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Originally Posted by monckywrench
If someone can afford a new truck along with the insurance, etc that goes with it, they can afford the gasoline to feed it.
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Can I afford the gasoline? Sure. But I'll choose not to buy it for my gas guzzling F150 if I can drive my 40mpg Volkswagen instead.
I used to agree with your comment, but not anymore. I don't mind spending $25-40,000 on a one time expense for a durable good (like a truck) that will last for 10-15 years. It's the recurring consumable costs that put a squeeze on cashflow, and hence, my ability to save, or spend $$ on other things I want to do.
Consider that if I put 200,000 miles on an F150 (getting 15mpg) at $3.00/gal fuel, I will end up buying $40,000 in gasoline for the life of the vehicle. If fuel goes to $4.00/gal., then I will spend $54,000 in gasoline. Right now, my F150 spends most of the time in the garage. I'll drive it only when I need to haul something, not as an everyday driver.
Dale