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Better to buy new?

Santa Rosa Press Democrat -- Save money and help save the planet — buy a new car.

What sounds like an automobile industry marketing mantra actually comes from the Natural Resources Defense Council, a 1.3-million member environmental organization known for zealously guarding the air, land, water and wildlife.

In a new report, “Relieving Pain at the Pump,” the council recommends as a remedy for $4 a gallon gasoline that consumers check out a “bumper crop of fuel-efficient cars” now in dealer showrooms.

“Drivers can start saving money immediately by trading in their gas guzzlers for today’s gas sippers,” the report says, noting there are 57 domestic and foreign models for 2012 that get better than 20 miles per gallon, including 15 at more than 30 mpg.

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Submitted Apr 30, 2012 By: fordfreak

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Sam_I_Am_Not Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:2,300 Points:470,350 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Aug 22, 2012 11:40:26 AM Ignore Sam_I_Am_Not Report Abuse Whether or not you get a new car, get some new driving habits. Without going to extremes, a lot can still be learned from hypermilers. You don't have to draft a semi just inches from the ICC bar to save on gas. Just drop your speed 5 mph below the limit, rather than 10 above, and watch the savings roll in. I frequently will stay with the same set of cars for MILES in city traffic - I'll be rolling up as the lights turn green, while the truck that tore past me off the line is sitting there with engine idling. I get 43 mpg normally with my Honda Fit - when my daughter drives it, the mpg drops to the mid 30s. Driving style makes the difference.
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,599 Points:1,607,570 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: May 4, 2012 5:55:00 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse problem is going to be the roads. More fuel efficiency = less gasoline taxes (which already not always go to road maintenance and construction).
1006 Champion Author Birmingham Posts:1,105 Points:1,353,440 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 11:00:10 PM Ignore 1006 Report Abuse you must do some driving donkey
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,599 Points:1,607,570 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: May 3, 2012 5:58:48 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse Av_Bob: unfortunately, ppl don't think that way. They want a vehicle that gives them not only 120% of their perceived needs AND satisfies the keeping up with the Joneses...
1006 Champion Author Birmingham Posts:1,105 Points:1,353,440 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: May 2, 2012 6:58:10 AM Ignore 1006 Report Abuse time to buy/
tomok Champion Author Portland Posts:32,970 Points:2,344,535 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 9:09:00 PM Ignore tomok Report Abuse It does Not matter what Brand or Model it is, new cars are too high priced for me. I will drive my current vehicle into the ground before buying anything new, used, EV, Inbred, diesel, hydrogen, alternative fuel, CNG, concept or anything else. I still have my '79 Honda Civic CVCC that got 29 to 33MPG, more than most new cars on the road today. Whatever the size or shape of the vehicle, Produce and ‘Drive’ vehicles with high MPG, are very reliable, have a ‘reasonable’ cost and a good ‘value’ for the money. Consider using other forms of less expensive transportation to lower your cost, if possible. The price of fuel at the pump is too high! 12/22/2012!
Blismo Champion Author Arizona Posts:2,129 Points:402,285 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 8:17:26 AM Ignore Blismo Report Abuse my new car saves me 300+ per month at the pump [Edited by: Blismo at 5/1/2012 8:19:28 AM EST]
1006 Champion Author Birmingham Posts:1,105 Points:1,353,440 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 6:36:52 AM Ignore 1006 Report Abuse save your money, just do the math. They will figure out supply-demand.
us4usa Champion Author Missouri Posts:5,984 Points:1,111,375 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 12:26:03 AM Ignore us4usa Report Abuse "Ford's efficiency leader, the Fiesta subcompact, gets better than 40 mpg at a base price of $13,200," You can buy a lot of gas for 13K and if you can hold out for 5 year the cars may get 50 mpg, 10 year 60 mpg... Better to buy new, just do the math...
NorthglennBill Champion Author Denver Posts:7,417 Points:1,470,870 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 12:25:50 AM Ignore NorthglennBill Report Abuse The true cost of ownership is a lot more than just the price of gas. Be very careful before you spend money on a new car. The price you are paying for gasoline might go down but what about maintenance, insurance, and all the other costs that add into how much it cost to drive that car down the road.
jetskijerry Champion Author North Carolina Posts:3,891 Points:771,295 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 12:21:08 AM Ignore jetskijerry Report Abuse no.
