what would you do? (Ideas for higher MPG $6k vehicle than a Kia Sportage?)

[Fat Charlie]

vao- Your average is going up. Give yourself time.

[jalmir]

Like the others said, give it time. And if you are still thinking of changing cars and staying with Korean cars, stay away from the Accent, if you want a cheap car with lots of cargo and good MPG, check the Elantra GT from 2002 to 2006 (the GT is hatchback except for the 2001 model).

One of my friend has a GT like mine and he was able to put a snow blower in the back ... and close the hatch, he still smiles when telling the story and how the guy from Home Depot couldn't beleive it! lol

[Smurf]

Driving 2450 miles per month?! DAMN!

A few months ago, you were getting ~21MPG. Now, you're getting ~24MPG.

2450 miles / 21MPG = 116.67 gallons per month
2450 miles / 24MPG = 102.83 gallons per month

A difference of 13.84 gallons every month. Suppose it's $3.70/gallon average, you're saving $51 every month now.

Now, let's assume you dive in and get yourself a Matrix/Vibe. Stock, they're about 30MPG, but let's say you creep up on 35MPG average..

2450 miles / 35MPG = 70 gallons per month. That's 46 gallons better than you were a few months ago, ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY BUCKS A MONTH in your pocket.

[vao]

I'm not in a position right now to get rid of the car (just can't be vehicle-less for any length of time). And yea Metro...

...whoa-oh that lovvvvvin feeling, you've lost that lovin feelin now its gone
...gone
...gone
..whoa-oh-oh...bum, bum bum

*cough* Anyway.

Yea I just don't get it. I can't drive as efficiently as I would like to on highways, so I feel like I'm stuck...

[vao]

Originally Posted by Smurf

Driving 2450 miles per month?! DAMN!

A few months ago, you were getting ~21MPG. Now, you're getting ~24MPG.

2450 miles / 21MPG = 116.67 gallons per month
2450 miles / 24MPG = 102.83 gallons per month

A difference of 13.84 gallons every month. Suppose it's $3.70/gallon average, you're saving $51 every month now.

Now, let's assume you dive in and get yourself a Matrix/Vibe. Stock, they're about 30MPG, but let's say you creep up on 35MPG average..

2450 miles / 35MPG = 70 gallons per month. That's 46 gallons better than you were a few months ago, ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY BUCKS A MONTH in your pocket.

Yessir. Almost 30k mi a year...I hate it.

[MetroMPG]

And it's outside the realm of possibility to get a replacement vehicle first and then sell the Kia?

If it's strictly a financial issue, with savings of $170 a month on fuel, it might be worth financing to carry a replacement vehicle for the amount of time it would take to sell the Kia.

[vao]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

And it's outside the realm of possibility to get a replacement vehicle first and then sell the Kia?

If it's strictly a financial issue, with savings of $170 a month on fuel, it might be worth financing to carry a replacement vehicle for the amount of time it would take to sell the Kia.

Assuming I can get Dorothy up and running nice and sweet, it may afford me some room. The money from selling the Kia would be needed to buy anything, let alone finding the appropriate/nice enough vehicle...

...plus I just put a $300 pioneer d-din dvd receiver in it this weekend

[roosterk0031]

My cobalt payment is $130 a month, fuel savings covering about $100 of it. I didn't run the numbers but looks like 40 mpg car should pay for itself (almost) still that insurance and license cost but close.

Ride that KLR, I put 20k on my 00 untill I thought I needed more and bought a FZ1, then a few others, should have just kept riding that KLR. You are all ready have the best option to the car, just make your self get on it.

[vao]

Originally Posted by roosterk0031

My cobalt payment is $130 a month, fuel savings covering about $100 of it. I didn't run the numbers but looks like 40 mpg car should pay for itself (almost) still that insurance and license cost but close.

Ride that KLR, I put 20k on my 00 untill I thought I needed more and bought a FZ1, then a few others, should have just kept riding that KLR. You are all ready have the best option to the car, just make your self get on it.

If I could drive the KLR to work, I would every day. Unfortunately, most days at work I am required to carry around suitcases of medical eqiupment around new jersey. One or two suitcases I could handle, but no more on the bike.

Only rarely do I get to commute via MC, which sucks.

How is your car payment only 130 a month?

[redpoint5]

The talk of riding the KLR to save money got me to thinking that I need to run the numbers to see if my motorcycle saves me money.

15,000 annual miles.
Assuming $4/gal gas

Acura TSX = 500 gallons = $2,000
Honda CBR = 333 gallons = $1,333

I would save $667/yr in fuel to exclusively ride my motorcycle. Considering I would go through 3 rear tires and 1 front, I estimate I would spend $800/yr on tires.

For me, riding the motorcycle or taking the car is a wash financially. A more efficient motorcycle or less efficient vehicle would tilt the scales in favor of riding.