Is it really better to Trade it In?

[shatto]

http://www.theledger.com/article/201...85025&tc=yahoo

If the above link dies: https://encrypted.google.com/search?...&aqi=&aql=&oq=

"Factor in all your costs before dumping that gas guzzler."
is the title of the long and complete article on why it is not necessarily a good idea to follow President Obama's advice to the guy with the big SUV. Watch the video, but definitely read the article.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RV8a...mbedded#at=144
The reality is....it costs less to keep the gas guzzler!

[bowtieguy]

i actually posted a similar concept, tho my thought disallows a new car purchase when trading for better fuel mileage...http://www.gassavers.org/showthread....ght=cost+month

for those that "regret" it as the article puts it, they either made a rash decision or are focusing on the short term(losses), rather than the long term(gains).

[Jay2TheRescue]

I've known this for years. Since my truck is paid for, and is relatively cheap to insure, Its cheaper for me to keep it rather than replace it. I consolidate trips, and use the motorcycle whenever possible. Gas will have to get a lot more expensive, and economy cars have to get a lot cheaper for the numbers to work in favor of replacing the truck.

[GasSavers_BEEF]

jay,

you are also a business owner. trucks are very valuable to people that actually use them as trucks. even if it seems like very rare, they do come in handy when the time comes.

I have been without a truck now for about 2.5-3 years and there have been several times when I wished I still had it. I do have access to other people's trucks but that really isn't the same.

I am a big advocate for the small car but I can appreciate the utility of a truck or SUV given the right situation.

maybe worthy of note: I have not read the article though the concept comes around about every summer as gas prices rise.

[Jay2TheRescue]

Truth be told, if I were to purchase an economy vehicle I would still keep the truck as its already paid for, and its cheap to insure and register.

[theclencher]

Gotta love how shatto attempts to tie downsizing vehicles as not necessarily the most economical thing to do with Obama's advise to downsize.

Of course any nitwit can run out and find a worse deal- the fact that one even goes to a dealership in the first place means it's gonna cost a lot because dealers are in it for *drumroll please* the money.

I can find cheap or even free econo cars (30+mpg) all day long, and in fact I've scored quite a few totally free cars, and I'm not talking about ones from Mom and Dad either. So, yeah, there really is no need to be stuck with a guzzler unless, like the guy in the Obama vid, you have a family of 12, in which case I would help fundraise for sterilizations for Mr. and Mrs. Cottontail.

[VetteOwner]

^^^ LOL^^^^^

yea weve bought a few $100 specials and put 40K on em or more before they blow but meh

ive always known its better to keep a car a long time and run it into the ground than trading them in or selling them.

[dieselbenz]

Fuel economy doesn't mean squat. The real reason people buy new cars is when the maintainance cost outgrows the monthly payment on a new car. Throw a couple of $500-$1000 repair bills at most owners and they'll be running to the new car dealer. Most people don't even know how to pop the hood anymore.

[theclencher]

It's expensive to be dumb!

[bowtieguy]

never underestimate the predictability of stupidity!