Quote:
Originally Posted by redpoint5
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8 miles * 235 days = 1880 miles
1880 miles / 18.6 mpg (your mpg) = 101 gal
1880 miles / 21 mpg (EPA mpg) = 90 gal
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My instincts (and browsing the ecomodder garage for Accords), make me think that 25-30mpg should be doable, even with the short commute, cold weather, and auto transmission, although it hinges critically on the amount of effort expended on eco-driving.
1880 miles / 25 mpg = 75 gal
26 gal * $3.7 = $96 saving per year
1880 miles / 30 mpg = 63 gal
38 gal * $3.7 = $141 saving per year
Either way, I do agree with redpoint that probably isn't enough money on the table to make or break your budget. There's probably a lot more money you could squeeze out of capital equipment (an older car). (As a rule of thumb I say a shorter commute always favors an older car unless you need it for something else; this is the economics of depreciation against maintenance.)
If you do start cycling (which I love!) do consider the effects of slick weather. Some folks will ride studded ice tires; I'm not one of them. But cold weather is fine by me, skiers have all the answers for that.