RE: Gas Prices - How High Is Too High

RE: Gas Prices - How High Is Too High (Full Version)

All Forums >> [General] >> Current Events

[Poll]

Gas Prices - How High Is Too High

$3.00

46% (15)

$4.00

9% (3)

$5.00

15% (5)

$6.00

3% (1)

$7.00

3% (1)

$8.00

0% (0)

$9.00

3% (1)

$10.00 or more

18% (6)

Total Votes : 32

(last vote on : 6/6/2008 12:19:29 AM)
(Poll will run till: -- )

Message

momma_bee -> RE: Gas Prices - How High Is Too High (5/14/2008 9:15:49 AM)
Not only do we need to think about the comfort that size requires, but some of those cars aren't made to pull hills well with a full weight load. You lose efficency by doing so. So, I can buy a new vehicle and assume what amounts to a second mtge payment and get a vehicle that saves me 10 mpg, but practically will only see 5mpg improvement. I don't have the time to do the math, but how many 1000's of miles do you need to drive to make the car payment? And, I'm not really bellyaching, but I get tired of hearing I'm rich if I drive an SUV.

davemiller7 -> RE: Gas Prices - How High Is Too High (5/14/2008 12:04:33 PM)
A little 4 cylinder econobox will really labor if required to pull heavy loads. It will then be less efficient, therefore its fuel economy goes down the tubes. A bigger engine will see less strain and run more efficiently, thereby offsetting, at least partially, the difference in fuel mileage. The small engine, if required to labor consistently, will have a shorter lifespan. A larger engine, if properly serviced, will live longer. The cost of a new engine (or new car) after 100,000 miles (wild guesstimate) will more than offset fuel savings. Just something to think about.............. -Dave quote: ORIGINAL: momma_bee Not only do we need to think about the comfort that size requires, but some of those cars aren't made to pull hills well with a full weight load. You lose efficency by doing so. So, I can buy a new vehicle and assume what amounts to a second mtge payment and get a vehicle that saves me 10 mpg, but practically will only see 5mpg improvement. I don't have the time to do the math, but how many 1000's of miles do you need to drive to make the car payment? And, I'm not really bellyaching, but I get tired of hearing I'm rich if I drive an SUV.

blessedinnyc -> RE: Gas Prices - How High Is Too High (5/14/2008 12:13:51 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: davemiller7 A little 4 cylinder econobox will really labor if required to pull heavy loads. It will then be less efficient, therefore its fuel economy goes down the tubes. A bigger engine will see less strain and run more efficiently, thereby offsetting, at least partially, the difference in fuel mileage. The small engine, if required to labor consistently, will have a shorter lifespan. A larger engine, if properly serviced, will live longer. The cost of a new engine (or new car) after 100,000 miles (wild guesstimate) will more than offset fuel savings. Just something to think about.............. I pulled a trailer 1000 miles- from Champaign, IL to NYC- and got 25 mpg in my tiny Mustang. The trick was that I drove at 55 mph the whole way. It drove a lot of people nuts on the NJ Turnpike, but it saved me fuel and a fair amount of wear-and-tear.

StephK -> RE: Gas Prices - How High Is Too High (5/14/2008 8:25:59 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: davemiller7 I'm sure our traffic conditions are much different here than in Denmark. Our roads, for the most part will accomodate much higher speeds, our vehicles (both private and commercial) are larger, heavier, and faster. For me, it becomes a matter of safety. If I'm driving a little "econobox" and I'm hit by a big full sized car, it's much more likely that I'll assume ambient temperature than if I'm driving a larger, heavier, better built car. It's a trade-off, but that's how I feel. I'm sure there are others who will disagree with me (there always are [;)]), but we really do have different conditions here, rightly or wrongly. -Dave I don't mind the extra $$$ for gas for the safety factor. Once you've survived a major accident safety becomes the most important factor. I just adjust for it by driving less.

tapestry -> RE: Gas Prices - How High Is Too High (5/14/2008 8:53:23 PM)
price does not matter. People will continue to drive and complain. They will fight for gas when it is in short suppy. Squander it when there is lots to be had.

