Scribe-ls

I have to grit my teeth every time some yuppie blathers about how everyone needs to be environmentally responsible and go get a more gas-efficient vehicle.  Wouldn't it be nice if we could all just up and be so selfless.  Last time I checked, most people are in hock up to their necks paying for their cars (I am) and the notion of suddenly hitting the local dealership to get a Yaris or SmartCar to conserve gas inspires hysterical giggles. 

I'm almost two years into my car, an Aztek, a cross-over by Pontiac.  That means I am most likely upside down in it, which is fine as I know it'll all catch up in the end.  I bought it to meet my transportation needs, not as an investment and am very pleased with it to date.  It's big enough to be comfortable (I'm not petite, but certainly not as big as they come either) for me and my dogs and all the gear to make a weekend in Hartsel pleasant, or a couple weeks' groceries and all the other Saturday errands-stuff.  It's not the hugest thing out there (I think that's the Tahoe or maybe a Humvee).  I've checked the gas mileage, which is about 22 mpg, mixed, and that is after resorting to "regular unleaded" with the recent price escalations. 

Essentially, buying a new gas-miser car is going to cost me lots more than simply keeping what I've got and being even more thoughtful of how much I drive.  The payments will be higher than what I've got now, if I could scratch up the ridiculous cash they want for a down payment.  Additionally, insurance will likely be more because while the Aztek is a sturdy vehicle with no pretensions of zippiness, therefore a lesser risk profile, these little Minis, Yarises and SmartCars crumple if you sneeze at them and inspire traffic-darting (uh huh, I've seen it!).  Would I like a car that gets 40 mpg?  Sure, if I can keep my Aztek for real stuff and use the littly for the 10-mile daily commute (round trip) and maybe zippadeedoos down to Texas or up to Wyoming to satisfy the gadabout urge.  Realistically, though, with our budget, one car each is it, and we're grateful for that, so it isn't going to happen. 

At any rate, the trust-fund-fed utopianists can make their suggestions all they want, but I'll keep on keeping on without guilt.  I have a good car kept in good tune, I manage my driving carefully and once in a while enjoy a little outing.  How far do THEY drive to and from their plastic offices each day?