Thinking of downsizing your car/truck? Check your gas saving costs here

[..]

http://www.edmunds.com/calculators/gas-guzzler.html

[alph]

wow, if i went into debt to buy a new car, that got 30mpg verses the 13mpg my truck gets, i would save $58 in gas per month.  deduct that number from the monthly payments for a new vehicle, i'd still be paying more for saving the planet???  something doesn't seem right??  so, explain that "cash for clunkers" thing again.....  from what i've seen, i'd be better off keeping what i got?  wow, and it's paid for too.....

[..]

I ran the numbers to get rid of my 1997 150,000 mile 14 mpg Tahoe for a 2009 smaller hatchback like a Elantra, Yaris or Mazda 3.

At my mileage of 500 miles a month (I don't even drive that much) it would take over 10 years to break even  at a GAS RATE OF $4.00 a gallon

[R J]

I ran the numbers to get rid of my 1997 150,000 mile 14 mpg Tahoe for a 2009 smaller hatchback like a Elantra, Yaris or Mazda 3.

At my mileage of 500 miles a month (I don't even drive that much) it would take over 10 years to break even  at a GAS RATE OF $4.00 a gallon

That is the almost same figures I got for my 09 Dodge Hemi, and it is also paid for.

[Tropic traveler]

wow, if i went into debt to buy a new car, that got 30mpg verses the 13mpg my truck gets, i would save $58 in gas per month.  deduct that number from the monthly payments for a new vehicle, i'd still be paying more for saving the planet???  something doesn't seem right??  so, explain that "cash for clunkers" thing again.....  from what i've seen, i'd be better off keeping what i got?  wow, and it's paid for too.....

Agreed. Unless you really need a new vehicle anyways it almost never makes any immediate sense to "trade up" for MPG. Only have 85K on Kim's 2003 Sable, bought new, which is in great condition. Although it only gets 22/17 mpg it makes no sense to trade right now. I can buy a nicely equipped 2011 Fiesta through the dealership I work with for $15,800 that gets 40/30 (!!) mpg. The Fiesta is plenty of car for what we need but the Sable has been looong paid for. At our present rate of driving the Sable is only about at half life cycle.
Less money spent on the cars means more for the Valks!
You can bet that when the time comes to trade MPG will be a prime priority. 

[CajunRider]

So, I ran the numbers. 

I can sell the Valk, and buy a USED harley 1200. 

Sure, the wife and I wouldn't be near as comfy... but hey, we're gonna save the planet right???    

With the valk averaging 30 mpg (which is BAD mileage for me) and the Harley averaging 40 mpg (which is BAD mileage for the Harley)...........

I'd save a whole $4 per month!!!!!  That's a break even point of 267 months, IF I can get a harley for a mere $1000 more than a Valkyrie (maybe a sportster, if I'm lucky). 

Hardly worth giving up the six-er.  I think I'll keep the Valk.    

[flcjr]

I intentionally drive my 2500hd chevy with the 8100  496c.i. that gets 8-10 mpg just to piss off Al Gore  did i mention its been -25f the last two mornings WHERE IS MY GLOBAL WARMING ?? I AM BURNING AS MUCH GAS AS I CAN AFFORD AND I AM FREEZING   

[old2soon]

No calculations-my 94 olds 3.8 only has 180000+ miles on it-gets on avg 25mpg its paid for and i have losa parts available in the local wrecking yards. IMHO-the only thing cash for clunkers did was remove the low price vehicles that a lot of folks here can afford. I also have a very smart mechanic who works for a modest fee-at least in my mind. RIDE SAFE.

[Tropic traveler]

So, I ran the numbers. 

I can sell the Valk, and buy a USED harley 1200. 

Sure, the wife and I wouldn't be near as comfy... but hey, we're gonna save the planet right???    

With the valk averaging 30 mpg (which is BAD mileage for me) and the Harley averaging 40 mpg (which is BAD mileage for the Harley)...........

I'd save a whole $4 per month!!!!!  That's a break even point of 267 months, IF I can get a harley for a mere $1000 more than a Valkyrie (maybe a sportster, if I'm lucky). 

Hardly worth giving up the six-er.  I think I'll keep the Valk.    

 

[¿spoom]

That's why our tax money goes to subsidize everyone else who buys an electric or similar scam car Wouldn't make sense without thousands of free dollars being kicked in involuntarily by your neighbors.

