Hunting Happiness

A while back, I wrote a post about what living frugally meant and mentioned some debate between me and SomeGal about getting a more fun car. Prices on the most likely contender (used) have been dropping like rocks due to its relatively poor fuel economy and the rising gasoline prices. Well, even so, I have decided to stick with my current car.

My current vehicle is about two years old and is paid off. I average around 35mpg which is quite good given my non-freeway commute, and it takes regular unleaded. I filled up today and had my first $50 fill-up with 87 octane right at $4 per gallon.

SomeGal also drives a very fuel efficient vehicle that is paid off. We both traded in very fuel inefficient (under 20mpg real driving) vehicles and are pleased we did. It dropped our monthly gas budget from over $400 a month down to around $100-150, depending on road trips, et cetera.

Consumer Reports ran an interesting article analyzing if it makes sense to actively trade in a gas hog for a hybrid or some other efficient vehicle. The cost of depreciation combined with acquiring a “new” vehicle led them to determine that it did not make sense. Obviously, if you would be in the market for a vehicle anyway as SomeGal and I were, it definitely makes sense to consider fuel efficiency in your purchasing decision.