Gas Prices -- What would it take to get you out of your SUV?

[StageLeft]

If we don't use it, the rest of the world will. I'll let market forces determine things, so if john doe has the money and wants to pay $10/gallon for his hummer, all the power to him.

 

[exdeath]

Originally posted by: DealMonkey

Originally posted by: exdeath
I recall the wedge shape was the final evolution of the battle bot stuff; can't flip them, thick armor that provides a glancing angle to deflect stuff, can flip the others over, etc. :laugh:

That's exactly what I want to reproduce in a small economic passenger car!

It won't be an economic passenger car anymore with the V8 you'll need to haul around all that armor

Might as well add a 120mm smooth bore and a gas turbine while you're at it and call it a day heheheheh.

No wait, you need an armored sunroof on the top with a hydraulic ram so when you get wedged under someone you can flap it around aimlessly until you flip over the car on top of you lol.

 

[Ruptga]

I already have a scooter, it gets about 100mpg, and is great for getting around town. Eventually I'm going to upgrade to something that'll do highway speeds so I can take it everywhere. My other car gets about 15/20, it's a lincoln (got it when dad wanted to get rid of it, before that I had a taurus I bought myself), but gas is still expensive enough (and I'm still cheap enough) to dislike driving it much.

FWIW, my highschool marketing teacher did a survey of people in the town (farm town of 12.5K) and the most common response to "how much will gas have to cost for you to buy a scooter" or something like that, was $10/gal :shocked: I really don't know what the problem is, they're fun and cheap (to buy and drive), the only downside is when you have more than one passenger or a bunch of groceries, but you can keep your car for that kind of thing.

 

[1EZduzit]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
If we don't use it, the rest of the world will. I'll let market forces determine things, so if john doe has the money and wants to pay $10/gallon for his hummer, all the power to him.

I agree, the problem is the gas guzzlers drive up the prices for everyone. I think they should slap a tax on vehicles that get bad mileage. The worse MPG a vehicle gets, the bigger the tax.

 

[mithrandir2001]

Originally posted by: 1EZduzit

Originally posted by: Skoorb
If we don't use it, the rest of the world will. I'll let market forces determine things, so if john doe has the money and wants to pay $10/gallon for his hummer, all the power to him.

I agree, the problem is the gas guzzlers drive up the prices for everyone. I think they should slap a tax on vehicles that get bad mileage. The worse MPG a vehicle gets, the bigger the tax.

This is something the "free consumer choice" people just don't want you to consider. The reason why I display the thumbs down to Hummer H2s that pass me by is that their drivers' choice to own and drive an unnecessary land barge raises costs for everyone else. We are in the current energy mess because of excessive fuel demand and look at all the V6 and V8 powered vehicles on the road.

I do not advocate slapping a tax upon a vehicle's purchases based on its EPA mileage. That's not very efficient. Our desired conservation results would be better achieved through an additional gasoline tax. This is certainly more equitable because the burden of the tax falls on those who use the most fuel, regardless of the vehicle owned.

I personally would be open to a new federal gas tax of $1, if not $2 assuming this would offset some regressive federal tax, like the landline "federal line charge" and similiar kinds of tax nonsense.

 

[WhipperSnapper]

Originally posted by: eos
As BoomerD has pointed out a couple times in this thread, not everyone fits in econobox. I have a very long torso. 6'5"-ish with a 32" inseam. When I try to get into most cars, I tilt my head over and then bang my head on the upper door frame. I just can't get in.

This reminds me of the scene in the great comedy Police Academy where Officer Hightower (former football player Bubba Smith) rips the front seat out of an econobox car so he can drive from the back seat.

I have to say--wow. I never thought my initial post would lead to 9 pages worth of postings and a variety of tangents.

 

[DealMonkey]

Originally posted by: exdeath

Originally posted by: DealMonkey

Originally posted by: exdeath
I recall the wedge shape was the final evolution of the battle bot stuff; can't flip them, thick armor that provides a glancing angle to deflect stuff, can flip the others over, etc. :laugh:

That's exactly what I want to reproduce in a small economic passenger car!

It won't be an economic passenger car anymore with the V8 you'll need to haul around all that armor

Might as well add a 120mm smooth bore and a gas turbine while you're at it and call it a day heheheheh.

No wait, you need an armored sunroof on the top with a hydraulic ram so when you get wedged under someone you can flap it around aimlessly until you flip over the car on top of you lol.

