There are an estimated 200 million cars, SUVs and light trucks on the road. They are, on average, about eight years old and deliver 18 miles to the gallon. Running this fleet of vehicles now costs about $1,500 more a year per car in gas than when these vehicles were purchased new.

As the price of gas approaches $4 and, in some cities, crosses that line, we are seeing a variety of adaptive behavior on the part of motorists.

As the price of homes continued to decline, demand surges. In May, nearly one in six American households reported plans to purchase a home (16%); one in ten (11%) were actively shopping for one: visiting real estate agents, touring homes and reading ads for homes. Demand for homes is now at the highest level since last July and up from last month, when 12% reported plans to purchase a home and only 8% were actively shopping for one.

The brunt of a recession is usually harder on new cars than on used cars as consumers downsize their spending. Not so now; the rush to small fuel efficient cars is now devaluing the fleet of U.S. motor vehicles. The impending decline in the value of cars that Americans own, may far outpace the decline in home values.

Online research could be the right choice: it reduces field costs, allows you to do studies showing concepts, packaging, ads and more, and lets you reach people who may not be willing to take a phone survey.