Angie's List

Angie's List: Cars & The Economy

PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ― While prices at the pump continue to rise, many drivers are taking a hard look at their driving habits. In this weeks Angie's List report, Jim Donovan finds more consumers are considering buying a hybrid or maintaining their current vehicle to ensure it stays on the road.

In a recent Angie's List poll 60 percent of those responding say they are changing their behavior when it comes to driving. They're carpooling, consolidating trips, and then there are those that are considering a switch to hybrids.

According to Angie's List founder Angie Hicks, "Hybrid cars are becoming more and more popular. In our poll, we found about 50 percent of the respondents are considering buying a hybrid car. But how much you're going to save really depends on your starting point. If you've got a large suv, even going to a more fuel efficient regular car is going to save you money, let alone moving along to a hybrid."

Angie says, more and more drivers are taking care of the vehicles they already have. "If you want to get the best gas mileage out of a car you already have, the key to it is regular maintenance. in our Angie's list poll we asked our members if they are more concerned about maintenance now than they were before and 50 percent said they are. It's simple things that can improve gas mileage like changing the oil on a regular interval and keeping your tires properly inflated"

Drivers are making adjustments as gas prices climb. A nationwide Angie's List poll found 60 percent of respondents are cutting back on the amount they drive because of the price at the pump.

· Angie's List members tell us they are adjusting their driving habits. Members are consolidating trips, carpooling more, and taking the fuel efficient car out of the garage more often than the SUV. As a result of today's gas prices, about 50 percent say they would consider buying a hybrid, and 35 percent would consider buying a used car, instead of a new car.

· If you're looking to buy pre-owned rather than new, look for a car with less than 10,000 miles that's within the current model year. Brand new vehicles lose 18 to 22 percent of their value as soon as you drive off the lot, so if you're careful, you can actually get a better value with a used car over a new one.

· The cost in gas savings with a hybrid depends on the car that you currently drive and how much you drive. If you commute a lot, a hybrid might be worth the investment. Do the math when shopping for a hybrid. For example, a SUV may only get 12 miles to the gallon, while a hybrid gets nearly 48 miles a gallon.

· You don't have to buy a new car or a hybrid to get better mileage and lessen your carbon footprint. Maintaining your current vehicle will save you money in the long run because your vehicles will operate more efficiently. 50 percent of Angie's List poll respondents say they're taking better care of their vehicles these days in part because they want to get better mileage from them.

· Auto experts tell us that cars are lasting longer because they are built better. With regular maintenance, vehicles can easily surpass 200,000 miles. A few hundred bucks worth of prevention each year can avert thousands in repairs. Find a good mechanic early in the game and keeping him/her.

· Know when it's time to move on. Replace your car when the cost of a repair exceeds its fair market value, or you no longer trust your vehicle to get you safely from point A to point B.

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