davehultin wrote:
mkirsch wrote:
Think about it, increasing from 7 to 9 MPG is a 28% increase. That's HUGE.
Yes, you're exactly right to put it in those terms. As long as I'm trending in the right direction for MPG I'm happy. We didn't get into camping to save gas!!! The family memories are invaluable compared to the cost of gas (even as these prices).
Common issue with using MPG. Example: Your family has 2 vehicles used similar miles and you want to replace one of them. A small car going from 40 to 50 MPG, sounds better than a truck going from 15 to 20 MPG. 10 more is better than 5 more of course...
But if you are driving say 12,000miles per year with each, the truck's improved MPG is by far the bigger impact on your wallet. Assuming $5/gal:
- Car goes from $1500 to $1200 per year in gas. ($300 saved)
- Truck goes from $4000 to $3000 per year in gas. ($1000 saved).
In Europe they use liters per 100km (translates as gallons per 100miles). Same basic data but gives the buyer a number closer to what they are really after. In our example:
- Car goes from 2.5 to 2.0 gal/100mile or 0.5 gal less every 100miles
- Truck goes from 6.7 to 5.0 gal/100mile or 1.7 gal less every 100 miles
