I’m torn and I don’t know what to do. I don’t normally wait until the last minute to plan out a major purchase and this is no different. Gas prices got me thinking about getting an economical automobile for everyday commutting. Yes, gas prices have dipped over the last week, but I think that is always a way for the big oil companies to make us happy right before they really stick it to us. I think this has to do with someone (wink) higher up making a killing off high oil prices. But I digress.

I have a car that has been very reliable over the years, but it has seen better days and putting money into it wouldn’t be the smartest move – something could happen to it and I would get a fraction of what I put into it. No, I need something that will get me from point A to B without burning a lot of gas. Oh, it has to get me there in economical comfort though.

Many people may immediately think of Hybrid cars, but that really isn’t necessary. Hybrid vehicles, such as the Toyota Prius, certainly get great miles per gallon (MPG), but in my opinion they do it at a price: styling. I’m not saying a Prius isn’t a great car because everything I’ve read about them seems to be more positive than negative. I just don’t know why they couldn’t have made it look better by now. Does anyone remember the name of that old Honda Hybrid that was seriously ugly?

Now decent-looking cars like the Honda Civic get great MPG in the gas or hybrid versions. Let’s face it, there aren’t many, if any, of these cars (in this category) that are really beautiful vehicles, but the small car offerings seem to be our future.

Did you know that the Civic can now be purchased with leather seats? On the surface it doesn’t really seem like a big deal until you think about what that indicates. Car companies are moving towards making these small cars more luxurious since gas prices are forcing consumers to buy them more. We might as well have comfort in economical cars too right?

Has anyone joined me in my crusade to ditch those seldom-used houses on wheels known as SUVs?  We might as well accept what the future holds for the size of vehicles we buy more of.

As you may have been able to tell by now, I love cars.  In the future I will have to talk about the Mini Cooper, a car that I love, and the Smart Car,  a car that interests me.  For now, I will let you go so you can jump in your SUV and make it to the dealership.