4 neighbors bought new cars to save on gas. Is this a trend!

[dvcgirl]

Hmmm, it sounds to me that people who are jumping the gun to trade in their vehicles are really just wanting a NEW car and using the excuse of gas.

I would say that this is probably the case in 90% of the "gas guzzler" trade-ins occurring these days. Gas prices are an emotional budget item for American consumers. It's something that they need to purchase about once a week and the prices are right out there, in four foot tall numbers for all to see. And so lots and lots of people are using the increase in gas prices to justify purchasing new cars.

 

[JamieW]

I have a 2006 full size conversion van, with 3 kids to haul around and one wheelchair for Rachel. I have driven vans for 18 years and am not about to change now. Yes, it costs more for gas, but I just suck it up when I go to the pump and it hits $100.00 (ouch!). I see fewer vans the size of mine on the road or in the parking lots of the stores where I shop. While everyone else is driving their little bitty cars, we are comfortable in our living room on wheels, with enough room to spread out, and a tv with a dvd player, and plenty of room for our luggage for Disney trips. We just do fewer meals out ( a meal out for our family can run $36.00 to $40.00 and even more). That pays for the increase in gas costs right there!! Plus, I feel safer in my van. So, I plan to keep my large vehicle. I was even thinking it would be nice to own a Hummer H2, I have wanted one since they first came out with them. But, that would be a step down from my van, since my van has more room. Hope you all are happy in your little cramped cars, but that is not for me.

Sorry you feel insulted because I am happy with my van. Didn't mean to insult you. What did you find insulting, or are you just trying to get me to argue? I won't argue with you, I meant nothing by my post to insult anyone. Gee, why did I even bother to post? Why are you offended? You should just lighten up, I really meant nothing to offend anybody!

Perhaps you were trying to be humorous, but it came across as condescending, like you think people are stupid for choosing not to drive a huge van. Just b/c a car isn't huge doesn't mean it's cramped or unworthy of being driven. I freely admit that it can be hard to understand tone when words are read on a screen and not heard, but I was taken aback when I read your post.

That is just my opinion and, no, I'm not trying to argue with you - I'm just trying to get you to understand why someone would find your post insulting.

 

[MrMarv]

JamieW--Very well said.

 

[faeriegrl]

Gas prices hurt everyone, including us.

I telework full time on a 4 day work week. DH gets free gas at work, and he drives either our 1991 Honda Civic (42 mpgs that I paid $1200 for!) or our 1994 Wrangler (fun weekend car).

I have a Volvo V70 Wagon that gets 25mpg. I am still having to combine trips and not run so many errands. No more lunches out!

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

Perhaps you were trying to be humorous, but it came across as condescending, like you think people are stupid for choosing not to drive a huge van. Just b/c a car isn't huge doesn't mean it's cramped or unworthy of being driven.

I freely admit that it can be hard to understand tone when words are read on a screen and not heard, but I was taken aback when I read your post.

That is just my opinion and, no, I'm not trying to argue with you - I'm just trying to get you to understand why someone would find your post insulting.

Sorry but I didn't feel this at all. Maybe people shouldn't read so much into people's responses. Gees!

I also love my gas guzzling SUV and I'm currently looking for another newer one. And put me on the list of the "I don't know how people can cram themselves into those little cars" club. I'm not saying their unworthy to drive, just too small for my taste.

My SIL just traded her Explorer in for a Grand Prix. With 2 little kids, I think she's nuts, but its her payment not mine. To each their own.

 

[SelfEmployedDebtFree]

Mine is 7 years old and when it goes in a year or two...

This is the kind of thinking I disagree with.
My car is a 1989 model. It gets BETTER gas mileage than many of the new ones. Its MORE DEPENDABLE (it was rated best import luxary sedan in the US for many years), its PAID FOR, and its NOT going to "go" just because its older.
People have this crazy idea that old means it will "die". The older cars were made better!!! The newer the car, the more plastic and disposable parts.
I can do a LOT of repairs for what I would pay for a car payment plus insurance.

