Drive a more fuel efficient car. And it's better for the environment too! Let me give a personal example. I went from driving a 1996 Dodge Avenger to a 2008 Toyota Yaris.
1996 Avenger: 21 mpg (rated @ 24 mpg, but it's old)
2008 Toyota Yaris: 32 mpg
With gas at $3.50/gallon and driving 12K miles a year it would cost me:
1996 Avenger: $1750
2008 Yaris: $1312 (save $438/yr)
Let me give some comparisons:
2008 Toyota Prius: $903
2008 Ford Escape Hybrid SUV: $1312
2008 Dodge Grand Caravan: $2100
2008 Ford Taurus: $2100
If gas were at $4.00 then you would save relative to a Grand Caravan/Ford Taurus:
Prius: $1368/yr
Civic: $1230/yr
Escape Hybrid: $900/yr
**Here I am just giving fuel savings for a fixed price and driving behavior. This is not a "cost to drive" value. Cost to drive also depends on capital cost (vehicle purchase price), maintenance costs, depreciation and car financing. Here are the cost to drive numbers for my:
Avenger: $0.25 / mile (assuming $2.50 gas)
Avenger: $0.30 / mile (assuming $3.50 gas) Yaris (so far): $0.78 / mile (assuming $3.50 gas)
Yaris (12 yr): $0.26 / mile (assuming $3.50 gas)
Yaris (15 yr): $0.23 / mile (assuming $3.50 gas)
You can pinch pennies ... or ...
May 13th, 2008 at 03:01 pm
May 13th, 2008 at 03:29 pm 1210688948
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The IRS is allowing $.505 per mile which includes gas, insurance and upkeep.
May 13th, 2008 at 04:35 pm 1210692929
:-P
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