Are low gas prices changing your driving behavior or 4runner purchase decisions

[gm350reratliff]

These lower prices haven't changed how I drive but I'm really considering lifting my 4th gen a little bit more and going to a taller tire. The only thing holding me back is, I know the price will skyrocket again. It'll be $5 a gallon just so they can make up "lost profits". My wife and I both drive 28 miles one way to work but unfortunately, we can't carpool together.

 

[nevada]

Have the low gas prices had any impact on your driving habits or travel decisions?

back when they were up high, I definitely drove less. I usually make it up to the mtns 2-3 times a month. that dropped a lot since gas prices went up. I still consider them to be high...

Low gas prices? It's 4.50 a gallon near me. Lame ass 91 at that... Wish we got 93 like many other parts of the country.

that's what I was thinking. what is considered low? we are at $3. whiles its not as high as it was, I don't consider it to be low.

I run Premium when gas is cheap.

Tends to move quicker that way.

I remember running 85 octane this winter... that swill shouldn't be even sold.

85 has more potential energy than premium. assuming you can run it without detonation, or retarding the timing.

 

[Thai]

Lower gas prices certainly helps. But, for me, my job has changed over the past year...longer distances on highway where big trucks/rigs roam. I used to drive a Prius...wonderful little car and great on gas. However, with the longer distances and big trucks galore, regardless of gas prices, I would still drive a big cars/SUV. Prius, although has good crash scores, would be smashed like a bug on the highways.

BUT, gas prices did influence me somewhat when I was picking my next car. Even though it uses PREMIUM gas, my MDX gets 27+ mpg easily on the highway driving around 72 mph.

From a purely financial standpoint, me being on disability or dead is much worst than being a safe SUV that uses a little more gas than an average car. Fortunately, my life is worth more alive than dead...at least for now.

That is just my view.

 

[noisebeam]

It was a consideration when I just purchased a 2015 4R two weeks ago.

My families other vehicle is a 2004 Prius and I cycle to work every day (22mi RT) so the 4R is only for weekend adventures that may see dirt. I put about 4k miles per year on my last truck.

My new 4R got 1300mi on its first week (6 day camping trip), but have not driven it for a week now and I want to! But it doesn't make sense running errands in it when there is a Prius parked next to it.

 

[paddlenbike]

I could care less what gas costs, when I need the 4Runner, I need it regardless of cost. The 128 MPGe that my other car gets makes my occasional fuel bills seem like a non-issue.

 

[wanderMT]

If 4.50 here, I would not have bought T4R. Figured at least couple years of driving at 'low' fuel cost. The T4R is my economy car - other 3 4X4s I have get worse.

 

[UnderFire]

If I cared that much about MPG's I would've left it stock and got 24, since I modded it and now get 14, I must not lol.

 

[ebg18t]

MPG of the car is the least of my concerns.

~20 gallons @$2.95 of 93oct a week in the car

~65 gallons @$5.25 of 93oct ethanol-free a week in the boat. Unfortunately many of the marinas here have high pricing on ethanol free gas.

Car ~ 80 gallons @ current price is $236/month -year around
Boat ~ 260 gallons @ current price is $1365/month - April - November (lower from Dec-Mar)

Do I like the lower gas prices? Sure. But the price of gas doesn't change most folks regular activities needing gas.

 

[Thai]

MPG of the car is the least of my concerns.

~20 gallons @$2.95 of 93oct a week in the car

~65 gallons @$5.25 of 93oct ethanol-free a week in the boat. Unfortunately many of the marinas here have high pricing on ethanol free gas.

Car ~ 80 gallons @ current price is $236/month -year around
Boat ~ 260 gallons @ current price is $1365/month - April - November (lower from Dec-Mar)

Do I like the lower gas prices? Sure. But the price of gas doesn't change most folks regular activities needing gas.

Dude, will you adopt me? I do not need diaper changing nor even occasional hug...just give me a monthly allowance and we're good.

 

[ebg18t]

Dude, will you adopt me? I do not need diaper changing nor even occasional hug...just give me a monthly allowance and we're good.

Lol. I already have 2 kids. My lower winter consumption offsets my summer consumption. My fuel consumption is low compared to some of the other folks at the marina. I see guys getting 250-300 gallons a week. What-ever it's gas and meant to be combusted and expelled out the exhaust pipe. :thumb:

 

[LandCruiser]

85 has more potential energy than premium. assuming you can run it without detonation, or retarding the timing.

It *should* be fine if you stay above 5k feet.