3/gallon gas comming soon

[nemelek]

An artical in yesterdays paper. I just paid $2.43.

[bobalou1]

Fox Business just reported it will be $4.00 per gallon by spring.

[lowsushi]

thats nothing, paid $3.11 in Anaheim, CA yesterday

[sbergman27]

Personally, I think that in the long term it would be better for the U.S. and, in fact, the world, if the U.S. saw about $5/gal gas in the near future. I think that is what it would take to wake the public up to the realities which have been pretty obvious, to those of us who have been paying attention, since the mid 1970s. All the unnecessary and pointless use of SUVs as single person transports that has become so ubiquitous over the last 20 years has got to stop. The inexplicable exclusions of the new high efficiency diesels, already commonplace in Europe, from the U.S. market must end.

We're 30 years late taking action. (I know, I've been watching.) The sooner we get started on a sustainable path, the better for everyone.

-Steve

[Hershey]

it's near $2.90 here . It usually goes up this time of year when refineries change to summer blend . CHINAs thirst for gas / oil doesn't help any . Cars are selling like hotcakes over there . They're puttig a stimulus package into affect . The violence ( ethnic cleansing ) in NIGERIA isn't helpng any as well . Let's hope IRAN comes the senses . That could really burst the economic bubble . So many variables .

[Vang]

3.09 here in nor cal

[SailDesign]

Roll on $5/gal gas. It's about frikkin' time.

[talnlnky]

i've seen $2.899 round here... tho most are a few cents cheaper.... $3 is nothing... 2 summers ago we had over $4. I really don't mind if the price goes up that much, if the gas price goes up, so will the blue book of the yaris.

[darthbauer]

Having a Yaris im not to worried about paying $5/gallon but it's still gonna suck compared to when it was $2.50/gallon.

Half price is always better.

[coffiend]

Personally, I think that in the long term it would be better for the U.S. and, in fact, the world, if the U.S. saw about $5/gal gas in the near future. I think that is what it would take to wake the public up to the realities which have been pretty obvious, to those of us who have been paying attention, since the mid 1970s. All the unnecessary and pointless use of SUVs as single person transports that has become so ubiquitous over the last 20 years has got to stop. The inexplicable exclusions of the new high efficiency diesels, already commonplace in Europe, from the U.S. market must end.

We're 30 years late taking action. (I know, I've been watching.) The sooner we get started on a sustainable path, the better for everyone.

-Steve

Sure, it might be an eye opener to the American public.

But you've got to think about those of us who have a longer commute to work / school and cant afford 50 dollars to fill up the tank of a Yaris... If gas was consistently $5/gal. I would not be able to afford to get a degree. Believe me, I would depend on a public transit system if there was one available to my use here...but there isnt... $5 gas would send me into a downward spiral.

:thumbdown:

[pawsplus]

Ugh! I know we have cheap gas compared to most of the world and I know I have a Yaris, but I drive around 3000 miles a month and it will KILL my budget to pay much over $3/gallon. Darnit. :thumbdown:

[sbergman27]

But you've got to think about those of us who have a longer commute to work / school and cant afford 50 dollars to fill up the tank of a Yaris...
Then it's unfortunate that you did not have better options available to you when you bought the Yaris, isn't it? You know... like we had back in 1988 when my Chevy Sprint Metro (EPA 54/58) was made? The car is 22 years old and blows away the 3rd generation Prius for highway fuel consumption. If you had had a car like the Sprint, with a real world FE of well over 50 mpg, available to you, then you wouldn't have this problem today.

Think in the long term. If people had been doing that over the last 20 years instead of flocking to buy SUVs and eschewing efficient cars, then you'd be better off today. Just as future students will be if we manage to get our heads out of our a**es anytime soon. (Which at this point is something that I'll only believe when I see it. 30+ years of watching and waiting makes one skeptical regarding such things.)

[coffiend]

Then it's unfortunate that you did not have better options available to you when you bought the Yaris, isn't it? You know... like we had back in 1988 when my Chevy Sprint Metro (EPA 54/58) was made? The car is 22 years old and blows away the 3rd generation Prius for highway fuel consumption. If you had had a car like the Sprint, with a real world FE of well over 50 mpg, available to you, then you wouldn't have this problem today.

Think in the long term. If people had been doing that over the last 20 years instead of flocking to buy SUVs and eschewing efficient cars, then you'd be better off today. Just as future students will be if we manage to get our heads out of our a**es anytime soon. (Which at this point is something that I'll only believe when I see it. 30+ years of watching and waiting makes one skeptical regarding such things.)

I'm not questioning your logic, it makes complete sense.

I'm just saying if RIGHT now, ga was 5/gallon I could even afford to go to school. Rather than having a future where my children are going to college in their 60mpg cars, it would probably consus of me begging for change out f a cardboard box.

