Toyota RAV4 Sales Figures - GOOD CAR BAD CAR
Gas prices ARE a part of the economic equation, and gas prices do make a difference, it's just a part of the equation. In reality [MENTION=144979]ToyoDriver[/MENTION], gas prices don't really come into play much for someone driving a new 4Runner. However, mentally gas prices matter. Quick exercise:
Drive 15K/yr
Gas prices: Either $2.50/gal or $4.50/gal
If you pay $2.50/gal your gas expense will be $36.06/week
If you pay $4.50/gal your gas expense will be $64.90/week
So the real difference for someone who drives $15K/yr will be $28.84 a week. Will that break you? Of course not and it won't really matter to anyone unless unfortunately they are near poverty or living on an extremely fixed income. The big deal about gas prices is the perceived expense, not the real expense. People think that "Gosh! Gas is so expensive I can't afford that!" They can of course, they just choose not to pay that.
I have a friend (nice guy, not real smart) who decided to trade his "gas guzzler" Pilot for a CRV the last time gas prices went up. He assured me he would make it back on gas savings. So he traded and got a higher payment ($100/month) but got a four year newer and nicer vehicle. He went from 20 mpg to 28 mpg. He bragged to me how much he was saving. I showed him the math. Turns out he was spending $300 more a year to drive a more efficient vehicle lol.