gas prices

[thecarguy]

how badly are you getting gouged?

I just filled up my 81 toyota pickup with 92 (darn supercharger) for $2.17 a gallon, 20 gallon tank. My sequoia for $1.83 for 87, 25 gallons. Its crazy.

[fotw]

1.66 up here

[protege]

Its about 81cents a litre here which = about 54 cents a litre USD, x 3.78= 2.06USD a gallon for regular here.

[danny]

average $1.45 for regular

[89s10]

gas here is $1.67 reg $1.77 plus $1.89 prum.

[towtrucks]

I burn more gas in 1 busy day than most of you guys burn in 2 weeks.........

[thecarguy]

Think gas is expensive?

Diet Snapple 16 oz $1.29 .......... $10.32 per gallon
Lipton Ice Tea 16 oz $1.19 ...........$9.52 per gallon
Gatorade 20 oz $1.59 ..... $10.17 per gallon
Ocean Spray 16 oz $1.25 .......... $10.00 per gallon
Brake Fluid 12 oz $3.15 .......... $33.60 per gallon
Vick's Nyquil 6 oz $8.35 .... $178.13 per gallon
Pepto Bismol 4 oz $3.85 ........ $123.20 per gallon
Whiteout 7 oz $1.39 ....... . $25.42 per gallon
Scope 1.5 oz $0.99 .........$84.48 per gallon
Evian water 9 oz $1.49..........$21.19 per gallon

A gallon of nyquil dosent sound to bad right about now.

[towtrucks]

I guess we all should be glad that we don't use Diet Snapple, Lipton Ice Tea, Gatorade, Ocean Spray, Brake Fluid, Vick's Nyquil, Pepto Bismol, Whiteout, Scope, or Evian water at the same rate that we use gasoline.

[protege]

Glad that we don't live in these countries

Country/ Euros per liter/ US Dollars per US Gallon

Romania 0.61/ $2.19
Bulgaria 0.62 /$2.23
Portugal 0.64 /$2.30
Luxembourg 0.65 /$2.34
Greece 0.66 /$2.37
Croatia 0.68/ $2.44
Slovakia 0.69 /$2.48
Slovenia 0.69/ $2.48
Czech Republic 0.70/ $2.52
Spain 0.70 /$2.52
Poland 0.71 /$2.56
Turkey 0.72 /$2.59
Ireland 0.73 /$2.62
Belgium 0.77 /$2.77
Austria 0.79 /$2.84
Netherlands 0.79 /$2.84
Germany 0.81 /$2.91
Hungary 0.82 /$2.95
France 0.83 /$2.99
Finland 0.84 /$3.02
Italy 0.89 /$3.20
Denmark 0.91 /$3.27
Switzerland 0.92 /$3.31
Sweden 0.96 /$3.45
Norway 1.11 /$4.00
United Kingdom 1.29 /$4.64

Hong Kong $27 (HKD) ~13$USD

[elbi_chorrea]

Here 38 cents a liter.

[BigBry]

Just paid 1.82 I was happy. The week before I paid 1.89.... I wish I could still buy 87 octane. Darn high octane car.

[89s10]

When i was stationed in Germany in the 60s gas was high then.

[rapideo]

before Dubya is through, we'll all need one of those hospital asprin 10.00

[vetteonr]

I don't think people are upset about the price as much as they are about the jumps that it makes. A 10 to 15 cent jump overnight at some stations indicates gouging to me. Somebody in the Middle East sneezes and the price jumps a dime. :mad: :mad:

[towtrucks]

vette got it right. I HAVE SAID IT A KABILLION TIMES. It's price gouging.
Just let the lumber yards increase their price due to extremely bad weather, where power goes out, or winds have knocked out all of the windows, and the gov. steps in and charges them with price gouging.

[rapideo]

But the lumber industry is'nt BIG OIL

[TNcarguy]

You guys ever hear of E85 fuel? 85% ethonal, 15% gas. I've always thought that we should be running cars on alcohol. Give the money to the farmers instead of sending it to the Middle East. Check out this site:
http://www.e85fuel.com/
They say it can be made from corn used to feed cattle, and the left overs are still good cattle feed. Plus you can get alcohol from corn and wheat stalks and wood scraps.
Supposedly, the conversion from gas to E85 involves something akin to changing carb jets (on older engines). I read a story in Hot Rod that someone converted a mid-60s Pontiac to E85 and still ran in the 10s. Ford and GM have flex fuel vehicles available now that can detect the amount of alcohol in the fuel and adjust the injectors for it.
Sounds like good stuff. Indy and drag cars have been running alky for years.
Comments?

[thecarguy]

I read an article about methonal. It said that in a street engine (not high preformance) methonal has double the milage than regualr gas and is cleaner burning. Only downside is that it costs twice as much as regular gas, but that makes up for the fact that it takes half as many MPG to go the same distance.

[vetteonr]

This post hasen't been visited in awhile. Gas here in Michigan is about $1.68 a gallon. I know in San Fransisco it's about $2.30 or so. How much is it where you guys are at? :mad:

[Trader Ray]

I just filled up today, 3/17/03 and it was $1.58 for regular, and that is the average price in the area I live in +/- a few pennies.

[carsandcycles]

I just read a news story from the "Car and Driver" website that listed gasoline prices in California at $2.10 in Los Angeles and $2.14 in San Diego. Here in South Carolina, around the Charleston area, it's about $1.60.

[Wheel]

I paid $1.79 a gallon last week for diesel. It cost $52.00 to fill up my truck

[DOUGLAS KING]

its 1.69 a gallon for regular here and its too much for those of us who only make minimum wage or slightly higher, i don't make enough to afford that on my salary. i have to shop for items at the dollar stores to save money for the gas.

[Trader Ray]

I feel for ya buddy, I remember in the 70 in Detroit the gas crunch was terrible, lines to get in would cause many t run out while waiting in line, and it is dog eat dog in those lines. let one person in to be thoughtfull and ten more will ram you out of the way. I had a old ford with a ten or twelve gallon tank behind the seat and a 390 engine then and had to really think out if I needed to drive. It was terrible, I had one regular place I went and then he went 2 pennies over the guy across the street and I told him "Huh, I will never pay .75 cents a gallon and told him sorry" and went to the next lot. Well you know the rest.

