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With prices at the pump up nearly a dollar in the past year, there are now lots of Americans offering gas-guzzling cars for sale at bargain prices. But as we hear from CNBC's Phil LeBeau downsizing to a model that seems more fuel-efficient could cost drivers in the long run.
Martian Nordan is joining the growing ranks of Americans—ditching their SUVs.
"It just costs me too much to fill up the car, so I need to get rid of it."
After 3 years of driving this SAAB, Nordan still owes more on it than she'll get selling it.
"I'm willing to take a hit to sell the car. Not a huge one, but you know I’ll sell it for a loss."
In fact, so many people are selling their used SUVs, their prices for used models like these, have dropped almost 50 percent in the last year. Many who used to drive these SUVs, sold them to avoid the cost of filling up a gas-guzzler. Well, they may think it's a smart move financially, the math may not add up.
It's been a shock to people what fuel prices have gone, and they've reacted in a way, that's almost irrational.
SUVs typically lose 30-40 % of their value after 3 years. But because of a current glutton in the market, the average rate of depreciation has nearly doubled. In Martian Nordan's case, the SAAB she bought new in 2005 for $28,000, is now worth just 15 grand. So even though selling her SUV, and buying a new, more fuel-efficient Honda Accord, would save Nordan $44 a month on gas, it would take 52 years to break even on this trade. Still, she is trying to sell.
"Fuel-efficiency, it takes top priority, I won't even, can, go on car lots or consider cars that get less than 20 miles per gallon."
Switching gears to save money now—even if it means paying more down the road.
Phil LeBeau, CNBC, Chicago