TIPS ABOUT BUYING A NEW OR USED CAR by Edwin Stevens
Why should you think about energy when buying a new or used car? In the long run, doing a little bit of shopping and research BEFORE you buy will save you both energy and money.
Most of us only think about how much we can afford when shopping for a car. But if the car we purchase is a gas-guzzler, it will soon be costing us a lot more each and every week.
So, if you're buying a new or used car - Think Energy Efficiency!
Tips About Buying a New Car
Before heading out to the dealerships, take some time to do some comparison shopping. Pick up a copy of Consumer Reports or automobile magazines that compare the models. Read about various vehicle "families" and try to determine which size is best for your needs: do you need a subcompact, a compact, a sedan, a two-door?
Compare the mileage ratings for the various cars or trucks you're considering. All new cars have window stickers listing the latest U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's mileage ratings. These ratings are scientifically determined using state-of-the-art testing facilities that run the cars and trucks through simulated city street and freeway driving. The mileage you get on your vehicle, however, may differ from this rating, depending on your driving habits and the actual vehicle itself.
The EPA mileage rating is a good guide about how much the car will cost you to run. If, for example, you had to make a choice between a sport utility vehicle car rated at 20 miles per gallon and a car rated at 30 mpg, it would be wise to go with the more efficient car with better mileage.
If you traveled 12,000 miles per year at a cost of $2.50 a gallon of gasoline, the 20-mpg SUV will cost you $1,500 to operate. The 30-mpg car would cost $1,000, so you would save $500/year with the 30-mpg car. If you own the car for five years, you will have saved $2,500!
You may also want to consider a hybrid vehicle. While the initial cost may be higher, it will pay itself back in a few years by gasoline saved. Mother Earth News in its October/November 2005 issue provided this payback chart on hybrids versus other vehicles.
For more information check out this site: Tips for buying a car
About the Author
Since a couple of years I am doing research for consumers. |
