Coping with gas prices: Trading your vehicle
By Bankrate.com

You've never been a motorcycle person, but today's gas prices are making you reconsider your stance. Maybe you'll be donning a leather jacket and hitting the road on one soon. Or perhaps fuel costs have given you the chance to indulge a long-dormant interest in scooters.

We asked Bankrate readers, via our newsletters, how they were coping with rising gas prices. Many now drive less and in ways to increase fuel economy. Others are kicking their gas monsters to the curb, making space for smaller, more efficient vehicles.

One reader traded a gas-guzzler for a peppy scooter, while another picked up an itty-bitty Volkswagen with a diesel engine. Still more are thinking about taking the two-wheel plunge.

Considering switching out a vehicle? What could it do for your gas mileage? Read on and find out.

Tips from readers
I have limited the use of my Infiniti SUV by planning my driving route and have just completed a motorcycle course. I am now looking into purchasing a motorcycle. I anticipate the mpg difference will be from 15 mpg to 55 mpg.
-- Robert L.

My 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid keeps me smiling despite the even higher gas prices in Canada. We're paying approximately $4.97 per gallon once exchange rates and metric conversion have been applied. That said, Canada also has universal health care.
-- SK S.

We already have a Prius, bought three years ago in anticipation of an increase in gas prices. Now we are considering selling our second car, an eight-year-old Saturn, and buying a scooter.
-- Nisha

Bought a Mazda Miata two years ago, and it gets 30 miles to the gallon. It's fun to drive, easy to park, easy to wash, requires no service (other than) oil changes, and if it snows, I just take my old gas guzzler for those days. (I) wish the Mazda crossover had good mileage; it would be my next purchase.
-- Bev R.

We have a large F-150. It was costing $70 a week to fill up; that's close to $300 a month. We decided that if we could find a car that costs less than this to fill up for the month with the car payment included, we would do it. We found a 2004 Suzuki Forenza that gets close to 30 mpg and currently costs about $40 a week to fill up. With the car payment and the $160 per month in gas, we broke even at $300 per month. We parked our truck in the garage (for the times when we need a truck) and we now share the use of the little sedan. Sweet!
-- S.G.

Ever since the first gas crunch 30 years ago, I have used a locking gas cap. That added 5 mpg to my mileage. I keep several full gas cans in a detached garage. I avoid a two-mile round trip and the nuisance of going to the gas station.

When I purchased my Chevy S-10 a few years ago, fuel mileage was a prime consideration. I opted for a locking rear differential instead of a four-wheel drive. I don't have any driving difficulty in the winter. The government fuel mileage figures indicated a 4 mpg difference. I believe the difference is greater.
-- Ed K.

Yes, I have changed several things, starting eight years ago. I bought a diesel Jetta in 2000, the same year I moved jobs, to 3.2 km from home. I actually tried for several years before that to move closer to home, but was unsuccessful. I also owned a diesel Golf from 1993 to 2003.

I bought a Chevy Venture in 2003, which was a step backward, but I tried to limit its use. I still have the van and the Jetta, but the van is going soon. I almost never drive it. To be honest, it doesn't get too bad mileage.

From time to time, I have walked, bused or biked to work. I bought a Smart car in December, and alternate between it and the Jetta.
-- P.

(I) got a scooter for running errands.
-- Terry L.

Since I have horses and travel with them, it's necessary to keep and maintain my diesel pickup that gets 23 mpg on the average. Until now it's been my only vehicle. I believe I will be purchasing a new diesel VW Jetta shortly which, they say, gets 48 mpg ... so then, I intend to drive the Jetta for all other purposes than hauling horses. That's what I need to do for now.
-- Sandie W.

Compiled by Rose Raymond.