02-08-2009, 07:08 PM
Fuel Economy Still on Folks' Minds, but Not a Top Priority at Auto Show in Grand Rapids
GRAND RAPIDS -- With gasoline prices below $2 per gallon these days, fuel economy is weighing less on the minds of Tiffani and Tim Eden at the Michigan International Auto Show.
"I want a Jeep Commander," said Tiffani, as they surveyed the interior of a smaller Jeep Liberty at DeVos Place on Saturday.
The fact the Commander gets less gasoline mileage than the Liberty is a factor, but not as much as last year, said Tiffani, who is hoping to trade in her 2000 Jeep Cherokee. Space also is a factor, said the Hamilton Public Schools art teacher.
With gasoline prices at a five-year low, fuel economy is more of a memory than a top-of-mind issue for many.
According to AAA Michigan, the price of unleaded gasoline in the Grand Rapids-Muskegon-Holland area was $1.883 today, compared to $1.887 a month ago, $2.95 a year ago and $4.202 on July 17.
Tim, who commutes 90 miles daily from the Edens' Dorr Township home to Kalamazoo, said he resolved the issue a year ago. He traded in his Chevrolet Envoy SUV for a sub-compact Mazda3.
"One of the things we realized is that we were hauling around a lot of extra space with the Envoy," he said "The Mazda probably paid for itself in gas last year."
Trucks and SUVs have regained much of their popularity, according to Mazda sales consultant Matt Cameron.
"When gas was at $4, everyone was coming in," said Cameron, who works for Borgman Ford Mazda, of Grandville.
"Everybody said, 'I'm looking for fuel economy.' We don't get that anymore. People live for the moment."
The show runs until 10 p.m. today and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday at DeVos Place, 303 Monroe Ave. NW. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with admission $10 for adults, $4 for children ages 6 to 14 and free for children ages 5 and younger.
http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/i...ntern.html
Really? Do people honestly have that short of a memory? We've had sub $2 gas for just a couple of months, and people want to go get gas guzzlers again? That'll help drive prices right back up again! Not to mention the summer months approaching.
GRAND RAPIDS -- With gasoline prices below $2 per gallon these days, fuel economy is weighing less on the minds of Tiffani and Tim Eden at the Michigan International Auto Show.
"I want a Jeep Commander," said Tiffani, as they surveyed the interior of a smaller Jeep Liberty at DeVos Place on Saturday.
The fact the Commander gets less gasoline mileage than the Liberty is a factor, but not as much as last year, said Tiffani, who is hoping to trade in her 2000 Jeep Cherokee. Space also is a factor, said the Hamilton Public Schools art teacher.
With gasoline prices at a five-year low, fuel economy is more of a memory than a top-of-mind issue for many.
According to AAA Michigan, the price of unleaded gasoline in the Grand Rapids-Muskegon-Holland area was $1.883 today, compared to $1.887 a month ago, $2.95 a year ago and $4.202 on July 17.
Tim, who commutes 90 miles daily from the Edens' Dorr Township home to Kalamazoo, said he resolved the issue a year ago. He traded in his Chevrolet Envoy SUV for a sub-compact Mazda3.
"One of the things we realized is that we were hauling around a lot of extra space with the Envoy," he said "The Mazda probably paid for itself in gas last year."
Trucks and SUVs have regained much of their popularity, according to Mazda sales consultant Matt Cameron.
"When gas was at $4, everyone was coming in," said Cameron, who works for Borgman Ford Mazda, of Grandville.
"Everybody said, 'I'm looking for fuel economy.' We don't get that anymore. People live for the moment."
The show runs until 10 p.m. today and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday at DeVos Place, 303 Monroe Ave. NW. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with admission $10 for adults, $4 for children ages 6 to 14 and free for children ages 5 and younger.
http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/i...ntern.html
Really? Do people honestly have that short of a memory? We've had sub $2 gas for just a couple of months, and people want to go get gas guzzlers again? That'll help drive prices right back up again! Not to mention the summer months approaching.
