Is guaranteed 3$/gallon gas worth enough to buy a Chrysler?

[SVOboy]

The title makes it sound like I don't like chrysler very much, don't it?

ou're trying to conserve fuel, making said fuel cheaper doesn't help the cause. If you're trying to sell cars, making the stuff they run on cheaper might help. But one thing is for certain, not everyone is a fan of Chrysler's new "Let's Refuel America Gas Card."

As we calculated this morning, the incentive will likely only save a driver a few hundred bucks a year. As ABG reader Dan pointed out in a comment on the original post, buyers need to give up any other incentives currently available in order to get the gas card, and some of those deals are much bigger than $1,200 (the gas plan is in effect for three years). Automotive News is reporting that the Union of Concerned Scientists has got their own phrase for the plan: a "cynical deal." Here's the kicker, the Union's statement continues:

But a mere 3-mpg boost would yield the same savings over the 15,000 miles per year typically driven in the first three years of ownership. Over the lifetime of a vehicle, such a fuel economy increase would save drivers more than $3,000. It wouldn't stop saving drivers money after just three years.

Still, Suzuki knows a way to attracts potential buyer eyeballs when it sees one, and has announced its own fuel program: buy a new Suzuki before the end of June and get three months of free - totally free - fuel. Of course, if you think $400 a year isn't a good reason to buy a new car, don't bother doing the math on three months of no cost fuel. The automakers are playing on fears of high gas prices and hope you can't, or don't, do the math.

ABG

[Frankenstipe]

Nothing makes it worth it to buy a Chrysler or a Ford. They could be giving away free gas for the life of the car if you bought any one of their cars and I still wouldn't even think about it.

[Lazarus]

Wow what a gimmic. You have to give up other incentives so in reality instead of get a break up front it's spread out over 3 years. This is really sad.

[Silveredwings]

I can save even more by not buying one.

[Peakster]

Originally Posted by Silveredwings

I can save even more by not buying one.

Lol! I love that statement!

[cfg83]

Hello -

In the history of selling cars, up until the last few years, have *any* car companies offered free gas programs?

CarloSW2

[Nerys]

I thought chrysler had lifetime drivetrain warranty.

I ALSO heard even if you SELL the car you can still keep the $2.99 gas. Makes it interesting to say the least. Alas I can not afford a new car so its a moot point.

[hvatum]

Originally Posted by Frankenstipe

Nothing makes it worth it to buy a Chrysler or a Ford. They could be giving away free gas for the life of the car if you bought any one of their cars and I still wouldn't even think about it.

Maybe in the US right now. They will certainly get more appealing for our crowd in the next few years. They're far from incapable of making nice economic cars, they've been doing it for years. The executives were just stupid and thought Americans didn't want small efficient cars. They've learned though and have started bringing over successful cars from Europe and selling them in the US. Ford Europe has been quite profitable.

I would seriously consider buying a Ford in the UK. Due to the dollar you can get quite a nice car for dirt cheap over there.

http://www.autobloggreen.com/2008/03...-co-sub-2-sub/

The Fiesta, and other ford models, with the ecoNetic diesel beat the Prius on CO2 emissions (of course it's smaller). And, they're about half the price of a Prius in the UK. The new Fiesta will also be road tax exempt, which means any gain in fuel economy for the Prius will never pay for itself.

The people who are totally cynical about American motor companies will be surprised in the coming years.

[Nerys]

Hmmm maybe things have changed but we have some old late 80's early 90's Ford vans we would never have traded for anything. We easily put more than half a million miles on each of them before moving on to the next van.

[JohnnyGrey]

Considering that none of their vehicles can break 30mpg, I'd say no. Speak with your wallet and buy more efficient cars. They're following in Ford's footsteps by concentrating on hulking guzzlers. Let them lie in the bed they made. Even their Caliber is a chunky beast. Don't let Chrysler exploit fear of gas prices to buy you off!

[Nerys]

How hard is it to buy a new car and then immediately sell it for what you paid? IE if you sell the car you can KEEP the gas card!!

[njlou]

You have hit it right on!!
The deal is that for 12000 miles/yr you will pay only $2.99/gal and chrysler will pay the rest.
If gas goes to 2.99 or less you just forfeited your (substantial) discount on the purchase price. It is a gimmick for those who pay full list price or actually cannot afford to buy/negotiate a purchase.
The best is to wait until conditions are right and negotiate your best discount. As a bonus you save on sales tax too!! It's 7% here.

[hvatum]

Originally Posted by JohnnyGrey

Considering that none of their vehicles can break 30mpg, I'd say no. Speak with your wallet and buy more efficient cars. They're following in Ford's footsteps by concentrating on hulking guzzlers. Let them lie in the bed they made. Even their Caliber is a chunky beast. Don't let Chrysler exploit fear of gas prices to buy you off!

Actually lots of them do. The 2009 Fiesta breaks 55 MPG, and it really breaks it to when people drive it with their normal driving habits, unlike the Prius.

http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/27/n...-by-late-2009/

As I said earlier, Ford never stopped making small efficient cars, they just haven't been selling them in the US. To their loss. You are totally right, and it's consumers voting with their wallets that finally brought about this change

[JohnnyGrey]

Actually lots of them do.

I was talking about Chrysler there. But speaking of Ford, how many small cars do they make compared to the slew of SUVs they crank out?

[Nerys]

actually for chrysler even there SUV's can get well over 30mpg and even 40mpg even jeeps and stuff. Its just those are diesels they have no interest in selling here. In fact more than half the US made chryslers are VERY good on gas they are just all shipped OUT of the US :-) cute ehh :-)

[Frankenstipe]

My beef with them isn't about MPG, it's about reliability, and the fact that they're just plain fugly looking.

[hvatum]

Originally Posted by JohnnyGrey

I was talking about Chrysler there. But speaking of Ford, how many small cars do they make compared to the slew of SUVs they crank out?

World wide, or in the US?

World wide small cars are the vast majority of their production.

[Will]

Originally Posted by Frankenstipe

My beef with them isn't about MPG, it's about reliability, and the fact that they're just plain fugly looking.

I am sure that a lot of people would have the same view of our Ecomodded rides.

[justpassntime]

If they repossess the car do you have to give the gas back?

[rsx2002]

I dont see how you would have to give it back. the collateral on the loan would be your car. whatever bank your loan was threw would want nothing to do with a gas card.