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Monday, July 14, 2008
Getting a handle on gas costs
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I’ve started seeing those teeny little Smart Cars popping up around town. I have no idea if they belong to someone here in our little slice of heaven or the driver is just passing through but every time I see one I have two thoughts:
Man, I’ll bet they get great gas mileage.
Man, I’d hate for something to run into me while I’m driving that thing.
But I do understand the appeal of driving something that is truly fuel efficient. A friend of mine has two kids who are into the usual amount of kid-related activities that require carpooling so he still drives an SUV. Last week he came mighty close to spending $100 to fill his tank and almost passed out at the pump.
A co-worker of mine and I had a debate recently over whether an SUV driver would be a prime target for a mugger. He said yes, because only someone with money could afford to gas up such a vehicle. I said no, because after they filled their tank they’d have no money left to steal.
But I have thought about getting one of those tiny little cars, even if they do remind me of a Libby’s soup can with four wheels. I’d like to get more driving done before having to hit the gas station, but I also don’t want to look like something that needs to be dropped into the recycling bin should I swap paint with something bigger. And with those things everything is bigger.
But I also wonder now that $4 per gallon gas has been with us for a while - are we changing our driving habits? Are we trying to find ways to get around making so many car trips? Are we carpooling?
Or are we trimming other areas of our budget so we can afford to fill up and do our normal weekly driving? Are we so attached to our cars and our routines, do we care what gas costs?
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