It’s officially summer and people usually hit the road to vacation at the beach or the mountains. Maybe some even buy a new car for that family trip. How important are gas prices this summer? In fact, 42% of people surveyed say fuel economy is “extremely important” in their decision to purchase new 2011 models. That’s a 13.5% increase compared with 10 years ago. Don’t have the cash flow funding for a new car? Don’t worry, wait until December. That’s when all the dealers post sales to clear inventory. Think of it as a present to yourself!

Buyers cite fuel economy as top factor for first time.