万花筒 2008-09-03&09-04 卖掉SUV,不明智的选择

With prices at the pump up nearly a dollar in the past year, there are now lots of Americans offering gas-guzzling cars for sale at bargain prices. But as we hear from CNBC's Phil LeBeau downsizing to a model that seems more fuel-efficient could cost drivers in the long run.

 

Martian Nordan is joining the growing ranks of Americans—ditching their SUVs.

 

"It just costs me too much to fill up the car, so I need to get rid of it."

 

After 3 years of driving this SAAB, Nordan still owes more on it than she'll get selling it.

 

"I'm willing to take a hit to sell the car. Not a huge one, but you know I’ll sell it for a loss."

 

In fact, so many people are selling their used SUVs, their prices for used models like these, have dropped almost 50 percent in the last year. Many who used to drive these SUVs, sold them to avoid the cost of filling up a gas-guzzler. Well, they may think it's a smart move financially, the math may not add up.

 

It's been a shock to people what fuel prices have gone, and they've reacted in a way, that's almost irrational¹.

 

SUVs typically lose 30-40 % of their value after 3 years. But because of a current glutton² in the market, the average rate of depreciation³ has nearly doubled. In Martian Nordan's case, the SAAB she bought new in 2005 for $28,000, is now worth just 15 grand. So even though selling her SUV, and buying a new, more fuel-efficient Honda Accord⁴, would save Nordan $44 a month on gas, it would take 52 years to break even on this trade. Still, she is trying to sell.

 

"Fuel-efficiency, it takes top priority⁵, I won't even, can, go on car lots or consider cars that get less than 20 miles per gallon."

 

Switching gears⁶ to save money now—even if it means paying more down the road.

 

Phil LeBeau, CNBC, Chicago.

 

1 irrational   

adj.无理性的，失去理性的

参考例句：

• After taking the drug she became completely irrational.她在吸毒后变得完全失去了理性。
• There are also signs of irrational exuberance among some investors.在某些投资者中是存在非理性繁荣的征象的。

2 glutton   

n.贪食者，好食者

参考例句：

• She's a glutton for work.She stays late every evening.她是个工作狂，每天都很晚才下班。
• He is just a glutton.He is addicted to excessive eating.他就是个老饕，贪吃成性。

3 depreciation   

n.价值低落，贬值，蔑视，贬低

参考例句：

• She can't bear the depreciation of the enemy.她受不了敌人的蹂躏。
• They wrote off 500 for depreciation of machinery.他们注销了500镑作为机器折旧费。

4 accord   

vt.给予（欢迎、称颂等） vi./n.符合，一致

参考例句：

• Most people are in accord with their desire for peace.在渴望和平这一点上，大多数人都是一致的。
• The hearts of our people accord with those of yours.我们两国人民心心相印。

5 priority   

n.优先处理的事，居先，优先（权）

参考例句：

• The development of the national economy is a top priority.发展国民经济是应予以最优先考虑的事。
• Things should be taken up in order of priority.办事应有个先后次序。

6 gears   

n.齿轮( gear的名词复数 )；装备；挡；（做某事的）速度

参考例句：

• Careless use of the clutch may damage the gears. 离合器使用不慎可能会损坏传动装置。
• A car has five gears. 汽车有五挡。 来自《简明英汉词典》