Umm, yeah, what size engine do you want after the apocolypse (Mad Max' Interceptor)?

 

Seriously though, I think you need to compare apples to apples.  Like Edward mentions you might need a bigger car.  If you have 4 kids an Echo or Prius just won't cut it.

But I do think you should consider mileage. I don't see the use in using up gas if you don't have to.  Plenty bought Hummers and such because they just wanted a big car.

Maybe a bigger question is why can't we have bigger engines that have better mileage and environmental factors in them?

I would definitely drive the Mad Max Interceptor if there was an Apocalypse! Either that or the car from Knight Rider. You make a valid point. If we could have bigger engines that would get better mileage, then it would be a non-issue. Also, if fuel costs were cut in half, then it wouldn't be too bad either. 

Something to think about.

Better to own a V-8 used than buy a brand new Prius without blowing up your previous car.

True that! I am a Used car guy all the way! Check out a post I did a while New Car Vs. Used Car.

The largest car I've ever owned was a 4 cylinder Camry, but I have friends with SUV's but almost without exception, they all have kids. My brother-in-law has 4 kids, 3 of which are still in car seats. So he didn't have a terribly large selection of cars to buy, especially not with his $2000 budget.

Another friend also has three young sons. His wife and he each have a daily commuter (he drives a diesel Jetta), plus the have a "family" car of a Toyota Sienna.

Yeah, having multiple kids definitely helps justify the cost. What gets me is the people that drive an Escalade as a daily driver, with no kids yet, and are struggling to get by. Sell the car, and get something that will help improve your bottom line.

Seriously though, I think you need to compare apples to apples.  Like Edward mentions you might need a bigger car.  If you have 4 kids an Echo or Prius just won't cut it.

But I do think you should consider mileage. I don't see the use in using up gas if you don't have to.  Plenty bought Hummers and such because they just wanted a big car.

Maybe a bigger question is why can't we have bigger engines that have better mileage and environmental factors in them?

Better to own a V-8 used than buy a brand new Prius without blowing up your previous car.

Another friend also has three young sons. His wife and he each have a daily commuter (he drives a diesel Jetta), plus the have a "family" car of a Toyota Sienna.

krantcents said:

I don't own one and it has been a very (more than 30+ years) long time since I did.  I can think of some instances where you may need one such as a truck used for work or a car that tows a trailer or boat.  If you do not drive very much it may not matter if your car is  gas guzzler or not.

That is a great point. If you do not drive the vehicle often, it may not matter what the size of the engine is. However, I find that a lot of people don't even take this in to consideration when buying a vehicle that is a "daily driver".  They just buy it because they like it and then wonder why they are living paycheck to paycheck. It is amazing how much $2,000/year would change the average person's financial picture.

You touched on a very important point, most people do a lot of thinsg without thinking it through.  Whether they do not look at the consequences or don't care. 

MoneyBeagle said:

For our camper, our V-6 is adequate but a V-8 would definitely give some breathing room.

It seems like a V-6 can be a great solution to those who need to have a vehicle with a camper, who need the ability to tow, etc. It gives you just enough power to get the job done yet gets better gas mileage for daily use than a V-8.

Actually the V-8 would have likely got the same, or maybe even slightly better city mileage, believe it or not.  The downside is it is Rear Wheel Drive where the V-6 is All Wheel.  Plus the up front costs.

Always tradeoffs :)

I did - I had a Z28, and I didn't wreck it, haha.

 

Now we're got a V6 Jeep (which does feel a bit underpowered!) and an I4 turbo in my car (which is plenty powerful).  So no - I haven't had a V-8 for a while.

A Z28? That is awesome! I had a buddy that had one of those and it was a blast to ride in. Congrats on not wrecking it.

For our camper, our V-6 is adequate but a V-8 would definitely give some breathing room.

It seems like a V-6 can be a great solution to those who need to have a vehicle with a camper, who need the ability to tow, etc. It gives you just enough power to get the job done yet gets better gas mileage for daily use than a V-8.

I don't own one and it has been a very (more than 30+ years) long time since I did.  I can think of some instances where you may need one such as a truck used for work or a car that tows a trailer or boat.  If you do not drive very much it may not matter if your car is  gas guzzler or not.

That is a great point. If you do not drive the vehicle often, it may not matter what the size of the engine is. However, I find that a lot of people don't even take this in to consideration when buying a vehicle that is a "daily driver".  They just buy it because they like it and then wonder why they are living paycheck to paycheck. It is amazing how much $2,000/year would change the average person's financial picture.

Now we're got a V6 Jeep (which does feel a bit underpowered!) and an I4 turbo in my car (which is plenty powerful).  So no - I haven't had a V-8 for a while.