Gas Price $3.00 !!!

[Guess]

Ok, pardon my ignorance here, but everytime there seems to be a disaster or tragedy of some sort, gas prices go way up.

Can somebody fill me in on why this is so?

I know they say that this time its due to Katrina and a good 25% of our gasoline comes from the Gulf. Well, hello, OPEC is still around. Why has gasoline skyrocketed so freakin much? An extra 25 cents per gallon is a lot!

I may be naive when I say this but it seems like the gas companys are taking advantage of every bad news that comes around and making us pay for it.

I personally think there's something fishy going on with the energy companies.

I remember the California Electricity Crisis a few years back. Well, it was a whole big scheme to make us pay more. There was no crisis.

If someone has an opinion on this, please enlighten me.

Oh, and i heard that gas prices might go up to $3.25.

[tekkan]

Its probably true, but what can ya do eh? Its not like you can shop around.

GO GO Alberta Oil sands!

Hopefully Oil will get cheaper.

[Shamu]

I heard that coffee was going to go up in price too, because alot of it was stored in Louisiana. Not sure if that's true or not, but the whole gas price thing is really a pain in the butt, especially if you drive an SUV.

[KujiInRetsu]

Gas prices are going up so high even OPEC is holding a meeting to discuss the issue. In about a month's time, there should be a measure to stave off the rise in prices.

Yesterday though, the price of a barrel of crude oil on the stock market jumped $2.61 to $69.71. Scared the hell out of me.

[Snake eyeS]

i just payed 1.46 euro, thats about 2 dollar?(someone who knows correct me plz) for 1 lousy liter of gas. 1 liter is 0.25 gallon.. so 4 liters is about 1 gallon
4 x 1.46 =5.82 euros making it about 6-7 dollar a gallon? i dont know much exacly a liter is in gallon and howmuch a dollar is compared to euros, someone who does can retype it :p. these are rough estimates, but still shows that here in holland you really have a reason to cry if you have to fill up your tank.

yeap, you americans sure do have to pay alot for gay ^^

[tekkan]

i just payed 1.46 euro, thats about 2 dollar?(someone who knows correct me plz) for 1 lousy liter of gas. 1 liter is 0.25 gallon.. so 4 liters is about 1 gallon
4 x 1.46 =5.82 euros making it about 6-7 dollar a gallon? i dont know much exacly a liter is in gallon and howmuch a dollar is compared to euros, someone who does can retype it :p. these are rough estimates, but still shows that here in holland you really have a reason to cry if you have to fill up your tank.

yeap, you americans sure do have to pay alot for gay ^^

What? really you have to pay 1.46 euros for a litre? WOW!

Its never gone past a dollar canadian for a litre yet...but I haven't checked for a while since I am with out a car.

[koku]

supposedly, there's suppose to be like big hurricane hitting the down south area. After that, gas is going up again.

[Guess]

Well, its true that many European countries pay a lot more for gas than we Americans normally do. If I remember correctly its about $5-7 dollars per gallon.

However, I remember a time, which was about a year ago, when gas was about $2.25 and I thought that was devastating. Within one year it went up about 75 cents. The price inflation is just killing us.

And yeah, I feel for all those with SUV's and huge Pick-up trucks.

[Deadhead]

The problem is that the world oil production was barely able to support american consumption as it was. Now with the gulf refineries shutting down they wont be able to keep up any more, and gas prices will rise.
Also, China is using more and more oil (and steel). Thats not as sudden as the Hurricane, but you can bet that it is and will drive oil prices up over the long term.

Its not simply a matter of OPEC producing more, most OPEC countries are already producing close to as much as they can (Saudi Arabia is working at 98%).

Really this doesnt hurt me much, I own a fuel efficent car and dont drive very often. Maybe this is a good thing, and people will start buying more Earth-friendly cars. SUVs are so socially irresponsible. They drive up the price of gas, and they use so much of it.

[Snake eyeS]

As you can see here ( http://money.cnn.com/2005/08/31/news/gas_prices/index.htm?cnn=yes),us dutchies have it the worst :(

i stole this link from the IRC channel, thanks kim!

[Collapse]

Didn't you even consider the crisis in the Middle East today? With the Sultan/King dead, there's ought to be some crisis abound.

Heck, even Chavez isn't participating. Alberta's undecided.

[karioskasra]

Still 2.64 down in Florida. I know people who would drive miles to save 2 cents per gallon, and those people are certifiably insane.

[Trump]

I've actually heard gas stations may run out for labor day travel. The pipeline that supplied Florida with gasoline ran through Louisiana and was damaged during the hurricane making it much harder to supply the area. I'm really not sure but I'd expect the price in Florida to jump here pretty soon. But we've always had cheaper gas than many places in the country and I really don't know why.

[zell583]

i think all these gas prices are so high is so oil company excutives can line their pockets with more money because their all greedy basterds!

[nice gaijin]

$3/g gas is not entirely due to katrina, at least not in the western states.

I recently made a roadtrip with my father to help my sister move to Utah, then swing up to Oregon on the way back to visit family. We had to take my dad's van, a '77 Ford that gets anywhere from 12-16mpg depending on how you drive it. In the middle of Nevada we paid the most we ever had for gas ($3.03/g). and on the way to Roseburg we beat that record again near Lakeview ($3.05/g). This was before Katrina. Staggering, but it's still cheaper than European countries, Canada, Japan etc.

Consider this: the foreign market for oil is increasing. Thanks to America's feigned opulence the past few decades, sending jobs abroad and spending more and more money on foreign made products, people in those countries want to increase their standard of living, and save up to buy a vehicle of some sort. Suddenly, they need gas for their new car/van/motorbike. Now China is vying for a larger chunk of the available fossil fuel, whilst I still see H3 ads on TV. I'm not saying there aren't other factors involved, just giving a different angle on the situation.

