Just a quick add when you stated about you pay approx $2.59 gallon, UK pay £5.23 a gallon, about $9, over 3 times the amount plus the tax on the purchase of cars etc. honestly look at the living costs. It's insane to compare the 2 as it is insane to compare any 2 countries. One of the reasons so any Brits go abroad for holiday isn't because of our shitty weather (some areas are alright) but because even on a lowing UK wage (avg is £24000 these days, recently up from 21k) is because we can live like kings for a week or two for much less than that would cost us at home.