[thecarguy]

yep, us people in california are getting killed. I just filled my 81 toyota daily driver with 92 for $2.34 a gallon. The bad thing is my sequoia is $65 bucks to fill up a full tank on the cheapy 87. A buddy of mine has a 75 gallon fuel cell in his truck, its great to see peoples faces when he asks for $125 on #4. In the bay area (san diego bay) they are already at $4.25 a gal for 87.

[Odawg]

Some good news in So Cal today. Prices actually dropped! From $2.15 to 2.11 at the corner gas station.


Too bad I filled up about an hour before the change! D'OH!

[Trader Ray]

Our prices have gone down a few cents as well, $1.58 for regular.

[vetteonr]

What bugs me the most is when the price of crude goes up a little, the price at the pump jumps a lot. When crude falls a lot, like it has recently, the price at the pump TRICKLES down. :mad:

[Trader Ray]

And with that in mind, when the price of fuel goes up they run out and raise the price of the instock gasoline, I can see profit is nessasary, but the fuel in the tanks is already been bought for the lower price and before the new delivery should remain at the price. Like I said though I know that the profit is why they are in buisness. It is a tricky buisness to say the least. We are the ones being tricked though..lol

[vetteonr]

Not tricked, gouged is more like it. :mad:

[thecarguy]

everyday my econ teacher talks about how several month from now we will see record profit from the oil companies.

[Trader Ray]

Your right about that. It is a matter of time before the big truck craze will subside back to "Yikes" escort and chevette type of vehicles..I remember the econo's types being high dollar but next to it was a nearly new Eldo or Lincoln or even the mighty Dodge Ramchargers being offered for little to nothing.

[Trader Ray]

Our gas prices this week are around $1.52 a gallon this week.

[vetteonr]

It's around $1.55 here. :(

[thecarguy]

you guys have it easy. avrage price for 87 here is 2.40

[vetteonr]

Yikes! $2.40? California must have a heavy tax on their fuel. :mad:

[Trader Ray]

It has gone down 2 more pennies this week. I dont understand it when the news says it is at a all time high and it is going down instead of up.

[vetteonr]

I work in the media, and trust me, we can't be trusted. lol :rolleyes:

[thecarguy]

we pay more because we have more cars on the road and have serious problems with pollution.

[rapideo]

you may be getting the reformulated (right name?) gas for all that extra money

[Trader Ray]

down a 5 cents today! Cant wait till tomorrow

[vetteonr]

Yippeeee.....down another 6 cents! $1.49 and falling. :D

[theyoungs97]

We got a place here in the desert where regular is going for $1.32, but the Chevelle does not like the brand.

Seems I'm stuck with Chevron premium at $1.69. Only the best for the best!

[Trader Ray]

Seen it today for $1.44 a gallon.

[fotw]

152 but that is still lower 10 cents lower then what i was 2 weeks ago

[thecarguy]

Avrage in Los Angeles is down to 2.15, i filled for 2.04.

[OffRoader]

For the last 7 to 10 days in Colorado, prices have been dropping about 3 cents a day! From high $1.70's to high $1.30's. Now if we could just get our fuel tax and insurance to drop! Greedy Jag-ov's.

[vetteonr]

The gas tax I can live with because around here it goes to fix roads. The insurance companies, on the other hand, are the greedy SOB's that tick me off the most. Talk about a money maker! :(

[Trader Ray]

I think in the last few days it has stayed where it has and that is $1.46 a gallon. Vettonr, I would say that with the roads there in the downriver area they could double the tax and get by with it. Athough the roads are so much better than I remember them the last time I was there.

[vetteonr]

Yes s10, they are making progress. The summer season is having it's name changed to "orange barrel" season. :D Gas here is down to about $1.40 :rolleyes:

[danny]

just put gas in the car(wife's), $1.31 for reg.

[theyoungs97]

We've got a little gas war going here in the desert. Mirastar (at WalMart) is going for $1.05.

At last, the customer seems to be the winner. So far, anyway. . . .

[vetteonr]

Jez, almost a buck a gallon difference between New Mexico and California? What's wrong with this picture!?! :mad:

[Trader Ray]

I guess here in Mid America we have stalled out at about $1.45 a gallon.

[fotw]

1.42 is lowest in town

[Trader Ray]

I got some today @ $1.39 a gallon. That is the lowest I have seen it and was lucky as I was low and got to take advantage of it finally.

[thecarguy]

filled up in san fransisco for $1.99 yesterday (saturday). First time I have seen under 2 bucks in a while.

[vetteonr]

Jez, no wonder west coasters drive a lot of foriegn cars. With those prices, I'd get a Harley. :D

[theyoungs97]

Gas war in the desert is over.

Back up to $1.30, but I'm not complaining. Lots better than it was just a few weeks ago.

[fotw]

1.38 Still falling Yeah!

[vetteonr]

$1.45 and holding steady....:mad:

[Trader Ray]

$1.37 today and I am full.

[fotw]

I have noticed something, with the weekends comes the tourist (oh joy more traffic) comes higher gas prices. Hmmmm I wonder why that is

Edit: If you are lucky enough to be aways from tourist traps, Maine gets ALOT of tourist down from Canada. It is always fun tryin to understand there form of french and help them to the beach.

[vetteonr]

Northern Michigan's the same way. All the vacationers=higher gas prices. Always 15-20 cents higher than in the Metro area. Nice racket. :(

[Trader Ray]

Just checking in again, we have some low prices here, $1.35 a gallon. Just got back from Detroit and was seeing $1.46 average.

[thecarguy]

Avarage for 87 octane is 1.97 and 2.06 for 92.

[vetteonr]

(Western accent) "Thar's gold in them thar pumps!" lol :D

[Beefy's Bronco]

Originally posted by fotw
I have noticed something, with the weekends comes the tourist (oh joy more traffic) comes higher gas prices. Hmmmm I wonder why that is

Edit: If you are lucky enough to be aways from tourist traps, Maine gets ALLOT of tourist down from Canada. It is always fun trying to understand there form of french and help them to the beach.

