Survey Says Mileage Most Important To Car Shoppers

Consumer Reports just released a new survey that says 27% of car shoppers rank mileage as their No. 1 priority when considering a new car. Reliability is a close second place with 25%. This study explains why every car commercial you see these days screams mileage more than pricing, no matter how it stacks up against the competition.

The other surprising tidbit is that only 5% of those surveyed considered incentives to be most important when car shopping. Many say they would time their purchase with a new round of incentives. None of the news in the survey should be that surprising to anyone that reads this blog.

Our list of the most fuel efficient cars is still here. And, if you’re wondering, gas prices are retreating. Today’s national average according to AAA is $2.92, down from the summer's high of $3.04 on August 8.   

Comments

Up until three weeks ago I was driving a Toyota 4Runner but that came to an end when I was having my brakes replaced at the dealership. They provided me with a Corolla as a loaner for two days and I instantly fell in love with the gas mileage. With the last of my kids just graduating from graduate school I realized I no longer needed an SUV. The first thing that hit me was how little the gas needle moved. At first I thought it was broken. I can totally understand why gas mileage is becoming such an issue, but I don't think it's all based on pure cost, it's also a time saver. I live out in the country and in order for me purchase gas I have to drive 15-20 minutes each way. Fewer stops means less hassle. Who ever enjoyed pumping gas anyway!? The less the better. Well my neighbor down the road recently test drove my new Corolla and mentioned that he was going to seriously rethink his need of his Ford pickup truck.

yes, but like most imports, they are way underpowered, so have fun merging on the highway when that 18-wheeler is coming right at you and you don't have the power to get out of the way...i think i'll pay the few dollars extra and get nearly the gas mileage that you do in your economy car as i do my v6 camaro and my v8 impala... "who never enjoys extra power"...oh and i don't have to admit that i drive a toyota :-)

Actually, my "import" Honda Accord V6 (made in Ohio) is not way underpowered, and can out accelerate a majority of the cars on the road. It can sure out accelerate my last car... a Ford Taurus... man was that car slow (and in the shop A LOT!) My Accord is pretty quick and gets good gas mileage. A car can do both.

Yeah don't let the Sboy confuse you. Everything is better at GM for him. There's absolutely nothing wrong with commuting in a Corolla. The XRS model is the one I prefer myself and is certainly fast enough to merge on highways. I regularly tell people if they're interested in a Prius to stick with a corolla instead.