Crazy Gas Prices!

[Rock&Roll Ninja]

I can't believe this forum went this long without a thread about the price of gasoline. So I guess I'll start one.

Yesterday the price of 87 octane "regular" was $2.62 a gallon (+9/10ths of a penny), Today the same stuff is $3.29! Thats a jump of $.67/gallon in one day! I filled my work van yesterday for $71.75, if I use the same amount of gas today it will cost over $90! And my company has 5 of them! Thats almost $500/day just in fuel expenses!

* Its gotten to the point where my Mitsubishi Mirage is a "Gas Hog". If I had $20,000 to replace it with a hybrid I would. At least my bike is getting close to 50mpg.

* Home Theater & Stereo suddenly became alot more popular now that snowmobiles and jetski's have become hobbies for rich folks.

* Despite my warning him several times of rising gas prices (he seemed to believe one of the governments jobs was to keep gas below $2/gallon) my brother bought not one, but two Cadillac Escalades and a Mustang GT this year. So I can give a hearty laugh at his expense, because I told him so.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Ok, I feel better now. Anybody else care to vent about gasoline?

 

[furrycute]

Still $2.60 where I am. Guess I'd better fill up fast.

 

[hifiman]

I hate the prices too, but don't think the hybrids are going to ease your troubles: I've heard from several publications that their actual fuel mileage is nowhere near what the manufacturer claims. On the other hand, I guess SUVs are awfully easy to get a good deal on, assuming you can finance a full tank of gas for one.

 

[furrycute]

What's the mileage like on a big SUV? I know a couple of people that drive a Yukon.

 

[j_garcia]

That sounds like gouging to me. It's been up around $3.00 range here for a while. Last week at a near-by place to my work, it was $3.20 for Premium, BEFORE oil prices started going up...

I heard a guy on the radio today saying that gas was still about 3x the price it is here in the US though.... If that's true, and they are paying ~$10/gal., now I'd DEFINITELY be walking or asking for a raise.

All time high for a barrel of crude is $83 and we are in the $70/ea currently and NO SLOWING in sight. As long as people will pay it, they will charge it.

I've started noticing consumer goods prices going up. When fast food prices jump, you know it's begining to have an effect.

What's the mileage like on a big SUV? I know a couple of people that drive a Yukon.

My dad drives a big turbo diesel Ford. I figure he'd be spending about $100 to fill it up too.

 

[markw]

We were thinking about getting a used motorhome.

note the past tense of the word "were".

 

[Privateer]

It is sad now days when the price of oil is 100% fixed and can change with what ever the higher powers want, it is no better than the stock market.

 

[markw]

you bring up an interesting point.

All time high for a barrel of crude is $83 and we are in the $70/ea currently and NO SLOWING in sight. As long as people will pay it, they will charge it.

Even though the price/barrel is nowhere as high as it was in the past, we are paying much, much more than we ever have.

Isn't it proper to at least buy someone dinner before you screw 'em?

 

[Mort Corey]

Even with gas prices going up, at least the value of the dollar keeps going down to make up for it My bill for fuel was actually lower by 20% than the prior month and I have no idea why. I didn't do anything much different other than make fewer short trips that I can figure. What's really interesting is that even with increasing prices, demand is escalating too. Go figure.

Mort

 

[j_garcia]

I'm just glad my commute is 90% freeway, otherwise I'd be looking at commuting with the significant other or a more fuel efficient car.

Even though the price/barrel is nowhere as high as it was in the past, we are paying much, much more than we ever have.

It seems like it, but in fact, we aren't. Road & Track did an article on this last year, and said while the per gallon price is higher, compared to the value of the dollar, it's actually only a little bit more than it was 10 years ago. Now back during the gas crisis era when it was $83/barrel AND inflation was going on big time, gas was actually much more expensive (taking into account the valuation of the dollar at the time) than it is now. Regardless, I still don't like to see $40 pop up ever time I fill up my tank now, when it was just $20 earlier this year.

There is some gouging going on for sure, and I'm sure that's a mulitple levels, not just at the pump. Who's getting rich off this? Not me.

He who controls the spice, controls the universe

 

[Mort Corey]

Who's getting rich off this?

Well, not rich, but the energy stocks I purchased a couple of years ago have really started to shine.

Mort

 

[furrycute]

The spice must flow, or we are all doomed.

Frank Herbert was a prophet.

 

[markw]

...and the bad part is...

..the Fremen hate us.

...just picked up "The battle for Corrin". Lookin' forward to starting it this weekend.

Oh, Garcia. Good point about the value of the dollar. Thx.

 

[Rock&Roll Ninja]

but don't think the hybrids are going to ease your troubles: I've heard from several publications that their actual fuel mileage is nowhere near what the manufacturer claims.

