I don't know about that, NJ. I think 550 could give a run to a 911.

 

His complaint is that in 2002 when he bought the thing, gas was less than $.60/liter. He gets about 11 miles/gallon (winter/summer city average). He drives 24,000 km/year and his Escalade uses about 25 L/100km (11 mpg). That works out to just over $700/month at $1.36/L where he lives.

While fuel prices haven't risen as drastically as in the US, even by your attached chart, since last July, fuel prices in Canada are up over 30%. I'd say that is a fairly drastic rise. If the rate of increase continues, what do you think it will cost him to fuel his vehicle on a monthly basis next year?

This is why Toyota dealers have a 100 person long list for a Prius and Toyota can't make them quick enough. Some people with alot of money don't care about fuel costs. My buddy has more money than he can spend, but he doesn't want to blow it on a vehicle that can't make it a month on less than $700 in gas. He'd be better of in a GL320.

My calculation shows that he'd be spending about 1/2 his current fuel bill driving a GL320. Of course while that sounds like a good deal, an E320 (35/47) sounds even better, especially given that he only has 2 kids and doesn't do any carpooling.

Death of the SUV, I don't think so, but large vehicles as daily drivers are on their way out except for those who really need them , or don't care how much they drop each week at the fuel pump. After the recent news from GM and Ford regarding plant closures and slosw moving truck inventory, I don't think it is anopinion any more, I think it is a fact.

Of course, if you leased your GL, you are in good shape. You have a locked in end lease value and can evaluate in 3 or 4 years. If you bought it, drive it into the ground becuase it's ttrade value in 3 years will be a bit ugly!