This time last year, while the financial and housing crises quietly percolated, gas prices hovered between $3 and $4 a gallon, depending on where you lived in the country. And while we all complained about those prices, we weren’t really doing much about it. Jobs losses weren’t what they are today. The economy seemed in good shape. Most of us were comfortable in our jobs and collecting our paychecks, and driving our big ol’ gas guzzlers.
Fast-forward a year. While gas prices are roughly half what they were, the economy struggles to recover from The Great Recession. Americans are looking to cut costs and corners everywhere. Instead of replacing our gas hogs, we are repairing them. But some of us are replacing our cars. Sales of new cars are dismal, but still existent.
So we are in the dealership, perusing the selection. What is one of the top factors in the selection of this new vehicle? Reliability? Now more than ever, but not the top. Amenities? Maybe, but in this age of frugality probably not so much. Gas mileage? You bet. In fact, consumers are putting fuel economy above safety. In a recent Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) crash test of subcompacts showed that “driver death rates in mini-cars are more than double the death rates in midsize and large cars.”
Another quandary that we Americans face in these hard times. On one hand, we need vehicles that are fuel efficient and environmentally friendly. On another hand, we want to keep ourselves and our families safe. On another hand we need to save money and live on tight budgets. And yet on another hand, we’re being asked to give a hand out to the car companies themselves. That’s a lot of hands out.
So, if you are among those looking for a new vehicle, which do you prefer? Comment here!
As gas prices increase, so have advertisements about products that claim to clean your gas tank and increase your fuel efficiency. DO NOT BE FOOLED. I have a term for these types of liquid products –I call them snake oil.