[Sedated]

It's too bad we don't have more power plants that use other sources for energy.

[Sardaukar]

Makes me glad I'm not a car owner. Or an American.

[Ev0]

Its never gone past a dollar canadian for a litre yet...but I haven't checked for a while since I am with out a car. Actually, in Toronto, gas went past the dollar per liter barrier earlier this month. And just today, thanks to Katrina, prices suddenly jumped 20 cents from around $1 to $1.20. And Toronto isn't even the worst city for gas in Canada. In Montreal, gas was hovering just under the dollar per liter mark as of may 2004 (I was visiting and was practially crapping my pants at the price difference; at the time gas was around 80-85 cents a liter in Toronto).

[tekkan]

Wow, I'm in TO right now. But I dont have a car atm, so I didn't notice.

Man, a few months ago it was only 80 cents and now its a dollar 20?

Well, I'm glad I don't have a car to drive right now...

[krotch]

You're complaining because? Come overseas and then head back to the states. Believe me, I'll pay $3 for a gallon of gas.

Just to let you know, I've lived 18 years in the states, 3 years in UK, 1 year in Korea, and currently in Japan.

[Citizen]

Well, its true that many European countries pay a lot more for gas than we Americans normally do.

It's also true that an average European nation is the size of an average American state, if not smaller. Their gas may be about twice as expensive, but they don't have to go nearly as far to get anywhere.

[Pete]

It's also true that an average European nation is the size of an average American state, if not smaller. Their gas may be about twice as expensive, but they don't have to go nearly as far to get anywhere.

Show me where American's commute shorter distances than Europeans?

Dry your eyes. We pay £1 per litre.

[Sedated]

Show me where American's commute shorter distances than Europeans?

Dry your eyes. We pay £1 per litre.

He was saying that it's the other way around.

[farstrider]

i just payed 1.46 euro, thats about 2 dollar?(someone who knows correct me plz) for 1 lousy liter of gas. 1 liter is 0.25 gallon.. so 4 liters is about 1 gallon
4 x 1.46 =5.82 euros making it about 6-7 dollar a gallon? i dont know much exacly a liter is in gallon and howmuch a dollar is compared to euros, someone who does can retype it :p. these are rough estimates, but still shows that here in holland you really have a reason to cry if you have to fill up your tank.

Euro 1.46 = US$1.80, as of about 30 seconds ago. So, 4 liters (Euro 1.46) = 1 gallon (Euro 5.84) = US$7.21. Which means, with gas prices at about US$2.79/gallon around here, I could still buy ~2.50 gallons for the same price as 1 gallon in the Netherlands. So I won't complain too much... (until the price hits US$4.00/gallon, anyway).

[deepbluevibes]

The california energy crisis did exist; i live in california.

places would not use lights at all, places were getting fined for using lights AT ALL during any point in the day, walmart parking lots stayed pitch black during the entire duration, fliers were everywhere, our energy bill doubled during that time, so yeah, it existed.

[Ahimsa]

Hmmmm.....maybe gas demand and prices wouldn't be so high if there weren't so many gas guzzling SUVs out there like the H2 Hummer.....and now the H3.....hmmmm.....mabybe we should be thinking about producing more fuel efficient vehicles, rather than those that average 10mpg? damn you, Hummer, damn you! :D

[Ev0]

Well, that Hummer handles almost as poorly as a Smart car, but it seats way more people and can carry more than a shopping bag in the back.

Oh yeah, I'm talking about a normal H2. And I hate H2s, but not as much as I hate the Smart. I think the Smart is god's punishment for high gas prices. :D

[Soli]

...3.00. O.O I'm just going to pretend I didn't hear that, and concentrate on the good old days when it was under 2.00. Remember when it was 1.80? *sigh*

[D-pad]

...3.00. O.O I'm just going to pretend I didn't hear that, and concentrate on the good old days when it was under 2.00. Remember when it was 1.80? *sigh*
*bearly remembers*

[farstrider]

Remember when it was 1.80? *sigh*

I remember a time when it was $0.90/gallon.

[akitaka]

^ditto. Keep in mind that the companies supplying the gas are only doing this to keep themselves profitably afloat; breaking even, or even losing a little money isn't on their agenda, even if it means happier customers.

However I do like that in AZ, 60% of people are reducing their driving to only what they need.

[Anubis Nine]

Some Canadians are paying in the vacinity of $4.21 - $4.82 per gallon. Anywhere from $1.09 - $1.21 per litre. And there are four litres in a gallon. Going to the pumps makes me physically sick.

[Niki07]

Yup...gas hit 3.19 today around lunch time here. People at my school are trying to get everyone to NOT buy gas tomorrow (Thursday). Even if like once a week enough people didn't buy gas, maybe it would put enough pressure on them to lower the prices a tad. Or maybe it's wishful thinking...but we'd need alot more people on like one day to not buy any. Ah well, tomorrow I'm not buying any gas! :p

[Pete]

He was saying that it's the other way around.

Nope, he said 'their gas may be about twice as expensive, but they don't have to go nearly as far to get anywhere.'

[Bobbybirdtree]

They said on the news the reason is because a lot of our oil is shipped through the Gulf of Mexico into major ports and refineries in southern Louisiana. And they are all kinda...Gone now. Time to start drilling in Alaska, ya?

[Elethiomel]

http://www.lifeaftertheoilcrash.net/

Old and a bit fanatical, though it may be, this article brings up some good, if depressing points. If even half of it is true, we've got quite a bit to worry about beyond the price of driving place to place.

[Scimitar]

I also pay about 1.4 euro per liter of gas...You'd think that one the worlds largest oil-exporters would have decent prices....but noooo!


Then again...everything's pretty pricey up here.

