If you need to buy a car, it pays to consider fuel economy. But remember that gasoline or other fuel is just one of the costs of vehicle ownership. Buying a new car, just for better gas mileage, often doesn't make financial sense in a five-year time frame.
One calculator from Edmunds.com, an automotive information website, can help you weigh the tradeoffs. Another Edmunds calculator, "true cost to own," shows key ownership costs for specific car models on a grid.
What you'll probably find: Fuel costs are very important factor, but part of a larger puzzle.