A few myths:

Newer cars get better gas mileage. PROVE IT! Some of the old 80s VWs got MUCH better gas mileage than most of the brand new Hondas. Im my area, on Craigslist, theres a "WANTED 80s model Jetta, Golf, etc" listing almost weekly, because people know they are old, reliable, often last into the 400,000 miles of life (and more) range, etc. OK, Lets take Honda... in 1985 a Honda Civic got 38MPG. In 2008 it gets 36 MPG.
SUV: in 1985 a Chevy Suburban got 22 MPG. In 2008 it gets 20. http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/findacar.htm See for yourself!
Look at the numbers for some of these old cars! My point is the automobile industry has NOT succeeded in lowering the MPG. If anything, it has risen.

Newer cars are more reliable!!! MYTH! My dad bought a brand new Dodge truck. In the first year he had it, it was in the shop 3 times, and it spontaniously caught fire a few months later. I have an 89 model car, and have only changed the oil, brake shoes, tires, fuel filter, and did tune ups. I've had it many years, and its the single most reliable car I have ever owned. Its an AMAZING vehicle. Fast, fuel effecient, smooth, reliable, etc. I would NEVER trade it in and go back to payments. AAMOF, its an OLD 1989 model, but I just purchased an assortment of high end car audio for it, and am wiring it for video as well. I plan to add ground effects, custom paint and graphics, and racing suspension and more engine mods as well. It has nearly 200,000 miles, and you will never convince me that it won't last to at least 400,000 miles.

"Its going to die at 100,000 miles; so you'd better sell it at 99,000". This one is really ridiculous. People ACTUALLY believe that crap too!!! My sister sold a RELIABLE VW Golf that had 500,000 miles on it!!!!
Did you know many of the Taxis in NYC have over a MILLION miles on them? So much for that "it will die at 100,000 miles" theory!

The point I am trying to make is don't fall for all that garbage the new car salesmen are trying to feed you. If you take care of a car (ANY CAR), and you do the maintenance to prevent serious problems, chances are it will last a long long time. Especially if its a better grade foreign car. A new car is no more going to be reliable or better on gas than an older one UNLESS you get a hybrid, and on that comparison, ONLY the gas mileage is better. Hybrids are still new. It will take a while to work out the bugs.

In reference to the OPs question... only for people who aren't properly informed.

 

[MoniqueU]

Down in San Diego I know of one store that is only giving 50 percent of kelly blue book on SUV trade ins right now because the dealer doesn't want to get stuck with them. OUCH.

We did trade in a Landcruiser that we were spending 1200 dollars a month to fill up in Dec before the prices went up so much on gas here. We cut our payment on the car by more then half and cut out at least one fill up a week. Where we live everything is really spread out and you often have to go to other counties to play sports. We put a ton of miles on our cars each year so this made sense for us.

 

[SelfEmployedDebtFree]

On a further note... I'd convert to a Hydrogen generator before I'd trade.
I'm assembling parts this week to make one for my minivan. I figured its the one we take on long trips, so its the best choice for the new experimentation. If it works I'm going to make them for my other vehicles.

 

[CarolA]

This is the kind of thinking I disagree with.
My car is a 1989 model. It gets BETTER gas mileage than many of the new ones. Its MORE DEPENDABLE (it was rated best import luxary sedan in the US for many years), its PAID FOR, and its NOT going to "go" just because its older.
People have this crazy idea that old means it will "die". The older cars were made better!!! The newer the car, the more plastic and disposable parts.
I can do a LOT of repairs for what I would pay for a car payment plus insurance.

A.

I think you were responding to me....

My car is 7 years old. I have a LOT of faith in the engine and body.... It's the top that I know will become an issue.

I drive a convertible. I have put $800 into the top once already. As they age, the risk goes up and if the top doesn't go up and down.. what's the point.

At about 10 years you really have to look at things like "top replacement" etc. IMHO it's probably not going to be worth throwing another few grand at a 10 year old car! Plus it is NOT a myth that the "replacements" are never as good as the originals in terms of noise, leaks etc. I have had too many friends try this route!

And since I am considering replacing it with Volkswagon Jetta that get SIXTY miles per gallon, I would disagree with your view that "newer cars get better mileage" is a MYTH. Does your older car get that? Mine doesn't!

