Five Reasons to Keep Your Gas Guzzler

06/24/08 - 12:38 PM EDT

Jeffrey Strain

How much will the fuel-efficient car cost?

Fuel-efficient cars have risen 7% in value during that same period that SUVs have fallen in value. The double combination of getting less value for your SUV than you owe and having to pay more for a fuel-efficient car makes it less likely that selling a gas guzzler will produce a big enough savings to cover the losses.

Can you reduce your driving?

There is a reason that ridership on public transportation is at a 50-year high. The best way to beat high gas prices is not to trade cars, but to simply drive less. There are changes that you can make in your driving habits as well as alternative ways to commute that can greatly reduce the miles you currently drive.

BankingMyWay

By looking at different ways that you can reduce your driving, you are likely to be able to save more money than you could by trading in your SUV for a fuel-efficient car.

Are you following basic gas saving tips?

Chances are that you are getting much worse gas mileage in your SUV than you could be getting. If you can't reduce the amount you drive, incorporating basic gas saving tips can improve your gas mileage.

Even small improvements in gas mileage will often make keeping the SUV a more financially smart move than trading when losses you are bound to incur are considered.

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