I was thinking robotic arm + drill/suction device FTW! Once your land barge is flipped, I siphon your gas and leave you a rotting husk of a vehicle upside down in the emergency lane. Call AAA all you want, they won't be able to help you! :evil:

 

[dmcowen674]

bahahahahahahaha :laugh:

Many of the country folks here with giant gas guzzling pick-ups that have been their pride and joys are now whining they can't afford to drive them anymore because the gas bill is nearly another truck payment.

Many of them are getting pissed enough at their "culture" being infringed on by the greedy rich boys that they talk "revolution", others relent that they will sell their beloved truck to a rich boy that can afford the gas.

Be interesting to see how this shakes out.

 

[CyberDuck]

Originally posted by: mithrandir2001

Originally posted by: 1EZduzit

Originally posted by: Skoorb
If we don't use it, the rest of the world will. I'll let market forces determine things, so if john doe has the money and wants to pay $10/gallon for his hummer, all the power to him.

I agree, the problem is the gas guzzlers drive up the prices for everyone. I think they should slap a tax on vehicles that get bad mileage. The worse MPG a vehicle gets, the bigger the tax.

This is something the "free consumer choice" people just don't want you to consider. The reason why I display the thumbs down to Hummer H2s that pass me by is that their drivers' choice to own and drive an unnecessary land barge raises costs for everyone else. We are in the current energy mess because of excessive fuel demand and look at all the V6 and V8 powered vehicles on the road.

I do not advocate slapping a tax upon a vehicle's purchases based on its EPA mileage. That's not very efficient. Our desired conservation results would be better achieved through an additional gasoline tax. This is certainly more equitable because the burden of the tax falls on those who use the most fuel, regardless of the vehicle owned.

I personally would be open to a new federal gas tax of $1, if not $2 assuming this would offset some regressive federal tax, like the landline "federal line charge" and similiar kinds of tax nonsense.

I don't expect the U.S. to follow anytime soon, but I might tell you how it?s done here. We have both taxes that are mentioned. Although not popular among many people, is not unpopular enough to cause it to be a major theme in an election. The tax on petrol is approx. 3$ / gallon, and the tax on vehicles is based on their weight, power and CO2 emissions. It?s quite complicated to calculate but here is a short version:

This is for vehicles for personal transport (not primarily for moving goods, for these there are other lower taxes.)

5.5$ pr. kg for the first 1 150 kg of the weight,
12$ pr. kg for the next 250 kg of the weight,
24$ pr. kg for the next 100 kg of the weight,
28$ pr. kg for the rest.

In addition:
20.1$ pr. kW of the first 65 kW motor power,
84$ pr. kW of the next 25 kW motor power,
201$ pr. kW of the next 40 kW motor power,
418$ pr. kW of the remaining motor power

In addition:
6.7$ pr. g/km of the first 120 g of CO2-emmision,
31.8$ pr. g/km of the next 20 g of CO2-emmision,
83.7$ pr. g/km of the next 40 g of CO2-emmision,
234.5$ pr. g/km of the rest of the CO2 emmeision.

(Everything translated from local language, and prices calculates to dollar)

This taxes means that heavy gas guzzlers will be enormously expensive to buy here, and so are not popular. It?s so bad that the U.S. ambassador was on the news complaining that we unfairly taxed almost all American made vehicles out of the system

Regards

Jostein

 

[blackangst1]

Originally posted by: dmcowen674
bahahahahahahaha :laugh:

Many of the country folks here with giant gas guzzling pick-ups that have been their pride and joys are now whining they can't afford to drive them anymore because the gas bill is nearly another truck payment.

Many of them are getting pissed enough at their "culture" being infringed on by the greedy rich boys that they talk "revolution", others relent that they will sell their beloved truck to a rich boy that can afford the gas.

Be interesting to see how this shakes out.

eh

who said anything about revolution? This is just free market at work. I know you would rather have dictatorship control over this country, but Jesus... youre a tool.

 

[CyberDuck]

Maybe this should be the new fuel target:

Shell-eco marathon

The best team drove 3039 km on one litre of petrol, thats 7148 miles/gallon.

 

[rbV5]

I commute 0 miles to work. I operate a business from my home. Beat that.

Sounds like you don't "need" a vehicle at all, LOL

 

[imported_Shivetya]

Originally posted by: Rogodin2

Has it ever occured to you that many of the people you see in SUVs and Trucks alone cannot afford a commuter vehicle so they drive the one they need for all those other duties your not privledge to see?

That's the most ignorant statement I've read on these forums.

There is NO REASON for an SUV. There are not 'other duties' that they fullfill (luxury and waste-pulling, a boat or trailer with your stupid big family is not a duty) and whoever can affort a SUV, boat, or trailer sure as hell can affort a decent audi/saab/vw station wagon to transport the kiddies with.

