540 Points:967,675 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Feb 3, 2013 1:10:56 PM Ignore WTM Report Abuse Yes! Since my `99 Audi A6 Quattro was a total loss in a car accident in Nov.`12, I decided to use the insurance $$ to buy something more fuel efficient. I was looking for a used Honda Fit or Scion XA, but their used resale values are GREATLY inflated in my area(not to mention that every example I found in my price range was absolute high-milage JUNK!). Instead, I found a `06 VW Jetta 2.5 with only 65k miles that was priced right, has more interior room than the Honda & Scion, and gets much better mpgs on >>regular<< gas than my premium-sucking Audi ever did. Problem solved.
WEDDY Champion Author Phoenix Posts:3,381 Points:1,064,245 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Feb 3, 2013 12:58:12 PM Ignore WEDDY Report Abuse I bought a 2013 Honda fit, Averaging 34 mph, 90% in town driving.
beachd8 All-Star Author Orange County Posts:877 Points:140,975 Joined:Oct 2012	Message Posted: Feb 3, 2013 12:18:33 PM Ignore beachd8 Report Abuse No. Last time I bought a car I sent my children out to test drive first. (My oldest was in college & she took her younger siblings.) COMFORT was important. Road trips with uncomfortable children are miserable. They narrowed the choices down from the list that I gave them from my internet research based on our compiled wish list. None of the cars met all of our expectations. That said, we did all right. I just wish that I remembered that I wanted a roof rack and had the foresight to get a trailer hitch. Added a trailer hitch subsequently. Bought the car through the credit union, so I didn't have to haggle the price myself. I'll probably do the same thing next time around.
EdWoods Veteran Author Maryland Posts:491 Points:74,515 Joined:Aug 2012	Message Posted: Oct 28, 2012 8:34:18 PM Ignore EdWoods Report Abuse MPG is never a factor in anything that I buy. Big, Bad, Loud, Shiny, is.
lorereme Rookie Author British Columbia Posts:59 Points:219,880 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Oct 28, 2012 3:25:54 PM Ignore lorereme Report Abuse Makes sense!
Baron62nd Champion Author Illinois Posts:7,156 Points:1,696,945 Joined:Sep 2007	Message Posted: Oct 28, 2012 3:10:30 PM Ignore Baron62nd Report Abuse No, used pickup truck to haul and use as a backup vehicle.
Banjoe Champion Author Winnipeg Posts:4,454 Points:640,620 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Oct 28, 2012 9:34:13 AM Ignore Banjoe Report Abuse Yes, I went with a diesel because of the mileage & reliability. I love that TDI!
97PearlCat Champion Author Tulsa Posts:4,108 Points:861,370 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Oct 28, 2012 9:31:55 AM Ignore 97PearlCat Report Abuse No, my next vehicle will be the same size but it should get better gas milage.
DanFMA Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:1,252 Points:1,100,185 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Oct 28, 2012 8:14:50 AM Ignore DanFMA Report Abuse No.
jrferrari All-Star Author Orlando Posts:652 Points:172,590 Joined:Jan 2011	Message Posted: Oct 26, 2012 12:52:00 AM Ignore jrferrari Report Abuse My last car purchase was a 2006 Ford Escape. When I first purchased it with 100% gas (not 10% ethanol) I would get 29 MPG, up from 19 MPG with my previous car a Jeep Grand Cherokee.
bearscharger Champion Author Cleveland Posts:1,452 Points:296,900 Joined:Aug 2012	Message Posted: Oct 23, 2012 4:39:19 PM Ignore bearscharger Report Abuse yes i went from getting 10mpg in my truck to 18 in my crown vic
d_clark Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:1,018 Points:401,230 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: Oct 23, 2012 10:07:13 AM Ignore d_clark Report Abuse no
weddy11 Champion Author Phoenix Posts:1,867 Points:458,250 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Oct 23, 2012 9:20:06 AM Ignore weddy11 Report Abuse yes, soon to buy a honda fit.
mnrick041 Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:14,477 Points:1,396,010 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Oct 23, 2012 8:15:50 AM Ignore mnrick041 Report Abuse I bought the model of car I have because it is All Wheel Drive and I do not want a SUV or a truck. My MPG's are not that great, no AWD car is but I live where I do and it is nice to have AWD.