[TygressVirgo]

There is an email going around telling people not to buy gas tomorrow, Sept. 1st, at all. Kinda of like a protest. Wonder if it will work.

[Larrikin]

Hmmmm.....maybe gas demand and prices wouldn't be so high if there weren't so many gas guzzling SUVs out there like the H2 Hummer.....and now the H3

I thought the whole point of the H3 was that it was atleast a little more gas effecient. Why else would they revamp a car that is known for being king of the road into some punk little SUV?

[Bobbybirdtree]

There is an email going around telling people not to buy gas tomorrow, Sept. 1st, at all. Kinda of like a protest. Wonder if it will work.

They try that every year...

[ellie]

The Carolinas and Georgia are experiencing lots of gas stations being closed. I am planning on driving home for the weekend, leaving my college town around 5 tomorrow afternoon and driving 4 and a half hours home. I went to get gas today to prepare for tomorrow, and it's good that I did. Even earlier today, most gas stations in my area were out of regular and mid-grade gas, and only had premium left, for $3.05 a gallon--reportedly to be increasing by 25cents by the morning. And most gas stations in my home town, where I will be by tomorrow afternoon, are closed until they get more gas. I hope I don't get stranded, gas-less, in the mountains of NC this weekend, because that would seriously suck.

It's times like these that I really dislike driving my huge cadillac.

[D-pad]

This is why I'm not getting a car and getting a motorcycle. Cheaper gas homies!

[ellie]

I would be deLIGHTED with a motorcycle, but convincing my parents to purchase me one is another matter. I really, really want a Toyota Prius, those are nice and gas efficient, but I can't convince my parents to let me trade my car in. With gas prices so outrageous, maybe I will have more luck. . .

[D-pad]

I would be deLIGHTED with a motorcycle, but convincing my parents to purchase me one is another matter. I really, really want a Toyota Prius, those are nice and gas efficient, but I can't convince my parents to let me trade my car in. With gas prices so outrageous, maybe I will have more luck. . .
I'm gonna get a ninja. Those things are bitch'n.

[Bobbybirdtree]

You can't ride a ninja in the rain or snow. ;)

[Pierrot le Fou]

1 US Gallon = 3.785 litres

1 litre in JPN = ~135/yen

107 yen = $1

$5.46 give or take for a gallon of gas here. But the cars are pretty fuel efficient (as they are typically tiny). There are fleets of Prius Taxis here. Crazy. And the train, which is electric.

The reason for the California energy crisis is that California refuses to allow nuclear power plants in its state if I remember correctly, which means that they have to buy energy from other producers in other states which can get costly during an energy crunch when the demand raises and the supply doesn't.

It also had to do with deregulation and some other nonsense. But if you want cheap consistent power, build some reactors.

[Ahimsa]

and soon up to $4...check this out

http://money.cnn.com/2005/08/31/news/gas_prices/index.htm?cnn=yes

[Roxie]

In GA there have been reports of price gouging of gas up to $6 a gallon.

Lots of fights between attendents and customers.

Many gas stations have closed down, out of gas.

[Myrsilus]

This is ridiculous. Yesterday before the gas prices jumped again, a bunch of gas stations closed down for being out of gas. My mother decided she better get some gas before the prices jump, so when she found one... It had 30 cars in the parking lot and street. And then there was a group of guys that filled up their car, then lifted it up when they were full to get a little more gas in. Doesn't matter if this is dangerous I guess. -.-

These gas prices are going to cause riots if they keep increasing. People are already acting like asses.

[Anubis Nine]

Gas prices in Canada jumped. We don't get our gas from you. We get about 90% of it from us.

Freaking gougers. They're aleady *rich* like sons of ... things. Why do they need *that* much more money?

[nice gaijin]

rumors are hawaii might put a cap on gas prices. I guess their hindsight is poor.

I went to get gas today, but the lines were too long (for 2.83 per gallon, sigh) so I went to the office to earn that gas money. When I came back, the price was 2.85. This was from the (generally) cheapest gas station in the city

[scan2001]

I guess people who are driving the smart car are having a good laugh.

[D-pad]

Hmm so what will be more affective and cheaper first---Hydragen or Electric?

[Joe]

I wonder if gas prices in america reaching three dollars is a sign of the apocolypse? I say we start watching to the moon to see if it turns blood red.

[zell583]

the gas price shot up very high very quickly from $2.85 a gal. to $3.29 a gal. just last night. The oil companies need to stop the price gougeing NOW!

[Trump]

It isn't gouging..... it is simple supply and demand. People who complain about it as gouging just show their ignorance. Gouging would be 2-3x the price and is illegal in most places (some places tried it in FL after the hurricanes last year and were caught and I believe fined.)

[stillbornsinger]

mmm... motorcycles...

one of the greatest things ever...

Unless you buy a scooter though, you arn't really going to save any money by owning one. I ride for fun, not to save money, it has been my only means of transportation though for a long time.

I haven't owned a car since I moved out of my house when I was 18, I'm 21 now, have only 4 wheeled vehicles maybe 10 or so times in the past 3 years.

D-pad, yes... motorcycles are cool and great and yeah... "ninja's" (some) are great... but for one you probably wouldn't know a "ninja" from any other kind of bike without doing a google search if you saw one, and I seriously don't think riding is a good idea for you for a long time. I know you're invincible and all like all other teens but you really are taking your life into your own hands on a bike.

You put yourself at an extreme physical risk and I wouldn't even suggest a motorcycle to anyone who doesn't already have several years driving experience in the protection of a car, and even then starting out with a sportbike isn't a good idea..

If you'd like any more info on motorcycles though, feel free to PM me, as this is really getting off topic now...




____

back to gas prices... They really arn't that bad in the US compared to what I've seen in Japan, and some other Asian countries. I'm sure they are horrible in europe as well, most americans would be better off driving smaller cars. SUV driving women with no kids and no intention to ever go camping or tow a trailor should be shot...