davemiller7 -> RE: Gas Prices - How High Is Too High (5/15/2008 11:17:50 AM)
I've been in a couple of pretty exciting accidents. I'm very thankful for a well built car. -Dave quote: ORIGINAL: StephK quote: ORIGINAL: davemiller7 I'm sure our traffic conditions are much different here than in Denmark. Our roads, for the most part will accomodate much higher speeds, our vehicles (both private and commercial) are larger, heavier, and faster. For me, it becomes a matter of safety. If I'm driving a little "econobox" and I'm hit by a big full sized car, it's much more likely that I'll assume ambient temperature than if I'm driving a larger, heavier, better built car. It's a trade-off, but that's how I feel. I'm sure there are others who will disagree with me (there always are [;)]), but we really do have different conditions here, rightly or wrongly. -Dave I don't mind the extra $$$ for gas for the safety factor. Once you've survived a major accident safety becomes the most important factor. I just adjust for it by driving less.

momma_bee -> RE: Gas Prices - How High Is Too High (5/15/2008 11:36:10 AM)
Dave - I put my van up a bank and brought it back down, while making a U-turn and fish-tailing on a turn, going down a hill. When the second tire blew, I was able to get it undercontrol. Two tires, struts and an alignment later and we still get 15-20 mpg in it. The first person who passed me saw me sitting with my flats, and didn't know I had wrecked until he saw the bank itself (he couldn't turn around until he got to the top of the hill) The first thing he said was 'How did you manage not to flip that thing' I told him I was just a prayin' away. Last night, a 'little car' slid on wet roads, I'm guessing she oversteered (like I did) and started up a bank. The difference was she flipped the car over. Thankfully she was ok. I'm curious -- if you voted $10 or more, how many miles do you drive a week, and what is your mpg? I guess I wonder that about all the voters. I drive at least 300 a week + special trips. 150 of that is just to work and we have to drive 25miles one way for the bigger grocery stores, dentist, dr, etc, and make that trip at least once a week. Mom is 25 miles one way, and not on the way to anything. So, it adds up fast and that is just my car. Poppa is in the van (I was promoted to an Impala) and has about 150 to / from work + 50 around town. The van gets 15-20, the Impala gets 25mpg.

davemiller7 -> RE: Gas Prices - How High Is Too High (5/15/2008 2:18:43 PM)
Wow! Thank God you were OK. I voted $3.00 per gallon. Even that is too much in my opinion. I drive 77 miles round trip to work. That's about 385 per week. My wife drives about 350. I usually drive a 4 cylinder Chevy S10 pickup. She drives either a 6 cylinder Chevy Malibu or our new PT Cruiser that we just bought. The Cruiser gets about 30 mpg, the Malibu about 25 mpg and the truck only about 20 mpg. Thank God we both have decent paying jobs, definitely not high paying, but we're in the middle income bracket. I don't know what people with lower paying jobs are going to do. I feel sorry for them. -Dave quote: ORIGINAL: momma_bee Dave - I put my van up a bank and brought it back down, while making a U-turn and fish-tailing on a turn, going down a hill. When the second tire blew, I was able to get it undercontrol. Two tires, struts and an alignment later and we still get 15-20 mpg in it. The first person who passed me saw me sitting with my flats, and didn't know I had wrecked until he saw the bank itself (he couldn't turn around until he got to the top of the hill) The first thing he said was 'How did you manage not to flip that thing' I told him I was just a prayin' away. Last night, a 'little car' slid on wet roads, I'm guessing she oversteered (like I did) and started up a bank. The difference was she flipped the car over. Thankfully she was ok. I'm curious -- if you voted $10 or more, how many miles do you drive a week, and what is your mpg? I guess I wonder that about all the voters. I drive at least 300 a week + special trips. 150 of that is just to work and we have to drive 25miles one way for the bigger grocery stores, dentist, dr, etc, and make that trip at least once a week. Mom is 25 miles one way, and not on the way to anything. So, it adds up fast and that is just my car. Poppa is in the van (I was promoted to an Impala) and has about 150 to / from work + 50 around town. The van gets 15-20, the Impala gets 25mpg.

