Ouch!!! - What are you $$$ for gas ???

now??

$60 bucks to fill up the Rodeo :banghead: - typically lasts 5-7 days depending on how much driving we do.

$55 to fill up the Tacoma - lasts roughly 5-6 days.

$105 to fill up the Diesel :eek: - it spends most of it's winter life sitting; will get drove every weekend come summer though.

Believe it or not, it gets the better gas mileage, averaging 20 city/25-28 highway - but, just too big for daily commuting.

I've only put about 2 tanks of gas in the Amigo, haven't driven it a whole lot, cause a friend is still deciding on whether or not he would like to buy it.

WHEN FUEL HITS $3.00 HERE ITS GONNA COST $100 TO FILL IT UP ONCE A WEEK i DRIVE THE PISS OUT OF IT

I filled mine up last week at 2.56/gallon and noticed today the same station is at 2.74/gallon. I fill up at half tank so its not so bad. I also dont do much driving other then to work and back (12 mile round trip) so it lasts quite a while.

If it keeps like this though its gonna get expensive going 4 wheeling this summer. Would like to go every other weekend like I did last year, usually use up about a tank each time.

Rodeo runs right around $40 to fill... but I only use it for getting to/from school (200 miles) and use the work truck at home.

Little F-350 runs over $125... Good thing for company credit cards... :) Even better when your brother is an owner of the company :)

I usually fill at half tank too; still adds up to $60 bucks a week though.

$2.85. I knew it was creeping up, but come on! I only paid attention today because you had brought it up.

I only paid attention today because you had brought it up.

Me bad!! :rofl:

These prices are getting crazy, I'm afraid my Rodeo is about to be traded in for something new. I'm looking at a new job and the commute would be too costly in gas. I also miss driving a manual sporty type vehicle. When I do trade it in, it will be missed.

just went to fill up, $2.80. It was in the $2.20 range a couple months ago.

Marcre, is your Rodeo paid for?

if you aren't making monthly payments their should be alot of room in the budget for expensive gas. the rodeo works for us because it is finally paid off and we live close to everything. plus we have two kids and the safety factor of a bigger car figures in it for us. i couldn't imagine getting in a wreck with a ford focus or toyota corolla? mike

Marcre, is your Rodeo paid for?


yea, it's been paid off for about a year. It's nice not having a payment, but I know there are repairs around the corner.

yea, it's been paid off for about a year. It's nice not having a payment, but I know there are repairs around the corner.

Even with repairs, it's still cheaper - specially if your's is paid for - to keep it; even with higher gas prices. Unless, you sale out-right and pay cash for another car, is the only way you'll really get ahead of the gas prices.

We figured, in regards to our Rodeo, which required roughly $2k in repairs/maintenance last year, (paid it off almost 4yrs ago), and even with rising gas prices, we're still coming out ahead by driving it/owning it, then if we were to have traded it for a newer more mileage friendly vehicle.

For one, there's not many newer vans or suv's that have better mileage then my Rodeo; car is out of the question, as we do a lot of traveling and need a ton of interior space. And, with where we live, we have to have something with high ground clearance.

Even with repairs, it's still cheaper - specially if your's is paid for - to keep it; even with higher gas prices. Unless, you sale out-right and pay cash for another car, is the only way you'll really get ahead of the gas prices.

We figured, in regards to our Rodeo, which required roughly $2k in repairs/maintenance last year, (paid it off almost 4yrs ago), and even with rising gas prices, we're still coming out ahead by driving it/owning it, then if we were to have traded it for a newer more mileage friendly vehicle.

For one, there's not many newer vans or suv's that have better mileage then my Rodeo; car is out of the question, as we do a lot of traveling and need a ton of interior space. And, with where we live, we have to have something with high ground clearance.

A lot of good points, but for me, a car is ideal and I wish I could buy out-right. I don't need the room. I don't really need 4wd anymore, it barely snows here.

I will need to do the timing belt/water pump/tensioner soon. Rear brakes as wel this year, not to mention there is an issue up fron, maybe ball joints. I'm at 94,000 miles and a lot of original parts in there. Alt/starter/fuel pump ect. I've never had the fuel pump issue, so I waiting for that to happen. All that stuff will be expensive, and then add any surprise repairs.

The big thing is, I miss driving a manual tranny. I like the ride of a car, the control. I miss it.

I love my Rodeo, but it's not perfect. I want to put my amp and stuff in a car and I'm affraid to do that in the Rodeo due to the lack of "hiding" places. I want a quieter cabin and some more comfort.

It has been realiable, but I fear as it gets older it may not be. I'm also sickl of the oil burning, even though mine isn't bad.


I'm still deciding though, but even if I do trade it in, I will always check this place out(and others, Wire/planetisuzoo). It is way busier than the other car forums on here. I learned a lot from this vehicle and site.

Well, for what it's worth, I'm at 170k miles and I still have the original fuel pump too, and everything on the front end, aside from shocks, is original too.

