We traded in our gas guzzler last night

[robinb]

Am I the only one who thinks that 22-MPG isn't really great? It's certainly better than the Expedition, but not really wonderful.

In any case ... enjoy your "new" car and the extra money in your pocket!

 

[ccgirl]

Okay for the sake of argument you stated that your Expedition was taking $30 every other day, which in turn on an average 30 day month means your gas bill is $450 (15 fillups per month @ $30)

Now let's assume that your Avalon get roughly 30% better gas mileage, which I doubt, but I will be generous. So now you are only spending $21 every two days on gas. So now your gas bill is $315(15 fillups @ $21)

Your net gas savings is $135. I am going to assume you didn't fall down the rabbit of hole of leasing so in order for you to get the payment that low you would have to had a large downpayment plus trade in. Since you have taken money out of your savings you have net opportunity costs related to that. If you can prove to me that you BOUGHT (not leased, not "smart" buy) a new Avalon with no money down for $135 a month, then I tip my hat to you.

She mentioned she traded in the Expedition and also that it needed work. I don't think a $135 car payment is a far stretch at all. BTW, the "rabbit hole" of leasing is not always a bad idea (depending on how many miles you use) with the way cars depreciate. I traded in my Kia minivan and ended up upside down on the darn thing. So, maybe she did get the $135 car payment. She also got a vehicle that probably needed less work.

OP - enjoy! We just did something similar. Traded my DH's truck for an SUV.

 

[Irin997]

Am I the only one who thinks that 22-MPG isn't really great? It's certainly better than the Expedition, but not really wonderful.

In any case ... enjoy your "new" car and the extra money in your pocket!

No you aren't alone. I don't think 22mpg is all that great, but then again I get about 26-28, 30 on hwy in my 2009 Camry SE V6. If it were me going from an Expedition to a better gas mileage I wouldn't have gone for the Avalon, BUT that's just me.

I'm glad you got what you wanted for your Expedition though. It was probably time for you to upgrade anyway. I got my Camry last year. I sold my 1997 Honda Accord w/ 109k miles on it because if something happened to it I didn't want to have to put anymore money into it. I searched high and low for the best deal on my car and definitely got it. I bought from a private seller and got my loan through my work's credit union. I'm still about $4k ahead from what my car is selling for now, which is awesome.

 

[jjsmom]

We are looking at used (newer) Toyota Corollas. About 30 mpg!!! Hmmmm, just starting to calculate the travel costs from MD to WDW.... lets see, we can drive straight through (difficult but not impossible) , we can live off sandwiches and chips, our own bottled water, cut fruit and veggies with dip...."see honey! Look how CHEAP it will be to go to WDW!!!!" The wheels are spinning...

 

[Irin997]

We are looking at used (newer) Toyota Corollas. About 30 mpg!!! Hmmmm, just starting to calculate the travel costs from MD to WDW.... lets see, we can drive straight through (difficult but not impossible) , we can live off sandwiches and chips, our own bottled water, cut fruit and veggies with dip...."see honey! Look how CHEAP it will be to go to WDW!!!!" The wheels are spinning...

I looked at Corollas but they felt like tin cans to me. Personally I prefer the Civic. It's a little bit bigger but much sturdier and much nicer than Corollas for about the same price, maybe slightly higher.

 

[jjsmom]

I looked at Corollas but they felt like tin cans to me. Personally I prefer the Civic. It's a little bit bigger but much sturdier and much nicer than Corollas for about the same price, maybe slightly higher.

I didn't give Honda a second thought! I should have since DH drove an '82 Accord hatchback for years, nearly 200K miles! Thanks for the info, we'll check them out!

 

[Lorix2]

No you aren't alone. I don't think 22mpg is all that great, but then again I get about 26-28, 30 on hwy in my 2009 Camry SE V6. If it were me going from an Expedition to a better gas mileage I wouldn't have gone for the Avalon, BUT that's just me.

I'm glad you got what you wanted for your Expedition though. It was probably time for you to upgrade anyway. I got my Camry last year. I sold my 1997 Honda Accord w/ 109k miles on it because if something happened to it I didn't want to have to put anymore money into it. I searched high and low for the best deal on my car and definitely got it. I bought from a private seller and got my loan through my work's credit union. I'm still about $4k ahead from what my car is selling for now, which is awesome.