[coffiend]

^ sorry for my grammar - posted from my phone.

[Inspector14]

meh, been paying 3.27 for a bit now in Anchorage, Alaska. refinery is 350 miles north, but we have some of the highest prices in the US.

i actually liked it when gas was $4+, all of the trucks and SUVs were parked, lots of little cars all arround. and one plus side as well, the resale of the yaris goes up up up.

[sbergman27]

I'm not questioning your logic, it makes complete sense..
And I understand your situation. I think we can safely blame the American auto industry, which used its considerable marketing powers to convince people they needed and wanted SUVs, the American public, for being impressionable enough to fall for it, and the last dozen or so Congresses, which consistently failed to act in the long term public interest.

Even if my dire warnings over the years haven't actually done a whit of good (and I don't think they have) I can at least take solace in the fact that no one could reasonably blame *me*. I've done the best I can over the years.

-Steve

[Twistoffate0817]

Paid 2.65 yesterday. Price was around 2.48 about two weeks ago

[darthbauer]

There was the upside of a lot less traffic when gas was over $4/gallon.



... but thats about it to me.

[sbergman27]

There was the upside of a lot less traffic when gas was over $4/gallon.
... but thats about it to me.
Don't forget the self-destruction of the U.S. auto industry. That was something that we'd been needing to happen for a long time. And is arguably the biggest plus we got out of the $4+ period.

-Steve

[cali yaris]

Personally, I think that in the long term it would be better for the U.S. and, in fact, the world, if the U.S. saw about $5/gal gas in the near future.

Yes. It's the ONLY thing that will change consumer behavior.

[darthbauer]

Don't forget the self-destruction of the U.S. auto industry. That was something that we'd been needing to happen for a long time. And is arguably the biggest plus we got out of the $4+ period.

-Steve


Sure the auto industry tanked more than a bit with brands like Hummer going down but there is still going to be a need for something bigger than a Yaris for families that have multiple kids and or large breed animals for pets. I'm not saying go out and buy an H2 and never worry about space again but it would be nice if Jeep could come out with a 4 door Wrangler that got better MPG than it does now but still have a decent amount of power.

My Yaris is great for getting to and from work but a little more is needed on the weekends.

[Thirty-Nine]

We're paying an avg. of $2.84 in Portland now.

[sbergman27]

My Yaris is great for getting to and from work but a little more is needed on the weekends.
It's all about using the appropriate vehicle for the job. My Chevy Sprint (And do forgive me for going on so about that car; It's my pride and joy) gets about 220 passenger-miles per gallon on the highway with 4 people in it. But I'm a bit of a recluse, living alone, with no friends. And so I effectively get about 55 passenger-miles per gallon if you don't count my faithful traveling companion, Shadow, a terrier mix. The Sprint is about the best a recluse can do on the highway, except perhaps for the 1st generation Honda Insight, which is about as rare as the Dodo bird.

An 8 passenger GMC Savana van, which *always* traveled with a full complement of passengers, would be getting 160 passenger-miles per gallon. But if it traveled with only one occupant for even 30% of the time, it would be more efficient for those 8 people to just drive their own individual Sprints.

The problem is not the existence of SUVs. (Which we *used to* call *commercial* vehicles, and for good reason.) It's about using the appropriate vehicle for the job. And *very few* SUV owners in the US are really doing that, no matter how much they might want to tell themselves that they really need an SUV.

-Steve

P.S. I wonder why the high efficiency diesels, so common in Europe, and which are now a very well established technology, exhibiting amazing fuel economy, are being withheld from the U.S. market? Who in the world would have an interest in keeping them from being introduced here, I wonder?

[Kioshi]

Who in the world would have an interest in keeping them from being introduced here, I wonder?

i love this statement...thats how the govt. does it...put us in the hole~

Gas has been at $3.05 since November for me, in Fremont, CA. I'm paying $3.27 for gas at Shell now...

And i agree gas should be $5 because other countries have been seeing those costs for quite a long time, just something new to us in America...and yes, it'd would change how people drive..if prices continue to stay at $5~~

[Altitude]

Sure the auto industry tanked more than a bit with brands like Hummer going down but there is still going to be a need for something bigger than a Yaris for families that have multiple kids and or large breed animals for pets.

Bring back the station wagon. The SUV of the 70's and 80's.

[sbergman27]

Bring back the station wagon. The SUV of the 70's and 80's.
Ahhh, the station wagon. A technology honed to such perfection over the decades that the engineers went stir crazy and started *inventing* problems to solve.

Should the tailgate open to the left? Or to the right? Or just swing down? Or slide down, under power, when you turn the tailgate key? Should the glass be fixed? Should it slide down into the tailgate? Or go up into the roof? Should the tailgate have glass at all?

