No, it won't.
Some perspective:
At 15,000 miles per year my DODGE Ram, at 13 mpg average city mpg (22.4 mph) uses 1,153 gallons of gas. The increase from $1.80 to $3.00 per gallon of gasoline is an annual increase of $1,384, or, $27 per week from the time I bought it.
Or, an increase of $93 per 1,000 miles (76 gallons per 1,000 miles) to $230.
Due to depreciation I'm still driving this truck at 28,000 miles past purchase for "free" (value above what was paid with adjustments for service and repairs), and likely very close to the convergence of those two graphed lines. Increased gas prices bring it down faster . . but it is still less in comparison to depreciation, finance charges, etc for the overall ownership of the vehicle.
I'd choose my wife's car for it's ride, better handling & safety features over the truck with its HD suspension for a vacation trip. At double the above mileage, the savings on fuel cost on a 3,000 mile trip is $345. But my truck is still far cheaper to own and to operate than is that Lexus at the end of the year.
And that is the only set of numbers that matters.
If I got rid of it, still wanting a comfortable ride in an inexpensive but safe car, then a 2004 Crown Vic would fit the bill (and it gets good highway mileage).
http://www.edmunds.com/used/2004/ford/crownvictoria/100311894/cto.html?setzip=75214&vdp=off
The cost of fuel over 5-years is estimated at $10,000 (15,000 miles per annum). The cost of everything else
on a car with extra-low depreciation, insurance and upkeep costs is an additional $24,000 (as given in this example).
The right vehicle is always the key.
Viva roadtrips!!!
[ May 04, 2006, 09:37 PM: Message edited by: TheTanSedan ]