Well, it's supposed to be approx 22mpg city and 31 hwy and I'm all city driving mostly which is better than, what? the 6 mpg I was getting? Wasn't looking for any brand in particular, just happened across the Avalon. I was actually test driving a honda when the Avalon caught my eye, alot roomer with with teens. I do love Honda though.

 

[Cindy B]

Well, it's supposed to be approx 22mpg city and 31 hwy and I'm all city driving mostly which is better than, what? the 6 mpg I was getting? Wasn't looking for any brand in particular, just happened across the Avalon. I was actually test driving a honda when the Avalon caught my eye, alot roomer with with teens. I do love Honda though.

My DH's 2000 Expedition gets 14 mpg.. not 6. 6 mpg seems awfully low even for the broadest calculations.

 

[Lorix2]

Okay for the sake of argument you stated that your Expedition was taking $30 every other day, which in turn on an average 30 day month means your gas bill is $450 (15 fillups per month @ $30)

Now let's assume that your Avalon get roughly 30% better gas mileage, which I doubt, but I will be generous. So now you are only spending $21 every two days on gas. So now your gas bill is $315(15 fillups @ $21)

Your net gas savings is $135. I am going to assume you didn't fall down the rabbit of hole of leasing so in order for you to get the payment that low you would have to had a large downpayment plus trade in. Since you have taken money out of your savings you have net opportunity costs related to that. If you can prove to me that you BOUGHT (not leased, not "smart" buy) a new Avalon with no money down for $135 a month, then I tip my hat to you.

Ok prncess, let's put this to bed. No lease agreement here. I understand what you are saying, but the amount of gas I was spending per week is pretty much equivalent to what I spending on gas. So I guess it will cost a bit more to have this newer vehicle, but I saved money in the long run by not having to dump money over and over into a 14 year old vehicle for repairs and the enormous gas bill compared to what I just bought. I did not ask to have my decision to buy a newer car analyzed. BTW, my car payment is not too much more than what you'd tip your hat to. IT'S NOT A NEW CAR, IT'S A 2006!!!!

 

[Lorix2]

My DH's 2000 Expedition gets 14 mpg.. not 6. 6 mpg seems awfully low even for the broadest calculations.

well, I am exaggerating quite a bit, but it surely felt like only 6mpg LOL!

 

[Gillennj]

I looked at Corollas but they felt like tin cans to me. Personally I prefer the Civic. It's a little bit bigger but much sturdier and much nicer than Corollas for about the same price, maybe slightly higher.

I couldn't possibly agree more. I test drove a Corolla and the thing felt like it was rattling all the way down the highway. I don't see why they are so popular. At the time I was relacing a Civic, and I pretty much knew I was getting another, but figured I would give Toyota a shot.

The Civic is SO much nicer in ride and handling. I LOVE my Civic.

 

[si-am]

I couldn't possibly agree more. I test drove a Corolla and the thing felt like it was rattling all the way down the highway. I don't see why they are so popular. At the time I was relacing a Civic, and I pretty much knew I was getting another, but figured I would give Toyota a shot.

The Civic is SO much nicer in ride and handling. I LOVE my Civic.

I've taken Civics for test drives several times over the past ten years, hated each and every one of them. My new Corolla drives so much smoother than the Civic I tried.

Corollas are actually a lot bigger than they used to be. I was somewhat disappointed that mine is only averaging 30 mpg. I think they used to be a bit better!

 

[Huff]

Am I the only one who thinks that 22-MPG isn't really great? It's certainly better than the Expedition, but not really wonderful.

In any case ... enjoy your "new" car and the extra money in your pocket!

Depends on your needs. I have a Dodge SRT4 that gets 24 city, 28 hwy. Sure its not as good as a micro mini car that gets 35+. But it gets decent mpg and isnt slow as a dog and underpowered as most ultra economy cars. I'll take a 285hp 0-60mph in 5.5 sec car that gets 28 hwy over a most other econo cars!

Now if they could somehow make a SUV/Truck that can haul 6 people and a good sized trailer and get 20+ mpg I'll be happy. Oh wait, they did but federal laws have stipped new diesel trucks down to 14mpg city!

 

[taylorcpa]

All this discussion aside, I LOVE MY AVALON!!!

Mine is a 2000 and I have had it for 8 years now. Have only done regular maintenance on it in all this time.

You made a great choice!