jetskijerry Champion Author North Carolina Posts:3,891 Points:771,295 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 12:20:59 AM Ignore jetskijerry Report Abuse This is crap. New cars get the same mileage as my 2003 with 300,000 miles.
vulcan96 Champion Author Ohio Posts:26,896 Points:3,102,700 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 12:19:26 AM Ignore vulcan96 Report Abuse my new car ( Cruze ECO )uses 60% less gas than my trade in used...
SparkieMi Champion Author Kalamazoo Posts:3,256 Points:586,960 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 12:12:45 AM Ignore SparkieMi Report Abuse Prices still out of my reach.....
heartbroken2010 Champion Author Ottawa Posts:4,334 Points:895,585 Joined:Aug 2010	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 12:07:05 AM Ignore heartbroken2010 Report Abuse give me the money to buy a new car , better yet give me a job and i will get a car on my own.
Chris46 Champion Author Dayton Posts:23,654 Points:2,080,365 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 12:06:37 AM Ignore Chris46 Report Abuse a lot of people can't afford new cars. what are they to do?
firefly09 Champion Author San Diego Posts:2,493 Points:715,745 Joined:Mar 2009	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 12:04:39 AM Ignore firefly09 Report Abuse ok.
DriverofRed Champion Author Calgary Posts:2,173 Points:411,885 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 12:02:14 AM Ignore DriverofRed Report Abuse paid by manufacturers...
joel27nc Champion Author Raleigh Posts:10,527 Points:1,856,420 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 12:01:55 AM Ignore joel27nc Report Abuse My last two I bought new.
bvrbill Champion Author Eugene Posts:3,207 Points:516,800 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 12:01:37 AM Ignore bvrbill Report Abuse Only when your current vehicle is used up. Drive it till it dies.
WinderGuy Champion Author Georgia Posts:2,859 Points:930,655 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: May 1, 2012 12:00:25 AM Ignore WinderGuy Report Abuse Ok
vulcan96 Champion Author Ohio Posts:26,896 Points:3,102,700 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: Apr 30, 2012 11:59:59 PM Ignore vulcan96 Report Abuse i did....
libertyut Champion Author Utah Posts:1,344 Points:290,650 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Apr 30, 2012 11:59:46 PM Ignore libertyut Report Abuse Yeah buy a new car so you can go way farther in in the hole. But you will save maybe a few pennies that will help pay your car payment. Wow what a great deal. "NOT" Obama out in November 2012.
jessek Champion Author Detroit Posts:2,657 Points:1,280,490 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Apr 30, 2012 11:57:00 PM Ignore jessek Report Abuse Sounds good except for the 60-72 months of payments.
Shakleelady31 All-Star Author Fort Wayne Posts:571 Points:400,100 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Apr 30, 2012 11:56:29 PM Ignore Shakleelady31 Report Abuse Interesting article.
mgune9 All-Star Author Dallas Posts:914 Points:200,395 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: Apr 30, 2012 11:55:58 PM Ignore mgune9 Report Abuse i think many of us have the desire to buy a newer vehicle -- pricing is a big impediment these days
Beaveronparade Champion Author Hartford Posts:2,102 Points:634,115 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Apr 30, 2012 11:55:50 PM Ignore Beaveronparade Report Abuse I agree with Adman1989! Most people can't afford to buy new these days, especially after paying for their gas!!!
Adman1989 All-Star Author Massachusetts Posts:575 Points:125,480 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Apr 30, 2012 11:54:25 PM Ignore Adman1989 Report Abuse how many people can afford to buy new these days?
hauler43 Champion Author Oakland Posts:8,158 Points:2,597,750 Joined:Sep 2003	Message Posted: Apr 30, 2012 11:51:52 PM Ignore hauler43 Report Abuse If you can afford new get one, try not too buy used especially if you take out a loan. Dealerships make more money off a used than a new
DCbeachbum Champion Author South Carolina Posts:2,642 Points:902,990 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: Apr 30, 2012 11:51:02 PM Ignore DCbeachbum Report Abuse This article is rubbish. It takes several years before the break even point, on buying a new fuel efficient vehicle. The source... The Santa Rosa Press Democrat says it all.
Aviator_Rob Champion Author New York Posts:3,795 Points:412,265 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Apr 30, 2012 11:48:59 PM Ignore Aviator_Rob Report Abuse Look people, if you can afford a new car, buy a fuel efficient one. They earn 30% better mileage than a car from just three years ago. The engine technology has never been this good before plus they're much safer than ever before. If you can't afford a new car but need a newer car than what you have now, try to find the most fuel efficient model available, even if it's smaller than what you normally drive. Don't buy a car that handles 100% of your needs. Get one that handles 80% That last 20% of your needs equals that one vacation road trip or that one trip to Home Depot to get a very large item. That last 20% will equal 50% of your operating costs. And if you can't afford to get any kind of car, keep the one you have well maintained. Change the oil. Check the fluids and keep your tires inflated. It sounds boring but that's what makes cars last. And try to drive less whenever possible. Don't make five small trips to run errands. Do all your trips at once. A cold engine is the most inefficient. We can get through this, people but we have to make the effort. Nobody's going to do it for us.
