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 , an automotive information website, can help you weigh the tradeoffs. Another Edmunds calculator, "," 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.
