[V8] Gas hog V8s

[sdewitt@stx.rr.com]

My 5spd gets close to 20 in the city with a light foot.

On another note, MPG ratings are usually far off from true mileage. I
read an article somehwere about owners of some of the hybrids getting
less than 20 miles per gallon in the city. The way city fuel economy is
measured is by taking a specific route in LA back in 1965. That 35 miles
per gallon is probably closer to the high 20's. My jetta TDI that was
supposed to get 45 MPG never saw anything above 40, city or highway.

----- Original Message -----
From: Mike Arman <armanmik at earthlink.net>
Date: Wednesday, August 31, 2005 9:39 am
Subject: [V8] Gas hog V8s

> 
> 
> With fuel approaching $3.00 per gallon, just out of curiosity, I 
> ran 
> some interesting numbers.
> 
> Starting premises -
> 
> 1)V8Q gets about 16mpg.
> 
> 2) CNN/Money had a list of cars you can buy with payments of under 
> $200/mo (sometimes just under), real exciting stuff like Cavalier, 
> Neon, Aveo, etc, mostly stripped, and you couldn't get A/C in one 
> of 
> them if you wanted to stay under $200/mo, and I'm guessing the fuel 
> economy of these cars is going to be 35 mpg? Which may be generous 
> . . .
> 
> Anyway -
> 
> Fuel costs for V8Q - 16 mpg with $3.00 gas is a bit under 20 cents 
> a 
> mile, fuel costs for 35 mpg is abut 8.5 cents a mile.
> 
> V8Q, 1,000 miles, $200 in fuel, 2,000 miles, $400 in fuel, 3,000 
> miles, $600 in fuel, 4,000 miles, $800 in fuel.
> Aveo (etc.),  1,000 miles, $85 in fuel, 2,000 miles, $170 in fuel, 
> 3,000 miles, $255 in fuel, 4,000 miles, $340 in fuel.
> 
> Now we add the payment of $200 a month vs the Audi, which is free 
> and clear.
> 
> Audi cost - 1,000 miles = $200, 2,000 miles = $400, 3,000 miles = 
> $600, 4,000 miles = $800.
> Aveo cost - 1,000 miles = $285, 2,000 miles = $370, 3,000 miles = 
> $455, 4,000 miles = $540.
> 
> The break-even point in mileage is therefore about 1,800 miles a 
> month, which is about 21,600 miles a year, at which point the 
> strictly fuel plus payment costs are about even.
> 
> But there is *much* more than that - there is capital cost and 
> opportunity cost on the Aveo, there is depreciation (which Audi 
> owners are VERY familiar with - but OUR cars are already just about 
> fully depreciated), and then there are the intangibles - safety, 
> ride, performance, comfort, support from THIS group, and so forth.
> 
> Basically, I'll want to see a lot more than numbers like the above 
> before I get rid of my V8Q. Personally, I drive about 1,000 miles a 
> month, so why the heck should I pay more money to drive a 
> significantly lesser car? Besides, I HATE car payments, and I don't 
> ever want to have one again, as long as I live. That alone is worth 
> something, and if part of the price of that is crawling under the 
> car 
> and getting dirty, hot and sweaty once in a while, well, I can take 
> a 
> shower for a lot less than $200.
> 
> Now, if we want to buy a NICE car, I've seen leases offered on 
> entry 
> level WMBs (ugh) for $400 a month (after cap cost fees, tag, tax, 
> title, blah, blah blah) and after 36 months you have to give it 
> back 
> - this is essentially just a long-term rental, and you still have 
> to 
> buy fuel. No thanks, I'm keeping my V8.
> 
> Best Regards,
> 
> Mike Arman
> 90 V8, not just a car, an ADVENTURE!
> 
> 
> 
> 
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