Gas Prices - what did I miss?

[sbsquared]

I just went to put gas in my car and it was 10 cents more a gallon than when I went by the station this morning! How can they raise it 10 cents in one day? :wtf

This is when I get so angry at the enviro-wackos who won't let us drill anywhere for oil and won't let us build any more refineries so that we can handle the increased demands!! IDIOTS!!!!

[Bandit2981]

:sleep

[Nbadan]

This is when I get so angry at the enviro-wackos who won't let us drill anywhere for oil and won't let us build any more refineries so that we can handle the increased demands!! IDIOTS!!!!

We can drill all the domestices wells we want and still not curtail our thirst for Middle East and Venazuelan oil. We simply do not have reserves big enough to make a dent on demand. This is where I believe we are failing. We are not conserving, we are wasting fuel on even bigger gas-guzzling vehicles, we haven't explored alternative energies like hydrogen nor funded the R and D needed to improve the efficency of fuel cells.

I believe this country needs a new Philadelphia experiment, except that intead of exploring nuclear research, we need to come up with a new national energy strategy that explores alternative forms of energy, and makes the machinery that keeps our economy running more energy efficient - including our automobiles.

[MannyIsGod]

Well,

This post is what happens when uninformed idiots decide to rant on gas prices.

The only thing stoping oil companies like Valero from building more refineries is the cost.

[Useruser666]

I want a nuclear truck! :lol

[bigzak25]

fill up on monday nights. i agree that high gas prices suck though, cuz my 3.1 is sucking it down like there's no tomorrow....

[Hook Dem]

Tired of it all? Here's your alternative. http://tinypic.com/1e5k78

[Guru of Nothing]

I just went to put gas in my car and it was 10 cents more a gallon than when I went by the station this morning! How can they raise it 10 cents in one day? :wtf

This is when I get so angry at the enviro-wackos who won't let us drill anywhere for oil and won't let us build any more refineries so that we can handle the increased demands!! IDIOTS!!!!

Look! Ducks got a spellchecker.

[CommanderMcBragg]

Personally I'd rather save the environment than drill everywhere for oil to satisfy your gas guzzling vehicle. As long as we keep adding to the problem by continuing to drive SUV's and other vehicles that get 15 MPG, like that ridiculous Hummer, we will continue to see gas prices rise.
So unless you change your ways just fill up and shut up.

[Useruser666]

I drive a truck. V8 18/21 mpg.

I work 3.5 miles from my home.

Joe Blow Drives a Honda Civic. V4 28/32 mpg

He works 16 miles from home.

Who is doing what for the enviroment?

[sbsquared]

I don't drive a SUV - I have a 3-year old Malibu. I don't take unnecessary trips and I try to combine as many errands into one trip as I can. I do live further from my job than I would like, but I've had my house on the market for almost a year so that I can move closer to my job. Also, since I both live and work outside 1604, VIA doesn't do me a bit of good!

So stop making assumptions about me!

[Useruser666]

I don't drive a SUV - I have a 3-year old Malibu. I don't take unnecessary trips and I try to combine as many errands into one trip as I can. I do live further from my job than I would like, but I've had my house on the market for almost a year so that I can move closer to my job. Also, since I both live and work outside 1604, VIA doesn't do me a bit of good!

So stop making assumptions about me!

I wasn't talking about you.

[xrayzebra]

I drive a truck. V8 18/21 mpg.

I work 3.5 miles from my home.

Joe Blow Drives a Honda Civic. V4 28/32 mpg

He works 16 miles from home.

Who is doing what for the enviroment?

Who really cares? I thought/hope/wish/believe that this is still a free
country. It gets a little tiresome for others who do not like someone's
car that they drive to forever put them down. Dammit, they wouldn't
build them if people didn't buy them. Those that want to drive a rinkie
dink car do so and leave us that drive the BIG cars alone. Better idea,
go to Japan or Europe and live, they got all kinds of little bitty cars that
they drive and all with no smog devices on them, well they are going to
start putting them on now, but just starting. They talk a good game, but
that is all they do. Hey and you can pay 5-6 dollars a gallon for gas, isn't
that just peachy creamy........

[sbsquared]

Sorry User - I wasn't referring to your post, I was referring to Commander McBragg's. He's the one who told me to either change my ways or just fill up my SUV and shut up.

