Do you check for gas mileage before you buy a new vehicle?
By Marie Coyle
@MarieCoyle (57965)
May 6, 2026 6:15pm CST
Pretty much everyone I know here has been doing this for a while, unless they have a bottomless wallet--and I don't know anyone offhand that has one of those.
My older son has a neighbor that has always had a nice pick-up truck. He does own a camper that they use at times for weekends off or little vacations, so he uses his truck to pull the camper.
His truck was only a few years old when he purchased a new Ford F350 right before Christmas. It seems just huge to me, I guess it is. He told son when he bought it that he didn't think it would be that bad of gas mileage. He is very upset with the gas it requires, and of course it has to be used for him to drive to work as well. It has a crew cab, and the tank hold 48 gallons of gas! This just flabbergasted my son, and he did the bit of math...if the tank was rock-bottom empty, and he paid the cheapest price he can find right now, the cost to completely fill up this monster truck is ....$234.72!!!!
I would literally have a heart attack and keel over. I have to wonder why all of this power and cost is necessary, when a smaller truck would have pulled a camper--their camper is fair sized, but not small. Just...good grief!!
picture my cousin sent to me the other day after we whined about gas prices together.
6 people like this
5 responses
@snowy22315 (207049)
• United States
10h
Some people just have that bigger is better mentality. I bet he is regretting that choice now
2 people like this
I cannot fathom not taking into consideration the gas mileage of a car/truck. He sounds very foolhardy.@MarieCoyle (57965)
•
10h
I honestly don't think he thought this through. Son said the fellow's wife is furious over that truck!
2 people like this
@FourWalls (85750)
• United States
6h
Yes, I do check gas mileage. It’s the primary reason I bought a hybrid. The “old” CR-V gave great gas mileage for a CR-V, easily 15% above what it was rated at, but I do love seeing 42 MPH on the calculator at fill-up time.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (57965)
•
2h
I would love that, too. I am very thankful not to be driving my old vehicle. Due to it's age and the fact it was nearly exhausted, that old tired thing couldn't pass a gas pump without stopping for a big slurp!
@LadyDuck (500234)
• Italy
2h
@MarieCoyle - A small car was what we need now, at most we drive 20 miles from home. No more big cars for us.
@MarieCoyle (57965)
•
2h
Small makes the most sense for you right now, and you don't travel far. I understand how you feel and I know you are concerned.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (379372)
• Rockingham, Australia
7h
@MarieCoyle There are dozens of those big 4WD vehicles here. It's a macho thing I think.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (57965)
•
2h
@JudyEv
I can understand the purchase if it's needed...and I suppose if a person has the money, it's up to them how they want to spend it. But some of these people with the big fancy vehicles are paying absolutely huge monthly payments on them...and I don't think that makes a lot of sense. But I'm not them, so I don't know. It just seems foolish when he had a truck that worked fine and did what all he needed for it to do.
@MarieCoyle (57965)
•
8h
Good gas mileage is more important than ever now. Those big trucks are super expensive anyway, add in the extra money he will spend for gas and it’s bordering on ridiculous!
1 person likes this