Today, I think that most consumers would prefer to contract leprosy than to be seen in a station wagon.

Yeah, I grew up in the 60s and 70s. :-)

-Steve

[talnlnky]

Sure, it might be an eye opener to the American public.

But you've got to think about those of us who have a longer commute to work / school and cant afford 50 dollars to fill up the tank of a Yaris... If gas was consistently $5/gal. I would not be able to afford to get a degree. Believe me, I would depend on a public transit system if there was one available to my use here...but there isnt... $5 gas would send me into a downward spiral.

:thumbdown:
I don't believe for a second you are that helpless... Sure, I get living in Nebraska isn't the best of places in terms of transportation options... but really... dropping out of college because of gas prices. That is absurd, and frankly, if you can't find a way to make things work, you don't deserve a degree.

Trade in for a motorcycle.... buy a bike, solicit on craigslist that you are looking for a car-pool buddy to help cover half the price of commuting to school and back. LIVE CLOSER TO SCHOOL! Take out a small loan, chances are you already are in debt due to school loans, a few hundred dollars of debt per quarter more isn't going to significantly change your life.

Go to the Top ramen, rice, beans, and oatmeal diet that soo many true "poor college" students know about.

[talnlnky]

^ sorry for my grammar - posted from my phone.

can't afford $5 gas to get a college education, but you can afford an internet capable cell phone service.

More proof that your issue isn't gas, but your ability to live AT or BELOW your means.

[sbergman27]

I would be disinclined to second-guess coffiend's apraisal of his own financial situation. He made a very sensible decision in choosing a Yaris, even if a different history might have made better choices possible.

Back when gas was $4+, the news stories that I did take a perverse pleasure in seeing were those ones where the couple goes on TV, tearfully telling the channel 4 news reporter about how their dreams had been crushed. You see... they bought a Nissan Titan V8 for him, and a big Chevy Suburban for her, and then found the home of their dreams out in the country, with a 70 mile commute to work. But now that gas is so *unfairly* high, they're going to have to sell their dream home, and move back to a cramped apartment in the city. Boo hoo.

People who make stupid decisions deserve what they... well... deserve to get.

Coffiend made a wise and sensible decision based upon what was available to him. In a very real sense, he is the one who has been wronged.

As much as I love my Sprint, the major reason for my decision to downgrade (in an FE sense) to the Yaris, was safety. Bicycles, mopeds, motorcycles... and featherweight cars from the 80s... have a significant safety penalty attached.

-Steve

[darthbauer]

Dodge had the Magnum and that was as close to a station wagon as i think we are gonna get for sometime.


Unless you call the WRX hatchbacks and Lancer sportbacks wagon's.

[Black Yaris]

I have just realized I do not pay attention to gas prices, if I need gas I buy some
$2, $3, $4 or even $5 a gallon, nothing I can do about it, and I ain't going broke at any price

[sbergman27]

I have just realized I do not pay attention to gas prices, if I need gas I buy some
$2, $3, $4 or even $5 a gallon, nothing I can do about it, and I ain't going broke at any price
Perhaps we need to tie the gasoline tax to personal income. I'll bet that there is some point at which it would get your attention.

-Steve

[Black Yaris]

Perhaps we need to tie the gasoline tax to personal income. I'll bet that there is some point at which it would get your attention.

-Steve

there may be a point, but they pay $7-8 a gallon in Europe, and I still would not even think twice to pay that amount

a larger valorium tax on license plates and/or drivers licenses would work well

[sbergman27]

a larger valorium tax on license plates and/or drivers licenses would work well
There is definitely something to be said for the "Hit 'em all at once" approach. Spreading things out, tank by tank, is akin to softening the blow of a 40,000 vehicle with a monthly payment.

Yeah, hit them with an *extra* 2000 - 4000 dollar licensing fee (equivalent to a $2.50 - $5.00 per gallon increase in gas price if they drive the American average of 12,000 miles per year) once a year. They won't have planned properly for it, and it will seem like being hit by a financial brick wall to many of them. Make sure that it applies to the *first* licence they buy when they purchase the SUV. Fee is due right now. Before you can drive the vehicle. No exceptions. Subject to jail term.

-Steve

[Black Yaris]

well what I am saying is spread things out, they could raise taxes on petrol slightly as well as increase the "gas guzzler tax" on new cars, valorium tax, larger fees on automotive related items.

Kinda like what they did with tobacco products, it will price people out of cars that consume a lot of petrol. Those who can afford them will, and those who can not will be forced to conserve or learn to live w/o a car

[darthbauer]

well what I am saying is spread things out, they could raise taxes on petrol slightly as well as increase the "gas guzzler tax" on new cars, valorium tax, larger fees on automotive related items.