[Useruser666]

Understood. I was just pointing out how it's more than just the vehicle you drive that should be the focus, it's the attitude. I don't care what other people drive. I would pay for an option package for my truck if it would give me better milage for a semi-reasonable price. That option doesn't exist yet.

[Hook Dem]

For those of you with the broken record syndrome. While you were sleeping, the "big bad SUV" you mention is getting much more mileage now. My Tahoe gets 20mpg in town and 23 mpg on the road. Go ahead and drag your asses on the ground with those "little" cars if you desire. At least you should get updated on the subject. What it amounts to in a lot of cases is those that complain can not afford them and resort to jealousy as a tactic. :lol

[Extra Stout]

I don't drive a SUV - I have a 3-year old Malibu. I don't take unnecessary trips and I try to combine as many errands into one trip as I can. I do live further from my job than I would like, but I've had my house on the market for almost a year so that I can move closer to my job. Also, since I both live and work outside 1604, VIA doesn't do me a bit of good!

So stop making assumptions about me!If you live in Texas, then enviro-whackos have nothing to do with your problem. The Gulf Coast has plenty of refining capacity. And untapped reserves in the U.S. would hardly make a dent in relieving price spikes.

Right-wing propagandists find it useful to make you believe that the domestic left is the cause of your problem, even though nothing could be further from the truth. All that would happen with increased drilling in the U.S. is that domestic oil exploration businesses would reap a windfall, given the sustained higher oil prices. You would get no relief.

Your problem is that China and India have rapidly growing economies, and there is just no way that oil production worldwide can keep up with their economic growth.

Our choices include:
1) Cope with the rising cost of energy as best we can
2) Invest heavily in energy conservation and in alternative energies, knowing that skyrocketing oil costs will soon render them economical
3) Conquer the major oil-producing countries of the world, take control of their reserves, and subsidize the U.S. consumer while stiffing the rest of the world
4) Kill off a few hundred million Chinese and Indians to reduce demand

#1 is more or less what we are doing now. Higher energy costs are a drag on the U.S. economy, but we are seeing economic growth nonetheless. #2 is probably a good idea, but it is still unlikely to allow us to enjoy the cheap energy we have had for most of the past century or so. #3 involves decades of war against the other world powers, and likely would incur far greater expense than #1 or #2, not even counting the questionable moral value of killing hundreds of thousands of people just so you can fill up a little more cheaply.* #4 probably involves nuclear war -- and a likely retaliatory strike against the U.S. population would further reduce oil demand. And besides, anyone who seriously would consider #4 an option is a Hitler/Stalin figure.

*No, I don't believe that's why we're in Iraq.

[MannyIsGod]

The dude with the civic makes a better enviromental impact, unless the only place you drive is work.

And before anyone gets their panties in a bunch, this is only aimed at you if you do the following.

People who drive around in SUVs with no need are selfish asses.

[Useruser666]

You're wrong Manny.

More milage, means more gas of course but there are other considerations.

More maintenance is required of the smaller vehicle because of the higher milage. (Oil from oil changes, filters, brakes, air filters, and other consumables.

The smaller vehicle will do more damage to roads since it travel farther on them.

Traffic jams which cause even greater pollution and wear on roads increase because of longer commute.

If a car travels 32 miles round trip a day and I travel 7 miles round trip what milage difference are we talking about here?

32 x 5 = 160 miles per week. Lets say there is 49 work weeks in a year.

That gives us 160 x 49 = 7840 miles per year.

For the truck it would be:

7 x 5 = 35 miles per week. 35 x 49 = 1715 miles per year

7840 - 1715 = 6125 miles difference per year.

The 2005 Honda Civic Coupe EX 4-Spd AT gets a combined milage of 34 mpg. Let's say 36 since most of the trip should be on a highway.

6125 / 36 = 170 gallons of gas per year.

Now is that a waste for the person driving the Civic? Not if they feel it's justified. Is it a waste to take a larger vehicle a shorter distance? Not if the owner feels it's justified.

[Extra Stout]

You're wrong Manny. He's about 95% wrong.


More milage, means more gas of course but there are other considerations. The numbers to and from work aren't the most salient ones. It's total mileage per year... oh, but make sure to weight city miles heavier than highway miles. The environmental impact of a mile traveled at 70 mph on a freeway is considerably less than the impact of a mile traveled at 35 mph on surface streets with stoplights.


More maintenance is required of the smaller vehicle because of the higher milage. (Oil from oil changes, filters, brakes, air filters, and other consumables.True.