 

[labdogs42]

We did this, but we kept both of the cars we already had (which are paid off)! We bought a used Escort wagon for $300. It saved us $100 on insurance right off the bat and now it just has to save us $200 in gas to be worthwhile! My DH uses it for his work car and it gets about 10 mpg better gas mileage than his SUV. It is working out well so far. I wouldn't have done this if we hadn't found such a hot deal, but when this car presented itself, we had to go for it! My mom sells used cars, so she helped us find the car.

 

[SelfEmployedDebtFree]

And since I am considering replacing it with Volkswagon Jetta that get SIXTY miles per gallon, I would disagree with your view that "newer cars get better mileage" is a MYTH. Does your older car get that? Mine doesn't!

According to this website, The best ANY Jetta gets is 42 MPG. http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/findacar.htm
Besides, You obviously haven't looked into hydrogen conversions yet. They are getting 70MPG and better. If you sort past all the "backyard experimentation" theres some really impressive stuff out there, and they are doing this for pennies on the dollar when compared to a new car.
BTW, I didn't mean any real insult by the quote. The rest of what you said I agreed with.
I knew a girl who had a really nice Honda. Looked like a brand new car. It was about to flip 100,000. This was before the whole high gas thing. She was talking about how bad they were having it, and in addition to all her problems, as if they weren't enough, she said that she had to get a new car too. The conversation went something like this:
I asked why. "Whats wrong with your car?" "Its about to flip!!!! " "what do you mean flip?" "It has 95,000 miles!!! " "So???? Your point is???"
"After they flip, its all downhill from there!" "So you've driven this car DAILY for the past 3 years, and its been SUPER reliable, and its just going to start giving all kinds of trouble because its about to roll over to 100,000?" "My husband says you have to sell them at 99,000!".
"We'll, my car I drove here has nearly 200,000. Its every bit as dependable as yours. Your going to put yourself in more financial hardships for fear of your car suddenly becoming a money pit??? Your driving a Honda that you bought new. Its been taken care of. Don't sweat it."
On a side note, they DID trade it in. THEN bought this really big house in a fancier section of town so they could have big parties and show it off. Soon they were divorced. Financial problems is STILL the number one reason people have marital problems.
And even if it were true that the replacements dont work as well (which I disagree with... from parents who have had MANY convertibles, they will quickly tell you that there are many suppliers of tops, and some are great, and some are junk.) When given the choice between a little air noise and a $600+ car payment. I'll take the air noise and an extra trip or two a year to WDW.

PS Carol A: My step dad drives a 67 convertible. yeah, he's replaced the top once or twice, but he's also taken first place in several shows. They get attention everywhere they go. They LOVE that Olds. Different kind of car completely, but theres no guarantee it will stop going up or down with age. People restore old VWs all the time. My FIL has a 70s MG convertible in his basement I've been trying to talk him out of for years.

If you feel you want a new car, thats your decision and right. I'm just trying to point out to others that people believe a lot of myths about old cars vs new cars. The newer cars are flashier and exciting. The old ones maybe aren't, but that certainly don't make them unreliable or worse on gas. I've had both new cars and old cars. Both have been reliable. the unrelaible cars that I have had (I've certainly had my share of them as well.) Were unreliable because they had been abused and not maintained. If a car has had 12 owners, thats a tale tale sign you might have problems. Most people who plan to keep the car forever take care of it.

 

[JamieW]

Sorry but I didn't feel this at all. Maybe people shouldn't read so much into people's responses. Gees!

I also love my gas guzzling SUV and I'm currently looking for another newer one. And put me on the list of the "I don't know how people can cram themselves into those little cars" club. I'm not saying their unworthy to drive, just too small for my taste.

My SIL just traded her Explorer in for a Grand Prix. With 2 little kids, I think she's nuts, but its her payment not mine. To each their own.

She asked why someone would feel insulted. I told her. I also said "some" and not "all" people might feel this way. Since you weren't insulted, I wasn't including you in the "some."

A Grand Prix is cramped?

