By Ed Marroni

Probably not too many of us are in the market for buying a new or previously owned car. The Union of Concerned Scientists offer some interesting and helpful details if and when the time comes to purchase that new, or new to you, vehicle.

Check the sticker price and the fuel economy ratings- you may pay a little more for efficiency but enjoy big savings in the long run. For example, a car that gets 23 mpg and driven the typical 12,000 miles per year will use about 520 gallons of gasoline. This will cost about $1,800 with the gas price at $3.50 (and even more if the price goes up).

Another car that gets 33 mpg driven for a year at the same mileage will use 160 fewer gallons of gasoline, and that amounts to a savings of $550 each year. As a result, in 5 years there would be a savings of $2,700, and if gas prices rise so do savings.

Not only are we saving money but more importantly we are saving our Earth. Extracting, refining, transporting and burning a gallon of gasoline produces nearly 25 pounds of carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping emissions.

Using 160 fewer gallons would keep two tons of heat-trapping emissions out of the atmosphere. Over the life time of the car (generally, 15 years) a 33 mpg car will generate 29 fewer tons of heat-trapping emissions and save some $8,000. Choosing a fuel efficient car is an investment in the future. You can visit www.fueleconomy.gov to see the fuel economy ratings and annual fuel costs of each model.