Kinda like what they did with tobacco products, it will price people out of cars that consume a lot of petrol. Those who can afford them will, and those who can not will be forced to conserve or learn to live w/o a car


I don't drive a gas guzzler and I already think that the gas guzzler tax is to high. A friend of mine has an 08 GT500 and to renew his registration was over 1600 bucks. I'm sorry but that is a bit of a joke.

[Black Yaris]

I don't drive a gas guzzler and I already think that the gas guzzler tax is to high. A friend of mine has an 08 GT500 and to renew his registration was over 1600 bucks. I'm sorry but that is a bit of a joke.

if he can not afford the $1600, he should have not bought the car. That is why our housing market is shit, people can't afford what they own.

If people lived with in their means it would not be a problem.

We do not buy anything we could not pay cash for, with the exception of our house. But we chose a house where our payment is half of what we were approved for and over pay on our mortgage payments.

[darthbauer]

He could afford it but he said it wasn't worth it and drained all the fluids out of it and put it in storage.

[sbergman27]

Kinda like what they did with tobacco products, it will price people out of cars that consume a lot of petrol.
I've not noticed any sort of spread out taxation driving many people from their nicotine addiction. Although they do tend to waste more of the time of the people in line behind them, debating whether to go with a generic brand or not. But the addicts just pay the extra taxes.

Ostracization seems to have had limited effect effect, as well. They happily stand out in the 20 degree cold, moaning with their fellows about how *cold* it is outside, railing at the unfairness of it all... while puffing away on their nicotine sticks with a sense of happy camaraderie.

The approach we have taken to nicotine addiction has not really worked. And I don't see it having much greater effect upon people's petroleum addictions.

-Steve

[sbergman27]

If people lived with in their means it would not be a problem.
So as long as you can afford to buy and waste limited resources, spewing the waste gases out into the atmosphere we all depend upon, then it's OK. As long as you have the money to do it, that is? As long as you are living "within your means".

Just wondering.

-Steve

[Black Yaris]

I've not noticed any sort of spread out taxing driving many people from their nicotine addiction. Although they do tend to waste more of the time of the people in line behind them, debating whether to go with a generic brand or not. But the addicts just pay the extra taxes.

Ostracization seems to have had limited effect effect, as well. They happily stand out in the 20 degree cold, moaning with their fellows about how *cold* it is outside, railing at the unfairness of it all... while puffing away on their nicotine sticks with a sense of happy camaraderie.

The approach we have taken to nicotine addiction has not really worked. And I don't see it having much greater effect upon people's petroleum addictions.

-Steve

when I started smoking cigarettes when I was 14 they were $1.75 a pack, when I quit 5 years ago they had gone up to $4 something a pack. This has priced a lot of people out of smoking, and some just do not want to pay. Same thing applies to petrol and cars, if you are addicted to your vise you will find a way to pay for it. If you can afford it, it's not a big deal what things cost.

Live with in your means..... problem solved

[Black Yaris]

He could afford it but he said it wasn't worth it and drained all the fluids out of it and put it in storage.

that is his fault for buying, if he really could afford it he would just pay it

So as long as you can afford to buy and waste limited resources, spewing the waste gases out into the atmosphere we all depend upon, then it's OK. As long as you have the money to do it, that is? As long as you are living "within your means".

Just wondering.

-Steve

I some what agree, there are going to be a lot less people that can actually afford it. It is going to price out a lot of people and force them the conserve. Vehicles that consume a large amount of gas are a luxury.

the people that will not be able to afford it are going to out weigh those who can, because this is America.

[sbergman27]

I some what agree, there are going to be a lot less people that can actually afford it. It is going to price out a lot of people and force them the conserve. Vehicles that consume a large amount of gas are a luxury.
So you have no ethical problem with acting unethically, as long as you can afford it?

[Black Yaris]

So you have no ethical problem with acting unethically, as long as you can afford it?

If you know the consequences of your actions, and willing to pay for them.
Obviously this does not pertain to everything, I do not condone shooting someone in the face if you are willing to spend life in prison.
On the other hand, I parked illegally on some landscaping because I could not find a spot to park in, I was willing to pay the cost of a ticket to have lunch with my wife; I got a ticket and I had to pay for it.

[talnlnky]

I would be disinclined to second-guess coffiend's apraisal of his own financial situation. He made a very sensible decision in choosing a Yaris, even if a different history might have made better choices possible.

Back when gas was $4+, the news stories that I did take a perverse pleasure in seeing were those ones where the couple goes on TV, tearfully telling the channel 4 news reporter about how their dreams had been crushed. You see... they bought a Nissan Titan V8 for him, and a big Chevy Suburban for her, and then found the home of their dreams out in the country, with a 70 mile commute to work. But now that gas is so *unfairly* high, they're going to have to sell their dream home, and move back to a cramped apartment in the city. Boo hoo.

