How to know when it’s time to downsize your car

With gasoline prices stretching toward $4 a gallon and beyond, many Americans are thinking about trading in big cars for something a little more fuel-efficient. In a recent poll conducted by the Consumer Reports National Research Center, more than twice as many consumers said they’d choose a small car as their next vehicle, as would choose a small, midsize or large SUV; a minivan; or a pickup.

But there’s a lot to consider before you decide to trade in your old gas guzzler:

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First, how much utility are you willing to sacrifice in the quest for mpg? You might save thousands of dollars a year trading your Suburban for a Subaru, but if you can’t fit everybody in to go on vacation, you’ll likely be miserable and want to trade back as soon as gas prices go back down.