When you set out to drive your car with good gas mileage as a primary goal, you learn to make changes to both your daily routine and your driving habits. While swapping out for a more efficient vehicle often isn’t an option, you can take control over the amount of fuel you use each week. In order to get good gas mileage, you have to be willing to alter your technique.
How heavy- footed are you?
While the current official fuel economy estimates are a reasonable starting point, a conscientious driver can beat the numbers. Although earlier estimates may have overstated mileage, the current figures can dramatically understate certain vehicles capabilities.
Depending on the car, good gas mileage is relative. If you have six people to move about, a four-seat vehicle won’t do. It’s important to compare apples to apples. Some small car zealots forget about the transportation requirements of extended families as well as the need to transport friends, along with family.
Ready to Replace Your Ride?
While the Toyota Prius (shown at left) and Honda Civic Hybrid are two long-running darlings, there’s an expanded range of new vehicles with good gas mileage on the market these days.
The 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI (shown at right) marked the return of high-MPG diesel cars to the United States, while the 2010 Honda Insight carves out a new niche as the most affordable hybrid. With gas prices at less than half their peak, there are some great bargains out there.
Can’t afford (or don’t want) to buy a brand new car? The previously-owned market offers plenty of choices. The Honda Civic is one of the most popular conventional used cars with good gas mileage. Other popular choices include the Ford Focus (shown at left), Nissan Sentra, and Toyota Corolla. All four of these vehicles have been on the market for years and the supply of these vehicles is plentiful.
Other popular used cars with good gas mileage include the Mini Cooper (shown at right), Toyota Yaris, and Honda Fit. The cumulative sales numbers are lower on these vehicles however, and they may be harder to find in the used car market.
As always, the laws of supply and demand apply.
We’ve seen the cycle repeat itself; when the price of fuel goes up, good gas mileage cars are in high demand and prices go up. When the price of fuel drops, so does the demand for, and the price of, fuel-efficient vehicles.
As a country, we need to realize that the current lull in gas prices cannot last. As individuals, we must take note of the sales price reductions in these vehicles and take advantage of the situation, when and if possible.
Carpe diem.
Do you feel it is worth the extra 5k to invest in a VW Golf TDI, versus the regular golf? Diesel prices are currently more expensive than regular gas.