Fuel-Efficient Or Financially Prudent

That $83 a month in savings looks darn good right now.

But wait, says Bartlett. When you calculate the total cost of ownership (depreciation, finance charges for a 60-month loan, insurance, maintenance, sales tax and fuel costs), the Toyota will cost about $9,000 to own for the first 12 months, while the Ford costs $6,000 during the same period. That's a difference of $3,000.

Other examples of what it might cost you to downsize to another vehicle are available at http://www.consumerreports.org. Look for the link on the home page under "Today's News."

Of course, the total cost of ownership can rise if the interest you pay or your insurance costs are higher than the national averages used by Consumer Reports. If you pay cash for the car, have a shorter loan term, or live in a state without sales taxes, your annual cost of ownership could be lower. On the other hand, holding onto a less desirable vehicle that gets terrible gas mileage could mean its depreciation accelerates. If gas prices hit $5 a gallon, you will have a tough time trading in the car, Consumer Reports warns.

Nonetheless, Bartlett says, it might be better to tough out the higher prices for now rather than trading in your car just to save on your fuel costs.

"There has understandably been a fixation on the price of gas. But rather than act on the basis of emotion, we want people to think this through," he said. "We just want to make sure people aren't making a situation worse than it needs to be."

ConsumerReports.org has recently launched a "Guide to Driving Green" special section ( http://ConsumerReports.org/fuel) with tips on how to improve fuel economy, lists of models with the best fuel economy and guides to the latest hybrids and alternative-fuel vehicles.

Definitely check out the tips from Consumer Reports, and if all else fails in easing the pain at the gas station, you may have to just close your eyes and pump. And don't print out the receipt.

· On the air: Michelle Singletary discusses personal finance Tuesdays on NPR's "Day to Day" program and online athttp://www.npr.org.

· By mail: Readers can write to her at The Washington Post, 1150 15th St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20071.

· By e-mail:singletarym@washpost.com.

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