What is up with gas prices?

[Eli]

Originally posted by: crab

Originally posted by: Eli

Originally posted by: miri
Its funny how folks complain about rising gas prices.

The bottom line is that demand keeps going up every year. If people were really concerned they would be buying compacts and subcompacts instead of SUVS, trucks, vans and sports cars. Until the demand for gas goes down, the price of gas will keep getting more expensive.

What about people like me that are stuck driving a truck because it's my only means of transportation?

If I could just go out and buy a more fuel efficient car, I would. Infact, I would love to. I'm tired of spending 250$/mo on gas. I've been saving for a while. But my truck just broke down the other day, so now it's going to be even longer before I'll be able to afford a more fuel efficient automobile, due to the repair bills.

And now gas prices have risen significantly, making it even harder.

It's a nasty cycle.

Very similar situation here...I drive a full-size 2003 Ford Econoline van...it gets about 13mpg. Last year, it had $45,000 (over the van's initial cost) worth of work, mods, and equipment put into it so I (quadriplegic) could drive it. I have no choice...this will be my only vehicle for at least the next five years, and even then I'll still need to buy something similar. Gas prices HURT.

Yeah, my truck gets an average of 13MPG too.

Actually, I'm hoping it will be better now that it's had some pretty extensive work done to it.

We use it to get firewood and such.. it's handy to have a truck around, so I can't just sell it and get something else either.

 

[EyeMWing]

I drive a 2002 Ford Focus sedan. It's rated for 26MPG highway, and I get 30 mixed. I need every square inch of space in it, and then some, so if anyone attacks me for not driving a coupe, they're gonna get slapped.

But gas is expensive as all hell. I can't take public transportation. It simply doesn't exist. It's not an option. It's not even on the map. I can't carpool. It's not even an option. Basically, the only thng I *CAN* do is to get an apartment closer to where I go to school and work. And by the end of the week, I'll have done it. But I can tell you, it's not for financial reasons that I am. That would be like cutting off your foot to trim a toenail.

And then, even with the apartment, I still can't do public transit - because it would take me 3 transfers and TWO HOURS to get from the apartment to campus - a total of 5 miles - and then I'd have no way to get back, because the last bus is HOURS before I even get off work. And I'm not about to walk through those neighborhoods.

Nevermind that I couldn't get to any of the outlying areas.

 

[Hyudra]

3.05-3.11 for premium here in flushing, ny

 

[BD2003]

Its a good 3.00 even for premium here in LI. Sure my car is efficient and all, and its only a couple of extra bucks a month, but its a psychological thing.

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: Hyudra
3.05-3.11 for premium here in flushing, ny

Why are you sad? It's a good thing.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: dmcowen674

Originally posted by: Hyudra
3.05-3.11 for premium here in flushing, ny

Why are you sad? It's a good thing.

You are a broken record.

 

[SampSon]

Gas prices -always- rise just before summer, every single year.
This year it's a bit early. They will come back down.

 

[The Batt?sai]

i heard it was because in certain states they are adding a 10 % ethanol mix and they have to update all the tanks and stuff to keep water out, etc. so raise prices to cover the cost of renovating. this was in usa today.

 

[Shawn]

I only fill up maybe once a month and only pay around $25 or so. No biggie yet.

 

[HamburgerBoy]

$2.70 here. It was $2.40 just a few weeks ago.

 

[HumblePie]

So, I went up to a gas attendant the other day...

I was in a hurry, and didn't have my card on me nor much cash in my wallet. I pulled out what I had, and asked the attendant to pre-pay a 5 bucks worth of gas.

He farted and handed me a receipt.

 

[mb]

Originally posted by: supafly

Originally posted by: bctbct

Originally posted by: supafly

Originally posted by: bctbct

Originally posted by: supafly

Originally posted by: bctbct

Originally posted by: supafly

Or if I move to NY or CT I'll just take the trains and what not.

Good plan, everyone knows it cost less to ship goods to those areas so those prices will remain the same.

/taps sarcasm meter

oh it working

Mine must not be.
What does having it "cost less to ship goods to those areas" have to do with my decision to take public transportation instead of driving if I move up there?

Because you are looking at the glass half full. Your plan is to avoid the situation. Like many have said just because you stick your head in the sand does not mean the problem doesnt exist.

So what do you think I should do instead if I move up there? Continue to drive a 16-19mpg V8? Buy a hybrid or Geo Metro?
I wouldn't be moving to NY/CT just to take public transportation just to avoid having to fill up my own tank of gas. That seems to be what you're implying, correct?
My girlfriend is in fashion design, and that's where most of the jobs are for her. I'm in accounting so I can get a job pretty much anywhere. So, if I move up there with her, I probably would take public transportation or walk if possible.

Well? Are you going to reply?

 

[latino666]

I don't think my wallet can handle higher prices. I have to drive a lot and gas prices are starting to add up for me.