WormHeart -> RE: Gas Prices - How High Is Too High (5/15/2008 3:16:43 PM)
Well, if people insists on driving vans, why not buy more efficient ones? http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=427649 quote: I've got a Transit mk6 SWB med roof 2ltr TD 75ps If I keep below 60mph-ish I'll get about 35mpg. Once had to do a whole load of driving at 50-55 and I got 38/39mpg! BTW usually the most weight in the back I'll have is 400kg tops [8D] WormHeart

davemiller7 -> RE: Gas Prices - How High Is Too High (5/15/2008 8:28:01 PM)
Some people need vans. Here in the states, we also have lots of ridiculous (oh this is going to get me lots of hate mail) pollution controls that tend to rob our vehicles of gas mileage. Years ago, I had a 1949 V8 Ford that got over 25 miles per gallon. Can't have that kind of mileage with a V8 anymore. -Dave quote: ORIGINAL: WormHeart Well, if people insists on driving vans, why not buy more efficient ones? http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=427649 quote: I've got a Transit mk6 SWB med roof 2ltr TD 75ps If I keep below 60mph-ish I'll get about 35mpg. Once had to do a whole load of driving at 50-55 and I got 38/39mpg! BTW usually the most weight in the back I'll have is 400kg tops [8D] WormHeart

garsyt -> RE: Gas Prices - How High Is Too High (5/16/2008 2:08:29 PM)
I looked that that site Wormheart - and quite honestly I didn't recognize a SINGLE car brand that the folks were talking about save the VW. You also have to consider with some foreign brands - the feasibility of getting the parts and people that KNOW how to fix them and for a reasonable price. Blessings, Garsy

momma_bee -> RE: Gas Prices - How High Is Too High (5/16/2008 3:04:06 PM)
Yep - my mechanic works CHEAP. If we have a newer car, he won't be able to do the work so a $50-$100 repair (parts only) becomes at least three times that. Garages are not obligated to shop for cheap prices for parts and don't have vehicles that they can pull no cost parts from. We had an old caravan that we used for parts when I wreaked. We pulled the wheels / tires off to replace the ones I flattened until we could buy new tires for it. We bought the shocks out of one pay, tires out of the next. If he couldn't do that it would have been credit cards and garages.

inthysite -> RE: Gas Prices - How High Is Too High (5/16/2008 4:06:57 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: WormHeart quote: ORIGINAL: inthysite For me personally, $7.00 is to expensive. I drive an '93 Jeep that gets about 12-13mpg. You�re joking? That�s insane! That�s� * calculating* � 5 km/l. That�s one third of my old beaten up Hundai, which is not exactly fuel efficient. Why would you drive something as broken as that? Incedently, as for the topic � gas is currently 8,7 $ pr. Gallon in Denmark. And we are doing fine. WormHeart Because like I stated the vehicle was given to me. I run two home businesses and make just enough to make ends meet so I cannot afford another vehicle. Also, since I work at home the only driving I really do is to drop off/pick up my son at the bus stop (I live in a gated community so I have to drive 2 miles each way to the gate) and to the grocery store. So all told I drive less than 100 miles per week.

inthysite -> RE: Gas Prices - How High Is Too High (5/16/2008 5:07:21 PM)
As far as purchasing a new vehicle with better gas mileage to help save on costs, well the numbers just don't add up, especially if the car you currently drive is paid for. Purchasing a new car adds the following costs: Car Payment (loan on car + interest on the loan) Full coverage insurance, all lenders require full coverage on new vehicles. Maintenance, new vehicle warranties usually require regularly scheduled maintenance and usually performed by the dealer or an authorized mechanic which will definitely run you more $$$. Purchasing a used car with higher mileage may not solve the problem either. You never really know what you are getting with a used vehicle and you may be in for various repair costs that will nickel and dime you to death, an alternator here, a new starter there, oops there goes the battery. And these are just minor repair items, look out if you need major work that you didn't know about. This guy attempts to give a breakdown of the money you save in gas versus the cost involved in a new car: Buying a New Car to Save on Gas Mileage

blessedinnyc -> RE: Gas Prices - How High Is Too High (5/16/2008 5:11:15 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: inthysite I run two home businesses and make just enough to make ends meet so I cannot afford another vehicle... (I live in a gated community Is there some cost-cutting you can do with your real-estate bill? That was one of the things I looked at when I strategized how I could keep costs down when I started work in NYC. Instead of living in a high-rise on the upper-west-side, I moved to a three-story walk-up across the river. This simple move cut my rent by 40% and my monthly expenses by about 10-15%.

