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Tips for Downsizing Your Vehicle
Mar 16 2009 by Sara Lacey
Gas prices are lower these days than they were last summer, but many of us are still wondering how to downsize our vehicles. Going from a larger vehicle to a smaller one makes sense on several levels — not only is the purchase price often lower, but smaller cars are usually more fuel-efficient, too, meaning you’ll save money every time you fill the gas tank. Still, there are lots of things to consider while pondering a downsizing decision.
Manage your expectations: You can’t expect the same kind of room in a Toyota Highlander that you have in your Cadillac Escalade ESV. Be realistic about it and take a long look at how you use your vehicle’s space and storage areas.
Use space wisely: If you use your vehicle for storing holiday decorations, you’ll need to start from scratch. Clear your car out, get rid of anything you’ve been carrying for more than a month and see what it feels like. Find somewhere else to keep your wreaths and lights and start using all those storage areas in your car for temporary, travel-related items. You could even try using your cupholder for a cup.
Consider the alternatives: Even after dropping the nonessentials, you’ll probably need to give some things up when going smaller. Decide what you’re willing to compromise on, but know there are alternatives for the times when you want back the options you lost going to a smaller car. For one, you can rent a large SUV for those family trips to the mountains, and you can rent trucks hourly from Home Depot for home improvement projects. And really, if those are the only times you use your vehicle to its full capacity, you’re a prime candidate for downsizing.
Do the math: Calculate the money you’ll save at the gas pump. This consideration may sound obvious, but be sure to do the math before making a decision. For example, if you switch to a smaller vehicle but can no longer carpool, so all your carpool buddies drive their cars in addition to you driving yours, neither the financial nor the environmental impact may be what you had hoped.
Downsizing your family vehicle may very well be a great idea, just be sure to take a realistic look at how you drive and live in your vehicle most often before taking the plunge. Good luck!
Downsizing is the conscious use of permanent personnel reductions in an attempt to improve efficiency and/or effectiveness. Here the tips given for downsizing vehicle are really interesting and could be adaptable. By considering all these kinda stuff, one can be surely save at some extent. - Concept Cars.
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