| Fisher Swanson | | | | 15,000 miles per year and buying gas for $1.40 |
| When you need to buy your next automobile | | | | per gallon. If gasoline is more expensive than |
| make sure that fuel economy doesn't get lost in | | | | $1.40, the costs will be even higher. |
| the shuffle. Buying a compact car with good gas | | | | A Sampling of Used Cars: |
| mileage is both friendly to the environment and | | | | 1994 Ford Explorer SUV (2WD) |
| your pocket book. You will enjoy the savings | | | | 5 year gas estimate = $5525 |
| throughout the life of the vehicle. | | | | 1994 Honda Accord Sedan |
| | | | 5 year gas estimate = $3885 |
| With new cars you need to find the make and | | | | 1994 Honda Civic DX Sedan |
| model that has a proven track record and fits | | | | 5 year gas estimate = $2385 |
| your needs. Make sure that fuel efficiency plays a | | | | A Sampling of New Cars: |
| role in your decision making. If you emerge from | | | | 2004 Ford Explorer 2WD |
| the car buying process with a fuel efficient car | | | | 5 year gas estimate = $6175 |
| you will burn up less cash in your tank and have | | | | 2004 Honda Accord |
| more money to spend on things that matter. | | | | 5 year gas estimate = $3750 |
| Take advantage of what is known. | | | | 2004 Honda Civic Hybrid |
| When it comes to vehicle maintenance, the one | | | | 5 year gas estimate = $2235 |
| thing you can easily and accurately predict is how | | | | 2004 Toyota Prius Hybrid |
| much gas you are going to use. Gas prices may | | | | 5 year gas estimate = $1910 |
| fluctuate but most people can spend a week or | | | | This is a small sampling of cars but you get the |
| two logging their gas consumption and get a good | | | | picture. Unless you really need an SUV or large |
| idea of how many gallons they use. If you don't | | | | truck, you can save a lot of money by buying a |
| already, track your gas consumption so you can | | | | fuel efficient compact car. You will sacrifice size |
| use this information when purchasing a car. | | | | and sometimes luxury when choosing fuel |
| Make it the #1 priority. | | | | economy first. Part of this is because bigger cars |
| One way to make sure that fuel efficiency is | | | | and trucks are heavier and will naturally get worse |
| considered is to start by looking at cars that get | | | | gas mileage. But it is also a function of consumers |
| good gas mileage. Make it the #1 priority and see | | | | not worrying about gas mileage when they make |
| where that leads you. The problem with today's | | | | a decision on purchasing a new or used car. |
| car market is car manufacturers know that gas | | | | A great site for comparing cars fuel economy is |
| mileage is not a major consideration when | | | | At you can compare numerous makes and |
| purchasing a new vehicle for many U.S. | | | | models of both new and used cars and set the |
| customers. | | | | default gas costs to reflect the current prices. |
| Crunching the numbers. | | | | The numbers above are based on a $1.40 regular |
| When you are evaluating a car's fuel efficiency, | | | | gas price which is really hard to find right now. In |
| ask yourself how long you think you will be driving | | | | the case of the 1994 Ford Explorer you likely pay |
| the car and determine how much gas will cost. | | | | as much in gas over a 5 year span as you payed |
| Let's say you want to get a used car for $5,000 | | | | for the vehicle in the first place. |
| and hope to drive it for 5 years. Below are some | | | | Put fuel economy first and you will find yourself |
| 5 year gas cost estimates based on driving | | | | with more money in your pocket. |