We have it both ways. The Canadians come here to shop and ignore our traffic laws, and starting May 11th the fishing season opens and all them city folks will be on their way to the border so they can sit on the bridge for hours waiting to enter Canada. They spend allot of money here and for that I am grateful. Most dont know we have world class Walleye and Northern Pike fishing right here at Rainey Lake and Rainey River. 10 to 20 pound Northerns are the norm, and Walleyes up to 12 pounds or more. Great Muskie fishing too.

If any of you want to go fishing this year let me know. I'll show ya the hot spots.

[Wheel]

Originally posted by thecarguy
Avarage for 87 octane is 1.97 and 2.06 for 92.


Another reason I wouldn't want to live on the left coast. That and the screwed up gun laws....$1.63 for 93 and $1.69 for Diesel.
Hummm.....I remember when diesel was a lot cheaper than gas

[Trader Ray]

just off the gas price topic and touching on the " I remember when" from wheel. I used to live in Detriot back before Canada went to the gas being sold by the liter, and their gallon was called a imperial gallon, 5 quarts instead of our U.S. 4 quarts. And it was cheaper to go there for gas and our U.S. dollars were worth more there as well.

[Wheel]

Diesel-$1.59 gal. today!

[vetteonr]

Monday 5/5/03 I saw $1.38. :)

[carsandcycles]

Goose Creek, SC; $127.9 but on my side of the river is 143.9----go figure (only about 25 mile distance between the two)

[vetteonr]

That's nothing. I've got 2 Amoco stations less than a mile apart, and they're always a 5-6 cent difference the price between them. Go figure!

[Trader Ray]

We are still at $1.37 a gallon. It has stayed there for a little while, we can save 3 cents a gallon with a gift card from Walmart, but that is a chore to go through the check out line to buy a card.

[thecarguy]

I remember seeing 2 76 stations across the street from eachother in sacramento area and they had a 5 cent difference. The station that had the 5 cents higher also had twice as many customers, I think it had somthing to do with the way that the exits for the very nearby freeway were.


primium is down to $1.92 so I have been driving the guzzlin SUV, its been a while...I missed her.

[rapideo]

Gas is down, 1.31reg. But propane went up too and is staying up
20.00 to fill a 30lb forklift bottle. Up from about 14.00/16.00

[danny]

reg gas and diesel are at $1.30 average around here now.

[Beefy's Bronco]

Still 1.49 here. But the Tourist Season begins on Saturday so it will stay high until Christmas time.

[danny]

seems like gas prices rise around tourist season here.

[Beefy's Bronco]

Originally posted by danny
seems like gas prices rise around tourist season here.

My son works at McDonalds here in town. They raised all their prices substantially last week. He came home and said they raised the prices so the employees could get a raise. I told him they raised the prices because the Opener (fishing) was on the 10th. He said I was wrong. He got his raise today. 10 cents an hour. LOL. Now he understands. Tourist season means allot of changes.

[danny]

it's all about the lining of the proverbial pocket-lol-the franchise owners wanted a raise and to keep the employee's from becoming disgruntled they throw them crumbs. :( not fair but that's the way it goes.

[corkyd]

? do you guys notice that freeway stations prices are higher?.. get into town, and get gas at the 'local folks' prices...

[fotw]

1.33 and holding strong

[Trader Ray]

$1.34 a gallon here as well.

[Trader Ray]

What a differance a year and a half make, I am about to brag about $1.57 a gallon.
Then I look at my last post in this tread and realize we are still headed down hill with the gas prices. :(

[KA9MOT]

What a differance a year and a half make, I am about to brag about $1.57 a gallon.
Then I look at my last post in this tread and realize we are still headed down hill with the gas prices. :(

Cheer up Ray! It is $1.76 here!

[Trader Ray]

I seen it for $1.51 in Ohio a few weeks ago. I think that is why I am doing the job on the engine I mentioned in the 4X4 thread. The Saturn should get great gas mileage, I hope. Then I can do some better things to the Crown Vic, I have some headers for it and I have located some "Official" flood lights for the A pillars. I want to kind of mildly hot rod out my cop car. I want to make it a sleeper. :cool:

[KA9MOT]

Sounds cool, I'd drive it.
I've been driving the Grand Marquis lately as the Bronco II is waiting for me to get enough money to buy a carb. I really like the car but it is a huge pain to get out of it.

[Trader Ray]

This car lot I mention has a 91 Crown for $300.00 cash that has the very clean Tennessee body and it is probally fake but leather interior. It runs but he said it runs kind of rough. I will be checking on it later. Need more money first to settle some other debts first. That way I can go into a new project with a clear head and no guilty thoughts. ;)

[Stormy]

The lowest I have seen gas prices around here is 1.60 when I went out to the movies today.

[duffy]

The lowest I have seen gas prices around here is 1.60 when I went out to the movies today.
"MOST" places are still over 2 bucks..... but, if you get out of the Philly area.. about 20 or more miles, like say to the Pottstown area, the usual price is more like $1.65 to $1.75... Since I'm "OFF"... maybe I'll take a ride to Pottstown... (Squaw is working today)...

[Stormy]

"MOST" places are still over 2 bucks..... but, if you get out of the Philly area.. about 20 or more miles, like say to the Pottstown area, the usual price is more like $1.65 to $1.75... Since I'm "OFF"... maybe I'll take a ride to Pottstown... (Squaw is working today)...

You are "OFF" most days Duffy LOL but is it worth the trip for the savings in gas........I am just curious........the prices i was quoting was in the suburbs (Lincoln Park) i dont know how much it is in Detroit itself I havent been in the city since the begining of the month.

[duffy]

You are "OFF" most days Duffy LOL but is it worth the trip for the savings in gas........I am just curious........the prices i was quoting was in the suburbs (Lincoln Park) i dont know how much it is in Detroit itself I havent been in the city since the begining of the month.
(Maybe).... If I don't have anything else to do.... ('cept play pool, and drink beer)...Ahhhh... I AVOID Philadelphia like the "Plague".... I'm about 1/2 mile from the city limits, and I want to keep it that way.......... :D

[duffy]

You are "OFF" most days Duffy
WAIT JUST A MINUTE "Stormy"...... I I.....I..........I.......... :D :D

[Stormy]

WAIT JUST A MINUTE "Stormy"...... I I.....I..........I.......... :D :D

LMAO took you a min there huh duffy???