I think high gas prices might just do America some good, perhaps get people into smaller, more efficient cars, and encourage the development of future fuel alternatives.

[X the Eliminator]

Here in my suburb north of Charlotte NC, there's no gas, anywhere, period. The few places in the city with gas are charging about $3.50 a gallon. It's chaos.

[Hass]

i saw on the news since hurricane katrina around louisiana those states rose their prices to up to 6 dollars so they can give money to the the victims and the states who have been devistated

[CrystalThrall]

I remember a time when it was $0.90/gallon.

Yes indeed...I remember those days as well. Weren't the 80s grand!?!? :cool:

It's getting close to $3/gallon here in Oregon and that's with our lovely "mini-serve". Isn't it grand to think that, since it's illegal to pump your own gas in Oregon, that you get to pay even more to cover the wages of the person who pumps it for you? No offense to those who DO pump the gas, but it would be nice to at least have an option. :(

[Guess]

I think there's a lot of politics going around this issue.

One of my professors told me that about a decade or two ago, there was suppose to be a regulation disallowing vehicles like SUV's, big Pick-ups and Hummers to hit the market due to excessive use of oil. There was also a plan to construct subways across the nation. However, these plans and regulations never went through.

I"m too young to know if this is indeed true. Does anyone know about the details behind this?

[Miao Ying]

Still 2.64 down in Florida. I know people who would drive miles to save 2 cents per gallon, and those people are certifiably insane.

Geez where are you in Florida... everywhere I've passed by here in Jacksonville has been hovering around 3 bucks :confused:

[stillbornsinger]

I There was also a plan to construct subways across the nation. However, these plans and regulations never went through.



I would really be in favor of a better public transportation system, in most parts of America its basically non-existent, so if you live anywhere besides a big down-town area (expensive) you have to own a vehicle.

I would even be willing to pay higher taxes *gasp* if thats what it took to develope a system to allow people to get around more easily without a vehicle but I know the odds of that are pretty low.

In the area's I've been to such as San Diego, D.C., Japan, Singapore etc. Where there is a good public transportation system its always been really awesome. You can travel between cities and places without having to worry about traffic or directions, and its even better when your totally plastered and comming home from a club and you don't have to worry about driving drunk or if the guy you're getting a ride home with is really hammered too. I plan on using the public train system when I get back to California even though I'll own two vehicles (a small truck and a motorcycle)

[Jai]

Australia is about $1.30 per litre now, BUT -

the actual untaxed base price is around 59c

fuel excise is 59c

GST (yes, a tax on a tax, isnt it wonderful) is ~12c

Most western governments make more cash off you buying fuel than the (richer than rich) middle eastern countries make from selling it. Where the fuck all that money goes no one really knows.

[Joe]

Crystal, Yeah it is just a little ridiculous we can't pump our own gas. It's not exactly difficult. And some of the gas attendants... god... so unkempt.

[ellie]

Here in my suburb north of Charlotte NC, there's no gas, anywhere, period. The few places in the city with gas are charging about $3.50 a gallon. It's chaos.

I drove across NC yesterday, and when I stopped on I-40 about 30 miles east of Asheville to fill up, the first gas station I went to was out of gas. The second one was charging $4.20 a gallon. I'm really worried about driving back to Chapel Hill on Monday, because the gas stations in my town are running out of gas.

HOWEVER! I have heard that the main pipeline that was damaged, should be back up to 70% supplied by the end of the weekend, and that pipeline covers most of the Southeast. . .that's what I read in the local newspaper, anyway. Sooo, that should be good for all of us southerners, eh?

[Thespis]

Gas prices went up because a lot of refineries are down in that area. If you don't have refineries converting crude oil into gasoline, you're supply goes down. Suppy goes down, price goes up. However, I do think they probably gouge it more than they need to. Federal Government is currently seeking to tap into some of the Alaskan oil reserves. Gas here hit 3.48 at its highest and is already down to 3.20 today. Hopefully it keeps lowering, and hopefully they start to seriously consider the coal to oil conversion.

[Chronos]

$6.00 here. More like $6.13 usually.

I live in Britain... Gah, no cars for me (and that's just considering the gas price, let alone the price of insurance, taxes etc).

[KKF]

Seen 3.00 dollars here in Texas. You'd think for a OIL state it would be a lot cheaper. :( Damn stupid v8.

[D-pad]

I saw 3.10 or soemthing like that.

[hidethedrone]

It wasn't the 80's when gas was 80 cents a gallon, although that shot in Die Hard is a nice one :)

I remember it was 2001-2002 when gas dipped underneath 1 dollar a gallon to about 85 cents at some places.

I miss those days too.

It's "bleh!" A hybrid car really would be nice, but I REALLY don't want another car payment for 5 years.

[AUD21]

I walked by a Sunoco today in Boston. About $3.80. Makes me happy I don't own a car.

[D-pad]

For everyone that wanted to go to war in Iraq I say.............."See What The Fuck You Did!"

[setrict]

I would really be in favor of a better public transportation system, in most parts of America its basically non-existent, so if you live anywhere besides a big down-town area (expensive) you have to own a vehicle.

I think the closest public transporation is 100 miles away here.

I've always wondered how a land-ferry would do between the major population centers would do. Big cross country train where you could have have your vehicle transported too. It would have to be more efficient than the individual cars.

[hapacheese]

'95 Civic VX hatchback ftw!!!

I keep wanting to get a new car, but the 40-44 mpg on that car is simply beautiful.

I just wish the trans-bay bus didn't stop running at 7:30 pm... It's difficult to commute using that thing when I usually don't get off of work until after 8 or 9.

As for public transportation, it's pretty much too late for the major metropolitan areas in California =\ At least, not without a complete restructuring of our cities.

