[kidyankee764]

The average price of gasoline in Connecticut hit $4 a gallon today, surpassing California ($3.97) and making it the highest average in the continental US. It is the third highest of all states, after Alaska ($4.09) and Hawaii ($4.05).

Are you doing anything to conserve fuel? e.g. driving slower, trading in that SUV or taking mass transit? I just bought a hybrid.

[ctgirl36]

My husband and I just traded in our Chevy Tahoe last week for the Lexus RX330. We still wanted an SUV but not one that sucks as much gasoline as the Tahoe. It was painful going to the gas station every day.Thank goodness my husband's company pays for his gasoline! He commutes every day to Fort Lee NJ and Manhattan from Southbury, CT.That is a big savings in gas money. We got a trade in price for our TAHOE that was ridiculously low. The dealers all said everyone is dumping their Tahoes, Hummers, Escalades, etc. but no one wants to buy them. It was painful to turn in the Tahoe for a dirt cheap price but we knew it would not increase in value. When we pulled into the Lexus dealer on the day of the trade-in, my husband and I were laughing at the trade in lot filled with Tahoes collecting dust. We called it The Land of the Misfit Toys". Incidentally, we LOVED our Tahoe it was purely the gas factor we hated.

We did look at the Hybrid Lexus and Toyota but they were alot more expensive than the regular cars. It seems it all evens out since you pay more money up front when you buy the car. That is why it didn't make sense. You think the car companies would make Hybrids cheaper than regular cars as an incentive to help the environment and for saving gas!

I literally get a pit in my stomache when I drive to the gas station. I know they said today was the official day that gas hit $4.00 in CT but I have been paying that for a couple of weeks!

I think we need to send a clear message by cutting back on gas. If everyone scaled back here and there it would help tip the scales back in our favor with supply and demand.

Now I plan my errands more efficiently. It is amazing how much you can get what you need in ONE stop such as Target Stores. By the way, if you live in the Danbury area or you are passing by on Interstate 84, get off at exit 8. Right when you get to the light there is a mobil station (pass that!) and immediately turn into FAST FREDDIES Gas Station. It ALWAYS has BY FAR the lowest price in gas anywhere. We purposely get off and get gas there whenever we are near by.

CT always gets hit hardest with prices overall. It is frustrating but I would never live anywhere else!

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by ctgirl36

My husband and I just traded in our Chevy Tahoe last week for the Lexus RX330. We still wanted an SUV but not one that sucks as much gasoline as the Tahoe. It was painful going to the gas station every day.Thank goodness my husband's company pays for his gasoline! He commutes every day to Fort Lee NJ and Manhattan from Southbury, CT.That is a big savings in gas money. We got a trade in price for our TAHOE that was ridiculously low. The dealers all said everyone is dumping their Tahoes, Hummers, Escalades, etc. but no one wants to buy them. It was painful to turn in the Tahoe for a dirt cheap price but we knew it would not increase in value. When we pulled into the Lexus dealer on the day of the trade-in, my husband and I were laughing at the trade in lot filled with Tahoes collecting dust. We called it The Land of the Misfit Toys". Incidentally, we LOVED our Tahoe it was purely the gas factor we hated.

We did look at the Hybrid Lexus and Toyota but they were alot more expensive than the regular cars. It seems it all evens out since you pay more money up front when you buy the car. That is why it didn't make sense. You think the car companies would make Hybrids cheaper than regular cars as an incentive to help the environment and for saving gas!

I literally get a pit in my stomache when I drive to the gas station. I know they said today was the official day that gas hit $4.00 in CT but I have been paying that for a couple of weeks!

I think we need to send a clear message by cutting back on gas. If everyone scaled back here and there it would help tip the scales back in our favor with supply and demand.

Now I plan my errands more efficiently. It is amazing how much you can get what you need in ONE stop such as Target Stores. By the way, if you live in the Danbury area or you are passing by on Interstate 84, get off at exit 8. Right when you get to the light there is a mobil station (pass that!) and immediately turn into FAST FREDDIES Gas Station. It ALWAYS has BY FAR the lowest price in gas anywhere. We purposely get off and get gas there whenever we are near by.

CT always gets hit hardest with prices overall. It is frustrating but I would never live anywhere else!

I am familiar with Fast Freddies, and I always laugh at the people filling up at Mobil next door for 10-15 cents more. They usually have the cheapest prices in Danbury, as does Citgo at the corner of Triangle and White Street.

I heard somewhere that SUVs are currently not selling for more than 20% below book value. Driving by the dealerships in Middlebury/Watertown last week it was funny how many used SUVs there are for sale. People are finally becoming wise and learning that the space in their large SUV was not worth that $100 fill up.