browning305 Rookie Author Miami Posts:7 Points:16,180 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Apr 30, 2012 11:47:50 PM Ignore browning305 Report Abuse ya buy a new car gas is still high it's the same price to her up.
w9med Champion Author Gary Posts:1,128 Points:327,845 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Apr 30, 2012 11:47:21 PM Ignore w9med Report Abuse Who can afford that?
grouch311 Champion Author Peoria Posts:6,378 Points:1,572,030 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Apr 30, 2012 11:45:22 PM Ignore grouch311 Report Abuse and how am I supposed to pay for it?
SparkieMi Champion Author Kalamazoo Posts:3,256 Points:586,960 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Apr 30, 2012 11:43:52 PM Ignore SparkieMi Report Abuse Prices still too high....
danol43 Champion Author Modesto Posts:1,697 Points:587,430 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Apr 30, 2012 11:41:52 PM Ignore danol43 Report Abuse Good for the unions who spend millions to keep Obama in office.
Tiernan Champion Author Chicago Posts:3,470 Points:817,875 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Apr 30, 2012 11:41:37 PM Ignore Tiernan Report Abuse That's what I did
mstearno Champion Author Dayton Posts:8,061 Points:1,730,260 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Apr 30, 2012 11:40:58 PM Ignore mstearno Report Abuse wait until inflation gets rolling and you can't buy a new car
PoohMcGoo Champion Author Alabama Posts:3,067 Points:799,085 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Apr 30, 2012 11:40:53 PM Ignore PoohMcGoo Report Abuse Sounds like BS from the white house or Detroit. Trade that 15mpg car in and someone else will be driving it, won't make a difference. Notice they didn't mention the pain of a new payment or months to payoff with gas savings.
Ken2OD Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:9,062 Points:1,969,990 Joined:Dec 2005	Message Posted: Apr 30, 2012 11:38:13 PM Ignore Ken2OD Report Abuse I have never purchased a new car in my life and I don't intend to start now. I bought my first used car in 1958 for $50 and traded it in 3 years later for $80. Why ruin a good thing?
bdlewis Champion Author Colorado Posts:1,384 Points:382,905 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Apr 30, 2012 11:37:19 PM Ignore bdlewis Report Abuse obvious recommendation from our government, they know how to spend other people's money.
feistyfella All-Star Author Georgia Posts:881 Points:192,495 Joined:Jun 2010	Message Posted: Apr 30, 2012 11:36:34 PM Ignore feistyfella Report Abuse Meh.
GoGoGoodyear Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:2,049 Points:506,355 Joined:Mar 2010	Message Posted: Apr 30, 2012 11:36:05 PM Ignore GoGoGoodyear Report Abuse Even with rebates and incentives many people can't afford to buy a new car these days, and some that can afford it are asking themselves if they will have a job next week.
BooHooMI Champion Author Michigan Posts:1,556 Points:344,610 Joined:Sep 2010	Message Posted: Apr 30, 2012 11:35:27 PM Ignore BooHooMI Report Abuse Idiotic!
LtRTH Champion Author St. Louis Posts:1,767 Points:583,095 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Apr 30, 2012 11:34:43 PM Ignore LtRTH Report Abuse Save money only after you've made 5 years of car payments at $300.00 or more per month. Unless of course the Natural Resources Defense Council wants to make my car payments.
carman11 Champion Author North Carolina Posts:3,325 Points:689,775 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Apr 30, 2012 11:34:43 PM Ignore carman11 Report Abuse THAT IS GOOD INFORMATION
crowefamily1 All-Star Author Texas Posts:804 Points:297,100 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: Apr 30, 2012 11:32:11 PM Ignore crowefamily1 Report Abuse true enough BUT in todays economy will you have a FULL time job tomorrow?
miiike572 All-Star Author Phoenix Posts:797 Points:524,020 Joined:Apr 2009	Message Posted: Apr 30, 2012 11:31:06 PM Ignore miiike572 Report Abuse Why take the hit by buying new?
blazerbob91 Champion Author Milwaukee Posts:6,135 Points:1,881,720 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Apr 30, 2012 11:30:16 PM Ignore blazerbob91 Report Abuse Who can afford new.
mfeldstein Champion Author Ottawa Posts:8,161 Points:1,928,430 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: Apr 30, 2012 11:30:14 PM Ignore mfeldstein Report Abuse I've done very well buying last year's low mileage demos from dealers. Great cars and big savings.