Member Feedback
Gas efficiency not within reach of all
I find it very irritating to read letters in different publications from individuals who think the rising cost of gas is good; that everyone should just get with it and purchase a new, gas-efficient vehicle; and that SUVs shouldn't be driven by anyone, even in rural areas where they are a necessity. But most people cannot afford a new car, period. Maybe a used car, but not many used vehicles are going to be gasoline-efficient. Many people are just happy to have a vehicle that runs.
So from all of us who cannot afford a new vehicle and do not consider it a priority—thank you, AAA, for your Fuel Price Finder, because all those pennies do add up and they do matter.
—P. Genack, Beulah
A to B is about maximizing fun
Peter Bohr provides a nice explanation of hybrids (“Hybrid Economics,” November/December 2005) but he is out of date regarding the tax position. That being said, many of us don't want to pay extra for a low-performance car. If one really wanted to save the environment, one would bike or get rid of that second car.
The additional cost of gasoline is minute compared to the costs in any other country, and it is worth paying for the enjoyment of performance driving.
A to B is not about minimum time, minimum fuel consumption, and “saving the environment.” It is all about maximizing fun. Is that a longer route? Is that a twistier route? Then those are the routes for many of us. A to B is enjoyment, B is just a destination.
Why would you spoil the path from A to B with a hybrid—at a far higher cost, to boot?
—John Graham, email
Editor's Note: We received several comments about this article's incomplete information on tax changes for hybrid owners. See the following letter for an update on the situation for 2006.
Hybrids and tax credits
I am very disappointed that the article “Hybrid Economics” (November/ December 2005) was so incomplete. My wife and I are income tax accountants and hybrid owners.
The author was correct that until the end of 2005, the $2,000 federal deduction for purchasing a new hybrid gives only a tax saving of $560 if you are in the 28% bracket. What he did not mention is that purchasers in 2006 will get a much more advantageous federal tax credit. A Toyota Prius, for example, will bring a saving of approximately $3,150. This change makes quite a difference to the bottom line.
The author also did not mention the tax credit you receive from the state of Colorado in the year of purchase. For the Prius, this credit was $3,434 in 2005. The 2006 tax credits should remain the same.
Instead of the $560 given in the article, buying a Toyota Prius in 2006 will net a total of $7,259 in savings on your federal and state return. This pays for the difference in the cost of a hybrid model, plus a couple of thousand to put into a savings account as an incentive to buy hybrids.
—Gary A. Cox, Westminster
Editor's Note: By press time, AAA Colorado had not been able to confirm the stated savings on the purchase of a hybrid.
Road design and traffic flow
Is it a lack of modern traffic engineering, in addition to a lack of manners, which contributes to unsafe driving and poor economy? Why is there continued building of roads like Colorado #83 ( Parker Road ), for example, where the design calls for a 0-60-0-60-0-60-0 mph driving pattern between the approximately one-mile spacing of stoplights?
Is there a way to contact CDOT when one has a suggestion, or can I use AAA to submit my questions and suggestions? I sure have a lot of them.
— Davis Ammons, Larkspur
Editor's Note: The Colorado Department of Transportation can be contacted through its website, www.dot.state.co.us. Click on “News & Info” to find a contact form for questions and suggestions. In addition, AAA is always interested in receiving comments from members on any aspect of driving and road use.
Sweepstakes winners
In our September/October sweepstakes, the winner of the Glenwood Springs vacation was Ernest F., of Lakewood. The winner of the Brown Palace one-night stay was Tom B., of Loveland.
Winners from the November/December sweepstakes will be notified in January and announced in the next issue. For privacy reasons we do not print the full names of winners.
Let us hear from you
Letters under 200 words are considered first. Letters published in EnCompass do not necessarily reflect the opinion of AAA Colorado and, due to space limitations, we reserve the right to edit for length and clarity. Send letters to the editor, EnCompass, 4100 E. Arkansas Ave., Denver, CO 80222. Fax to: 303-300-7710.
Email: editor@colorado.aaa.com. Letters become property of AAA Colorado and are not returned.
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