Levon Goldblatt is a 40-something investment consultant who spends a large portion of his business time driving to clients' homes all over southern California. His average weekly mileage: 320 to 512 miles.
Three weeks ago, he stopped using his Toyota Forerunner SUV and switched to a 2003 Honda Accord.
“I was filling my Forerunner [16-gallon tank] four times a week, so when gas hit $3.80 a gallon, I knew I had to do something,” says Mr. Goldblatt. Now, his wife uses the Forerunner for neighborhood-only errands, and he gets 30 miles per gallon or more with his Accord, whose lease he assumed from his brother.
“Now, I drive and drive and drive,and look down and still have part of a tank left,” he says. “It’s a giant savings for me without any noticeable loss in driving quality or aesthetics.”