mmarshall

I've heard cases of the small 1.0-1.2L diesels in VW minicars (Polo, Lupo, etc.) getting 70-80 highway MPG under ideal conditions. Of course, since these cars aren't available in the U.S., we can't verify it here.

spwolf

cruising on the highway at 40 mph with no acceleration, maybe... otherwise no... their main small diesel is 1.6l.

Lupo was tiny old car that had 3cly diesel but was discontinued long time ago.

30-50 mpg is considered pretty awesome for your average monthly consumption, depending on your car... you can always go downhill for 2 minutes and get 80 mpg.

RXSF

probably buy a tesla, though they are severely backordered

mmarshall

The main problem with Teslas and Fiskers is their cost. You wouldn't be buying gasoline, of course, but you would be spending what normally would be gas-money (and more), even with tax-credits, on the car's sticker-price....not to mention the actual cost of electric-recharges.

That' to a large extent, is the same problem with the Chevy Volt and Prius Plug-in...which I've discussed in previous threads and posts.

KillaIS250

iTrader: (1)

I'd suck it up and make cutbacks elsewhere. At $10/Gal, i'm sure Hybrid's would command a pretty penny and be sold before they even hit the lots...so trading in for a hybrid would be out. Maybe I could convince my fiance to swap her Altima Hybrid with me .

rld14

Yup! A friend of mine wanted to lease a Prius to save on gas. He does 3 year leases at 12k a year...

Prius, even with better MPG, would have still cost more to drive.

Blackraven

For those living in places where train networks are abundant (i.e. Japan, Hong Kong, most of South East Asia, South Korea, etc..................or even most of Europe), then you won't be as screwed if you can't afford to fuel the car if and when fuel prices increase beyond absurdity.

I assume, in the case of the USA, places like New York/New Jersey or District of Columbia can get away with this.

But if you're living in Texas or anywhere where trains/public transportation is VIRTUALLY NON-EXISTENT, then there is no choice but to either:
-travel less on your auto
-get an auto with a small engine.

jbjones85

iTrader: (20)

I would probably just try to cut back a little but I would still have to commute (11 miles each way). No public transportation in my area thats useful.

*Batman*

I'd drive a twin turbo V8 or twin turbo V12. I don't drive enough for the price of gas to be a problem. I think $10 gas would mean my gas expense goes up by an extra $3000 a year. That's chump change when you make half a buck a year.

I think the only downside would be that if everyone has powerless cars, driving on the highway could get annoying.

<VENOM>

Filling up my car not an issue, watching prices of mostly everything rise because of gas prices is more of an issue, everything in this country moves by train or truck, most companies have and will not lower prices on products cause consumers get use to the prices, and 10 bucks a gallon just means bread, nuts, fruit, milk, etc will go up more

suicidesam

i only live 3 miles from work so i guess i'll ride my bike to work...

blacksc400

iTrader: (4)

Sometimes I wish the price goes up since the price on an used high power/gas guzzle car would drop considerably so I can get my hands on it. I bought my last Sequoia when the price was high, for 11000, and then year later the gas price dropped, I sold it for 15k.

spwolf

big problem is not only cost of gas, but those V8 and V12 cars would drop in value like a stone.

caddyowner

I work as a consultant and drive over $30K miles per year. I would negotiate working from home 2-3 days per week and drive the Prius on days I had to be at the client site.

Silver10

At over $4 a gal now im pissed and only work 5 miles from home, I try to drive as little as possible now cause of this and at $10 I'd really never leave the house except for my out of state visits about every 2-3 months.