So, I drive a 95 Jeep Wrangler 4.0 Liter Straight 6 that’s been modified to….errr, ‘enhance performance’. She gets about 18 mpg, but has a 20 gallon gas tank. So fill ups for me run around $45–$50 right now. The Mrs. and I talked about getting another vehicle, joking around that gas prices would put us in the poor house (we have enough money to fill ‘er up, it’s just annoying). So I did the math
20 x $2.55 = $51. I fill up every 8 to 10 days, so about 3 to 4 times a month. Let’s say about $200 in gas bills a month. Now, if I were to to purchase another vehicle that got better gas mileage, what would I be looking at? Well, if the vehicle got 30 mpg and a 12 gallon gas tank, we’d still be looking at filling up every 8 to 10 days still, as I drive a long way to and from work and 12 gallons * 30 mpg = 360 miles, while 20 gallons * 18 mpg = 30 miles. But I’d be paying $30 a shot ($120 monthly) and using less fuel to do the same amount of work.
Sounds like a great idea, right? Here’s the kicker. The Wrangler is paid off. The engine has been rebuilt and an AC installed, so it has everything I need and is extremely reliable. If I were to purchase a new vehicle, I’d add on an extra $300 minimum a month in car payments. So $300 + $120 > $200. It is not economically efficient for me to switch vehicles right now.
Gas would have to reach $5.25 a gallon before a new car would make sense.
So unless some environmentalists out there actually care to put their money where their mouth is and protect Mother Gaia by purchasing me a new, fuel efficient vehicle (one with more than 100 horse power, mind you), I guess I can suck up the increase in gasoline prices.