[thecarguy]

filled up yesterday for 1.91 for some 87.

[danny]

filled the pickup up today for $1.47 for 87 octane.

[vetteonr]

Exxon/Mobile posted their 2004 PROFITS today........

A record 4th quarter profit of 8.42 Billion.

A record yearly PROFIT 25.33 Billion.

Yes, that's Billion with a B. :eek: :mad:

[duffy]

I "filled-her-up" Monday 1/31 at a local Texaco.... $2.03.9 / gallon.. phewww.. It's simply NOT in my budget... I'll have to cut-out a couple of pints of MGD if the prices stay that high... AND... the price of BEER is going to go up by about $5.00/keg.. I can't win! That'll put another quarter on the top of the price of a pint!!! Give up gas... Give up MGD... Give up gas... Give up MGD...... decisions... decisions... I'll just have to walk to the Tavern..(it's only about 8 miles)

[vetteonr]

I filled up my truck yesterday for $1.87 a gallon. :mad:


BTW duffy, that 8 mile walk can be pretty tough in all that snow!

[duffy]

BTW duffy, that 8 mile walk can be pretty tough in all that snow!
Do you REALLY think I could make it that far????
Let's see if I have a stick with a MGD tied to it Maybe!!!

[Young_unn]

i put 23 gals of 87 in my LTd for 1.59 a gal last week, today i have to put it in at 2.00 even. time for a car that doesnt get 8 mpg. :P time to get that truck insured. :P straight 6 in so i should get about 15 mpg in that lol

[Phil L]

You think you folk's have it bad, here it costs(best price) 74.9 c/lt. which caculates to 340. a gallon. Further more when the price goes up they cant raise the price fast enough, but when the price drops they take ther sweet time, if that's not gouging I don't know what is.There (the oil co's) tell us that the fuel in the tanks is from the previous price and have to use it up before they can change back. As for the price rise it's instantly applied with no delay, the fuel in the tanks is from the "new price of refining" But I think that if they did it three or four times a year they probably rake in an extra 3-4 million a year.

[danny]

i think that 3-4 million is a very conservative number.

[Stormy]

i think that 3-4 million is a very conservative number.

Well wasnt it just a recent fiscal year that they had made a 300% profit but they are crying about how bad it is for them.

[danny]

of course that's the name of the game-make you feel sorry for them and you won't mind paying a little extra

[Phil L]

i think that 3-4 million is a very conservative number.

It's just a ball park figure, yea I know pretty BIG ball park?

[Phil L]

Exxon/Mobile posted their 2004 PROFITS today........

A record 4th quarter profit of 8.42 Billion.

A record yearly PROFIT 25.33 Billion.

Yes, that's Billion with a B. :eek: :mad:

They sure know how to kick a guy when he's down, but must it be soooo hard(the kick)?

[vetteonr]

And so it begins................

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/vetteonr/highgas.jpg

[mareze]

Where in the H E double toothpicks is that????? :eek:

[vetteonr]

Malibu, California.

[Stormy]

Malibu, California.

You scared me of a min there Vetteonr I went out to Roseville today and to Southgate to Sam's Club and i saw a range of 1.97 to 2.16 for 87 octane.....I thought you got that from somewhere around here but then again now that i think about it I should have known since we dont have any 76 Stations around here any more LOL :rolleyes:

[danny]

And so it begins................

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v43/vetteonr/highgas.jpg


wow!! rectal probing prices and self serve to boot :eek:

[duffy]

Malibu, California.
Well, vetteonr, you have to realize that everyone in Malibu is RICH... RICH... RICH... and they don't mind the price gouging.... :rolleyes:

[Trader Ray]

We are at $1.99 a gallon right now, I have got lucky with my purchases the last two times as the gas went up later in the day both times I filled up. Got to love a Saturn. ;)

[vetteonr]

wow!! rectal probing prices and self serve to boot :eek:I couldn't have said it better danny.

[olddog]

I heard an oil analyst on the radio today. He said that if you take the previous all time high on gasoline it was $2ish around 1981. Then adjust for inflation, and you get around $3.25 give or take. (Mind you he gave exact dates and prices that I didn't commit to memory) From that, we have delt with a lot worse.

His point was that gas will likely have to get that high to get people to start buying economical cars again, like the nation did back then. If consumption keeps going up, so will the prices. Instead of buying teenagers cars we are going to have to buy them bicycles, or give up our trucks and SUVs, or we are going to pay through the nose. We cannot have it all for ever. Sucks, but it's reality!

[Porcupine]

I heard an oil analyst on the radio today. He said that if you take the previous all time high on gasoline it was $2ish around 1981. Then adjust for inflation, and you get around $3.25 give or take. (Mind you he gave exact dates and prices that I didn't commit to memory) From that, we have delt with a lot worse.

His point was that gas will likely have to get that high to get people to start buying economical cars again, like the nation did back then. If consumption keeps going up, so will the prices. Instead of buying teenagers cars we are going to have to buy them bicycles, or give up our trucks and SUVs, or we are going to pay through the nose. We cannot have it all for ever. Sucks, but it's reality!

Well, I'll tell you guys one thing. I love this Explorer to pieces. It's an awesome truck to drive. But this V8 has got to be the biggest pig on gas I've ever seen. Other than that this truck is a keeper and I'd keep it till it dies.
But Olddog, as you said, it's the reality of it all. I told my wife that I might have this truck for just one year, then I'm downsizing ...possibly to that Escape. We heard today that our gas was heading to be $1.00 per liter in about 6 months (it's 0.86 in places now). That's about $4.00 US gallon.

I've been used to 25 to 30 MPG (IMP) which averages 25MPG (US).

[Young_unn]

in cleveland ohio the prices are about 2.16 a gal, it was said that if gas prices kept on rising with inflation and all that stuff, i forgot what it was called, gas here would be 2.67 a gal. so i think its bad with gas prices going up, but at least its not where people in 1996 predicted it would now.

[zigs]

Last fill up here $2.37 a gallon. If the gouging isn,t enough they start raising in March for the summer . At this rate we should see $2.50 easy by mid summer.