I do feel real sorry for people that need vans or trucks. Especially bigger families.

 

[Mayfriday0529]

Just paid 3.09 for regular

 

[CtK]

Originally posted by: Jnetty99
Just paid 3.09 for regular

its about that for Premium here in Miami, FL

 

[Toasthead]

I dont know about anywhere else, but here in Ca the prices are going up because of the switch from MTBE to ethanol additive in gas. There isnt enough ethanol available to produce the gas needed.

 

[ElFenix]

Originally posted by: Engineer
Worldwide oil supplies are at a 7 year high (supply tanks are 13% higher this year than last alone). Refinery capacity, however, is down because of many "so called" factors. CNN reported that many have to do maintenance that they missed because of running so hard after Katrina. Strange that they pick the start of summer driving season to start it, eh?

Also, the switchover between winter and summer gas is causing problems.

Add in lots of problems in the ME and other oil producing countries (that seem to be always at odds with the Bush administration) and there you go...

Plus, ethanol is having trouble being produced quick enough as ethanol is a key additative in summer blended gasoline (as well as many other gasolines). 33 new facilites are being built to help ease the ethanol crunch (but no new refineries in 30 years won't help much with no plans on building any new ones soon - and why should they with soaring profits).

Other than that, corporate greed FTW!

it isn't the start of summer driving season. this is before the start of summer driving season. and better to get maintenance in before than during. refineries aren't making money if they're down for maintenance.

a barrell of oil is up to $70. i'm sure that's all 'corporate greed.' more like chavez greed, so he can have more money to oppress people in venezuela and get more thugs elected in south america, if any greed at all is involved.

i like how anyone who is able to make money with their product is automatically labelled greedy.

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: Toasthead
I dont know about anywhere else, but here in Ca the prices are going up because of the switch from MTBE to ethanol additive in gas. There isnt enough ethanol available to produce the gas needed.

Ding Ding Ding!!

This forced move to ethanol blends does nothing but drive up gas prices. Note that these are government mandated blends and the oil companies have no choice but to comply. There aren't nearly enough ethanol processing plants to handle the growing demands.

Is anyone going to harp on the profits made by the corn growers and the ethanol producers now?

 

[mzkhadir]

2.89 - 3.09 - Gas Prices in chicago

 

[Accipiter22]

I have a certain ammount of money budgeted for gas each week....I barely drive at all right now because I live only a few miles from where I work...even with that, driving only about 100-120 miles per week, and filling up once every 16 days or so, i'm STILL using almsot every cent I have budgeted for gas. I know all prices go up over time....but even 18 months ago I could fill up every week, driving about 275 miles/week, and still be under budget, using the same amount of money.

 

[Engineer]

Oil up to $70 per barrel today. June futures at $71.xx. Gasonline refinieries conveniently shut down for maintenance. Demand, still strong despite high prices (must be the negative savings rate going into gasoline).

Oil could, according to analysts on CNBC, could top 100 per barrel this year with $3.00 PLUS gas being the new norm. Get used to it folks, it's not going to change.

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: Engineer
Gasonline refinieries conveniently shut down for maintenance.

They do that around this time every year as they get ready for the various summer blends they have to produce.

 

[Engineer]

Originally posted by: Queasy

Originally posted by: Engineer
Gasonline refinieries conveniently shut down for maintenance.

They do that around this time every year as they get ready for the various summer blends they have to produce.

While true, there are more shut down this year because of Katrina maintenance that wasn't done. They couldn't do it before the summer driving season/switchover occured. They had to get right into the middle and then do it.

Also, some 10% of refinery capactiy isn't up to speed yet because of Katrina. And why should they hurry. Profit, profit...profit!!!

 

[JackBurton]

Originally posted by: SampSon
Gas prices -always- rise just before summer, every single year.
This year it's a bit early. They will come back down.

Bullsh!t. You're telling me a rise of $1+ PER GALLON is normal? Yes, gas prices may go up in the summer (nomally ~$.10), but an increase of $1+ PER GALLON is WAY out of line. This little trend started just a couple of years ago. 2 years ago gas prices were around $1.60 per gallon. Now it is up almost 100%, and that is just in two years! Apparently, now people have just come to accept this and think it's normal. :|

 

[SP33Demon]

Originally posted by: Engineer

Originally posted by: Queasy

Originally posted by: Engineer
Gasonline refinieries conveniently shut down for maintenance.

They do that around this time every year as they get ready for the various summer blends they have to produce.

While true, there are more shut down this year because of Katrina maintenance that wasn't done. They couldn't do it before the summer driving season/switchover occured. They had to get right into the middle and then do it.

Also, some 10% of refinery capactiy isn't up to speed yet because of Katrina. And why should they hurry. Profit, profit...profit!!!

Yup, 300K barrels are still out of comission b/c of Katrina. Oh, and see sig.