People who make stupid decisions deserve what they... well... deserve to get.

Coffiend made a wise and sensible decision based upon what was available to him. In a very real sense, he is the one who has been wronged.

As much as I love my Sprint, the major reason for my decision to downgrade (in an FE sense) to the Yaris, was safety. Bicycles, mopeds, motorcycles... and featherweight cars from the 80s... have a significant safety penalty attached.

-Steve

the major flaw in your thinking is that everybody NEEDS 4 wheels.... or wheels at all for that matter.

Hell, he could've bought an old Honda CRX or Geo Metro... both got better milage than the yaris, and can be had in good condition for under $1,000.... $12,000 in savings pays for the first 6,000 gallons of gas... but... we'll factor in a few replacement parts and call it even at 4,000 gallons of gas for free, or about the equivalent of 140,000 miles (at 35mpg).

[Black Yaris]

the major flaw in your thinking is that everybody NEEDS 4 wheels.... or wheels at all for that matter.

Hell, he could've bought an old Honda CRX or Geo Metro... both got better milage than the yaris, and can be had in good condition for under $1,000.... $12,000 in savings pays for the first 6,000 gallons of gas... but... we'll factor in a few replacement parts and call it even at 4,000 gallons of gas for free, or about the equivalent of 140,000 miles (at 35mpg).

+1, he paid for the luxury of new(er) car. He knew when he bought the car that there were other options that would cost much less money with just as good MPG, his fault.

[sbergman27]

I do not condone shooting someone in the face if you are willing to spend life in prison.
I wouldn't be wasting time talking to you if I thought you would condone that. Nor do I object, particularly, to your spitting on the sidewalk on your way to having lunch with your wife.

Your response neglected to address the heart of the topic.

-Steve

[enviri]

3.01 here in southern ct.

[Black Yaris]

I wouldn't be wasting time talking to you if I thought you would condone that. Nor do I object, particularly, to your spitting on the sidewalk on your way to having lunch with your wife.

Your response neglected to address the heart of the topic.

-Steve

the point is, those who can afford to buy a luxury should be able to. If one does not make enough, they should use luxury items in moderation, within their means.
I consider gas guzzlers as a luxury, as is a brand new economy car and 20 inch wheels.

[sbergman27]

the major flaw in your thinking is that everybody NEEDS 4 wheels.... or wheels at all for that matter.
That depends, greatly, upon where you live. My home address is here in Oklahoma City. I've never once been able to get through to the number where you can request bus schedules. But I think they show up every 2 to 3 hours along the major thoroughfare in front of where I live. Thing are so spread out that bicycling is a nonstarter. Back when gas was $4, and during the summer, I saw a number of moped and motorbike riders. But I think they're all dead now.

Hell, he could've bought an old Honda CRX or Geo Metro... both got better milage than the yaris, and can be had in good condition for...

Really, talnlnky. Get over yourself. As much as I love both of those series' of cars, there is substantial risk in buying one today. Buy a Metro that ends up needing an engine overhaul and you are out $2400. (I know. I just paid it.)

Coffiend expressed a reasonable concern to my call for $5 gasoline. I responded. And he was very reasonable in his response. I do not doubt his logic or motives.

I still call for $5 gasoline. But consider coffiend to be one of the folks that I worry about should my wish come to be. Providing, of course, that he does not end up turning into some Hummer-driving republican who thinks it's OK to spend the rest of his existence tromping on the backs of his "peers" with the force of the law behind him.

-Steve

[THEDON]

I do not post here often, and I am not surprised at such a topic such as this one here on the Yaris sight. Yet some of the conclusions that people come to here to fix the problems of "Gas Guzzlers, and "Climate Change" scare me.

First off, raising the taxes in any shape form or way, is very unhealthy for the economy. Giving the money to politicians does not solve anything, it only compounds the problem we are in today. leaving the money in the pockets of such greedy people who have no comprehension on how to fix it is a mistake. It would be much better to leave the money in the pockets of the citizen who can make the best judgement of how to handle his or her own situation.

As for those people who want to buy such autos like hummers and large trucks...i say let them. when they are broke because they cannot afford it, they have know one to blame but the person in the mirror. One of thing this country lacks is personal responsibility, that is not something the Government can give through taxation. That has to be taught buy the parent or peers.

As for Climate Change we all have our own opinions on that, With equally different solutions. I think that forcing people to change there lifestyle through government legeslation is down right anti american. I love my country because of my freedom to choose. I do not want them telling me how to live my life, even if they think i am wrong. I own a Yaris (which i love) and an old beater truck (which i equally love) and both serve there purpose.