The smaller vehicle will do more damage to roads since it travel farther on them. Oh, I seriously doubt that. Damage to the road increases linearly by miles traveled, but to the fourth power by vehicle weight. So a Ford Expedition driven 7 miles a day causes about five times as much road wear as a Honda Civic driven 32 miles a day.


Traffic jams which cause even greater pollution and wear on roads increase because of longer commute.True.


(gas usage calculations snipped)

Now is that a waste for the person driving the Civic? Not if they feel it's justified. Is it a waste to take a larger vehicle a shorter distance? Not if the owner feels it's justified.You're mostly right.


People who drive around in SUVs with no need are selfish asses.Who determines need? You? Now if you have somebody who never uses the cargo capacity, and never hauls people around, and just wants a big vehicle to sit up high by one's lonesome and intimidate other traffic over long distances, then I agree that person is somewhat of a sociopath. Social pressure is probably more appropriate in this case than any sort of state intervention, IMO. And if somebody is using a vehicle sparingly, then driving an SUV is certainly no more socially irresponsible than driving an expensive sports car.

[Useruser666]

Quote:



The smaller vehicle will do more damage to roads since it travel farther on them.

Oh, I seriously doubt that. Damage to the road increases linearly by miles traveled, but to the fourth power by vehicle weight. So a Ford Expedition driven 7 miles a day causes about five times as much road wear as a Honda Civic driven 32 miles a day.


You are partially right about this. Many larger vehicles have larger tires which allow for a greater surface area which contacts the road. For instance, the tires on my truck allow for such a greater amount of surface area that they actually have a lower PSI value than the stock tires for the Civic given in the example. This may not be an across the board statistic, but it is a factor to consider.

One thing I just thought about after writing that just poped into my head. Have you ever been driving on the highway, or even in a bumpy/hilly road and noticed those scratches in the pavement? You know the ones where some body bottomed out their transfer case or something? What percentage of those scratches are caused by SUVs and light trucks? I would just guess and say they were mostly made by cars and other lower to the ground vehicles. That's just my guess now. :p

I guess Manny can talk all the shit he wants. His vehicle gets a million miles to the gallon. :lol

[MannyIsGod]

I guess Manny can talk all the shit he wants because he actually learned how to read.


unless the only place you drive is work

[Useruser666]

So you're saying wasting gas needlessly because you drive a car is ok? Just don't do it in a SUV or truck? None of my numbers related to other driving or milage so I never stated anything to the contrary. But with the extra gallons of gas you save from living closer to work you can do a lot of other driving around.

[bigzak25]

People who drive around in SUVs with no need are selfish asses.

yous gotta problem with ma car manny?

http://www.everettcollection.com/Entertainment/EntertainmentTV/Pages/page2.jpg


http://www.sopranos.20m.com/sopranos_tony_car.jpg

[Shelly]

I would just guess and say they were mostly made by cars and other lower to the ground vehicles. That's just my guess now.

Sheyit...my car doesn't have the stock suspension on it so it was dropped about 1-1/2 inches. I'm sure I shaved another inch off my front spoiler just from pulling out of Stevenson M.S.'s driveway.

Eh...I wouldn't complain about the gas prices in Texas. We pay less for super (with higher octane, even) than California pays for regular unleaded.

[Extra Stout]

Sheyit...my car doesn't have the stock suspension on it so it was dropped about 1-1/2 inches. I'm sure I shaved another inch off my front spoiler just from pulling out of Stevenson M.S.'s driveway.

Eh...I wouldn't complain about the gas prices in Texas. We pay less for super (with higher octane, even) than California pays for regular unleaded.Now California, there's a place short on refining capacity. The people there are deranged. If you want to be pro-environment and not let refineries get built in your area, fine, reduce consumption, that's your choice. But what Californians do is restrict supply, gorge themselves driving tons of miles with low-mileage vehicles and then cry "conspiracy" when prices go up. They want to have it both ways. But they won't even let more pipelines get built to transport gas produced elsewhere. They think gasoline magically comes out of the pump or something.

Thanks to those jackwads at Enron, they have cause to believe it is some kind of conspiracy rather than just supply and demand. Folks in the oil bidness I have talked to say they're just going to throw up their hands, forget about adding capacity, and let the Calis suffer with what eventually will be $4-$5/gal gas. Of course Sens. Feinstein and Boxer will launch a Congressional inquiry or something.