[theonly350z28]

Yesterday gas was $2.15 and I went to go get gas today and it was up to $2.28 How can they rise the gas prices that high so quick this is killing my funds and now looking at buying one of those smaller cars

[Porcupine]

Last day or so it's been avergaing 0.88 Liter that's about 3.52, plus exchange your gallon and some yoyo just bought an SUV

[Daniel Wood]

The way it's going, it won't be long until it's just like this.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v374/DanielWood/Gasoline.jpg

It's not far from that now! :mad:

[Porcupine]

What really kills me, the local radios stations tend to talk about as an effort to help their listeners vent and people get all peed off when they call in. But there never seems to be a 'representative' or spokes person from government or oil companies to explain what's happening and when or if they do, they spew words of b..s..

I'm gonna buy a Toyota Echo and take my Error star engine and make me a fuel efficient sleeper. Yup, that's what I'm gonna do.

[Trader Ray]

I got lucky getting the car I did when I did, they are on lots now everywhere, usually that is bad to see what you own always up for sale. But the used car lots are buying up all the small 4 bangers at the auctions and making a killing. I am in the high 34 MPG range with the Saturn. I am tuning it up this payday as in wires and plugs and all hoses and filters that I have not replaced yet. Our gas stations are at about $2.07 here right now.

[Trader Ray]

Any PT Cruiser owners care to share thier milage numbers with me? I just might use my suddenly in demand car to get a better trade-in on a PT. I seen in a mag the other day a kit for them that make the doors swing up in a fashion like the Delorien cars did. I sure want a PT. I think I would take one over a Jeep right now. :)

[Daniel Wood]

I sure want a PT. I think I would take one over a Jeep right now. :)
Okay, who are you and what have you done with Ray? Take a PT over a Jeep! Something is definitely wrong Here. :eek:

[Trader Ray]

I am here Daniel, I have just seen some awsome PT's latey I guess I jumped ship for now. I seen a article that I called doors like a Delorean, but in fact they are not, the are sissor doors the only open a few inches then just up, not up and out, I think that would be great to have. :)
By the way, gas went down 2 cents this morning at three places I drove by just last night on the way to work.

[vetteonr]

Good job keeping this thread on topic. :p

[danny]

gas prices have been creeping up every day around here lately. bought gas this morning for 2.04.9 and this afternoon the same station was 2.09.9

[Trader Ray]

Starting to notice a lot of the big SUV's on lots for sale. I would really be bummed if I had got me a new Dodge Power Wagon and suddenly the gas prices go up .30 cents in just the short amount of time it took to get like this. We are still at $2.05 and holding.

[danny]

speaking of suv's i saw on the news that the sales of suv's were not declining. the reason given was that the people that bought them still think that the suv is the safest vehicle and that mpg can't be traded for safety.

[Stormy]

speaking of suv's i saw on the news that the sales of suv's were not declining. the reason given was that the people that bought them still think that the suv is the safest vehicle and that mpg can't be traded for safety.

Yea they are so safe thats why they have warnings all over the place about how easy they are too roll!!!! :rolleyes: :eek:

[Stormy]

Gas has been averageing 2.13 and 12.15 now.............doesnt it figure i get my driving privelges back and gas is at am all time high :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

[DeuceCoupe]

Gallon of regular (87) here in New York - $2.19 this morning at Exxon.

[Porcupine]

Liter of regular 0.82 today, down slightly from 0.88... woohoo...

[olddog]

It's capacity to refine verses demand. If demand keeps rising they will jack the prices through the roof. Honestly which would you rather have, high prices or shortages. It's a real bummer when you cannot find a station open, because they are out of gasoline.

At some point after enough money is made, one of the companies is going to decide that they could make more money selling more gas at a lower proffet and they will build that next refinery (likely after $4.00/gallon). The free market actually works over the long haul. I know people who think the government should set the price and make things fair to them. That is the comunists way of doing things. You just end up with shortages. Talk to anyone who lived under comunism and they will tell you that low prices on things that are not available was a terrable life.

Anyone consider electric motors used to regenerate stopping energy into batteries. Then use the stored power to take off again. All the car companies want to do this with are tiny bear can cars, but I think you could likely get a SUV up to 30 MPG from 14 MPG. Building a 1500 lb go kart that gets 60 MPG is not impressing me, as I would not own it if they gave it to me. Put the technology where we want it, and I think people will buy it. The affects would be huge in a few years.

[vetteonr]

There are 30+ refineries in this country that have been closed down over the last 20 years. Instead of building new ones, why can't these be re-opened? You certainly wouldn't have any enviromental issues since the plants already exist.

[Porcupine]

That's really an old argument that we've been discusing in another Canadian forum.

While in one breath we think they're trying to penalize heavy users such as SUVs and the like, the opposite is true. What's actually happening is the smaller more fuel efficent cars are taking over and are becoming the norm of travel. With this, the oil companies are loosing profits due to this new onslot of fuel efficiency, so in essence, we all pay.

That gas guzzler tax that we have is a hoax and because it's government controlled there's little we can do. BTW the gas guzzler tax is only implemented when the vehicle is sold as new. Because mine is an 03 I did not have to pay (lucky me, huh).

One thing about governments, we can only boot them out via election, but damage control is so deep that there's no recovery. The next running candidate can make only so many promises but keep those promises is next to impossible.

[KA9MOT]

Yea they are so safe thats why they have warnings all over the place about how easy they are too roll!!!! :rolleyes: :eek:

Stupid people roll SUVs. Plain and simple. You can't blame the SUV any more then you can blame a gun. Stupid people do stupid things.

Anybody can ride an esuvee......... (http://www.esuvee.com/flash.html)

You gotta admit, that esuvee is cute.

[Gone Fishing]

Well gas hit 101.4 here today. Just about to start a job
about 100 kilcks away be there about three weeks,
after that the next one is 160 klicks for about a month.
time to pass the buck(s)
where is that little Toyota when I need it

GF.

[danny]

you have to add it to the cost of doing business-no point in sacrificing the load carrying ability just to try to save a small amount of fuel. you have to remember that unless you carry nothing more than your tool belt you probably need that full size pickup, i know i do and the full size is necessary when i pull trailers.

[Porcupine]

Stupid people roll SUVs. Plain and simple. You can't blame the SUV any more then you can blame a gun. Stupid people do stupid things.