[sbergman27]

As for those people who want to buy such autos like hummers and large trucks...i say let them. when they are broke because they cannot afford it, they have know one to blame but the person in the mirror. One of thing this country lacks is personal responsibility, that is not something the Government can give through taxation. That has to be taught buy the parent or peers.
Then again... if you are savvy enough to stomp upon and enslave your fellow man, operating within the rules of capitalism, then you can have all the Hummers you want, with no risk of going broke. Right? And using the power you have accumulated, you can make foolish decisions which make the purchase of a single Hummer by an individual pale in comparison.

Because, at that point, you are decidedly out for yourself. (Free Enterprise is God! And *I* am his favorite apostle!)

If there is anywhere that your "parents and peers" have demonstrably failed it would have to be "personal responsibility" among the high fliers of Free Enterprise.

In my next installment, perhaps I should chronicle the years long history of incredibly poor and short-sighted decisions which led to the collapse of the American auto industry?

Would you like that, Mr. Free Enterprise?

You picked a bad backdrop for your Free Enterprise pitch. Because private industry fucked up royally, over a period of years, to get itself where it is today. The American public happily went along for the ride... and fully deserves to share in the consequences.

[talnlnky]

That depends, greatly, upon where you live. My home address is here in Oklahoma City. I've never once been able to get through to the number where you can request bus schedules. But I think they show up every 2 to 3 hours along the major thoroughfare in front of where I live. Thing are so spread out that bicycling is a nonstarter. Back when gas was $4, and during the summer, I saw a number of moped and motorbike riders. But I think they're all dead now.



Really, talnlnky. Get over yourself. As much as I love both of those series' of cars, there is substantial risk in buying one today. Buy a Metro that ends up needing an engine overhaul and you are out $2400. (I know. I just paid it.)


Obviously you didn't even read my post. Even if you had to "overhaul" the engine on a metro for $2400 (bet it can be done for cheaper), I know it can be in the crx... you are still about 9,000-10,000 cheaper than buying a new BASE yaris.

so, 3,000 or so gallons of gas or about 100,000miles of gas for free.

Get over myself? you got under 100 posts on this site dude... and I swear i've seen your post count about double in the past 30 hours. And this isn't the only thread you've been very vocal in (read: argumentative) Who's the one throwing around ego?

the yaris is a cool car, its arguable one of the cheapest new cars to own.... but, there are cheaper alternatives EVERYWHERE IN THE USA than a New Yaris... Take a new or used Scooter for instance... He could trade in his yaris and get two or three scooters for free... get 60 + mpg, and save a lot on maintenance. Half as many tires, much less oil...etc etc.

[Hershey]

the high heating and gas prices are part of reason why we're in this pickle . This is a double whammy when prices soar again . People need to wise up and think about more fuel efficient vehicles . Plus need to change their driving habits and think of others and their selves / families future . What we do impacts all here and abroad . Here's an example : www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=6283348n&tag=mncol;lst2 . We use 6 times more oil than CHINA with a smaller population . Thus we're driving ourselves off a economic cliff . We are a spoiled civilization . Don't forget we have AMERICAN and foreign soldiers fighting for our / their preservation .

[Yar Is Word]

http://gasbuddy.com/

[THEDON]

"You picked a bad backdrop for your Free Enterprise pitch. Because private industry fucked up royally, over a period of years, to get itself where it is today. The American public happily went along for the ride... and fully deserves to share in the consequences."

If a company makes more decisions IE: GMC, Chrysler. let them fail. Other industries and companies will replace them. Using the taxpayer money to bail out irresponsibility on the other hand? Now that is in itself irresponsible because our Government is in no position to bail anyone out. If the situation occurs where oil and other fossil fuels is no longer a reasonable and reliable source, then let the american public go out there and create alternatives, we have been accomplishing more then any other country in 200 years.

The Government is never the answer. Government is a needed in a limited role. Any larger and you will have a tyranny on your hands.

[ptitpiffute]

Here up North, in Canada, Mtl, price of gas is already passed 4$, a gallon. It may explain why, there are a lot more smaller cars in downtown.
But, I still see f..... s...... suvs, trucks, hummer, on the road and I trully don't get why people like to drive in those big things .....

I love my yaya and expect to beat the EPA this summer :)

[jambo101]

Get the price up to $10 a gallon so i can really get a laugh at the SUV's and assorted gas guzzlers at the gas station.

[sbergman27]

If the situation occurs where oil and other fossil fuels is no longer a reasonable and reliable source,
That actually happened back in the 1970s. But we've put on a most impressive display of denial over the subsequent 35 years.

then let the american public go out there and create alternatives, we have been accomplishing more then any other country in 200 years.