[Excel-2008]

I've seen prices in the range of $2.99 - $3.36 in my area. All things considered, I think I'm getting it easy.

[CNagy]

Diesel is still $2.89 around here.

[eyez0nme]

It's five dollars in michigan or minnesota, forgot which one.

[KujiInRetsu]

Centreville, Virginia-- prices have hit $5.00 and up there. This topic needs a new title: "Gas Price $God knows how high"

[MajorProblem]

For everyone that wanted to go to war in Iraq I say.............."See What The Fuck You Did!"
That's a real cheap shot...we've talked enough about Iraq, this is about gas prices. Here in Dallas, the gas station right next to me is just $2.85 luckily, but most others are $3.00/3.05. My car gets relatively good mileage for an American car (22 MPG city/30 MPG highway), it's still freakin expensive. I hope we can get fusion power plants running soon so we can make electric cars more economical...but then again, the oil companies don't want that.

[Ahimsa]

Maybe we should all just drive a little less .... and walk a little more.







Com'mon soccer mom's, grab a Radio Flyer and pull those kids to practice :D

[Buckwheat]

I have no intention of buying gas for the next year. Then i will buy a motorcycle and got 70+ miles per gallon.

[JustTooCrazy]

I have no intention of buying gas for the next year. Then i will buy a motorcycle and got 70+ miles per gallon.
i would do that after the US puts a ban on suvs so i dont get run over by a hummer.

[akitaka]

Regular is 3.29, I believe. Arizona is hot as well, so if you don't fill up at night, you're getting ripped off twice. I drive a Toyota Camry, with maybe 30ish mpg; what I really want to drive, when needed, is a Prius...

[Monkey]

I still think you have it fairly lucky in America, it's 7-8 dollars a gallon in the UK at the mo. Not all of that can be accounted for by our higher taxes too...

[akitaka]

Question: how far do you have to drive on a regular basis? For myself, since I have to pick my sister up as well as go to classes, I average a little over 100 freaken miles per week (20mi round trip from her work and back, 5 times a week). At 30-33 mpg in the Camry, that's 3 gallons per week. Ouch ouch ouch.

Add trips to school, my work, etc, and I'm not happy. This is why I'm looking for a closer place to work, rather than the restaurant I'm at now; I prefer to bike.

Note that AZ mas transit is the BUS. That's it. And it's always late by at least 15 minutes.

[eyez0nme]

It's six dollars in GA

[Roxie]

It's six dollars in GA
from page 2.
In GA there have been reports of price gouging of gas up to $6 a gallon.

Lots of fights between attendents and customers.

Many gas stations have closed down, out of gas.

[Miao Ying]

For everyone that wanted to go to war in Iraq I say.............."See What The Fuck You Did!"

"That may be, but what we're all forgetting is: anyone who doesn't want to go to war... is gay."

[bigd123]

Look guys, I'm pretty new to this forum, and I don't want to sound like a salesman, but I honestly got into this new business which has a product out to save 25% on gas. i was skeptical, and have used it, and on my 3rd tank have saved over 15% on gas, that means i went from paying 2.80 a gallon (in Michigan) to 2.38. if you are interested, check it out. *removed by your feul efficient moderator*

Also, you can become a distributor and spread the word yourself and get paid to do so

**note by meneerdijk: i'd love a car that runs on spam!**

[Jay]

We have those kinda things here in Australia, and they've been put through some rough tests by the current affairs programs and come up trumps. Sounds like a good deal to me.

[phat_al]

Gas Prices is 4.00 fucking dollars in LA. HOLY SHIT!

[Radiance]

Well right down the street from where I live it ranges from $2.89 to $3.12. Which sucks regardless since the average atlanta resident spends 21% of their total income on gas. Our public transportation system blows, they refuse to extend it. -.- No, lets continue to have two hour long commutes with gridlock. Shit, we have an HOV lane on like one of our three major interstate roads. Atlanta roads blow!

[Decade]

It's supposed to hit at least $4 a gallon this summer nationwide.

[shimanotaka]

Well, here (converting Euros to Dollars and liters to gallons) it's $5.00, so just be happy that you're not in Europe.

Edit: Um... I actually forgot the Euro to Dollar conversion, so the correct price should be $6.17. Suck on that!

[Trump]

Except your public transportation system doesn't suck.

[Masa the Masta]

This is America currently as I see it.

"Oh noes! I am sad because it is getting harder and harder to drive my HUGE HONKING 8 CYLINDER SUV and now I won't be able to use it anymore.."

Please. No one uses the SUV to tow stuff, go out on dirt roads...at the most, I usually see it as a vehicle to move your groceries/kids car.

Your kids don't weigh that much.

...Scratch that..I just remembered the obesity crisis in America among children *and adults.*

DAMN YOU 3.00 A GALLON! NOW YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO MOVE THOSE WHALES YOU CALL CITIZENS! HOW DARE YOU!

[Frankey-eh]

since McDonald was Y8 in China (roughly US $1), I thought gas would be just as expensive.

turned out it was only Y4 (US $0.50) this summer.

but I can't believe Los is $4!! Makes me glad we took those road trips down to Los and Vegas early...

last time we were down there, I remember we found out the gas price in Arizona was a whole lot cheaper than across the bridge in California. we turned back just to fill up before returning to cali.

[Addicted]

^ That's great, Masa.

America's gas isn't that expensive as other places in the world. So I don't like it when people complain. "Oh no, my big gas guzzling, non environment friendly, beast of a car, that I don't even need to be that big, costs too much to fill up!" That's your fault for buying the car, dumbass >_>

When gas gets up to $4, then people can start complaining.

[Kass]

This is America currently as I see it.

"Oh noes! I am sad because it is getting harder and harder to drive my HUGE HONKING 8 CYLINDER SUV and now I won't be able to use it anymore.."

