Fuel Economy a Major Factor in Car Purchases

It looks like two straight summers of record high gas prices has finally caused consumers to take a good hard look at gas mileage when looking to buy a new vehicle. 

According to a recent poll on Daily Fuel Economy Tip, 90% of drivers stated they would, at the very least, take fuel economy into consideration when purchasing their next vehicle.

Of the 263 respondents, 61% (160 people) stated a vehicle’s gas mileage would be a significant factor in determining the next vehicle they purchased, 29% (75 people) stated it would be something they would consider and 10% (28 people) stated gas mileage wouldn’t matter.

During significant portions of the past two summers, gasoline prices have held above $3 – by far the highest gas prices in history.  Obviously, this unexpected increase in transportation cost hit many people pretty hard, especially people who owned trucks, SUVs and/or mini vans.  Now it appears that in order to help minimize the effect of any future price hikes, more people will be looking to buy fuel efficient vehicles.

Thankfully, over the past several months we have seen a significant drop in the price of oil and gasoline.  However, in looking at historical trends, this drop will be short-lived, and prices should start to increase around the first of the year.  Whether or not they return to $3 or higher remains to be seen, but there’s no way you’ll be paying less than $2.50.

In regards to the poll, I understand that there’s the possibility it could be skewed due to the fact people who frequent this site probably do want to get better gas mileage, therefore are more inclined to look at fuel economy when purchasing a vehicle.  That being said, it wouldn’t surprise me if at least 75% of people take gas mileage into consideration when purchasing their next vehicle.