Before you go crazy about todays onerous gas prices here are somesane thoughts.

 

1. Look at your actual transportation NEEDS as an example if youhave a large family you shouldnt consider a small car no mater howmuch you think you will save on gastheres much more tochoosing a car than the MPG.

 

2. If you already own a car that is working ok and its doing thejob but gets lousy gas mileage, then ask yourself exactly why you want tobuy a new car that gets better MPG Is it economic oremotional

 

3. If emotional I cant offer advice and you wont take it,but

 

4. If economic take a hard look at the cost benefits of trading yourpresent gas guzzler in on a car that will get better mileagenotethat the economics of better MPG are determined by the miles youdriveso lets take a look and your transportation NEEDS

 

5. Assuming a 50-50 ratio of highway and city drivingand gas is 4bucks a gallon

 

- If you drive 10,000 Miles annually and your present vehicle gets 20mpg combined you will spend around $2000 per year on Gas or $166 permonth

 

- If you drive 15,000 Miles annually and your present vehicle gets 20mpg combined you will spend around $3000 per year on Gas or $250 permonth

 

- If you drive 20,000 miles annually and your present vehicle gets 20mpg combined you will spend around $4000 per year on Gas or $333 permonth

 

If you buy a new car that gets 28 MPG combined (and not many do) toreplace your old 20 MPGer here is what you will save on gasoline

 

-10,000 miles per year spend $120 per month save $46 for 8 MPGBetter

 

-15,000 miles per year spend $179 per month save $71 for 8 MPGBetter

 

-20,000 miles per year spend $238 per month save $95 for 8 MPGBetter

 

So before you go out to look at new cars understand why you are doingitand expect that cars with better MPG will now cost more than theydid a few months agouse on-line research tools like those on and compare not only MPG but the new vehicles practicality, aswell as the total costs of the vehicles you are considering forpurchase.most of all have funbuy what you will like for along time otherwise every time you get into a car you settled for you willhate it

 

Ok you have an old gas guzzler you say, so a mid range 17-20 MPG vehiclemight be the car for you now that emotion has taken a hold of the new carmarketplace, but before you determine your need to buy a new car:

 

Consider the MPG differences of the best to the worst:

 

2008 model SUV or crossovers -14 MPG difference;

 

2008 large 6 passenger sedans 5 MPG difference;

 

2008 Minivans 3 MPG difference;

 

The biggest MPG spread is in 5 passenger sedans and coupes where thedifference can be as much as 35 MPGbut that crosses every price andperformance segmentfrom a Toyota Prius to a Bentley Arnarge R a costspread of $240,000.

 

So go out and buy the RIGHT new car today, because it will make you feelgood and you wont mind paying the extra 10-15 bucks per tankfull ofoverpriced gasolineand you might actually save 100 bucks amonthalthough the payments on the new car will cost you that manytimes overmost of all have fun looking and test driving