ROTFLMAO! Open your eyes and look at how things have changed in the last few decades. Look at education, trade balance, whatever. Pretty much anywhere you look you will find signs of the ongoing erosion. The collapse of our auto industry is merely a salient and easily recognizable symptom. The rot actually runs much deeper.

-Steve

[Kongo-Otto]

You should feel quite lucky over there. Gas is 7,66$ per gallon in Germany. I just calculated it. :mad:

[1stToyota]

Can't hardly wait! It'll help to remind me why I sold the Goat. :redface:

[coffiend]

Lanky, you don't know me. You don't know my financial situation, you don't know my past experiences or current responsibilities. So why do you feel that you are in the position to tell me how I should/ shouldn't handle my finances. I would like you to drive 50ish miles/day on a motorcycle in nebraska in sub zero temps. The last I checked 50 bucks a month is far from expensive for a phone bill. And believe me, I have had several used cars that get good mpg.. 5 to be exact. All of them lasted me for no longer than a year and a half before something went wrong that would cost morre than the car was worth. I bought a yaris not for luxury, but for the peace of mind of having reliable
mode of transportation.

While it may have been an exaggeration that I would HAVE to drop out of school, its still not your place to say what I should do with my life and wether or not I deserve to get a degree.

If I would have known that this thread would have turned into some random guy trying to be my money coach I never would have posted. So please, share your opinions reegarding the topic, but keep your opinions about MY LIFE out of your posts.

Again, sorry for any poor grammar because this was posted on my 100 dollar phone that I pay 50 dollars a month for.

An steve, thank you for being more level headed and reasonable regarding my post.

[talnlnky]

Lanky, you don't know me. You don't know my financial situation, you don't know my past experiences or current responsibilities. So why do you feel that you are in the position to tell me how I should/ shouldn't handle my finances. I would like you to drive 50ish miles/day on a motorcycle in nebraska in sub zero temps. The last I checked 50 bucks a month is far from expensive for a phone bill. And believe me, I have had several used cars that get good mpg.. 5 to be exact. All of them lasted me for no longer than a year and a half before something went wrong that would cost morre than the car was worth. I bought a yaris not for luxury, but for the peace of mind of having reliable
mode of transportation.

While it may have been an exaggeration that I would HAVE to drop out of school, its still not your place to say what I should do with my life and wether or not I deserve to get a degree.

If I would have known that this thread would have turned into some random guy trying to be my money coach I never would have posted. So please, share your opinions reegarding the topic, but keep your opinions about MY LIFE out of your posts.

Again, sorry for any poor grammar because this was posted on my 100 dollar phone that I pay 50 dollars a month for.

An steve, thank you for being more level headed and reasonable regarding my post.

Not trying to be your money coach... as you've pointed out, there's no money in it for me. What I was getting at was either you were being overly-dramatic or not very bright.... and like I said in the first post... I didn't believe you were that helpless (read: I didn't think you were dumb, though it seems your determination is in question).

Nobody needs a sob story from an overly dramatic person about "what ifs". It doesn't do anybody any good. However, if you are going to do it... please add some kind of note or tag so we the readers know to disregard everything you say as crap. A common tag for example is [full of crap] write story here [/full of crap]

Adding to hysteria senselessly is never good for a population...net based or real life based.

oh... and i really like the "you don't know me"... you're not the boss of me mentality. It helps to put an age on you...

Yeah, I know i'm coming off as a dick, I know that, and yet my point still remains... be legit and speak the truth, or don't speak at all.

now, I gotta go... have an IEP meeting to run.

[Shroomster]

all I'm hoping for is if the price of gas goes up maybe the quality will too....

hell if my paycheck doesn't increase at least let me get some quality or at least better quality control ( less water in the tanks)

[coffiend]

Sorry maybe you read that wrong, but I never once implied that you were / weren't the boss of anyone. I was merely pointing out that I have more responsibilities than just school. My day is non stop from 8 AM - 9 PM because that's the only way I can make things work. That in mind, questioning my determination is a fight you're going to lose. Again, you assume things that you have no idea about, which is very common for an arrogant know-it-all such as yourself.

And thank you for going onto personal attacks rather than addressing any of the issues at hand when you realized that your suggestions wouldn't work for me, it really helps me unsterstand the maturity level you are at.

Ad it was said before, get over yourself.

Sorry to everyone else for this threa going way off topic.

[sidewinder]

Is it just me or did a lot of people responding to the rise of gas call it a welcome thing. Have these people fallen out of the stupid tree. Every consumer product made is transportewd over the road by trucks which use fuel. If fuel goes up so does groceries,car parts, medicine, etc... Sadly though, no ones pay goes up to match it. It really is a drag paying $8.00 for a loaf of bread, $10.00 for a gallon of milk. Yet in Saudi Arabi they pay .28 cents a gallon for gas. Yea, you enjoy giving your money away. it might drive manufacturers to make more non earth friendly cars like the Prius and everyone is poorer then they use to be. Yea why stop at $5.00 a gallon, lets make it $50.00 a gallon. Duhhh.

