Re: Survey: Gas mileage top concern for new-car buyers
 

^ I didn't appreciate there was that much difference in the ounces (finally broke down and spell checked the full word). And I'd agree: floozies make all the difference. ;)

Re: Survey: Gas mileage top concern for new-car buyers
 

Stable gas prices could make a difference here. Buyers are worried that 4 dollar gas and mpg. But they worry that if the price of gas drops back to 2.29 a gallon that they will wasn't a 4door truck again. Car makers are worried about these same issues. Factory outputs would have to be adjusted accordingly. We need arable prices. A stable currency would fix this. Instead of tying dollars to gold why not oil?

Re: Survey: Gas mileage top concern for new-car buyers
 

Yesterday I did a www.fueleconomy.gov Power Search of Det3 2012 and 2013 midsized cars and station wagons to assess average mpg(US) combined.

Answer: 20.9 mpg

Then I looked at minivans and SUVs ... 20.2 mpg(US) combined

Unfortunately ... I forgot to include hybrids in the search criteria ... but you get the idea.

Looks like a few fuel frugal <2 Liter Euro type diesels could get those midsized (and slightly larger) at least into the high 30's ... and maybe a few into the 50s mpg(US) combined.

That would certainly alter the fuel cost budget ... provided US price premium for the diesel engine is similar to Europe. Maybe an additional $1K for US emissions abatement.

At least that is the way it looks to me.

Re: Survey: Gas mileage top concern for new-car buyers
 

Sigh...

A coworker just got a new F150 4-door (V8 of course). He's trading his "old" tundra to another coworker, replacing his old Buick Century 3.8.

On the other hand, another coworker got approval for part-time work from home. He commutes ~60 miles each way in his Super Duty. This will save a lot!

Re: Survey: Gas mileage top concern for new-car buyers
 

I don't use quite so many decimal places :p but I divide my mpgUK by 1.20095 to get mpgUS so I can compare my FE with you guys :D