After a few weeks of watching the gas pump read this each time I filled up.
I decided to try an experiment and get this....
I paid $2500 for a 2002 Ford Escort with around 95k miles on it. CR recommends the Escort as a decent vehicle. If it goes a year at the current prices, it becomes a free car thanks to the difference in use between my 3/4 ton pickup and what this vehicle will use.
If you want to do the math, I fill up once a week so that means the amount I was spending on fuel was hitting around $400 a month.
Now on to the question of fuel prices influencing behavior. Would I have done this if the price of gas were lower? Not at all. At the current prices though the money is spent in my mind and the costs sunk so I might as well see what I can get for that money other than gasoline.
I wouldn't have purchased a new car even if it was fuel efficient because it would take me a dozen years to somehow make that money back. This bet though, I am willing to take.
For those that care about car spec stuff, it is automatic with power windows, locks, etc. I have no idea what the rims are and if you tell me or have me say the name to you, I still won't know what it means.
But hey.... possible free car... if the prices stay high, the calculations are right and if there isn't too much maintenance.