[¿spoom]

No calculations-my 94 olds 3.8 only has 180000+ miles on it-gets on avg 25mpg its paid for and i have losa parts available in the local wrecking yards. IMHO-the only thing cash for clunkers did was remove the low price vehicles that a lot of folks here can afford. I also have a very smart mechanic who works for a modest fee-at least in my mind. RIDE SAFE.

very true, great motor BTW 

[bigfish_Oh]

first of all, I upsized for many reasons !!!! Their is nothing to down size to and still pull 14K when I want and be in comfort !!

yeah,  turn out some lights Gore, that will save more than if all of us on this site downsize

if I did downsize to a GMC 1500 hydrid I might save $61. a month after 49 months(it will be paid for long before I start saving on fuel)

their is no way I would get the nada price of 45-50K on my 2009 trading it on a employee discounted and rebated 45K 2011, or have a chance selling it outright.

off topic, kinda---- we went to get the wife a van/truck and found out hardly anyone would loan any money on a V8 with over 100K miles, no matter how much you put down or wanted to borrow(we offered 80% down on a 12K suburban)

[lakehunter]

Here is an alternative idea, most any modern car or truck can have it's engine management systems up-graded for a fraction of the cost compared to a trade up.
Example, 2004 Chevy 2500HD 4WD four door pickup with the bigest diesel engine available, 22 to 24 mpg average city / highway.

And not stuffed into a cramped up tinker toy either.

Other models fair even better ... if it's paid for run it !!!

[..]

Here is an alternative idea, most any modern car or truck can have it's engine management systems up-graded for a fraction of the cost compared to a trade up.
Example, 2004 Chevy 2500HD 4WD four door pickup with the bigest diesel engine available, 22 to 24 mpg average city / highway.

And not stuffed into a cramped up tinker toy either.

Other models fair even better ... if it's paid for run it !!!

Tell us more please.

[lakehunter]

Here is an alternative idea, most any modern car or truck can have it's engine management systems up-graded for a fraction of the cost compared to a trade up.
Example, 2004 Chevy 2500HD 4WD four door pickup with the bigest diesel engine available, 22 to 24 mpg average city / highway.

And not stuffed into a cramped up tinker toy either.

Other models fair even better ... if it's paid for run it !!!

Tell us more please.

Hello Britman,

It isn't rocket science, a quick google will reveal companies like xtremedieselperformance.com , dieselperformance.com, and many others offering exhaust and computer management products. All offer dramatic gains in both horsepower and economy, pick your level and plug-n-play for a weekend in the garage. In my case improved 15 to 17 mpg up to 22 to 24mpg.
Really beats me why the factories won't do some of this from the start ...
oh yea, I remember now, it's called big brother knows best .

Good luck and happy wrenching !

[flcjr]

Lakehunter,

    Speaking as a tech in a gm shop for 16 years, those programmers do work as you say but they are also very hard on transmissions and the diesels all blow the head gaskets out after running them for awhile. One more note that 100k powertrain warranty is null and void once you install them.and you cannot hide it or just reprogram to fool us. you could buy a new pcm but that would be the only way to hide and they cost $1000.

[lakehunter]

Lakehunter,

    Speaking as a tech in a gm shop for 16 years, those programmers do work as you say but they are also very hard on transmissions and the diesels all blow the head gaskets out after running them for awhile. One more note that 100k powertrain warranty is null and void once you install them.and you cannot hide it or just reprogram to fool us. you could buy a new pcm but that would be the only way to hide and they cost $1000.

Only head gasket problems were with the Fords, F450 Superduty ... almost 300k on each of two Chevys used daily in a service business, towing included, no problems other than a couple injectors failing, and as a GM wrench you know about the factory problems with their injectors pre 2006. If the transmissions get serviced as required by the "heavy duty" part of the maint program we havn't had problems, ymmv .
Great advice on the warranty issues, no one should do this with out considering it will void the factory warranty.

[flcjr]

i don't now about the fords but head gaskets on duramax's are changed alot and 99% of those have some sort of programmer in them very few problems on ones left stock. The trans problems are not as bad but the added power puts more stress on them then they were deisigned for. the injector problems were for the most part on 2004 mid year and earlier not much problems after that.

[alph]

....... and they cost $1000.

once again, you have to calculate the amount of money you're saving to justify the cost of the "improvements"!!  i remember when the "tornado" came out, it cost $75 and said it would add 2 to 3 mpg to your average gas mileage....  well, do the math, if gas is .50 cents more after you install the thing, you'd have to burn up 150 gallons of fuel to just break even the cost of the device..... 

[flcjr]

Alph

 you make a good point that i failed to mention i think there are very few people that would ever benifit in the wallet from any of these.the factorys spend millions to make sure they run well and last they are the ones paying for the warranty repairs if changing the programing made them better they would do it. these gains are just short term if at all and will cost you in long run