Please. No one uses the SUV to tow stuff, go out on dirt roads...at the most, I usually see it as a vehicle to move your groceries/kids car.

Your kids don't weigh that much.


You've never driven a car full of kids around, have you? It isn't the weight capacity that matters. It's the ability to fit your kids and their crap plus their friends and their crap with enough room as to minimize the "HE'S TOUCHING ME!" incidents. I recommend a school bus.

[Angelyne]

Time to invest more in oil companies. I'm sure in a few months they'll be boasting about record profits again ;)

Every SUV owner I've ever met turned out to be an arrogant prick who couldn't drive for shit. Every single one of them.

[anver]

3.25 Cents for a gallon equals about 0.86 Euro-Cents for a liter.
The current price around here is 1.01 Euro-Cents.
In Turkey, it's 1.80, I heard.
Stop complaining. :(

[Masa the Masta]

You've never driven a car full of kids around, have you? It isn't the weight capacity that matters. It's the ability to fit your kids and their crap plus their friends and their crap with enough room as to minimize the "HE'S TOUCHING ME!" incidents. I recommend a school bus.

Actually, yes I have. My parents own a daycare.

The van works just fine. :watson:


And for the record, that still isn't sufficient enough for paying for shit mileage. I couldn't give more of a rats ass if a kid was complaining "He's touching me.". I'd tell the kid that unless he was paying for the gas himself, he can continue to complain all he wants until we get to our destination.

For the record, turning the radio up really loud on a station they don't like works fine for me.

[TommyA]

My 240sx requires premium, and I live in Irvine, CA (major corporate area, like a nice peaceful LA in south Orange County, and I pay anywhere from 3.13 to 3.23 per gallon.

Yay high compression engines!

[Masa the Masta]

Does an SR20 require premium too? I figure considering it's a turbo engine..

[jindojim]

My 240SX gets by on 89 Octane...
Of course that's the stock KA24 (i think that's what it's called) engine. And all turboed engines require premium.

[fa11en87]

It finally reached 3 dollars over here...=(

[Soli]

$3.00?

:gloomy:

[NERD]

I just hope the hybrid cars do better in the market- if the popularity of hybrid cars increase, that would be a telling signs for automobile makers to go after alternative fuel source like biodiesel, hydrogen, etc.

Until we can invent a chemical that can replicate gasoline, switching to alternate fuel is something that should happen sooner or later- and I'm saying, sooner the better.

[Trump]

The problem is hybrid cars cost a lot more than conventional cars. I've seen the difference over $6000 before. I believe if the government helped get an efficient ethanol distribution system, it would be leaps and bounds beyond any other solution.

[phat_al]

And it takes about two -- five years for you to get it; and because so many are in demand, some companies actually refused to build any more hybrids.

I'm afraid it's gonna be five dollars in LA soon, gonna be like Europe! Whoop-dee-do!

[Unknown]

It is still under $3 where I live, but the prices are going up little by little. I'm just happy I don't drive yet, I would have no money.

[NERD]

Hybrid cars cost more because the automobile makers are not making them as much as their conventional gasoline cars, plus it is a new technology. However, some hybrid cars cost cheaper than gasoline running cars like Prius, Civic Hybrid, etc.

Alternative fuel solutions surfaced during the Oil Shock few decades ago, but it never stuck once the oil supply returned to normal. It's not gonna be like that this time, we all know the oil is running out to the degree that oil companies are breaking through the ice in arctic regions to mine oil, even at the higher cost.

Ethanol or biodisel is a cheaper alternative, and once we can get auto makers to commit to them, they can start rolling them out by the end of this decade- however, it remains to be seen how the oil industry will respond to this, as they also control the gas stations.

Oh yeah, I don't drive either, so I'm not directly affected. I live in a city with a great subway system and decent security around town.

[Masa the Masta]

So long as there is automobile racing, I won't complain.

[Kass]

Actually, yes I have. My parents own a daycare.

The van works just fine. :watson:


And for the record, that still isn't sufficient enough for paying for shit mileage. I couldn't give more of a rats ass if a kid was complaining "He's touching me.". I'd tell the kid that unless he was paying for the gas himself, he can continue to complain all he wants until we get to our destination.

For the record, turning the radio up really loud on a station they don't like works fine for me.

I've sold both SUVs and mini-vans and vans, and they get almost identical crappy gas mileage, especially full-sized vans. Small SUVs actually get better gas mileage than mini-vans and full-sized vans.

So your nice van for transporting kids is sucking up the same amount of fuel and spewing the same amount of pollution as that Highlander going down the road. If it is a full-sized van, the Highlander is probably getting BETTER gas mileage.

[chad mullet]

£5 per gallon this afternoon in Scotland.

[Masa the Masta]

I've sold both SUVs and mini-vans and vans, and they get almost identical crappy gas mileage, especially full-sized vans. Small SUVs actually get better gas mileage than mini-vans and full-sized vans.

So your nice van for transporting kids is sucking up the same amount of fuel and spewing the same amount of pollution as that Highlander going down the road. If it is a full-sized van, the Highlander is probably getting BETTER gas mileage.

Highlander specs

4-cylinder 2WD: 22/27
4WD: 21/25 2WD: NA
4WD: NA
V6 2WD: 19/25
4WD: 18/24 2WD: 19/25
4WD: 18/24

Ford Windstar specs

Fuel Type Regular
MPG (city) 17
MPG (highway) 24
MPG (combined) 20


Considering the differences between a Van made in 1998, and a brand new hybrid SUV, I'm still not convinced that the SUV is a better choice. Take the Nissan Armada for example.

Fuel Type Regular
MPG (city) 13
MPG (highway) 19
MPG (combined) 15


The Hummer H2, which is drop dead nasty, is about 8 to 11 MPG. *In the city*

Ford Explorer is 16 in the city, 21 in the highway.