I just bought a 2008 hybrid Altima and I love it. I paid more for it, but even if it doesn't save me all that much in the long run it saves trips to the gas station (which wastes gas) and gives me the satisfaction of 'being green.' The Lexus RX, while very nice, is still not what I would consider economical (well, compared to a Tahoe it is!) and with that commute, I would have seriously considered a hybrid. As I said, it's more money but it saves time and extra trips. Consider it for your next car - you'll be ecstatic at how much gas you safe!

My parents live in Oxford and do much of their shopping in Southbury - they have always noted that gas prices in Southbury are much, much higher than in Seymour, Danbury and Naugatuck. That Mobil off of exit 14 is always expensive!!!!

I'm glad you got rid of the Tahoe and wish more would follow suit - enjoy your new car.

[ctgirl36]

Luckily I am only driving the Lexus locally. My husband drives a company car (SAAB 9000) which is GREAT on gas by the way. Even locally the Tahoe was sucking down gas.

Yes...I always feel bad for the people at Mobil who pull into the first gas station without knowing the hidden jewel next door. They probably notice as they drive out and see the price difference next door!

Incidentally, we bought our 2002 TahoeZ71 TWO years ago for $28,000.00......three dealerships all offered us the same price for the trade in, $7,000

My husband was dying over the significant drop over two years and it was almost a deal breaker (and a couple of sleepless nights). However, he knew it was not going to increase in value anytime soon!

Anyway, sorry to babble and good luck with your new Hybrid. Thanks for going green!!!!!

[wanderintonc]

I'd like a hybrid too, but it's just not in the budget and I really need a minivan-they don't have them in hybrid yet. I am looking around for a cheap small commuter car, and plan to keep my current van for driving the family in. I drive 40 miles a day to/from work, and while my van gets much better mileage than a similar sized SUV, I only drive me to work and don't need it for a commute.

So, that is what I'm doing to save. I'm also considering a device that tracks your mileage moment by moment (it is mentioned in the current Time magazine) but not sure if I will spend the $ for it.

[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by wanderintonc

So, that is what I'm doing to save. I'm also considering a device that tracks your mileage moment by moment (it is mentioned in the current Time magazine) but not sure if I will spend the $ for it.

Is this the device they currently have in BMWs and Mercedes? I know that BMWs have a needle under MPH pointing to his current MPG - it goes to show you that the slower you drive, and the easier you accelerate depends on how much gas you safe. I was surprised driving my parent's BMW how often I was at or below 12 MPG when driving just 5-10 MPH over the speed limit. I'm not sure how much they are going for but I think it's a wise purchase - if we're talking about the same thing.

[Cruikshl]

Originally Posted by wanderintonc

I'd like a hybrid too, but it's just not in the budget and I really need a minivan-they don't have them in hybrid yet. I am looking around for a cheap small commuter car, and plan to keep my current van for driving the family in. I drive 40 miles a day to/from work, and while my van gets much better mileage than a similar sized SUV, I only drive me to work and don't need it for a commute.

So, that is what I'm doing to save. I'm also considering a device that tracks your mileage moment by moment (it is mentioned in the current Time magazine) but not sure if I will spend the $ for it.

I don't understand why people went to SUVs from minivans. I always drive one even though the kids are gone. I can haul anything in it better than a SUV. I get 19 in town and 26 on the highway in my Sienna.

[nish2006]

Originally Posted by kidyankee764

Is this the device they currently have in BMWs and Mercedes? I know that BMWs have a needle under MPH pointing to his current MPG - it goes to show you that the slower you drive, and the easier you accelerate depends on how much gas you safe. I was surprised driving my parent's BMW how often I was at or below 12 MPG when driving just 5-10 MPH over the speed limit. I'm not sure how much they are going for but I think it's a wise purchase - if we're talking about the same thing.

Yes - BMWs usually have a needle gauge, while Lexus dashboards use a digital display. It's amazing how much mpg numbers can jump just by easing up a bit on the gas pedal, or coasting for a while. I'd recommend fitting a display unit if you don't have one... it's well worth the saving in gas costs.

[JViello]

I'm going to resist being controversial against certain statements made and just try and be helpful instead.

For reference I have been in the automotive industry pretty much all of my life as a profession, hobby and/or both. My former company deisgned and manufactured major components for "race" cars that would substaintially increase hp and efficiency...those are my credentials so to speak.

1. If you drive mostly on the highway, a hybrid will do you no better than a regular car that is very efficient...in fact carrying around the extra weight of the hybrid would actually work against good mileage in that environment.