 

[Justthe8ofus]

they have large gas guzzling beasts that they have hefty payments on ... I wonder who is laughing now????

Just a small point. Some people actually have to drive those "gas guzzeling beasts" for work or because they have a large family.

DH and I both have smaller cars but, if we want to go anywhere as a family we have to take our suburban. We have 6 children. Food has also gone up which means even more the more people you have. We are upper middle class and although we don't like to pay for the gas we can pay for the gas. I really feel for those that are hurting right now.

 

[dvcgirl]

Just a small point. Some people actually have to drive those "gas guzzeling beasts" for work or because they have a large family.

DH and I both have smaller cars but, if we want to go anywhere as a family we have to take our suburban. We have 6 children. Food has also gone up which means even more the more people you have. We are upper middle class and although we don't like to pay for the gas we can pay for the gas. I really feel for those that are hurting right now.

Yes, this is true too. Some people really do need a large vehicle. You are clearly one such family. However, there are far, far more examples of people driving SUVs who really don't need the room. Count the number of people driving around solo in SUVs on the road each day. If you believe the stats, most of those people don't have six kids, most have about two kids.

I'm as guilty as any in this regard. We had two SUVs, no kids, but a couple of larger dogs who we cart around from time to time. We're down to just one SUV now having sold one of them (DH works from home) and will hang onto the one we have until it croaks. 125K miles on it, nothing wrong with it....so we won't ditch it.

However, when it dies, we will change with the times and get something smaller and much more fuel efficient.

 

[CarolA]

According to this website, The best ANY Jetta gets is 42 MPG. http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/findacar.htm
.

The Volkswagon Jetta I am looking at is NOT on the market yet. It will be here this fall. It's a Diesel it's get 60 MPG.

 

[kajcwman]

The Volkswagon Jetta I am looking at is NOT on the market yet. It will be here this fall. It's a Diesel it's get 60 MPG.

Carol,

I'm just wondering where you got the rating of 60 mpg. The site previously mentioned (fueleconomy.gov) does list the upcoming 2009 Jetta TDI with 41 mpg highway with the manual tranny (40 with AT). This is a car that I'll be looking at next summer when our MPV lease is up.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

A Grand Prix is cramped?

When you have mom, dad, 2 kids and 2 collies, yep that would be cramped for me and never work.

 

[CarolA]

Carol,

I'm just wondering where you got the rating of 60 mpg. The site previously mentioned (fueleconomy.gov) does list the upcoming 2009 Jetta TDI with 41 mpg highway with the manual tranny (40 with AT). This is a car that I'll be looking at next summer when our MPV lease is up.

Volkswagon.com

But I warn you.. it's a nightmare to find things on this site about this car. It keeps dumping you back to the regular Jetta you can buy now.

I think 60 was the highway and of course it's with perfect driving conditions. Since it's not here yet I wonder where they got thier info from. According to the offical info I have read the car has not yet gotten it's USA "MPG" rating?

 

[karinbelle]

We needed a new one anyway so we got a Camry Hybrid and DH is loving the mpg he gets! We still have the old car (we planned on donating it after we used the full tank of gas it has) I've been driving it instead of my van which gets only 17, the Oldsmobile gets 26 but has 194,000 miles on it!

Hey, if you're going to donate it, drive it until it expires - then donate. Expecially if you get 26 mpg.

 

[karinbelle]

It is definitely a trend, but you have to be really precise when you run the numbers, which everyone on this thread is doing very intelligently!!

We'v been addicted to imports here in Los Angeles and all of California for well over twenty years; either the Accord, Corolla or Camry has been the best-selling car in the state every year since the early nineties, but there are still plenty of gas-gulping SUVs on the roads out here, with no end in sight.

I purchased a brand new Hyundai Elantra in April of 2007, and with unleaded gas at $4.45/gallon right now, I'm really glad I did!

Our 2001 Hyundai Santa Fee just bit the dust at 109k. It was paid for. We aren't going to replace it.

On the other hand, we have a Mazda Miata with 165k and still going strong.

The Santa Fe was unrepairable - just a heads-up for those of you with a Hyundai. The mechanic said it was likely a defect in the motor that didn't show up until now.