My starter was just replaced 6 mnths & 10k miles ago, lasted a LOT longer then I ever thought it would.

If I were in your shoes, I'd definitely be looking at maybe a Toyota Corolla or Hyundai Elantra - both are fun to drive the manuals; I say go for it! As long as your payments amount to less then what you would spend maintenance/repair wise for the Rodeo within a years time.

I'd probably try to sale your Rodeo out right though, you won't get much at trade in. In fact, you'll get ripped off, big time.

EDIT to add: that life's too short to stress over fears of whether or not certain repairs are going to be needed, our lives are hard enough without worrying needlessly over our vehicles. I say if the Rodeo's not for you, you don't need the room, and miss the driving style of a sporty car, get rid of it. Thinking back now, you have had a lot of issues with that Rodeo in less then 100k miles; when you mentioned only 94k miles, kind of shocked me, as I thought you were well over the 100k mark.

Congradulations though, on paying yours off before the 100k mark; we didn't get ours paid off until it had 120k miles.

There's times I borrow a buddies Toyota Corolla 5-spd, fun little car to drive. Not exactly sporty looking, but you can find one with sport-package for a decent price and they're great on mileage/reliability. For sure if I was a single person, no kids, dogs, kids friends, boat, different line of work, etc I would definitely own a car for sure. I've spent a lot of extra money keeping up with trucks then I ever would've spent on a car - 16" tires for one!!!

i have thought about the same thing, getting a different car to drive back and forth to work. I drive 100 miles a day round trip so gas is getting expensive, but on the other hand, like the others have said my passport is paid for and i can buy a lot of gas for the price of a car payment each month. I guess i will take my chances and keep the rodeo until it falls apart. It does do better than my 1991 silverado that gets a maximum of 14 mpg.

If you havent done it already, think about replacing the front o2 sensors. They can (and usually will) start reading low over time but not enough to set a CEL. Will cause it to run a little rich. Some have reported better mileage after doing that.

Also, convert to manual hubs. That will reduce quite a bit of drag so you will pick up a little mileage from that, as well as save wear and tear on your cvs and boots.

Hard to tell how much I picked up from my new hubs since I did it right around the time winter gas use ended and temps warmed up (both will cause lower mileage). But so far I've gone from 14.7 round trip for work to around 17 mpg.

But so far I've gone from 14.7 round trip for work to around 17 mpg.

That's your average mpg?? Ouch, I figured the 5-spds averaged better then the auto's.

Guess I need to stop complaining, I'm hugging 16-17mpg in winter, and 19mpg spring/summer city mileage.

Try Shell gas only Gizmo, wonder if your's will come up.

Shell is all I use, with occasional Conoco if its close and I need gas. My big problem is that my commute is short, only about 6 miles each way (if I could drive straight through cherry creek park instead of around it, it would be 1-2 miles :lol: ). The engine doesnt even get up to full temp till I'm just past half way there. And speeds are 40mph or less with llots of stopping.

Still better then I got while pulling ppl out of snow at xmas. Got a whole 10 mpg lol.

Now that its getting warmer out I will be replacing the front o2 sensors soon, hopefully that helps a bit.

:) I constanly get a little over 20 miles a gallon in my 04 Rodeo. with auto. Mostly higway, but some dirt road (my driveway 2 miles of great mud) and some trailer pulling every other day. Was a SHOCK Friday when it took over 40 dollars to fill it:frown: Andie

I get between 17 and 20 mpg so i guess its not bad. How many o2 sensors are there?

:) There are 4, the 2 before the cats, the engine side are the important ones. Andie

$2.95 last evening. $2.96 today. Separate vehicles.

I don't like paying anything more than I have to for just about anything. That said: gasoline, adjusted for inflation would be at a level comparable to the mid-1950's if it were $2.95 per gallon.

The oil companies make roughly 15 cents per gallon on gasoline. State and Federal taxes are many times that. We were spoiled for so many years with cheap gas. Now, it's caught up.

For those of you tinking about trading down to a smaller vehicle, remember, the sales tax you pay on that new car is going to eat up, probably, two years of incremental gas expenditures. And don't forget about the additional depreciation on a new vehicle. And many states charge more for plates (mine does) if you drive a newer, no valuable vehcile).

If you go tiny, comfort and safety suffer. If you want to drive a gazillion miles in some econobox, go for it. Realistically, keeping what you have and driving it until the wheels come off is the more likely way to save money.

If you go tiny, comfort and safety suffer. If you want to drive a gazillion miles in some econobox, go for it. Realistically, keeping what you have and driving it until the wheels come off is the more likely way to save money.

I agree totally, my late toy did just that, only it was the engine that was falling out for the 5th time.

After the many accidents I've seen these past 6 mnths involving small cars and trucks - I'll stick to my $60 dollar truck fill-ups.

The gas for the two paid off vehicles still doesn't equate to what their monthly car payments were - so, it is still very worth it to me to drive them. And, good thing this year, the Rodeo's plates FINALLY dropped below $100!