I still stand firm that unless you're going to be literally TOWING another vehicle, or live out in the boonies where there's back roads (and a high ride height is necessary), then I'm not convinced for more suburban and urban use of SUV's.

[NERD]

I'm pretty sure Americans are not willing to move on with cars this small:

http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/040820/040820_Smartshowroom.h2.jpg

Besides, one advantage of driving a big car is that you are not as likely to die on the road, in contrast to driving a small car. Because of behemoths like the H2 roaming the roads of America, I doubt people would want extra-extra tiny cars.

[Masa the Masta]

The downside to driving a huge honking car however, is that it is relatively easier to lose control. If you get a flat tire in a low profile car, it's not a big problem, you just pull over and assess the situation.

Pop a tire in an SUV, and you run the risk of tipping over. :bang:

It's just easier to flip an SUV, for many other reasons.

[phat_al]

The downside of driving and insy bitsy car, is that if you lose control, I'll be there, shedding a few tears, at your coffin.

So the chances are: you die on impact the moment your tiny car crashes head-on--or roll over in your lumbering SUV, and still have a chance to escape as the fuel ignites, dousing your burning body. So don't drive! Take the plane! Wait--don't fly! Ride the bike! Oh jesus, walk instead!
Meh. Fuck it. If you die, then you die, you can't do nothing about it.

:(

[whispering]

I've sold both SUVs and mini-vans and vans, and they get almost identical crappy gas mileage, especially full-sized vans. Small SUVs actually get better gas mileage than mini-vans and full-sized vans.

So your nice van for transporting kids is sucking up the same amount of fuel and spewing the same amount of pollution as that Highlander going down the road. If it is a full-sized van, the Highlander is probably getting BETTER gas mileage.
Many that have a SUV, use it as a penis enlargement. If a parent with 3+ kids drives a SUV, its not as bad as that 1 person that drives it in a city, or goes to buy groceries alone with it, when a punto would have done just fine. My parents had a station wagon with me and my 2 sisters and a brother and it was large enough.

As for the pic NERD posted, ive wanted a Smart for 2 for ages, would be great in a city. But AFAIK it uses about the same amount of fuel as the rest of the smaller cars.

[TrendSeven]

The oil companies actually hedge their returns, so a natural disaster has no effect on their price. The gas stations are increasing the prices because they are too small to hedge their risk. The main reason why gas prices are going up and staying up on average is because of competition with China and other developing countries for what remains of the oil. The US really needs to get back on the nuclear power bandwagon and start perfecting the alternative energy forms to power planes and automobiles (and hybrids won't be enough when gas is $20/gallon).

[Pretentious]

It's a shame that outside of bigger cities, there seems to be no real or reliable mass transit system.

[Trump]

I agree, hybrid cars are more of a stop gap than anything else.

Oh, and you can't say that the hybrids are less money. I just checked the toyota web site and it showed the corolla (bigger car) starts at around $14,000 while the prius starts over $21,000. Even with the $3,000 tax refund you are still out several thousand dollars.

One thing the United States has plenty of is land. So we need to focus on renewable agricultural based energy sources.

[NERD]

Hybrids are not the long-term solution, or any car for that matter, than runs on gas- unless we can produce gas replacement.

$14,000 and $21,000? Have you looked at the car prices lately? That's pretty cheap for a brand new car, except maybe a Hyundai.

Mass Transit System for suburbans and rural towns would be useless- there won't be enough people using them in the first place. Though, AmTrak could use some renovations and introduce the bullet train- it may not beat out the airplace for continental distances, but I can see people using them for shorter distances.

[Roxie]

Someone here was trying to charge $4.50, then took down the sign when tv crew showed up.

You know in 67, gas was .23 cents a gallon!

[Decade]

You know in 67, 23 cents could get you a lot.

We all gotta remember the purchasing power of the dollar with price hikes in gas.

...and remember that it's still ridiculous.

[Smidge204]

Mass Transit System for suburbans and rural towns would be useless- there won't be enough people using them in the first place. Though, AmTrak could use some renovations and introduce the bullet train- it may not beat out the airplane for continental distances, but I can see people using them for shorter distances.

I think that, in this day and age, a trans-continental bullet train might work. Consider all the hassles of today's airport "security" and the general vortex of suck (http://www.sptimes.com/2006/04/20/Business/Clean_for_pride__not_.shtml) that most air travel has been reduced to in the US, a comfortable 2-day train ride may be preferable to a cramped 8 hour flight with a 2 hour boarding delay... especially if priced properly.

AmTrak could use a renovation in the management department more than anywhere else right now, though.
=Smidge=

[NERD]

I'm a doubter with trans-continental bullet train, because

a) the cost to install new rails for bullet train from west coast to east coast would be tremendous. Bullet trains cannot utilize existing lines for obvious reasons, and without having the guarantee that people will use it, it's a huge gamble.

b) not to mention the competition from airliners- I have no idea how fast it would be for a bullet train to go from New York to LA, but chances are, an airplane will be a lot faster. Not to mention because of the noise it creates, bullet trains cannot go at its maximum speed near residential areas.

But, AmTrak definitely could use some renovation, except that money will come out of taxpayers' pocket, and everyone will be whining about that.

[Decade]

Coast to coast I see as doubtful, but smaller tracks between major cities seems somewhat more plausable.

Like bullet trains from new york to boston/DC/Philadelphia, LA to San Francisco (to close? I dunno, I havent ever really been)/San Diego/Las Vegas/Phoenix/Alberqerque, Chicago/Cleaveland, Miami/Orlando (fuck, it's not as if Disney themselves couldn't do it and increase their profits probably)/Atlanta, Dallas/Houston, and anywhere else you all can think of.

