Even in my lowly 172 at 8 gallons/hour, with AvGas between $4.50 and $5.00 it makes you hesitate to fly - even if you can find the time. Not that long ago I was spending a lot more on hangar rent ($140/month) than fuel. Now, it's completely reversed and up here where a VFR day is a rarity, I only fly about 70 hours/year.

I seriously do not know how Cessna can sell any new 172's. At a starting price of $160,000, who can buy them?