Anybody can ride an esuvee......... (http://www.esuvee.com/flash.html)

You gotta admit, that esuvee is cute.

Gotta agree with you there Beefster. Some of the people I've talked absolutely hate SUVs. So, I took my ball and went home.

Let's do a comparison here. It wasn't so long a go that I drove an Aerostar. Y'all are familiar with it. They're boxy, top heavy. dinky little wheels (undersize) and act like a sail when drving through the wind. Everytime there was a major wind, yours truly would feel the affect. Everytime a tractor trailer drove by I felt it and the van reacted accordingly.
Hmmm I never saw any warnings about Aerostars.

Now I have the Explorer, less mass, slightly lower to the ground, larger wheels
I don't feel the wind and tractor trailer have no affect on me, plus independant suspension and it's heavier. BUT I've been told they're a roll over threat... Even says so on my visor.

I think there's a lot of media type people that have a lot of time on their hands and if they can sniff out a negative then it makes a good story.

I read somewhere that if my tires were grossly underinflated, driving 80 MPH on a gravel road and swerving lane to lane, then I would stand a chance of roll over. Bet I could do that with the Aerostar. It's just the media never disciovered that factor back then.
So, now the insurance companies have this hype and makes it look bad for SUV owners. If you ask them some dumb idiot on the other end of the phone will simply say that they have statistics and documents stating facts. Yea right, like the insurance companies really know what they talk about.

I feel safer in this Explorer than I ever did in the Arrow Bucket. Wife agrees as well. While I felt adverse affects with the Aerostar I drove and reacted accordingly, no different than you guys would. I never once felt threatened by a roll over in the Bucket, so why would I with the Explorer

BTW a 3ton flat bed Ford tow truck that hauled my company Safari had the same warning on his visor. I wonder if GM and Mopar followed suit.

We're being dictated to by uninformed loosers that really don't know what they're talking about. And the winner is...... the insurance company

That's all I got to say about that. Now gimme my ball.

[Trader Ray]

Gas has been averageing 2.13 and 12.15 now.............doesnt it figure i get my driving privelges back and gas is at am all time high :rolleyes:
Is it full serve at least for the $12.15 a gallon? :D

[Trader Ray]

By the way, gas went up 9 cents on the 1st of April. Figures it would on that day! :p

[Porcupine]

good grief, they're inching their way up. It's $0.91.4 Liter.

Corv8 and Gone Fishing what is it in your area?

[Stormy]

Is it full serve at least for the $12.15 a gallon? :D

Sorry my finger must have slipped.............you know what i meant to say is 2.15 a gallon.

[Porcupine]

Sorry my finger must have slipped.............you know what i meant to say is 2.15 a gallon.

Stormy, don't push your luck $12.15 will be here soon enough

[Stormy]

Shoot its up to 1.25 today so i am sure it wont take that long to get that high.............I will have to get a bike with some kindof trailer on it for the kids and groceries and what ever else i have to take along with me oh yea to bring my laundry over to my parents to wash it.............on the plus side i would deff get into shape pretty quick.........actually i forgot the kids have their own bikes.......i dont have to cart their buts around they can work it too LOL........... :eek: :D

[Stormy]

Actually for the weight thing i have been thinking about getting a bike and riding it to work a couple few times a week. My office is around about a mile from my house so that will be a good work out for sure.........i will just take clothes with me to change into when i get there. :D :cool:

[Porcupine]

Pretty soon the auto makers are going to be building rickshaws (sp).

I was on a 1/4 tank and it cost me $50 to fill up, and that's just regular.

I know my new fleet vehicle has a big tank and they ordered V8s to boot. It's going to cost over $100 per tank full and I usually burn a tank per day. There's been odd times when I have filled up twice in one day.

We heard the threat of $1.00 per liter last year and that never happened. This years it's happening and I also heard that $2.00 per liter is not far off. Roughly 4 liter per US gallon so you guys take it from there.

What the heck is this world coming to? And they're still building big trucks and Hemi's and all sorts of things.
I love my Explorer like nothing else, but I might just have it for one year at this rate.

[Stormy]

Yup I will be pedaling my but off.....the only thing that kinda sucks is I wont have my car for at lunch time. A lot of times i will go and visit a friend or something on my lunch.............oh well at lunch i will go ride around a little bit get more of a workout. Sheeet after i get used to it i could get a little trailer of some kind and ride to my parents house too..........they live about 4 or so miles from me............save as much gas as i can!!! ;) :rolleyes:

[olddog]

While in one breath we think they're trying to penalize heavy users such as SUVs and the like, the opposite is true. What's actually happening is the smaller more fuel efficent cars are taking over and are becoming the norm of travel. With this, the oil companies are loosing profits due to this new onslot of fuel efficiency, so in essence, we all pay.

U.S.A. news media is always whining about all the SUV that people are buying. Here in central Ohio all you have to do is look aroung at any parking lot. It's full of Suburbans, Excursions, 4 door F350 V-10 trucks, and the like. For every 30 MPG car sitting there I suspect there three or four 10 MPG vehickles. Full size extended cab trucks are everywhere. I don't buy the claim that there are so many economy cars that consumption is dropping off.

[Gone Fishing]

Hey Porcupine I posted it in #142 it was 101.4 last week
but it is down to 96.4 here on Vancouver Island right now.Tomorrow ??? :confused:

Danny I know what you mean I do pass the buck along now,
if it was not for the fact that I work for myself I could not
afford to run my truck. roof rack, 4 boxes of nails
locking tool box with 3 saws, 200 feet of cord,
hammer drills and probably another 400 lb of misc.
tools I'm afraid to find out what I am packing in the
back on a daily basis,
but my laser only weighs 15 lb including the tripod :D

GF.