I'm going tomorrow to look for a car. It has to be a good deal and have to get good value on my trade(don't have time to do a private sale). It may happen and may not. The main thing will be my payments. I'm going to look at the new Jetta, mazda3 and Imprezza. I'm digging the way the Jetta looks. My Rodeo still works fine, but I'm betting there are things wrong with it.

It always makes sense to stick with the vehicle that's paid off, but one thing a lot of you are forgeetting is maintenence costs. As mine gets older, it will be there.

I said this before, I miss shifting. I also miss having a sunroof and a quality sound system.

My vote is for a Mazda 3s. I have one (well its my wifes) and its a 5 speed and it is fun to drive! And the 34 mpg on the highway is great!

My vote is for a Mazda 3s. I have one (well its my wifes) and its a 5 speed and it is fun to drive! And the 34 mpg on the highway is great!


That's my top choice, but is the most money as well. May be worth it.

I may be biased as I've had 3 VWs and my daily is a MKIII Jetta, but I've test driven all three and I would go with the new Jetta with the inline 5 2.5L. The 150 horses in the Mazda 3 are really disappointing and it looks like a nightmare to work on. It doesn't handle like the Jetta either. Both the Impreza and Mazda 3 just don't seem as solid, too. If you're going for reliability and fuel economy, though, then you don't want the VW. I was very close to getting a new Rabbit with the 2.5L, but my Jetta just keeps going. I just did a coolant swap in it. It on its third clutch and 4th timing belt and it pulls as strong as the day I got it. It's had its share of electrical problems and power window failures, but it keeps on going. It has 189K on it.

It always makes sense to stick with the vehicle that's paid off, but one thing a lot of you are forgeetting is maintenence costs. As mine gets older, it will be there.


If you're seriously doubting your truck that much, and spending that much money that it will for sure amount to more then what you'd make car payment wise; higher insurance rates possibly (for a newer car), and initial plates/taxes in even 1 year's time - it's definitely time to get rid of that truck.

I agree with you, Marcre, it's truly a mute point, you're driving something you don't trust, and something you don't even need, nor want, I'd be getting rid of it too. It's not worth the time and energy to keep spending life wanting something else when that something else IS justifiable and more useful.

As long as you're not *only* looking at it from a saving money stand-point - because your first year on a brand-new, or even 1-2yr old car, you won't be saving as much as you think. I'm only saying this because your's is paid for, otherwise, you would be saving for sure.

Out of the 3 you're looking at, I love the soundness of the VW structure wise, I've heard they can have reliability issues with age too though - but honestly, there are a lot of people who like to only keep cars for 100k and trade them in, in which nothing is wrong with any one of the 3 choices.

Personally, a car that's driven for highway or town use, without the rigors of what people expect from trucks, i.e. towing, off-road, heavy hauling, etc. I don't see why there isn't any car out there that can't last easily 200k carefree miles. And this includes Troopers, Rodeo's, Rodeo Sports not used for truck purposes, and it's a shame if one gets anything less.

I still think for best value and warranty, Hyundai/Kia has come a LONG way, and/or Toyota Corolla - I'm biased a bit towards both however, as we've had a couple Toy's now, and 2 Hyundai hatchback cars when they first came out back around 1985; drove those cars into the ground with very very minor maintenance issues.

Good luck on your search, let us know what becomes of it. And, stop feeling like you need to explain your reasoning for letting go of the Rodeo. Yes, we all like ours, you do too, but you have to trust it, and REALLY like it too, along with needing it - and you don't. Get what you want, and be glad that you did.

Good luck on your search, let us know what becomes of it. And, stop feeling like you need to explain your reasoning for letting go of the Rodeo. Yes, we all like ours, you do too, but you have to trust it, and REALLY like it too, along with needing it - and you don't. Get what you want, and be glad that you did.


Thanks, I do love the Rodeo, but I've had it a little over three years and I'm getting that itch for a new ride. Miles are getting up there and I know for sure I'd be smart to drop a couple grand in maintenence(timing belt and all associated parts) over the next year that's why if I'm going to do it, now seems like a great time. If I do trade it, it will be missed. Trully is a fun vehicle to drive. Very solid and I always like the power it seemed to have. Nothing the Buffalo weather threw at it shook it. Now I'm in Baltimore and weather is never bad.

I've had it a little over three years and I'm getting that itch for a new ride.

Most people do, you are not unusual here.

I'm the unusual one. I get asked all the time when I'm gonna trade mine in, 10yrs of ownership in one vehicle is a long time compared to most - if mine hasn't been as good as it has been, it probably would've been traded for that new Xterra we sold to my sister a while back.

As it stands now, that new Xterra's been in for more warranty work in less then a year then my Rodeo ever was. Go figure - but I DO so love the power that Xterra has!

Coming back to the original theme of this thread you should be glad you dont live in the UK, we are paying around $2.00 a Litre at present, yes its no typo thats a Litre, do the Math. I love it when I come to the US on vacation and can pay so little for so much petrol. :)