IAMCANADIAN73 Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,525 Points:1,148,550 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Oct 23, 2012 7:28:21 AM Ignore IAMCANADIAN73 Report Abuse Yes
05FLHRI Champion Author Ohio Posts:1,593 Points:525,585 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: Oct 23, 2012 6:54:47 AM Ignore 05FLHRI Report Abuse yes - kind of
deporresd Sophomore Author Illinois Posts:183 Points:140,670 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Oct 23, 2012 1:40:46 AM Ignore deporresd Report Abuse Yes
gafgar Champion Author Detroit Posts:1,133 Points:343,490 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Oct 22, 2012 8:46:55 AM Ignore gafgar Report Abuse my next purchase will be based on fuel econ and veh price only
the1roadhog Champion Author Atlanta Posts:9,949 Points:2,080,630 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Oct 22, 2012 8:32:17 AM Ignore the1roadhog Report Abuse Nope, I went UP in size.
DanFMA Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:1,252 Points:1,100,185 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Oct 22, 2012 7:37:59 AM Ignore DanFMA Report Abuse No.
rick_evans Champion Author Boston Posts:3,859 Points:1,057,990 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Oct 21, 2012 10:51:37 AM Ignore rick_evans Report Abuse All my car purchases since replacing my first 8cyl gas guzzler have included fuel economy as a primary factor. Fuel savings literally paid for all or most of the cost of my 4cyl '76 Datsun B210. And yes I kept track.
barryw8 Champion Author Ontario Posts:1,326 Points:248,000 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Oct 18, 2012 6:33:13 AM Ignore barryw8 Report Abuse no
xyl3110 Rookie Author San Francisco Posts:9 Points:855 Joined:Oct 2012	Message Posted: Oct 17, 2012 6:35:10 PM Ignore xyl3110 Report Abuse prius or leaf.
2amy Champion Author Fresno Posts:1,736 Points:621,645 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Oct 17, 2012 3:53:09 PM Ignore 2amy Report Abuse My last purchase was not based on fuel milage. it was based on towing. I bought my truck to match my trailer since the trailer came first. [Edited by: 2amy at 10/17/2012 3:54:29 PM EST]
2013DieselBug Rookie Author San Jose Posts:64 Points:7,570 Joined:Sep 2012	Message Posted: Oct 17, 2012 1:36:00 PM Ignore 2013DieselBug Report Abuse MPG was certainly a factor in my new car purchase last month... that's why I opted for the TDI Beetle instead of the gas Turbo Beetle.
reb4 Champion Author Chicago Posts:19,355 Points:1,848,850 Joined:Sep 2004	Message Posted: Oct 17, 2012 11:42:12 AM Ignore reb4 Report Abuse I replaced my 2002 mercury sable with a 2010 toyota Prius back in 2010. Price of gas in my area was under 2.70, but I knew prices would continue to go up and down. I really didn't want to be impacted or persuaded to drive "less" when fuel was higher. So this was a big factor, and because gas prices were "low" very few people were buying fuel efficient vehicles.
10261970 All-Star Author Sacramento Posts:977 Points:265,145 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Oct 17, 2012 9:41:12 AM Ignore 10261970 Report Abuse No.
