When I bought my '06 gas was $2.39/gal for plus (that's what I buy).

But what made up my mind was the temporary price spike in Sept. '05 after Hurricane Katrina of $3.64 (IIRC). I'm not embarrassed to admit that that price "event" put the fear of God into me. It was obvious to me at that point that I wasn't going to survive financially in a world where those kinds of prices were possible with a 72 mile commute, a car that got 23.3mpg and a salary of $36,000/year. I had to have a car that would give me DOUBLE 23.3mpg.

So far, so good. I'm still vulnerable, but now no more than many people, less so than probably most.