Talk about being just plain ignorant. You know nothing of the people driving these SUVs but since you cannot find a reason for YOU to have one they obviously DON'T NEED one either? Either your stupid or ignorant, which is it?

So they can go buy a audi/saab/vw station wagon that most likely will get little better mileage than the SUV. Sheesh, you obviously don't have to take the kids anywhere, let alone pets. Got a business? Doubt it. Got parents with hip problems or such? Obviously not. SUVs have many uses, its ignorant selfish small minded people who can't see beyond their petty lives who cannot or will not bow to that fact.

Oh, got to love suggesting people waste money on "boutique" brands.. audi/saab/vw - 3 car lines with less than stellar maintenance records but lots of snob appeal.

 

[blackangst1]

You know, one very very easy and practical solution is if youre going to buy a huge SUV/truck, buy a diesel and convert it to vegetable oil. A co-worker of mine has done that, and its pretty nice actually. He drives a HUGE Ford F350 modded for offroad. He has 2 restaurants (one fast food) he gets drums of dirty oil from. They are willing to do this, because otherwise they have to PAY for disposal, so theyre more than willing to give it away. He then takes it home, filters it, adds octane and a few cleansing chemicals, and WALA! Fuel! His cost for a gallon: $0.65. This works for ANY diesel, including turbo (he has a Cummings on his). He gives up ZERO performance. Im actually considering giving up my gaz guzzling RX7 and getting an Audi A4 turbo diesel.

The only funny and wierd part of it is, sometimes it smells like french fries hahaha.

 

[Pabster]

Originally posted by: dmcowen674
bahahahahahahaha :laugh:

Many of the country folks here with giant gas guzzling pick-ups that have been their pride and joys are now whining they can't afford to drive them anymore because the gas bill is nearly another truck payment.

Many of them are getting pissed enough at their "culture" being infringed on by the greedy rich boys that they talk "revolution", others relent that they will sell their beloved truck to a rich boy that can afford the gas.

Be interesting to see how this shakes out.

Well I hate to break it to ya, Dave, but out here in the "country" I haven't seen any reduction in the number of large, gas guzzling pickup trucks. In fact, I am certain they have INCREASED despite the high average cost of fuel.

Like I said earlier, it is going to take (sadly) $5+ per gallon prices before the wheels start to come off for the average American.

 

[StepUp]

Gas prices.... let´s talk about the price of a pack of cigarettes or college tuition or name brand handbags. These things continually rise in price and will still be purchased... the same with gasoline. Nobody (or very few) have to make lifestyle changes with even a 1 or 2 dollar gas price increase. Driving big cars is american culture. Until you remove the culture, and the machoness and manliness of having a big car that´s been ingrained into most peoples´heads. it won´t matter what the price of gas is. The same can be said for fast food. The stores don´t need dollar menus to get you to go there and spend money, now you can just buy more for less. Wouldn´t matter what the cost of a Big Mac or a Whopper is, Americans need their high caloric saturated fat fix. I´m obviously generalizing but you understand my point. I´m by no means anti-American and I don´t think its a bad thing that we are willing to pay these prices. We´ve earned the right to pay this much by having a flourishing country (not here to debate the idea of flourishing though, lets leave it go gas prices).

One thing that I don´t understand however, is why the prices in the United States continually fluctuate if oil is a world commodity. I have been living in Colombia, South America since January. During this time, on an American currency scale, I have seen the price of gas rise 3 cents. And in fact, the price of gas here is more than in the United States (about $3.35/gallon) and infintely more when you factor in the average salary of the basic Colombian citizen.

 

[exdeath]

Originally posted by: DealMonkey

Originally posted by: exdeath

Originally posted by: DealMonkey

Originally posted by: exdeath
I recall the wedge shape was the final evolution of the battle bot stuff; can't flip them, thick armor that provides a glancing angle to deflect stuff, can flip the others over, etc. :laugh:

That's exactly what I want to reproduce in a small economic passenger car!

It won't be an economic passenger car anymore with the V8 you'll need to haul around all that armor

Might as well add a 120mm smooth bore and a gas turbine while you're at it and call it a day heheheheh.

No wait, you need an armored sunroof on the top with a hydraulic ram so when you get wedged under someone you can flap it around aimlessly until you flip over the car on top of you lol.

I was thinking robotic arm + drill/suction device FTW! Once your land barge is flipped, I siphon your gas and leave you a rotting husk of a vehicle upside down in the emergency lane. Call AAA all you want, they won't be able to help you! :evil:

Lol Mad Max FTW! Kick their ass and take their gas!

