Survey: Gas prices factor in car purchases - Houston Business Journal:

http://www.the-telephone.net/dir/satellite_tv/follow4/
Eighty-seven percent of new car shoppers last month said they thinkm gas prices will gomuch higher, up from 66 percen in April. The prospect of higher gas prices also is havin an impact onpurchasing decisions. When askedf what they would be most likely to compromiss in theirnext new-vehicle purchase, shoppers citee engine size as the top item likely to be followed closely by vehicl size. In addition, 73 percent of those who saw gas pricexs increasing in May said they plan to change their spending habits if gas prices were to gomuch "While we may not see the $5-per-gallon gas experienced in some areas last year, current economic conditions compounded by the pain at the pump may make $3-per-gallonj gas a new thresholc for car buyers – the poing at which they change theidr mind about what vehicle to buy and how they spenfd their money," said Jack R.
Nerad, executiver editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book and in anews release.