[Drachen]

Who really cares? I thought/hope/wish/believe that this is still a free
country. It gets a little tiresome for others who do not like someone's
car that they drive to forever put them down. Dammit, they wouldn't
build them if people didn't buy them. Those that want to drive a rinkie
dink car do so and leave us that drive the BIG cars alone. Better idea,
go to Japan or Europe and live, they got all kinds of little bitty cars that
they drive and all with no smog devices on them, well they are going to
start putting them on now, but just starting. They talk a good game, but
that is all they do. Hey and you can pay 5-6 dollars a gallon for gas, isn't
that just peachy creamy........

Yes, but a lot of that extra that they pay at the pump goes towards building a viable public transportation system. When I lived in germany, my host-family had a car, but both of my host parents rode the public trans to work and back because it was such a good system. We only really used the car for trips, and to go to the grocery store and back.

[Bandit2981]

too bad the majority in SA chose to vote against the lightrail system...big mistake IMO

[Drachen]

You are partially right about this. Many larger vehicles have larger tires which allow for a greater surface area which contacts the road. For instance, the tires on my truck allow for such a greater amount of surface area that they actually have a lower PSI value than the stock tires for the Civic given in the example. This may not be an across the board statistic, but it is a factor to consider.

One thing I just thought about after writing that just poped into my head. Have you ever been driving on the highway, or even in a bumpy/hilly road and noticed those scratches in the pavement? You know the ones where some body bottomed out their transfer case or something? What percentage of those scratches are caused by SUVs and light trucks? I would just guess and say they were mostly made by cars and other lower to the ground vehicles. That's just my guess now. :p

I guess Manny can talk all the shit he wants. His vehicle gets a million miles to the gallon. :lol

Another problem with this overall model, is that you are comparing yourself to what you think is the avg civic driver, a much better model would be the avg SUV driver with the avg civic driver

[Drachen]

too bad the majority in SA chose to vote against the lightrail system...big mistake IMO

AGREED, this was the first thing I ever voted on because I was so enthusiastic about it. (I turned 18 in dec 97, and the vote was in late 99 or early 00)

[Useruser666]

Another problem with this overall model, is that you are comparing yourself to what you think is the avg civic driver, a much better model would be the avg SUV driver with the avg civic driver

I know that, that's why I stated when variables were averages or personal to me. Some other things to consider are vehicle catagories and classifications. There are many more small SUVs than larger models out on the road.

Frankly, I think this topic is a huge load. As long as my vehicle passes inspection and I can afford to drive it, then I should be able to drive it.

[jalbre6]

Marin County, CA
http://autodesk.blogs.com/photos/shaans_daily_grind/gas22804marin.JPG

Houston, TX
http://homepage.mac.com/grungy/.cv/grungy/Sites/.Pictures/Signs/HoustonGasPrices.jpg-thumb_140_105.jpg

Boston, MA
http://graphics.boston.com:80/bonzai-fba/Third_Party_Photo/2004/03/14/1079266597_6097.jpg

[Extra Stout]

too bad the majority in SA chose to vote against the lightrail system...big mistake IMOThere's a song they sing in Houston...

Grandma got run over by the Metro
Coming home from our house Christmas Eve
You might say there's no trouble with light rail
But as for me and Grandpa we believe

[Useruser666]

I think I'm going to take a few barrels of gas to Boston tomorrow!

[Bandit2981]

Frankly, I think this topic is a huge load. As long as my vehicle passes inspection and I can afford to drive it, then I should be able to drive it.
i don't think the vehicle itself or its size is the big problem, but rather the amount of gas it uses and consequently, exhausts into the atmosphere. im hopeful that other forms of energy can be used to power vehicles like SUVs to make them more environmentally friendly and fuel efficient. i heard on the radio one night that this guy modified his truck engine to run off of propane, and he got something like 700 miles on one tank, and the power lost was almost negligable in terms of everyday commuting purposes. in germany, scientists also built a hydrogen powered car that could go 1300 miles on just a quarter gallon.

[Drachen]

I know that, that's why I stated when variables were averages or personal to me. Some other things to consider are vehicle catagories and classifications. There are many more small SUVs than larger models out on the road.

Frankly, I think this topic is a huge load. As long as my vehicle passes inspection and I can afford to drive it, then I should be able to drive it.

Ill give you this since you didnt start the thread, and since, as far as I know, you didnt complain about the prices.