 

[exdeath]

Originally posted by: dmcowen674
bahahahahahahaha :laugh:

Many of the country folks here with giant gas guzzling pick-ups that have been their pride and joys are now whining they can't afford to drive them anymore because the gas bill is nearly another truck payment.

Many of them are getting pissed enough at their "culture" being infringed on by the greedy rich boys that they talk "revolution", others relent that they will sell their beloved truck to a rich boy that can afford the gas.

Be interesting to see how this shakes out.

Thats why you buy your car in cash. $300 a month on gas is nothing when you don't have a $400 a month car payment on top of it lol.

 

[kurt454]

As long as the 'Big 3' continue to sell gas guzzling SUVs, people with lots of disposable income, will continue to purchase them. It is a status symbol for a lot of people. I own a full size, half ton Chevy truck, but I use it as a truck. It's not a macho penis extender.

 

[Aimster]

I change my original statement.
I hate my car.
$80/week to fill her up.

I want a Civic.

 

[ayabe]

Originally posted by: Shivetya

Originally posted by: Rogodin2

Has it ever occured to you that many of the people you see in SUVs and Trucks alone cannot afford a commuter vehicle so they drive the one they need for all those other duties your not privledge to see?

That's the most ignorant statement I've read on these forums.

There is NO REASON for an SUV. There are not 'other duties' that they fullfill (luxury and waste-pulling, a boat or trailer with your stupid big family is not a duty) and whoever can affort a SUV, boat, or trailer sure as hell can affort a decent audi/saab/vw station wagon to transport the kiddies with.

Talk about being just plain ignorant. You know nothing of the people driving these SUVs but since you cannot find a reason for YOU to have one they obviously DON'T NEED one either? Either your stupid or ignorant, which is it?

So they can go buy a audi/saab/vw station wagon that most likely will get little better mileage than the SUV. Sheesh, you obviously don't have to take the kids anywhere, let alone pets. Got a business? Doubt it. Got parents with hip problems or such? Obviously not. SUVs have many uses, its ignorant selfish small minded people who can't see beyond their petty lives who cannot or will not bow to that fact.

Oh, got to love suggesting people waste money on "boutique" brands.. audi/saab/vw - 3 car lines with less than stellar maintenance records but lots of snob appeal.

The vast majority of SUV owners don't utilize their vehicles in such a manner and don't have a practical use for one. Usually it's a soccer mom going to the grocery store, by herself, in a 20 ft long vehicle getting 12 mpg in the city. These are the people I believe he is referring to and that applies to most SUV owners.

Have kids? Get a station wagon or a minivan.

When is the last time you saw a Hummer with mud on it?

People want to feel big, feel safer sitting up higher etc. But in fact, SUV's are among the least safest vehicles.

Frankly, if I were transporting my kids, I wouldn't take them in a vehicle that will flip after trying to perform an avoidance maneuver at anything over 35 mph just because I can fit 5 extra DVD screens in it.

 

[kalrith]

But in fact, SUV's are among the least safest vehicles.

Oh, really? While it is true that they are more likely to turn over than cars, it is not true that they are the least safe vehicles, especially not in every situation. Let's say you get broad-sided by an Excursion going 50 mph. Would you have a better chance of survival in one of "the least safest vehicles" or in a car. In a car your head is going to be right in line with the front bumper of the Excursion, whereas in an SUV/truck you will be higher up and the frame of the vehicle will better protect you than the windows in your car.

I'm not going to support or oppose the decision to own an SUV/truck compared to a car, but I did want to make the point that SUVs can be much safer than cars in accidents with SUVs/trucks.

 

[WhipperSnapper]

An hour ago, as I filled up for $3.26 (and that's a good price in my area where most stations seem to be at $3.37) I watched large behemoths pass by the gas station -- Hummers, SUVs, extended cab pickup trucks, and I sighed.

 

[WhipperSnapper]

Now seems like a good time to resurrect this thread. So, what's it going to take to get you out of your gas guzzling SUV or pickup truck?

Did anyone purchase an SUV or pickup truck over the past 3 or 4 years, and if so, are you surprised that the prices are going up again? Do you think it was a mistake now?

 

[bfdd]

I'm getting out of my truck because I have no use for it any longer. I don't do labor anymore so it's kind of useless for me. It's worth more than I owe, so time to put it up and get rid of it. Buddy wants to sell me his old 40mpg Miata for like 1200. I'll probably jump on that since I won't have a payment, insurance and gas will be cheaper.