An older car driven very little is probably more of a boon to the environment than manufacturing a new car.

One of my vehicles now is a 1988 to 1995 model Chrysler/Dodge/Plymouth conversion minivan (high top) with a medium-sized engine. 20 MPG at 80 MPH across Texas, 22 MPG at 70 MPH in the other areas. And I suspect it has the original spark plugs but I don't know. It's set up now for the pooch and me to travel comfortably and stay anywhere we would like. Auxilliary battery for the radio, TV, DVD, and reading lights. A small water container with sink to clean up, and a portable stove if I wish to cook. A propane heater for cold nights. 3 fans for warm days, and there's the vehicle air conditioner with rear outlet and controls. THAT is wasteful, and so far the fans have been plenty.

I got this instead of a full size van which would have been much nicer simply because of the gas mileage. In this configuration, with a higher top, their mileage would be 11 to 14, max. And the only way I can justify it is that I drive very little except for trips, and it's minimal and economical for those. I think you have to balance the scrap value and fuel efficiency of an older vehicle against the making of a new one and I suspect, but don't know for sure, that it makes more sense to hang on to an older one.

But however you figure it, I'm doing the same thing you are.

Arf