Incentives Poll

[NiceTrip]

I'm curious as to the different incentives that people were offered, and if you had to choose between different incentives, which did you choose and why?

It looks like I'll have a choice between $1000 cash allowance and the $2.99 gas guarantee when mine comes in. I'll probably choose the gas card.

I'll have no trouble using the 1800 gallons of gas over the next 3 years, so neglecting carrying costs, the break-even gas price is $3.55. If the average price for the next three years exceeds $3.55 I win, if it falls below that, I'd have been better off with the $1000. Factoring in interest pushes the break-even gas price up to about $3.65. Still a good deal if prices stay up in the $3.90 range or higher. The way I see it, if gas prices fall, and I "lose" money because I took the gas card - that's a good problem to have. Much better than if I take the $1000, and gas prices go to $5 or $6 within the next three years.

Or to put it in other terms, the downside risk is limited to $1000, while the upside potential is pretty much unlimited.

I just hope I can take delivery before the offer expires.

[LBD-CT]

I'm curious as to the different incentives that people were offered, and if you had to choose between different incentives, which did you choose and why?

It looks like I'll have a choice between $1000 cash allowance and the $2.99 gas guarantee when mine comes in. I'll probably choose the gas card.

I'll have no trouble using the 1800 gallons of gas over the next 3 years, so neglecting carrying costs, the break-even gas price is $3.55. If the average price for the next three years exceeds $3.55 I win, if it falls below that, I'd have been better off with the $1000. Factoring in interest pushes the break-even gas price up to about $3.65. Still a good deal if prices stay up in the $3.90 range or higher. The way I see it, if gas prices fall, and I "lose" money because I took the gas card - that's a good problem to have. Much better than if I take the $1000, and gas prices go to $5 or $6 within the next three years.

Or to put it in other terms, the downside risk is limited to $1000, while the upside potential is pretty much unlimited.

I just hope I can take delivery before the offer expires.

after the sudden death and subsequent scrapping of our trade in, we went with the $1000. I already had to come up with an unexpected $3000, I didn't want to add more to that. There is an excellent article on the Consumer reports web site that argues that the $1,000 rebate is almost always a better choice, when one considers depreciation.

[scott4751]

We chose the gas card for the following reasons.

$4 / Gallon of Gas = $1800 total savings - $600 / yr = $50 / month

$5 / Gallon of Gas = $3600 total savings - $1200 / yr = 100 / month

I am sorry to say that I think gas will average $5 / Gallon over the 3 yr period. I hope I'm wrong, but gas has gone up so rapidly lately and barring something spectacular I don't see it coming down any time soon, if ever. As far as the depreciating, it's not like you can write it off on your taxes. I figured that I would rather apply the monthly gas savings to my monthly car payment. From my understanding it doesn't matter how you use the gas, you are allotted 600 gallons / year, even if you don't keep the car for three years.

[Booker T]

I'm right there with you guys. I can't wait to get mine in...hoping it is before the gas incentive runs out. I truly believe gas will be $5 next summer and higher after that. I think those who chose the $1,000 will be regreting it a year from now. I do understand the dilema of not havig the cash flow to do it, but in the long run, you are going to be better off with $2.99 gas.