[Daniel Wood]

Yup I will be pedaling my but off.....the only thing that kinda sucks is I wont have my car for at lunch time. A lot of times i will go and visit a friend or something on my lunch.............oh well at lunch i will go ride around a little bit get more of a workout. Sheeet after i get used to it i could get a little trailer of some kind and ride to my parents house too..........they live about 4 or so miles from me............save as much gas as i can!!! :rolleyes:
That's a good idea Stormy. I'm sure that plan will work about........... a day and a half at the most. And you're going to say the hell with this. LOL :D

[Stormy]

That's a good idea Stormy. I'm sure that plan will work about........... a day and a half at the most. And you're going to say the hell with this. LOL :D

Oh it shouldnt be too much of a problem..........i used to ride my bike to work before.........did it for a long time at a job that was farther away............ok i just did a driving directions map from here to there and it is 2.8 miles...........so i figure its going to be just under 2 miles since on a bike there are shortcuts i can take.......thats not too bad I am going to see if i can a bike as soon as possible so that i can get started while its still cool out and not too hot. I want to see how much weight i can lose before the cruise.

[Daniel Wood]

Oh it shouldnt be too much of a problem..........i used to ride my bike to work before.........did it for a long time at a job that was farther away
But that's when you were very young Stormy. You'd just had your training wheels taken off so that you could do the paper route. Many, many, many years ago. You have to be very careful now. :p

[Stormy]

But that's when you were very young Stormy. You'd just had your training wheels taken off so that you could do the paper route. Many, many, many years ago. You have to be very careful now.

What are you saying that I am old????? I am not to old to ride a bike for your information and while you are inferring that i am old just remember you are around 6 or 7 years older than me so NAAAAAAAAAA :p :D

[Daniel Wood]

What are you saying that I am old????? I am not to old to ride a bike for your information and while you are inferring that i am old just remember you are around 6 or 7 years older than me so NAAAAAAAAAA :p :D
No, I'm not saying your old at all, (yes I am) I'm just saying be careful and take it easy. You're talking about 2 miles one-way and at the end of the day ( your no spring chicken) that 2 miles is very long (while you're sitting down doing nothing) after putting in a hard day's work. You're so sensitive!

[duffy]

OH, darn, this really hurts.......... My FIRST $40.00 fill-up yesterday... and that's in the Riviera... I really have to cut down on my driving.... but, I really didn't go anywhere other than work ! ! ! ! !

[mareze]

Shoot its up to 1.25 today .
Where is that at Stormy... I would love to get gas for that. ;)

[vetteonr]

Shoot its up to 1.25 today so i am sure it wont take that long to get that high.............I'd take that price anyday!

[Stormy]

Shoot its up to 1.25 today so i am sure it wont take that long to get that high.............

Hell I goofed again.............that is supposed to be 2.25 a gallon LOL.........I too would love it to be 1.25 a gallon again.

[danny]

.........i will just take clothes with me to change into when i get there.

you ride in the buff??? :eek: :D

[vetteonr]

you ride in the buff??? :eek: :DRemember that when she pulls into your driveway to pick you up. LOL

[Stormy]

you ride in the buff??? :D


Read it better there danny it says to change into such as changing from shorts and a t shirt to something more appropriate for the office!!! :p

[Porcupine]

Hey Porcupine I posted it in #142 it was 101.4 last week
but it is down to 96.4 here on Vancouver Island right now.Tomorrow ??? :confused: .

Yesterday it was down to 0.81. This morning it was 0.93 and 0.88 on the way home. PICK A PRICE AND STAY THERE. this up and down is drving me nuts

[Trader Ray]

I read somewhere that must have been in the wrong thread or I just could not find it. I think the gas prices are out of control even after a dime raise again today. I get just under 35 mpg, and yes I want a truck, but could not afford the gas, I work round trip 35 miles from my home and so it cost me a gallon to work one day. I am not compliaining about that, but I read somewhere that part of the blame for the prices is the ones who drive these small great gas milage cars and the oil companys need to componsate for us.
Well I also hold down a job and dont ask anyone for anything, I save for what I need and that is also the American way. I pay taxes that help the goverment run. The DOT is asking for people with Suv's and large gas users to cut their traveling to conserve fuel. So what is wrong with having a car that does that without waisting gas and not having to cut down on their driving. The prices would fall if more people would drive more fuel efficiant vehicles and the gas companies would have no choice to lower prices as they would be way over stocked.
Dont get me wrong, as much as I like driving, I dont condem anyone's choice of vehicle. But to have a big guzzler means you need to pay the piper right now as far as fuel is concerned.
I dont feel my Saturn contributes to the large gas prices, The news says gas will come down when demand does. I want a Jeep or a PT Cruiser, but with the gas mileage I get now I dare not change. I can drive two weeks on a tank. I can afford that....JMO

[olddog]

Well my wife was in for a hysterectomy (just brought her home about an hour ago). While staring out into the hospital parking lot, I looked at the vehicles, over several days. I lump SUVs, Vans (mini & full sized), and trucks into the heavy fuel users. Most days there were more heavy users than cars (I guess about 50% is average). When you look at the cars, I would say less than 25% of them will get over 30 MPG. So 1/4 of 1/2 is 1/8, or about 12% of the autos would get good milage. Now a hospital may be skewed toward what the old farts drive, as they have more medical issues. I'm sure this is not real scientific, but I feel comfortable stating that this area uses lots of fuel.

[Trader Ray]

Off topic slightly, when my wife had her hysterectomy, I was trying to be the perfect caretaker and when I got her in the car I tried to adjust the darn seat and it went all the way back and she just screamed. :eek:
I am not sure of your area, but out in the county where I live everything is a few miles away and I am seeing more and more small cars on the road and at work as well. They just said on the news that we hit a all time high at $2.29 a gallon, even higher than the national average of $2.17 a gallon. I sign this and really want to express that I know what it is like to need a truck for work and I also value a persons right to drive what they want. I am not so happy in a car so small that I cant even shift gears without touching a passengers knee. But for the time I will put up with it because I cant afford to operate anything else that uses more fuel. :(

[danny]

Read it better there danny it says to change into such as changing from shorts and a t shirt to something more appropriate for the office!!! :p

sorry, i failed to see where you wrote that you wore something that needed changing other than you needed to put on some clothing to work. :D

[danny]

gas is an average of $2.16.9 here today, i try to not drive more than necessary but i run a construction company and i have to be in several places during the day. i do use the phone more than before-not while driving, i am one for banning cell phone use while driving as it causes more accidents than not.

[olddog]

Gasoline hit $2.31 early in the week here in central Ohio. Then it came down to $2.29 yesterday. I got an extra $0.03 off at Meijer, which saved me a whopping $0.45.

