AAA Survey Shows Mileage is Top Consumer Concern

We've all been wondering what the consumer threshold for pain at the pump would be. With gas at a national average of $3.27 per gallon, we may have found it. According to a new AAA survey, American consumers may finally have reached a point where gas prices are affecting their car-buying behavior more than any other factor.

According to the survey, not only has fuel economy become the No. 1 concern for consumers (surpassing the brand name), these same Americans overwhelmingly favor stricter government regulations on fuel efficiency.

Of those surveyed, 61% said the federal government should require new cars, trucks and SUVs to face tougher fuel economy standards, while slightly fewer, 56%, said the government should increase funding for research into alternative and renewable fuels.

This does not necessarily mean that everyone wants to run out and buy a Prius, but rather that car buyers are calculating the fuel efficiency of their next vehicle with more care. For instance, instead of buying a large SUV, a buyer may opt for a more efficient crossover. Instead of going with six cylinders, the buyer may decide that the four-cylinder engine will do just fine.

Will fuel economy be your foremost concern in your next car purchase? If not, what will be?

Mileage at Top of Car Buying List (Detroit News)

Comments

[Adrock]

For me, its the #1 concern. My commute will increase 20 miles (one way) starting next week. I want a car that gets over 30MPG highway. (I'm considering a TDI, but they are tough to find in my area. So its probably going to be an A3 or A4.) Still, I'm not going to go out and just get any car that gets 30MPG. I mean, I could buy most Chevy's that do that. But I'm just not a Chevy guy, I've always been a Japanese or German car buyer.

If someone were to analyze my car buying tendencies, they would probably find irrational cost-benefit analysis going on in my head. I'm probably paying more by getting the more expensive car, instead of just getting a small car with a small 4 banger. But for me, there is more to driving than fuel efficiency. So even though I consciously realize I'm paying an unnecessary premium for that fuel efficiency, I'm still going to jump right in head first!

[L]

My problem is I don't want to give up my minivan - I commute in it everyday and I love sitting up high and the roominess for the kids on the weekends. I hate paying so much for gas, it costs about $54 every 4 days to fill it up but I refuse to go to a small car and I'm not sold on the whole hybrid crap.

I am an American brand buyer but I will say that if Honda does end up putting out a diesel minivan I'll switch over in a heartbeat!

[ziggy]

I don't see the economical benefit of diesel. Where I live it's about $1 more per gallon than regular and would you get that much more gas mileage benefit. Besides if demand for it goes up wouldn't the price go up as well?

[Dave V.]

It will be my number one concern till our CAFE standards exceed the fuel standards in Europe.

And come on, why can't we get some cool hatches such as those from Puegeot, Fiat, and Vauxhall/Opel??

[The other Dan]

Amen to getting the Euro cars over here.
Europe would love to pay what we're paying right now for gas. They've got gobs of way cool efficient cars over there. Let the DOT folks turn their heads to the really efficient ones to get a fast track ability to be imported.
It blew me away to see E class MBZ' with 2 liter engines there! Instead we get marketed these overpriced luxo's.

[J]

Yawwwwwwwwwn!

If they really care about the mileage, they wouldn't drive like they are racing to the red light right in the front. I believe that BS when I see they change how they drive. Otherwise they are just full of s--t!

L,

Ever considered a wagon? Some of the wagon the market is offering now has a nice sitting position like the minivan(Just not as high) and better fuel efficiency. Or maybe you can give Mazda5 a look, a mini-minivan.