PrincessDonna -> RE: Gas Prices - How High Is Too High (5/16/2008 5:23:13 PM)
$3.00 is too high. We are much like Garsy's family. We live in a rural area and can't all fit in a car...have to have a van. My husband's hours have not been great this year and there has been talk of cutting them. We are now over $4 a gallon here, and we are HURTING. And then with the cost of groceries going up...[:o] My prediction...more and more people are going to be seeking public aid. People around here don't make much and can barely afford to get to work anymore.[&:]

inthysite -> RE: Gas Prices - How High Is Too High (5/16/2008 5:45:50 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: blessedinnyc quote: ORIGINAL: inthysite I run two home businesses and make just enough to make ends meet so I cannot afford another vehicle... (I live in a gated community Is there some cost-cutting you can do with your real-estate bill? That was one of the things I looked at when I strategized how I could keep costs down when I started work in NYC. Instead of living in a high-rise on the upper-west-side, I moved to a three-story walk-up across the river. This simple move cut my rent by 40% and my monthly expenses by about 10-15%. Actually I made the move to the gated community because the rent was cheaper and farther out of the city, thus less traffic. Since I work from home it doesn't really matter where I live so I figured I would move away from the city and not have to deal with stop and go traffic. Plus I live in a town that is a tourist town so I get a decent amount of business for my portrait drawing from the tourists.

Annie64 -> RE: Gas Prices - How High Is Too High (5/18/2008 5:20:18 AM)
I voted $4.00 per gallon because that is what the price is approaching now, and we have finally started changing our driving habits instead of just complaining about the prices. We haven't been able to do much about the amount of driving we have to do, but we've been trying to boost our mileage by watching how we drive. It hasn't helped us much so far, but we're only starting to learn unlearn some old habits and try to create some new ones.

vixir -> RE: Gas Prices - How High Is Too High (5/19/2008 2:14:16 PM)
I picked $3.00 per gallon. Honestly, I don't know what I would do if it got as high as $10.00 a gallon. That's beyond insane!

tracydolls -> RE: Gas Prices - How High Is Too High (5/23/2008 6:08:55 AM)
This $4 is crazy , a local news station said maybe 6 by end of year. I went out to a Walmart, they had a gas station next to it, it was $3.61, I said i will fill up after I come out of Walmart, it was $3.85! I asked the gas attendent was I trippin' he said no you should still fill up, it will be $4 probaly tommorrow! [sm=icon_smile_yikes.gif]

angie4God -> RE: Gas Prices - How High Is Too High (5/23/2008 9:49:35 AM)
It's $4.00 most places here in NY. We paid $75.00 to fill up the tank this week [:@]. I heard it could go up to as high as $7.00 [sm=icon_smile_yikes.gif]. I can only imagine what my already crowded train commute is going to be like if that happens [8\|]

garsyt -> RE: Gas Prices - How High Is Too High (5/23/2008 10:56:46 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: angie4God It's $4.00 most places here in NY. We paid $75.00 to fill up the tank this week [:@]. I heard it could go up to as high as $7.00 [sm=icon_smile_yikes.gif]. I can only imagine what my already crowded train commute is going to be like if that happens [8\|] Feel privilaged. At least you have a way to get back and forth to work and such without having to drive. So many in this country don't have that option. Not everyone lives in the city. Not everyone has the option of having someone nearby that they can carpool with because of where they work, the jobs hours, or whatever. If it goes to high here - well schools are already facing SERIOUS budget issues with transportation and such - and in the not to distant future it could mean for many that use busses to transport their children back and forth to school won't have that option anymore. Charging for or eliminating bussing all together for our district is already being discussed - and that is SO not good for a district that has a large rural population. I really feel for those districts that are more rural then ours. I love living rural! I really do! And right now I don't think we could get enough our of our house if we were to sell to make it worth selling and trying to find a place in town closer to my kids' schools. Anyway it is already $4.00 a gallon here in NE Indiana at most stations. Hubby got gas yesterday for $3.89 at a local Walmart. Blessings, Garsy

