"\"Digger\"" <dodgedakotaquadcab@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Ok,our choices in driving are either a rental that
> gets 28-33 mpg,or driving the "Dakota" down there....
> To me,the only reason,besides the mpg issue,is the fact that our
> Dakota (Blue Thunder),gets 20-22 mpg on the I-system,and shes turned
> 126,000 miles...
You're not going to save any gas money with the rental, its just
the opposite, actually.
From Madison, WI to Atlanta, GA round trip is about 1730 miles.
Using your best case scenario for the rental car of 33mpg, that's
about $172 in gas. Using your worst case scenario for the Dakota of
20mpg, that's about $284 in gas. The Dakota will suck down about $112
more dollars in gas, but don't forget that you still need to figure
the cost of the rental car. I didn't do a lot of checking, but $112
is about $30-40 less than you can rent an economy or compact car for,
let alone an intermediate or full size. The base rates seem to be
around $140-150, and that's before all of the taxes and extra crap the
rental places tack on which seem to always add another $40-50 onto
the bill. :-P
For the fuel economy calculations, I used the current national
average of $3.28/gallon. Obviously, these numbers will change
depending on the price of fuel at the time of your trip, and what sort
of deal you are able to get on a rental car. Assuming that a rental
car is going to set you back somewhere around $180-200, in order for
the rental car option to equal the cost of driving the Dak, the fuel
price would need to get up to around $5.20-5.80 per gallon. (Wouldn't
the little green nazis love that?) So basically, if fuel prices are
less than $5.20 per gallon or so, you're better off in the Dak.
Higher, and the rental car may be a cheaper route.
You mentioned some service items and such for the Dak; that's a
whole 'nother issue. If you aren't confident in its ability to make
the trip, well, you're the only one who can make that call. My
recommendation to take the Dak is based strictly on a financial
analysis using fuel economy, gas prices, and rental cost.
> BTW,i'm getting my dream fulfilled.I get to drive a
> General Lee at Dukesfest 2008 & in the Parade....
Have fun! Don't jump it *too* high, and keep the rubber side down!
;-)
--
-Jon-
.- Jon Steiger -- jon@dakota-truck.net or jon@jonsteiger.com -.
| '96 Kolb Firefly, '96 Suzuki Intruder, Miscellaneous Mopars |
`-------------------------------- http://www.jonsteiger.com --'
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