2. If you own a hybrid and still drive like an @ss you will get lousy gas mileage. SLOW DOWN and stop driving like John Force (John Force - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) from light to light. I really laugh when I'm going down the highway at 60mph in my truck and a hybrid FLYS by me about 90mph. I'm probably getting better mileage in my full size pickup than he is! LOL

3. You don't have to go out and purchase a NEW $30K car to get great gas mileage. The Honda HF models (50+ MPG )that were NOT hybrids can still be found in great shape with plenty of life left for a fraction of the cost. There are many other small non hybrid cars that will return 40-50mpg out there.

And just think you are REALLY being green with the purchase as you are not going to use all the resources to produce a NEW car and you will not have all these batteries mucking up the environment either. Does your desire for "style" outweigh your desire to conserve and not pollute?

One of the biggest parts of "being green" is cutting down on consumption!

Here is a listing of cars you can look up to find fuel mileage data:

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/***/findacar.htm (broken link)

4. Some basic tips for increasing the mileage of your current car.

• Properly inflate your tires. In fact put them at the high side of manufacturer recomendation.
• SLOW DOWN. As a rule of thumb, each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.20 per gallon for gas.
• Take out the JUNK. Remove as much weight from your car as you can. More weight equals more fuel consumption.
• Tune up: Make sure your airfilter and other items are up to par. A tuneup alone can return a few miles per gallon.
• Use Cruise control where you can. Changing gas pedal position, even very slightly has an adverse affect on fuel mileage.
• Switch to a lighter grade of motor oil. (I.E. Go from 10w30 to a 5w30) This helps reduce drag on the oil pump and in turn makes the engine more efficient.

Those are som basic tips to get you started.

If you really want to get hardcore you can start looking into aerodynamic improvement that might look a little funny/ugly can give big returns.

Taping body seams, folding in mirrors, removing external antenneas, switching to "smooth" "moon" style hubcaps, going with a less wide (skinny) tire that has less contact patch etc etc.

Lets see just how "green" you all really are.

[Cruikshl]

Originally Posted by JViello

I'm going to resist being controversial against certain statements made and just try and be helpful instead.

For reference I have been in the automotive industry pretty much all of my life as a profession, hobby and/or both. My former company deisgned and manufactured major components for "race" cars that would substaintially increase hp and efficiency...those are my credentials so to speak.

1. If you drive mostly on the highway, a hybrid will do you no better than a regular car that is very efficient...in fact carrying around the extra weight of the hybrid would actually work against good mileage in that environment.

2. If you own a hybrid and still drive like an @ss you will get lousy gas mileage. SLOW DOWN and stop driving like John Force (John Force - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia) from light to light. I really laugh when I'm going down the highway at 60mph in my truck and a hybrid FLYS by me about 90mph. I'm probably getting better mileage in my full size pickup than he is! LOL

3. You don't have to go out and purchase a NEW $30K car to get great gas mileage. The Honda HF models (50+ MPG )that were NOT hybrids can still be found in great shape with plenty of life left for a fraction of the cost. There are many other small non hybrid cars that will return 40-50mpg out there.

And just think you are REALLY being green with the purchase as you are not going to use all the resources to produce a NEW car and you will not have all these batteries mucking up the environment either. Does your desire for "style" outweigh your desire to conserve and not pollute?

One of the biggest parts of "being green" is cutting down on consumption!

Here is a listing of cars you can look up to find fuel mileage data:

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/***/findacar.htm (broken link)

4. Some basic tips for increasing the mileage of your current car.

• Properly inflate your tires. In fact put them at the high side of manufacturer recomendation.
• SLOW DOWN. As a rule of thumb, each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.20 per gallon for gas.
• Take out the JUNK. Remove as much weight from your car as you can. More weight equals more fuel consumption.
• Tune up: Make sure your airfilter and other items are up to par. A tuneup alone can return a few miles per gallon.
• Use Cruise control where you can. Changing gas pedal position, even very slightly has an adverse affect on fuel mileage.
• Switch to a lighter grade of motor oil. (I.E. Go from 10w30 to a 5w30) This helps reduce drag on the oil pump and in turn makes the engine more efficient.

Those are som basic tips to get you started.

If you really want to get hardcore you can start looking into aerodynamic improvement that might look a little funny/ugly can give big returns.

Taping body seams, folding in mirrors, removing external antenneas, switching to "smooth" "moon" style hubcaps, going with a less wide (skinny) tire that has less contact patch etc etc.

Lets see just how "green" you all really are.

The majority of people on I84 do not use their cruise, it really rubs me the wrong way. People are doing 20 different speeds. Cruise saves gas.