They are quite specific that have to drive them like hybrids to reap the benefit of hybridization. No fast acceleration from stops, use your cruise control at or below the speed limit, don't live near hills, etc etc etc.

Basically the more slowly you drve, the better your mileage. Naturally American drivers hate this and end-up running their hybrids on the all-gasoline engine 99% of the time.

But even if you don't drive them properly, a Honda Insight is still going to get much better mileage than a Hyundai Accent. (Both are the only sub-compacts on the US market, so I figured they'd be good comparisons).

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Fed up; some interesting stats

$40 to fill up? What are you driving, a Aveo? Wow, you lucky SOB.

I've got a F150 with a 23 gallon tank, that gets 12mpg. I have to carry two ladders, so a smaller vehicle isn't an option. I fill up every 4 days. At $71 a pop, I'm looking at a yearly budget of $4400, or $369 a month. That's a freakin' car payment!

A few guys who do what I do (estimating) have smaller S10's and Dakota's. Around town, they're really only getting 14-16mpg. My latest Consumer Reports had a great article on what vehicles really get around town. You'd be amazed at how the EPA pumps up the specs of in town gas mileage. They're about 35-50% overrated. WTF?

Here's their examples:

Jeep Liberty 4WD
EPA mpg: 22 CR mpg: 11
Civic sedan
EPA mpg: 48 CR mpg: 26
Chrysler 300C
EPA mpg: 17 CR mpg: 10
Trailblazer 4WD
EPA mpg: 15 CR mpg: 9
Honda Odyssey EX
EPA mpg: 20 CR mpg: 12 that one makes me feel good
BMW 745 Li
EPA mpg: 18 CR: 11
Ram 1500 4WD
EPA mpg: 13 CR mpg: 8
Olds Alero GL
EPA mpg: 21 CR mpg: 13
Durango 4WD
EPA mpg: 13 CR mpg: 8
Focus ZX4 SES
EPA mpg: 26 CR mpg: 17

Some amazing figures. What is everyone else getting around town (assuming most of your driving is in town like mine)?

Who would have thought the price to fill up your tank would exceed an oil change (or possilby a tune up)

If anyone here is into cars, you know the issue with the hybrid. Those batteries don't last forever. Anyone want to take a guess what they cost to replace?

That Civic or Corolla isn't looking so bad any more.

 

[MDS]

I just want to comment on the idea that gas prices aren't so bad because of the valuation of the dollar or when taking inflation into account. The same logic can be applied to runaway housing prices in some areas of the country and really to any good or service. It's all irrelevant. The dollar has lost 97% of its purchasing power since 1913 when the federal reserve came into being.

The nominal value of the dollar is all that matters. When you used to spend $100 a week on gas and now spend $200 that is a huge increase regardless of the fact that inflation adjusted from a few years ago it is only a small percentage increase. You are spending today's dollars at today's nominal prices and unless your income is growing at a rate greater than the rate of inflation (not the aggregate rate of 2% the fed claims, which is woefully understated due to their pension for 'hedonic' adjustments) you are getting deeper in the hole every year.

 

[gene]

I just got an Acura TL. The damn thing requires Premium unleaded. Its costing me about $60-80/week now in gas!

But when I feel the buttery smooth 270hp power behind the wheel and listen to the cool built in DVD-A system, I quickly forget how reamed I am getting at the pump

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

I just got an Acura TL. The damn thing requires Premium unleaded. Its costing me about $60-80/week now in gas!

But when I feel the buttery smooth 270hp power behind the wheel and listen to the cool built in DVD-A system, I quickly forget how reamed I am getting at the pump

Gene - beautiful ride. Love the color. The interior is awesome.
That flower in front of the car almost looks like you wrecked the front end until you click on the photo.

So it appears you just moved? How's the new place?

 

[furrycute]

Nice car dude!

Do all Acuras have to have premium unleaded? Or is it just that particular model?


I'm getting like 20mpg around the town on my car.

 

[gene]

That flower in front of the car almost looks like you wrecked the front end until you click on the photo.

OMG, I also thought that too the first time I saw the pic. I told my wife and she thought I was crazy. I almost freaked at first. We must view things very similarly - The Pessimist

Yes the interior does rock. Its one of the main reasons I picked this car over a new G35 Sedan. Though the G35 offered an edge in performance, it just felt cheap on the inside and it also came with a mediocre Bose system while the TL sports a 5.1 DVD-A system from Panasonic!

So it appears you just moved? How's the new place?

Actually thats the old place which I am moving out of at the end of September. I will be system less until almost December while I await my new home to be finished. Thus don't expect any novel reviews out of me for a few months I guess its time to start writing about cables again

Do all Acuras have to have premium unleaded? Or is it just that particular model?

All Acuras that use high compression engines do, which I think most if not all of their new models do now