Comments on: Chrysler’s $2.99 Gas Promotion

By: Rob O.

Rob O. — Thu, 15 May 2008 11:16:20 +0000

Far better idea would be to avoid a gas-guzzling Chrysler and go for a vehicle that’s really fuel efficient.

And people have got to really begin rethinking their vehicle needs. I still see far, far too many boneheads using big honkin’ SUVs & trucks as single-occupant commuter vehicles. We’re still being snookered by the marketing wizards who sold us on the “bigger is better” and “small cars are for people who can’t afford a ‘real’ car” rationale.

We’ve got to get back into the mindset of buying the appropriate vehicle for the needs at hand. Horsepower is largely irrelevant. And what does a car’s “0 to 60″ performance matter when the speed limit in most areas is 35 or 40? Even if you do a lot of highway driving, you don’t need a car with rocket-like acceleration – you just need to hone your driving skills and be a tiny bit more patient. Does it really matter how many seconds you shaved off of your commute by gunning it to merge into freeway traffic if, by doing so, you put yourself and lots of others at risk? How much later for work are you going to be when you’re dead?

By: Llama Money

Llama Money — Wed, 14 May 2008 16:31:18 +0000

No one else seems to have pointed out the real problem with this deal – you would have to purchase a Chrysler vehicle! Me, I’d rather drive a Kia if it came to that.

By: Personal Loan Portfolio

Personal Loan Portfolio — Sat, 10 May 2008 00:03:04 +0000

That is an interesting promotion that I had not seen. I wonder if Chrysler hedged their risk?

Take the Goldman oil price estimates with a grain of salt. They hold a large speculative long position in the oil futures market.

By: Lazy Man

Lazy Man — Thu, 08 May 2008 00:00:57 +0000

I erroneously said 12,000 gallons a year, but it’s 12,000 miles a year. Presumably they know the gas mileage of their cars and allow you only so many gallons a year.

By: Jon

Jon — Wed, 07 May 2008 23:48:06 +0000

What’s to stop you from selling the rest of the gas to others, or just letting others in your family use your card? Now you’re saving more like $5000 – $7500 a year.

By: Tight Fisted Miser

Tight Fisted Miser — Wed, 07 May 2008 17:12:15 +0000

All of Chrysler’s vehicles have a lousy mpg average. You’re much better off getting a used vehicle that gets high mpg. My 94 Corolla’s 30mpg is looking better every day.

By: plexluthor

plexluthor — Wed, 07 May 2008 14:48:54 +0000

The rumors I’m hearing is that you give up the instant cash rebate when you sign up for this deal, which makes it $500 to $5000 worse for the consumer.

http://www.tundraheadquarters.com/blog/2008/05/06/dodges-new-fuel-price-protection-program-is-a-scam/

By: Monty Loree

Monty Loree — Wed, 07 May 2008 13:33:20 +0000

Gas prices are scaring people which means that the publics psyche will change finally. They’ll start to accept alternatives, and ask for them.

This shift in demand will make the big suppliers move to give us better, non-oil guzzling products.

When people are this angry, it means a significant move in the market place.

By: Mrs. Micah

Mrs. Micah — Wed, 07 May 2008 00:09:00 +0000

Well, a clever ad campaign lets the company get the best deal while leaving the customer thinking that they got the best deal. I’d say that sounds about right here. Unless gas hits $200/barrel. But even then, buying a lightly used car for maybe $13,000 means a $17,000 difference to spend on gas.

By: hank

hank — Tue, 06 May 2008 22:48:00 +0000

“Oil may seem expensive now, but 10 years from now, we’ll look back at the good old days when we only paid $4.00 a gallon for gas.” If you’re in Europe now, you’re thinking about remembering back to the good ol’ days when gas was under double digits per gallon. The US has it easy right now I’d say… All the more push to get hybrid and electric cars cooking. If they had one that was suburban sized (I need a lot of room for kids and kid related things to go anywhere) I’d be on it ASAP… The one hybrid that GMC has out now for the Denali is mediocre at best…

By: Myfinancebutler

Myfinancebutler — Tue, 06 May 2008 21:29:08 +0000

And plus, I’m sure they’ve done their research, but still, Chrysler’s gotta be sweating this one out!

Might be fun to watch!

By: Myfinancebutler

Myfinancebutler — Tue, 06 May 2008 21:27:53 +0000

I’m with you… it’s fun, sounds like a good deal, but in the long run, not the best way to save money while buying a car.

By: deepali

deepali — Tue, 06 May 2008 20:50:10 +0000

I saved money by selling my car. :)

By: Maria @ Financial-Tip

Maria @ Financial-Tip — Tue, 06 May 2008 19:54:10 +0000

I think buying a used car for half the price as new would save me much more than getting the gas card deal with a newly purchased car. Thanks for doing the math … I am lazy today.

By: Matt

Matt — Tue, 06 May 2008 19:36:02 +0000

The deal is a good one to entice new purchasers but I agree with you about buying a used car and investing the money you just saved you might end up making money in the long run. Not to mention buying a new car isn’t a great option unless you have money to burn.