[jalbre6]

too bad the majority in SA chose to vote against the lightrail system...big mistake IMO

I lived in Chicago for a couple of years and only drove my car when it was time to get inspected and when I was driving out of town. The el and the subway were freakin' awesome. My commute was the same 22 minutes each way every day, rain, snow, or sun. I could get work done in that time or use that time to read the paper, bs on the phone or just stare out the window. I never had to worry about finding a parking spot or feeding a stupid meter. I could even get drunk after work and the damn thing still ran every thirty minutes! Mass transit if you can get the public to buy into it is great.

I try to use the DART and the TRE systems here in Dallas when I can, especially for concerts, sporting events, and parades and the like.

[MannyIsGod]

I'm saying htat you started out with a comparison based only on miles driven to work and that is not the only driving people do. Fuck, didn't realize I was writing in a different language.

Look, gas taxes are unpopular in this country, but the fact is that we pay taxes for the gas we get in other forms. We pay for military deployment in the persian gulf region that would be COMPLETELY unessecary if we didn't have to secure an oil supply.

If gas mileage was at a national average of 35mpg we'd need ZERO forgien oil.

But you know, those people who drive around a 10mpg vehicle are not costing us money right? no.

[Useruser666]

i don't think the vehicle itself or its size is the big problem, but rather the amount of gas it uses and consequently, exhausts into the atmosphere. im hopeful that other forms of energy can be used to power vehicles like SUVs to make them more environmentally friendly and fuel efficient. i heard on the radio one night that this guy modified his truck engine to run off of propane, and he got something like 700 miles on one tank, and the power lost was almost negligable in terms of everyday commuting purposes. in germany, scientists also built a hydrogen powered car that could go 1300 miles on just a quarter gallon.

They sell propane conversion kits from the manufacturer of my truck. The model of truck I drive also can be ordered "propane ready" but the cost is around $4,500.00 and that is quite a lot. I don't know if there are any tax benefits or incentives to make it worth shelling out for. I would honestly be willing to pay more for a vehicle in order to get better milage without a loss of performance.

[MannyIsGod]

You know, we should be imposting tax penalties on vehicles that pose a larger burden on gas usage.

But there is no politician alive that will campaign on adding a burden to anyone, even if it benefits the country in the long run.

[jalbre6]

User,

My girlfriend's employer had all of their vehicles converted to propane last January. She is forever bitching about how she has to drive out to the sticks to get the car filled. The nearest propane station to their office is probably 15 miles.

[Useruser666]

I'm saying htat you started out with a comparison based only on miles driven to work and that is not the only driving people do. Fuck, didn't realize I was writing in a different language.

Look, gas taxes are unpopular in this country, but the fact is that we pay taxes for the gas we get in other forms. We pay for military deployment in the persian gulf region that would be COMPLETELY unessecary if we didn't have to secure an oil supply.

If gas mileage was at a national average of 35mpg we'd need ZERO forgien oil.

But you know, those people who drive around a 10mpg vehicle are not costing us money right? no.

So people who lead unhealthy lives are costing us tons of money too. What should we do about them? Regulate that they have to exercise and eat only certain foods? If you're talking about wasting gas, then there are a lot of wastes out there. Car races, jet skies, most sport and pleasure boats, recreational fishing boats, all RVs that are not permenant dwelled in. A 5 year-old Honda Civic that is not taken care of will pollute more than my truck does.

I think people need to push towards advances in technology that will allow us to live the way we want and at the same time conserve natural resources and protect the environment. Companies will follow the demand of the people as they become more aware of these issues.

[Useruser666]

You know, we should be imposting tax penalties on vehicles that pose a larger burden on gas usage.

But there is no politician alive that will campaign on adding a burden to anyone, even if it benefits the country in the long run.

They already have that Manny. It's called the gas tax. The more you use the more you pay. Unless of course you're thinking of an efficiency tax of some sort.

[jalbre6]

You know, we should be imposting tax penalties on vehicles that pose a larger burden on gas usage.

Don't some states already do this?

[Useruser666]

User,

My girlfriend's employer had all of their vehicles converted to propane last January. She is forever bitching about how she has to drive out to the sticks to get the car filled. The nearest propane station to their office is probably 15 miles.

My dad had a 1983 Chevy crew cab duelly that had a 55 gallon propane tank and a 40 gallon regular gas tank. You could switch tanks(fuels) by flipping a switch on the dash board. That was great to have but it cost a fortune then, and still does now. I would go for a dual fuel system if it were even slightly overpriced.

