This article in The Charlotte Observer describes the position U.S. Rep. Mel Watt, D-NC, takes on conserving fuel. It also describes his own driving habits, made possible by the U.S. taxpayer:
More than a dozen years ago [Watt] was leasing a ?great big? sport utility vehicle, and then he went to a van. These days, he’s leasing a Toyota Prius.
“It gets 50 miles per gallon ? people find that hard to believe,? he says.
?It keeps track of your efficiency level so it’s constantly calculating what you are getting. I turn the car on to show (people) ? It’s right there on the screen.?
Of course, it does come at a price. According to House spending records, the taxpayers are spending $742.80 a month for him to lease that 2007 Prius from Wilmar Inc., a vehicle leasing company in Charlotte. (Emphasis added).
It’s impossible to tell whether the leasing cost cancels out the gas advantage because Congress members’ districts can vary significantly by size and the frequency of their travel can as well.
Rep. Sue Myrick, a Charlotte Republican who represents parts of Mecklenburg, Union and Gaston counties, spends $338 a month on her leased 2005 Honda Accord, records show.
Setting aside the inflated nature of Watt’s lease agreement, this brings up a good point: It’s foolish, financially, to sell your old gas-guzzler and buy a new hybrid. It is satisfying to pay less at the pump, but ditching that paid for car for a $25K hybrid so you can save $20 a week on gas just doesn’t add up ? unless you plan to drive the car for several decades.
And before then, you’ll probably want one of these.
