Although gas prices are insanely high right now, I still don't regret buying a truck one bit. There is not only a need for me to have one, but its safer as well. I have a boat (5,000 lb towing job), and a dirtbike that I haul around from time to time. When I tell my friends what I am getting MPG-wise, they usually laugh and call me an idiot. But I really drive so little (9500 miles/year) that it's affect on me is minimal. Getting 14 MPG and driving 14 miles a day is no different than getting 28 MPG and driving 28 miles per day! I fill up about once every 2 1/2 - 3 weeks, and part of that is due to the 30 gallon tank. Looking at nationwide stats, I am really not spending much more than anyone else on gas, and therefore am not consuming much more. Sure, I could buy a car for day to day driving, to save on gas. But how much would I really save? Let's assume I buy a great running car for 5 grand. Right away, I am in the hole for 5k, no? Lets say I get double the miles per gallon. At 14 MPG, driving 9500 miles/year costs me 2714 dollars/year, at 4.00 dollars per gallon. At 28 MPG, cut that 2714 in half, to 1357. I save 1357 dollars! But wait, I'm still 3700 bucks in the hole from buying that car! With insurance (50/month at least), maintenance, etc, its hard to imagine ever making up that money. Even if, after 5 or so years I make up the cost, I'm just breaking even. It would take another few years to make the hassle of having two vehicles worthwhile. Thats assuming a 5000 dollar vehicle lasts me 8 or 10 years, which it probably wouldn't. I'd probably have to spend more like 10 grand. Double all those time figures I just gave! Maybe, in 15 years, I'll have saved a grand or so on gas! I had an in-law arguing with me today about my 'excessive fossil fuel consumption'. I then found he drives 50 miles per day and gets 25 MPG! Looks like he consumes more gas annually than I do (Actually, almost double)! I am by no means a politcal guy. I just thought it was a good story to tell, as Im sure we have all thought about buying a second vehicle for the gas mileage. It is also much, much safer! In my old Silverado this summer, I was doing 70MPH on the highway when a deer ran out in front of me. 7K in damage. More importantly, had I been in a sedan or small vehicle, I would quite possibly have been injured, if not killed. Need I mention, the smooth, deep rumble of a V8 when pulling out of an intersection is just music to the ears! |
|