[MannyIsGod]

The gas tax is a joke.

It's no where near as high as it needs to be.

It's a political 3rd rail however. You mention raising it at all and that's it, you're done.

[Useruser666]

The gas tax is a joke.

It's no where near as high as it needs to be.

It's a political 3rd rail however. You mention raising it at all and that's it, you're done.

Take the percentage that gas is taxed and compare that to the sales tax. Still think that's a joke?

[jalbre6]

Someone tell me if I'm wrong, but doesn't California charge less fuel efficient vehicles in the thousands for their yearly registration?

[Shelly]

California has oil rigs in Long Beach, on land and in the ocean. I'm not sure where else they do. Their gas taxes are higher because of their emission laws. We don't have to get our cars smog tested, they do.


Someone tell me if I'm wrong, but doesn't California charge less fuel efficient vehicles in the thousands for their yearly registration?


Their car registrations are extremely high. When we bought a 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee V8 4WD back in 1996, our registration was well over $600 a year. We later moved to AZ and it was just as high. Here it was no more than $70.


Frankly, I think this topic is a huge load. As long as my vehicle passes inspection and I can afford to drive it, then I should be able to drive it.

Agree 100%

I voted against lightrail. Why? Because they wanted to run it right through my neighborhood. Sorry. We already have a VIA route.

[xrayzebra]

i don't think the vehicle itself or its size is the big problem, but rather the amount of gas it uses and consequently, exhausts into the atmosphere. im hopeful that other forms of energy can be used to power vehicles like SUVs to make them more environmentally friendly and fuel efficient. i heard on the radio one night that this guy modified his truck engine to run off of propane, and he got something like 700 miles on one tank, and the power lost was almost negligable in terms of everyday commuting purposes. in germany, scientists also built a hydrogen powered car that could go 1300 miles on just a quarter gallon.

I really don't think it is any of your business who drives what! And bye the
way, years ago, they were supposed to have had carbarators (sp) that would give you 50 MPH. Just let the people who produces the energy, do so
and there would be no problem. And oh-yes, China is buying lots of fuel oil,
but so what, if folks would let our companies drill for oil we could be getting
in on the deal and making some money. You know alot of you people remind
me of the junk you put out: If we save just one life, it is worth it. Well,
my question is: how come we still have airbags, it has claimed how many
childrens lives? Oh-========that's different, Right?

[scott]

The smaller vehicle will do more damage to roads since it travel farther on them.

What kind of logic is this?

The distance traveled in your car has no relationship to the size of your car.

A ten mile trip in a Hummer is the same distance as a 10 mile trip in a golf cart. Or maybe you are suggesting that people who own Civic's intentionally take the long way to work?


More milage, means more gas of course but there are other considerations.

Actually, more milage means less gas.


More maintenance is required of the smaller vehicle because of the higher milage. (Oil from oil changes, filters, brakes, air filters, and other consumables.)

No more maintenance is required. A small car needs its oil changed at the same frequency as a large one. Same with the filters, brakes, etc. Again, 10 miles = 10 miles, regardless of what you drive.


Traffic jams which cause even greater pollution and wear on roads increase because of longer commute.

Demographics show a trend towards people living further away from where the work (sprawl and suburbanization) and a trend toward larger vehicles. Traffic james aren't caused by smaller cars- they are caused by populations growing and people communiting further.

Smaller cars tend to have lower emissions than larger cars, so a traffic jam of Civics would cause less pollution than a traffic jam of Dodge Rams.


Now is that a waste for the person driving the Civic? Not if they feel it's justified. Is it a waste to take a larger vehicle a shorter distance? Not if the owner feels it's justified.

You went through a bunch of math comparing a short trip in a truck versus a long trip in a car- which proves... nothing? You would be saving money having a smaller car on your short trip.

Now, you can do whatever you want- if you want an SUV, be my guest. But quit comparing apples to oranges.

[Bandit2981]

I really don't think it is any of your business who drives what!
it becomes my business when i breathe the air that vehicles pollute...maybe you'll sing a different tune once you experience being behind a smoky ass car at a stoplight...and again, since you didnt comprehend what i wrote, i dont care what people want to drive, its not the vehicles themselves, its the amount of waste and pollution they put out that i want to see changed...get it now?

