A softening world economy coupled with new supply of oil in North America means that gas prices could go easy on your wallet in the new year.

PREDICTION: I believe that we'll see prices at the pump go as low as $2.50 in 2013 in some of the lowest-cost markets like Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Texas because of the factors I just named. However, I don't think we'll see $2.50 in higher priced markets throughout much of the rest of the country. Just the low-priced ones. 

Of course, there's a caveat here. This is without factoring in any possible threats from Iran going nuclear, war in the Middle East, or a natural disaster.

But consider this: A couple of years ago, Barron's magazine predicted that oil prices could hit $150/barrel during 2012. That would have put the price at the pump between $4.50/gallon and $5.25/gallon!

Then several years before that, a Forbes cover story predicted a collapse in oil prices. That story ran not long before the huge run-up to $147/barrel in 2008, which saw us paying $4.11/gallon at the pump as a national average.

My point is that even bright industry insiders can be wrong.

But regardless of who is right and who is wrong, the long-term trend here is for higher and higher oil prices.

So here's the thing: When you're ready to buy another car, don't just consider what that price of gas is that day as you look at vehicles. Look longer term. You normally keep a car for a multiyear cycle. Think about efficiency among the models you're considering, even if you're looking at SUVs.

Meanwhile, I recently saw an article in The Detroit Free Press that talked about the motivation of buyers who favor electric cars like the Nissan Leaf and the Chevy Volt. The customer base for those vehicles is 90% male, but the reason for buying has nothing to do with the price of gas. Rather, those buyers wanted to reduce their dependence on foreign oil. So it was a national security issue for those people.

But I don't care what your reason is. The reality is that the price of gas will pinch you sooner or later and you've got to make the decision that's right for you about what you drive.