[alloysteel]

If people want economy, they are going to have to pay for it.

The biggest expense in automobile ownership? Annual depreciation on any vehicle less than five years old. Right behind that is insurance costs, then if the vehicle if financed, the cost of borrowed money (not the money itself, but the "opportunity cost" of tying up investment in vehicle ownership). Nest item on the list, the cost of fuel, comes in about fourth place, and only as the vehicle grows older and older, does the fuel cost become the most important factor in vehicle ownership and operation.

How about repowering the vehicle with the newest of fuel-efficient designs, and running the cycle out for fifteen years, instead of seven or eight? Probably a quarter the cost of replacing the vehicle altogether, and the repowered vehicle is able to take advantage of the newest technology in fuels and efficient design.

Still, some people yearn for the prettiest appliance on the block.

[Uncle Joe Cannon]

In places like Southern California, where we might spend hours in the car every single day, having a nice and shiny new car every few years is more than just about vanity - it is a basic quality of life issue.

[Paladin2]

It was done strictly to reduce oil consumption without changing lifestyle. Not a financially driven decision, but purely a response to high fuel prices.

When used Excursions become cheaper, I'll try to pick one of those up as I miss taking trips in my, now old and out to pasture, Suburban.

[Jorge]

If people want economy, they are going to have to pay for it.

I paid only $13k for my Merc Tracer 6 years ago and it gets 40mpg@ 65-70mph with the AC on max.

It's great little car.