If we save just one life, it is worth it. Well,
my question is: how come we still have airbags, it has claimed how many
childrens lives? Oh-========that's different, Right?
this has to be considered the most idiotic post of the century. why should cops try to bust people for drinking and driving? i see drunks killing people all the time on the news. i guess those police serve no purpose eh? :rolleyes

[Useruser666]

What kind of logic is this?

The distance traveled in your car has no relationship to the size of your car.

A ten mile trip in a Hummer is the same distance as a 10 mile trip in a golf cart. Or maybe you are suggesting that people who own Civic's intentionally take the long way to work?

I NEVER said vehicle size has anything to do with length of trip. I gave an example of someone who drives a small car living far from work and a person who lives close to work and drives a larger vehicle. I was giving reasons why the more fuel efficient vehicle would do more harm to the environment than the larger less efficient vehicle based on their use.


Actually, more milage means less gas.

A vehicle that has a higher mpg rating that is driven farther than a lower mpg vehicle uses more gas. I showed all the math, so unless I calculated wrong you are mistaken.


No more maintenance is required. A small car needs its oil changed at the same frequency as a large one. Same with the filters, brakes, etc. Again, 10 miles = 10 miles, regardless of what you drive.

I was never comparing 10 miles to ten miles, that is where you oobviously misunderstood me. A vehicle no matter the model should have regular maintenance. The more miles you drive the shorter the interval between the required maintenance becomes. If you get your oil changed every 3,000 miles and you drive 9,000 miles a year you will get your oil changed 3 times. Correct? If you drive 18,000 miles, you will need 6 oil changes.


Demographics show a trend towards people living further away from where the work (sprawl and suburbanization) and a trend toward larger vehicles. Traffic james aren't caused by smaller cars- they are caused by populations growing and people communiting further.

What demographics? My whole point was that even if you drive a fuel efficient vehicle (Civic), if you don't utilize it correctly, you are just as guilty of waste as a person driving a large fuel inefficient vehicle.

Smaller cars tend to have lower emissions than larger cars, so a traffic jam of Civics would cause less pollution than a traffic jam of Dodge Rams.


That is a whole nother scenario that has nothing to do with my example.


You went through a bunch of math comparing a short trip in a truck versus a long trip in a car- which proves... nothing? You would be saving money having a smaller car on your short trip.

Jesus! Duh! The examples I gave were for two different people driving two different vehicles. If I want to use the capabilities of a pickup some of the time, should I be forced to buy a small car and then a truck?

Now, you can do whatever you want- if you want an SUV, be my guest. But quit comparing apples to oranges.

Sorry scott, but you were taking what I was saying way out of context.
Go back and reread what I wrote. The comparrison was not focused on the vehicles, but the lifestyle of the people driving them.

[sbsquared]

There have been some great posts in this thread, but I still haven't had an answer to the original question - why did gas jump so much in just one day? How can oil companies justify a 6% increase in one day - what happened that caused oil prices to jump so much so quickly?

But when all is said and done - they've got us - we need the gas and we'll pay the prices regardless. I know I try to drive much less since we've had much higher gas prices, but I still have to drive the same number of miles to work, church, etc.

[Useruser666]

There have been some great posts in this thread, but I still haven't had an answer to the original question - why did gas jump so much in just one day? How can oil companies justify a 6% increase in one day - what happened that caused oil prices to jump so much so quickly?

But when all is said and done - they've got us - we need the gas and we'll pay the prices regardless. I know I try to drive much less since we've had much higher gas prices, but I still have to drive the same number of miles to work, church, etc.

I think some recent violence in the region (Iraq) had something to do with the change. Oil companies will raise prices on speculation just to be safe, and then slowly lower them back down.

[MannyIsGod]

I think some recent violence in the region (Iraq) had something to do with the change. Oil companies will raise prices on speculation just to be safe, and then slowly lower them back down.

I don't think this is accurate, but I'm not sure.

I think it more than likely has to do with a blip in the supply. The prices are not as fickle as people think when compared to what is happening in that region, they are more adversly effected by situations like the hurricanes that damanged the actual infrastructure.

[Sec24Row7]

Well think about it this way guys...

The sooner the US uses up all the Fossil Fuels, the sooner the mass starvation happens, opening back up Billions of acres of occupied land to the natural inhabitants that once lived there.

Save the environment by using ALL the petroleum reserves.

Of course, I'm betting that many of you aren't quite as selfless as you proclaim.

[Opinionater]

IMHO, we may need to go back to steam engines.