Realistic approaches to high fuel costs !

Then, how about buying a cheaper car/truck? Some people seem to get by with a 12-year-old vehicle, how about us? I know it isn't any cheaper to operate but if you've got an extra $500 each month that you're not paying on a new one, gas seems pretty cheap.

Do you really need that $40000 unit you're driving, or that gas-guzzling monster? By the way, SUV owners seem to get blamed for everything these days but the big pickup trucks are worse for fuel consumption. How about a small 4-door family sedan? Sound impossible? We might suprise ourselves if we try it. How about cutting back from 3 vehicles to 2, or from 2 to one? Lots of cost reduction there in insurance and maintenance costs so gas at least would seem cheaper.

How about changing our lifestyles? Go out less to movies, eating out, etc. Maybe even get out a board game and play checkers with the kids instead of some of those things. Eat more meals at home, buy a case of beer instead of paying 5 X's as much for a drink at the local watering hole? Lot's more money in your pocket and gas prices won't seem all that bad.

Our kids (maybe it's us) are also a problem. Do we really need to have our 17-year-old son or daughter driving our family car (or their own car) just to make life easier for them? When was the last time they walked anywhere or took the bus? Is it really necessary for us to have every evening of the week planned out for our youngsters (which includes driving them hither and yon to particupate in things which we feel they absolutely need)?

Well, that's my turn on the soapbox, I'm not doing all of that stuff but I am trying some of it and I feel pretty good doing it and don't feel like I'm missing out on anything.

"Some people seem to get by with a 12-year-old vehicle, how about us? I know it isn't any cheaper to operate but if you've got an extra $500 each month that you're not paying on a new one, gas seems pretty cheap". Last truck I had I had it fro 19 years

"Do you really need that $40000 unit you're driving, or that gas-guzzling monster? By the way, SUV owners seem to get blamed for everything these days but the big pickup trucks are worse for fuel consumption. How about a small 4-door family sedan? Sound impossible?"

true,new my new truck was 38000,but i boguht it used and saved near 12000,with my tradein and down payment.DO I need it,no not really,but Id be giving up a convience,I call haul my family and my tractors at the same time,and since here diesel is cheaper than gas,it works out cheaper for me to drive it an vacation and such,and yes I do need a vacation.

Our kids (maybe it's us) are also a problem. Do we really need to have our 17-year-old son or daughter driving our family car (or their own car) just to make life easier for them? When was the last time they walked anywhere or took the bus? Is it really necessary for us to have every evening of the week planned out for our youngsters (which includes driving them hither and yon to particupate in things which we feel they absolutely need)? Dont have kids that old yet,but we dont have any public tranprtation,and walking to the grocery store for me isnt an option.BOTH of my sons will have a job before they get a car!And will pay there own way with it.My Dad didnt help me,I do not expect I will help my kids go out and drive drunk or hit and kill someone,If they do wrong itll be all on them.I may sound like a nutcase on that,but my Dad taught us some responsibilty by allowing us to screw up from time to time.

Face it,we,re going to have to pay for fuel,like it or not.this isnt 1875 and we have to have it,without fuel,this country,heck the world would shut down.BUT we can all do a little better at saving it.

If they are only towing small trailers every 1ce in a while, or occasionally going into a field, they dont need a big powerful 4*4 to waste fuel in - You can do that with an estate.

Most of the big pickups are used for towing real trailers - By people that need them.

Just my opinion, but i hate to see people driving them around - I saw a Land cruiser Amazon in the middle of ondon the other day - pointless.

i have a vw jetta turbo diesel and a 4x8 utility trailer.I down sized my boat to one i can pull with the vw and got rid of my sonoma 4x4 a couple years ago.I can haul more in the trailer than the 4x4 and get 52mpg.only miss the 4x4 a couple times a year at the nastiesty boat launches.My 9.9 outbourd will run half a summer on what my old 70 would burn in a day.I have not changed my lifestyle,just how i get there.
i now fill up about 2 times a mounth instead of every 3 days.
Al

However, switching from 3-4 vehicles to 1 or 2 may not be a good idea, especially if people need a truck frequently enough to warrant owning one. It'd be better for someone to own a few different vehicles that serve different purposes than to choose just one vehicle that will serve all their needs. You're more likely to end up with a person driving a fuel-sucking truck as a commuter vehicle.

There are alternatives in the works. How soon they hit the market depends a lot on public demand. The best explanation of it that I've heard goes like this: Fuel providers won't invest in changing infrastructure and products until there are enough vehicles on the road needing new fuel types to make the investment pay off. Car manufacturers won't make more vehicles that use alternative fuels until they're certain they'll be able to sell enough of the vehicles to make a profit after all the R&D and marketing involved. Consumers aren't likely to buy alternative powered vehicles until the vehicles offer the same performance and convenience as the current options, can be easily refueled, and don't cost a great deal more to buy than gas and diesel vehicles.

In the near future, ethanol blends and bio-diesel fuels should become more readily available and help reduce emissions (not necessarily cost). Hybrids provide more fuel savings, but aren't likely to take over a huge portion of the market. Most focus seems to be on hydrogen as the future fuel. It has great promise for lack of emissions and economy, but the technology will be very expensive for many years.

Fuel-saving practices apply as well:
Properly inflated tires.
Tires in correct alignment.
Regular maintenance (filter changes, proper lubricants, sensors, etc...)
Keep it clean.
Don't haul extra stuff around that you don't need with you.
No aggressive driving.
Use the proper grade of fuel.

Let's face it, we are at the mercy of the oil companies and the free enterprise system is going to do anything to stop it. We have a couple choices, drive less and /or get a more efficient vehicle. As for me, I am going to drive until the tank says empty and fill it back up. My '96 Dodge 4x4 truck uses lots of gas, but it's paid for and I can buy gas a lot easier than finance a new 'efficient' truck. I also have my faithful '87 Toyota 4 banger truck with 178,000 miles but still gives 28 mpg...it gets driven a lot more! I think it's time the US makers and importers offer us more diesel vehicles (damn the EPA!).