Yumans trade in for smaller, more gas-efficient vehicles

The word "economize" may squeal into drivers' minds when they look at gas prices around Yuma.

In recent months, soaring gas prices have led area residents to begin trading in their large vehicles for more fuel-efficient cars and motorcycles.

One such person is Aaron Johnston, a technician at Performance Motor Sports who owns a Bronco truck. He says the truck got seven miles to the gallon and he usually spent more than $300 a month on gas.

That changed when Johnston bought a Suzuki DR 350 motorcycle. He says he now gets 52 mpg on his bike.

Before "I couldn't afford to pay for the gas." Now he is saving money and helping the environment, all at the same time.

Salespeople at Yuma car dealerships have also met with customers looking for compact cars rather than sport utility vehicles and trucks.

Cesar Ochoa, sales manager for Zamora Kia, said people "are looking for 30 to 40 miles per gallon. They are trading the big cars for the smaller cars because they are spending more on gas than their monthly payment."

He says customers have been buying the Kia Spectra and the Kia Rio. "Every Kia brand gets over 25 miles to the gallon," Ochoa said.

Cecil Robtoy, sales consultant for Sonora Nissan, says drivers "want to trade out of their big cars because gas prices are soaring." He recalls a client who "bought a Nissan Ultima three months ago, and they took it to Ohio. They informed me that they were getting 26 miles to the gallon. ... It was a lot different from the vehicle they traded in, which was a Rendezvous.

Robtoy says they've been selling Nissan Sentras and Nissan Ultimas "because you can get smaller four-cylinder transmission(s), and they are the best fuel-efficient cars that we sell."

Michael Hernandez, owner of Performance Motor Sports, says there has been an increase of customers who have bought bikes and need service. He says it has been young men who have bought sports and cruise bikes, because they drive out to jobs at Yuma Proving Ground or they drive in from the Foothills.

"Sports bikes get 30 to 40 miles to the gallon," said Hernandez. "Cruisers get 30 to 50 miles per gallon."

"I am planning to buy a bike," said Hernandez, "because I go back and forth to work" and this eats up a lot of gas.

Some Yumans who look at gas prices now remember a time when a car's tank could be filled up for a $1.

Sam McClaskey, owner of Sam's Body Repair, said he fills up his truck for $250 a month. In the 1960s "when I moved to Yuma, gas was 25 cents. My mom and dad would fill up their car for a dollar."

Today, he says, he has no choice but to fill up his tank, but once in awhile he rides his 2006 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy to save money on gas.

Marty LaBelle, general manager at Bobby's Territorial Harley, said: "I have definitely seen an increase in people purchasing motorcycles, quite an increase. A lot of new riders say, that because of higher gas prices, they have been looking for alternative ways of transportation. ... We've welcomed in a lot of first-time buyers.

"It's a significant increase, pretty much ever since gas hit over $3.15 a gallon."

High gas prices also are prompting area residents to make greater use of public transportation.

Ridership with Dial-A-Ride had been sluggish but has begun to pick up, said Carl Jordan, operations manager of the transportation service for people 60 and over.

"The cost of fuel has been handicapping friends and family from getting around," he said. "A lot of riders are on a fixed income and it may be more economically feasible for them to take this service."


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Jennifer Lovell can be reached at
jlovell@yumasun.com or 539-6849.