BigHorne1 Champion Author Missouri Posts:1,632 Points:323,500 Joined:Jul 2012	Message Posted: Oct 17, 2012 8:53:00 AM Ignore BigHorne1 Report Abuse The last vehicle purchase did save alot on fuel, but still enjoy my full size truck.
barryw8 Champion Author Ontario Posts:1,326 Points:248,000 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Oct 17, 2012 8:44:29 AM Ignore barryw8 Report Abuse no
Houckster Champion Author Atlanta Posts:9,407 Points:695,200 Joined:Sep 2003	Message Posted: Oct 17, 2012 8:12:29 AM Ignore Houckster Report Abuse My last purchase was a Ford Ranger FX4 in 2004. I bought it because it would do all the things I needed to do. Gas mileage was a factor I considered but that was when gas was still less than $2. I still need the truck so I drive conservatively and only when absolutely necessary.
carinthuist Champion Author San Francisco Posts:2,373 Points:355,165 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Oct 16, 2012 9:05:54 PM Ignore carinthuist Report Abuse 21.5MPG WAtch the gas drive slower
73amx Champion Author Allentown Posts:1,307 Points:486,470 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Oct 16, 2012 12:37:44 PM Ignore 73amx Report Abuse purchased based on cost of the vehicle, then fuel economy
don65stang Rookie Author Mobile Posts:9 Points:169,605 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Oct 6, 2012 9:03:02 PM Ignore don65stang Report Abuse No. But I do drive my VW Golf diesel anywhere between 2,000 and 4,000 miles per month.
badbonita Champion Author Syracuse Posts:6,361 Points:1,380,435 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Oct 6, 2012 1:55:19 PM Ignore badbonita Report Abuse To answer the question - no, it wasn't. My 15-year old SUV was having tranny problems as well as having significant problems with the frame rusting out to the point that it was no longer safe IMO. So got the pickup truck I had wanted for a while. Made getting gardening stuff so much easier not having to worry about cleaning out the back since it's not carpeted like the SUV.
Banjoe Champion Author Winnipeg Posts:4,454 Points:640,620 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Oct 6, 2012 9:12:16 AM Ignore Banjoe Report Abuse Went with the VW Diesel and am not going back .... at least until the CNG technology is up and running.
OilerFan Champion Author Tulsa Posts:14,179 Points:2,457,350 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Oct 6, 2012 8:54:48 AM Ignore OilerFan Report Abuse Yes. BOught a Corolla which gets about 38 mpg (when I drive it; about 35 when my wife drives). Glad we bought it. It's a good car.
IAMCANADIAN73 Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,525 Points:1,148,550 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Oct 6, 2012 6:00:24 AM Ignore IAMCANADIAN73 Report Abuse Yes
RRBC Champion Author Victoria Posts:2,840 Points:555,790 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Oct 5, 2012 7:35:44 PM Ignore RRBC Report Abuse For the next one, I think so .
anthonyjs Rookie Author Milwaukee Posts:2 Points:315 Joined:Oct 2012	Message Posted: Oct 5, 2012 6:14:55 PM Ignore anthonyjs Report Abuse I havent thought of one yet.
maddog768 Champion Author Michigan Posts:1,814 Points:273,455 Joined:Aug 2012	Message Posted: Oct 5, 2012 5:10:49 PM Ignore maddog768 Report Abuse Not really. I needed a new car and instead of another Honda mini-van, I got a CRV which gives me 5-6 more MPG even with all wheel drive. I miss the comfort and room of the mini, but enjoy the better gas millage and the all wheel drive.
node01 Rookie Author Quebec Posts:49 Points:12,400 Joined:Jul 2009	Message Posted: Oct 5, 2012 11:08:57 AM Ignore node01 Report Abuse Two 25 Litres (7 Gallons) tanks that I got on sale. Whenever I need to get gas, and see the price is quite low, I bring the tanks in the trunk and fill them with the car at the gas station (on the ground of course). It helps me break the weekly price increase that seems to be going on around here (Greater Montreal area). Usually spikes up 10-20 cents on a day of the week and then slowly drop for next 7 days. I actually saved quite a lot so far (compared to always buying at high price).
10261970 All-Star Author Sacramento Posts:977 Points:265,145 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Oct 2, 2012 9:42:33 AM Ignore 10261970 Report Abuse Nope.
wamster Champion Author Houston Posts:4,417 Points:719,565 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Oct 2, 2012 8:55:40 AM Ignore wamster Report Abuse No, they quit making the Ford Sport Trac. I bought it because I've always wanted one, and it was a matter of buying it now, or losing it forever.