[NERD]

It's a project that can't be handled by state governments alone- the federal government will have to step in, and seeing as how they are in a budget deficit, bullet train in US won't happen anytime soon, imo. I mean, how many people would even consider developing bullet train to be used in the States? Not to mention, we'd either have to buy bullet train technology from Europe or Japan, or develop it ourself.

I've used AmTrak rather frequently, and though I really enjoyed the service without the hubbub at the airports, the facilities are showing its age, from the stations, trains, everything. With a lot of airliners suffering from financial woes, I'd say it's time we really start to consider train as the next mass transportation system.

It's a pipe dream at this point, I'm afraid.

[Kass]

Highlander specs

4-cylinder 2WD: 22/27
4WD: 21/25 2WD: NA
4WD: NA
V6 2WD: 19/25
4WD: 18/24 2WD: 19/25
4WD: 18/24

Ford Windstar specs

Fuel Type Regular
MPG (city) 17
MPG (highway) 24
MPG (combined) 20


Considering the differences between a Van made in 1998, and a brand new hybrid SUV, I'm still not convinced that the SUV is a better choice. Take the Nissan Armada for example.

Fuel Type Regular
MPG (city) 13
MPG (highway) 19
MPG (combined) 15


The Hummer H2, which is drop dead nasty, is about 8 to 11 MPG. *In the city*

Ford Explorer is 16 in the city, 21 in the highway.

I still stand firm that unless you're going to be literally TOWING another vehicle, or live out in the boonies where there's back roads (and a high ride height is necessary), then I'm not convinced for more suburban and urban use of SUV's.

So you're saying that the numbers just aren't good enough? I notice you left out the mileage on the Highlander Hybrid as well (33/28 mpg). The Windstar is also a discontinued model. It's been replaced by the Freestar, which gets a 17/23 mpg rating.

Of course, the Highlander is not a small SUV either. That category would be the Ford Escape (20/25), Toyota RAV 4 (24/29) or Subaru Forester (23/28), etc. The Escape Hybrid gets 36/31 mpg.

I'll leave alone Hummers, because their non-military use is just absurd.

Don't get me wrong, I hate being a car pulled up beside an SUV. The drivers tend to be pricks and deliberately block a car's view when they are trying to turn, but I do envy their suspension system when traffic is at a dead stop on I66 and they can turn across the median and take an alternate route. None of that changes that the numbers do not support your argument, which is apparently based on the "I just don't like them" frame of reference.

Yeah, there'd be a lot less demand for gas if everyone drove a Hyundai like mine and got an average 39 mpg city and highway combined, but I can barely get my daughter and her cello in my car. Forget giving one of her friends a ride.

Oh and don't forget, manufacturer estimates of gas mileage are based on ideal conditions and are measured by throttle position, not actual driving and using fuel. Depending on how you drive, maintain your car and where you drive, those estimates can be way high or way low. The estimated mpg on my car is 32/35. I commute in DC and Northern Virginia and get 39 mpg average because I don't speed (much, 60-65 in a 55 is pretty much the extent of my speeding), work a schedule that keeps me off the road during the peak rush hours, don't jack rabbit start and stop my car, keep the tires inflated, the fuel system clean and get my oil changed every 3k miles. The most fuel efficient non-hybrid car still will get crappy gas mileage if the driver is a moron.

Roxie, gas might have been $.23 a gallon in 67, but you have to tanslate that into 2006 dollars to compare. Gas during the fuel crisis under Jimmy Carter cost more than it does now when adjusted for inflation.

Also, it's important to note that some of the reason for the high costs and shortages on the East Coast are environmental laws. MTBE, a fuel additive for keeping engines clean, has finally been banned in several East Coast states because it pollutes the water supply. It's being replaced with an ethanol additive. This requires completely draining existing tanks, scrubbing them and then replacing the fuel. It's a costly and time consuming process and accounts for the drop in supply on the East Coast.

[darkmateria]

There was a very cool docu on CNN over the weekend about possible alternatives to fossile petroleum, one the main contenders ethanol made from sugar cane.

Although it doesn't quite get the same milage as petroleum, it is a renewable energy source. It is currently mass produced in Brazil, where 80% of vehicles run on ethanol. So why doesn't the U.S. do the same thing?

How about instead of sinking billions into a military budget, the U.S. government makes a huge investment in sugar cane derived ethanol? Existing cars can run on it quite easily, and in Brazil; and inexpensive sensor in the gas tank is connected to the engine management system to automaticaly fine tune the engine for ethanol or petroleum.

Anyhow...it's about time your gas prices came into line with the rest of the world. You're still getting it cheap compared to places like the U.K.

[Roxie]

Roxie, gas might have been $.23 a gallon in 67, but you have to tanslate that into 2006 dollars to compare. Gas during the fuel crisis under Jimmy Carter cost more than it does now when adjusted for inflation.
:meh: Goodness Kass, you take all the fun out of posting a neat little fact, for neat little fact's sake.

[Trump]

Whoever thinks that $21,000 is cheap for a car needs to look at car prices. You can get a decent car for ~15,000. Granted, it won't be a luxury car, it won't have leather, it won't have a lot of horse power, and it won't be able to hold as much as an SUVor truck, but it will get you and a couple others where you need to go. At $25,000 you get into the low end luxury cars and higher horsepower machines! You can check all the main car manufacturers if you want verification (Ford, Honda, Toyota).

All I know is with a 30-60 minute commute (20 miles) each way, gas prices hurt.

[karob]

I'm trying to sell my Ford F-150 right now and I have only had one bite in a month. Go figure.... fn gas... we need to find an alternative fuel source and actually put it into production. But as long as oil companies can continue to rape us of our monthly paychecks there is nothing we can do about it. The suits have us by the balls!

[fa11en87]

Now it's around $3.30, this is very BAD! I wonder what the peak price in the summer will be...