I was waiting for someone to start a thread like this, as I couldnt think of a good way to word it.. good job

I think the pricing is already starting to scare people. I swore i'd never care, and now that gas is at what it is.. I am starting to get a little concerned. I don't "mind" so much about what it is, but I do wonder what i'd do in the case that it cost $100 to fill my tank vs the $50 3 yrs ago when I bought the car. I go through at least a tank a week.

I say this, but at the same time consider vehicles like the Jaguar XF-S, and the Lexus IS-F; neither of which get what you can even consider "good" gas mileage.

I think (without actually checking, so dont shoot me if im wrong!) that the "IS (250)" and "ES" and "A4 (4/6 cyl)" and "3 series (4/6/8 cyl)"  really have kind of addressed this issue; they are a little less "thirsty" than their Infiniti counterpart the G.

But isn't the whole benefit of hybrids city driving, not highway?

And

I get like ~16-18MPG highway. I am guessing you are staying below.... 60MPH?

http://www.mlive.com/business/index.ssf/2008/05/some_hybrids_save_cash.html


The bad news: Some of the top performers a similar Cleveland Plain Dealer analysis last year fell a few notches. Last year, Honda's Civic hybrid looked as if it would take about three years to earn back its higher cost. In this year's analysis, the Civic takes more than four years.


Hmm..

My dad and I were having a similar discussion on this last night at dinner.  My mom drives an RX400h, it gets 24mpg highway... much better city, but when he bought the estimated cost of paying for the hybrid was 10.5 years to recoup extra cost in money saved.  That was based on 2.75 a gallon.  With the new factor of 4.00 he said its less than 4 years.  Thats pretty significant.  Gas prices will probably never come back down... could happen, I doubt it. 

I'm of the brand of people that subscribe to the theory... do your homework, see what you can afford, buy accordingly.  I knew going in premium fuel costs more, I knew that gas was about 3 dollars a gallon.  I also knew that service at the infiniti dealership costs a fortune.  I can complain about it because I don't like it, but bottom line is... I factored all that into my decision to buy the car and it doesn't bother me that much. 

I think of it this way.  If gas goes up a dollar, I'm paying 17 dollars more when I fill up.  Can I afford another 17 dollars a week?  absolutely.  In 3 months will I be able to afford ANOTHER 17 dollars a week... I'd imagine so! 

I do think sales will suffer, but that will benefit people like me who DO have the money for cars in this segment (or higher priced gas-guzzlers).  Think about it... gas is 4 bucks... people are already getting the M3 under MSRP... and it came out less than 3 months ago.  How long before I can get one at invoice?

Pseudo daily camry? Does someone have a dirty secret?!

[Edit] Oops. Modified wrong post....added fourth option to my choices.

I think people who stretch for the higher end cars will dive off in sales.  Those whose budgets are more affected by an extra  $100-200 a month spent in gas.  I think you'll see more regenerative hybrid, diesel and turbo engines coming in to up the fuel efficiency on the higher end vehicles.

I think most people who lease luxury cars will be less affected vs many who finance if you take the assumption that lessees stay within 12k miles a year so their delta on gas price increases is smaller than those who finance.  Also if you assume that lessees make the the same as those who purchase, they have more cash in hand after the monthly payment.

I'm looking more at a turbo engine for my next vehicle for the reasons of efficiency.  Audi S3 and A4 Avant both rate highly for that factor.