kernsfamily -> RE: Gas Prices - How High Is Too High (5/23/2008 11:29:33 AM)
quote: At least you have a way to get back and forth to work and such without having to drive. So many in this country don't have that option. Not everyone lives in the city. Not everyone has the option of having someone nearby that they can carpool with because of where they work, the jobs hours, or whatever. was just discussing this on another board....with a guy lucky enough to live in the Chicago area (population density to support all sorts of mass transit) True...i live in the DFW Metroplex....my commute is from a suburb of dallas to a suburb of Fort Worth (32 miles)....no "mass transit" options at all.... There is decent "mass transit" options IF you live in the Dallas suburbs, and commute to Downtown Dallas....(buses and light rail).....if you don't do that, then you're stuck. The vast majority of employees live on the "Fort Worth" side of town,...so, "ride sharing" isn't an option, either. so, my tank of gas cost $60 @3.79/gallon.....and, that lasts one week....since, that car is used ONLY for "commuting".... we just don't do the "sunday drive" thing much anymore....

davemiller7 -> RE: Gas Prices - How High Is Too High (5/23/2008 12:54:26 PM)
I'm in the same sort of spot. I moved to a little town south of Raleigh, NC (to get out of the high cost of housing) and commute about 38 miles to work in a Raleigh suburb. There's no mass transit or anyone to carpool with. My little 4 cylinder Chevy S10 pickup is costing me about $50 a week just to get to work and back. It's only going to get worse. I've got a good-paying job, but I'm officially retired so the IRS raids my paycheck because I make over their limit. Between the IRS and gas prices I'm going to have to stay home just to save money. -Dave quote: ORIGINAL: kernsfamily quote: At least you have a way to get back and forth to work and such without having to drive. So many in this country don't have that option. Not everyone lives in the city. Not everyone has the option of having someone nearby that they can carpool with because of where they work, the jobs hours, or whatever. was just discussing this on another board....with a guy lucky enough to live in the Chicago area (population density to support all sorts of mass transit) True...i live in the DFW Metroplex....my commute is from a suburb of dallas to a suburb of Fort Worth (32 miles)....no "mass transit" options at all.... There is decent "mass transit" options IF you live in the Dallas suburbs, and commute to Downtown Dallas....(buses and light rail).....if you don't do that, then you're stuck. The vast majority of employees live on the "Fort Worth" side of town,...so, "ride sharing" isn't an option, either. so, my tank of gas cost $60 @3.79/gallon.....and, that lasts one week....since, that car is used ONLY for "commuting".... we just don't do the "sunday drive" thing much anymore....

kernsfamily -> RE: Gas Prices - How High Is Too High (5/23/2008 2:30:24 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: davemiller7 I'm in the same sort of spot. I moved to a little town south of Raleigh, NC (to get out of the high cost of housing) and commute about 38 miles to work in a Raleigh suburb. There's no mass transit or anyone to carpool with. My little 4 cylinder Chevy S10 pickup is costing me about $50 a week just to get to work and back. It's only going to get worse. I've got a good-paying job, but I'm officially retired so the IRS raids my paycheck because I make over their limit. Between the IRS and gas prices I'm going to have to stay home just to save money. I lived in Raleigh for a few years (1992-1994)...went to church at Brooks Avenue Church of Christ right near NCSU. And, I have a sister who lives in Willow Springs, and another lives in High Point. I worked at IBM in RTP, and at RDU Int'l airport.....oh, and did a little bit of waiting tables at O'Charley's in Cary!

Page: << < prev 1 2 [3] 4 next > >>