[Hershey]

it's going to occur sooner or later . Hurricane season coming up , possible IRAN confrontation , growth of CHINA , instability in NIGERIA , etc.. All :evil: is on the loose .

[Gideon]

Is it just me or did a lot of people responding to the rise of gas call it a welcome thing. Have these people fallen out of the stupid tree. Every consumer product made is transportewd over the road by trucks which use fuel.

Very true and a good point, but delivering products at the lowest cost to the consumer is still priority for any good business, and it would be unlikely that we'd see an enormous jump on the costs of products.

Keep in mind that semi-trucks when at rest at stops usually leave their engines idling to power their heaters/AC and electronics, so there's a lot waste that could be eliminated. (Including utilizing rail transports and/or expanding the rail infrastructure)

Not that I'm advocating $5/gal, I very much enjoy only spending $30 every two weeks to fill up. :biggrin:

[sbergman27]

Every consumer product made is transportewd over the road by trucks which use fuel.
You've brought up an excellent point. The system used in the US to transport goods is so horrendously inefficient that it's difficult to believe. Goods are shipped overland via *truck* for heavens sake! Rail is *incomparably* more efficient. So why don't we use it? Because the US *subsidizes* trucking so that that horrendously inefficient industry can compete with the naturally fuel and cost efficient rail.

What needs to happen here is obvious. Drop the subsidies. (And yes, the number of truckers would dwindle over night.) And the remaining truckers can organize with the railroads to handle the local "last mile" transport to exactly where the goods are supposed to go. That is what we should have been doing all along.

Regarding being in favor of high fuel prices... please look beyond next week. We have some very major changes that absolutely need to be made. In the long term, we have no choice. And the sooner the changes are made, the better. They won't be made until there is a crisis, because Americans ignore problems until they reach crisis level.

Better to prod this country into doing what it needs to do now rather than later, when the situation will be even more difficult.

-Steve

[Hershey]

look at the price of tomatoes . OUCH !

[sidewinder]

There are many points here and no perfect solution. I agree and disagree with many. You have a point about trains, they haul more at less cost using less fuel, but they still have to use refrigeration cars to keep items from spoiling. Trains also have to share common tracks that are few in number and poorly maintained. To effect the repair and replacement of rails to accomodate all these trains would be very costly. I love trains, wish we used more, but that is really going to be expensve to get up to the capacity needed to take over from trucking and you will always have end point trucks to go from rail to store. Lastly, I am an American, I served my country for 23 years in the Military. Our country is founded on freedom and the right to choose. I like small economy cars. I am fuel conscious, but also I believe it should be an individuals choice what they drive. If you want a 16 cylinder Bugati Veron have at it, if you can afford it. I hate having people tell me what I can and can't have. We all need to get along, but with respect for one another.

[Black Yaris]

there may be a point, but they pay $7-8 a gallon in Europe, and I still would not even think twice to pay that amount

You should feel quite lucky over there. Gas is 7,66$ per gallon in Germany. I just calculated it. :mad:

das ist, was ich gerade gesagt habe :biggrin:

aber etwa die Hälfte der Autos in Deutschland sind Diesel-als auch

[sbergman27]

There are many points here and no perfect solution. I agree and disagree with many. You have a point about trains, they haul more at less cost using less fuel, but they still have to use refrigeration cars to keep items from spoiling. Trains also have to share common tracks that are few in number and...

I'm not quite sure what point or points you are trying to make. Trains can transport goods on a fraction of the fuel that trucks use. I'm not sure what was the utility of bringing up refrigeration for perishable goods, since they both need it, and fuel consumption due to that is a small fraction of the fuel used for the actual transport. Arguably, trains would be in a position to run the refrigeration more efficiently.

The existing rails are severely *underutilized*, in case you haven't noticed, and already run to every major, and a good portion of minor, cities in the United States. Mainly, we'd need to build more trains.

At any rate, even if the infrastructure *were* a major problem, it still wouldn't make sense to continue subsidizing the horrendously inefficient trucking industry. It's an ongoing money pit and an ongoing fuel pit. Any money spent toward shifting away from that and back to the remarkably efficient rail system would be an excellent investment. It would be really hard to make a good argument otherwise, though I'm certain that the trucking industry would give it a try. Their best bet there would probably be some high profile disinformation campaign.

-Steve

[GeneralDon7]

Were at 2.79 (lowest), and costs 24 to fill up now compared to 17, 8 months ago.

[Hershey]

87 octane w/ethanol $2.94 for now .