The big news story of today is, of course, the gas prices.  Four dollars per gallon.  We all knew it would happen.

Chrysler came up with a promotion to boost sales and ease the pain at the pump.  Guaranteed $2.99/gallon gas prices for 3 years.  Wow!  What a deal!  Right?

If you stop to think about it, it's not that special.  Let's think about this logically...

Assuming $4.00/gallon prices and a 15-gallon tank, you are going to save $1.01/gallon for each complete fill.  Now, let's assume one fill per week.  You are saving a whopping $15.15 per week ($1.01 x 15).  If you do this for a year, or 52 weeks, you have saved $787.80 in a year.  For the entire 3-year period, you only saved $2363.40 in gas.  Now, assuming that your new car cost no less than $12,000...tell me, how much did you REALLY save?

Let's make this interesting... let's say you fill up 3 times a week.  You're still only saving $7090.20 over the 3 year period.  That means, you're still out over $5000.  In fact, you'll have to fill your tank 6 times a week in order to come out ahead in this deal.  If you're filling your tanks 6 times a week for that 3 year period... guess what's going to happen after that 3 year period.  Of course... the demand is going to drive the prices up.

Don't be fooled by this promo.  It's just a way that a corporation is making it look like they're doing you a favor, just to make a buck.  I'm rather sickened by this.  What are your thoughts?

+ruined