I looked at electric cars a while back. They are cheap to operate, but when you figure in the cost of the batteries, you loose money. Gasoline keeps going up and that may change. The people who push the electric car are for the most part tree hugging zellots that want to force things in a direction that is unpractical, but it aligns with their political crap. They are doing more to kill the market than they are moving the technoligy forward.

I think a diesel electric hybrid would be the ultimate for fuel milage. The diesel engine uses almost no fuel to idle. Ideally you would never use the engine to hold back or slow the car. Always let it coast, while the engine idles. Then let the electric motor slow the car, which would pump electricity back into the batteries. Then use the regenerated power to accellerate the car. If you figure 90% effeciency at the motor and 90% at the drives and batteries, then you could save about 81% of the energy require to stop the car, and you could put about 81% of that saved energy into accellerating the car the next time, which says that the total effeciency is about 64% (about 2/3). Now if we put this into something someone want to drive which would wiegh in at 4200 lb (for example). This would mean that the electric system would be able to power 2/3 and the diesel would only need to supply 1/3. So a 4200 lb car would get milage similar to a 1400 lb car. It would take $3000 - 4000 to buy the batteries, drive, and electric motor.

Anyone ready to try to build one?

[mareze]

i do use the phone more than before-not while driving, i am one for banning cell phone use while driving as it causes more accidents than not.
Same here, when I first got my phone I almost t-boned someone cuz I was on the phone. Never again.

[danny]

cell phones are a leading cause for accidents-gas was at $2.20.9 here today

[KA9MOT]

Gasoline hit $2.31 early in the week here in central Ohio. Then it came down to $2.29 yesterday. I got an extra $0.03 off at Meijer, which saved me a whopping $0.45.

I looked at electric cars a while back. They are cheap to operate, but when you figure in the cost of the batteries, you loose money. Gasoline keeps going up and that may change. The people who push the electric car are for the most part tree hugging zellots that want to force things in a direction that is unpractical, but it aligns with their political crap. They are doing more to kill the market than they are moving the technoligy forward.

I think a diesel electric hybrid would be the ultimate for fuel milage. The diesel engine uses almost no fuel to idle. Ideally you would never use the engine to hold back or slow the car. Always let it coast, while the engine idles. Then let the electric motor slow the car, which would pump electricity back into the batteries. Then use the regenerated power to accellerate the car. If you figure 90% effeciency at the motor and 90% at the drives and batteries, then you could save about 81% of the energy require to stop the car, and you could put about 81% of that saved energy into accellerating the car the next time, which says that the total effeciency is about 64% (about 2/3). Now if we put this into something someone want to drive which would wiegh in at 4200 lb (for example). This would mean that the electric system would be able to power 2/3 and the diesel would only need to supply 1/3. So a 4200 lb car would get milage similar to a 1400 lb car. It would take $3000 - 4000 to buy the batteries, drive, and electric motor.

Anyone ready to try to build one?


Most of the auto manufacturers are marketing these cars now. They are called hybrids although I believe most run on gas. Ford is marketing an Escape based Hybrid.
I think your diesel idea is a very good one for the reasons mentioned and the fact that a diesel engine can run on virtually any type of oil including waste motor oil.

[TNcarguy]

I've said it for years, I think we ought to run cars on alcohol. Take the money away from the Middle East and give it to the farmers. I bet a lot of terrorist activity and fighting would go away over there.

We have FFVs (flexible fuel vehicles) on the road today. GM, Ford and Chrysler all make them. They cost the same as regular vehicles, but they can run on gas or almost any mixture of ethanol (up to 85%) and gas. Their computers compensate for the mixture.

Yeah, ethanol doesn't get the milage gas does, but with the cost of gas going up it's looking better all the time. Plus, ethanol is a much cleaner burning fuel.

That's my .02

http://www.e85fuel.com/

[KA9MOT]

I've said it for years, I think we ought to run cars on alcohol. Take the money away from the Middle East and give it to the farmers. I bet a lot of terrorist activity and fighting would go away over there.

We have FFVs (flexible fuel vehicles) on the road today. GM, Ford and Chrysler all make them. They cost the same as regular vehicles, but they can run on gas or almost any mixture of ethanol (up to 85%) and gas. Their computers compensate for the mixture.

Yeah, ethanol doesn't get the milage gas does, but with the cost of gas going up it's looking better all the time. Plus, ethanol is a much cleaner burning fuel.

That's my .02

http://www.e85fuel.com/


Another good idea and one I have been promoting for years. It cost so much to make ethanol but these costs would be reduced drastically with the demand.

[danny]

i also am for alternative fuels. problem is when they will be available the same crooks will be in charge and gouging will continue. business as usual.

[KA9MOT]

i also am for alternative fuels. problem is when they will be available the same crooks will be in charge and gouging will continue. business as usual.

This too is probably correct. However, we can manufacture our own ethanol to fuel our cars and have a c0cktail when we get home. :D

c0ck is sensored? What if we wish to talk about a rooster?

Maybe we should censor:
Split
**** (short for Richard)
Crack (of dawn)
***** cat

[TNcarguy]

Quote from http://www.sj-r.com/sections/news/stories/51830.asp
"In Lincoln (IL), for instance, where E-85 already is available at a Qik-n-EZ, the new fuel was selling for 1.62 a gallon Wednesday, while regular unleaded was 2.07."

I read another article that ethanol gets 5 to 15% worse fuel mileage than gas.

Let's see... If you need 15% more E85, then the comparible cost per gallon would be (1.62 x 1.15) about $1.86

Here's another comparision:
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/***/byfuel/FFV2000.shtml

Other than availability, I'm not seeing a down side here. This latest gas price gouge may be what the ethanol industry needs.

[KA9MOT]

Good info TN. Looks like I'll have to do some research to see what it takes to run e85. I am proud that Illinois is one of the first states to promote it.

[danny]

what about the availability?

[TNcarguy]

what about the availability?

http://www.e85fuel.com/database/search.php

[mareze]

cell phones are a leading cause for accidents
What is the first thing you do when your in an accident??? Hang up your phone. ;)

[mareze]

I would just rather go back to horse and carriage.

[Porcupine]

That sucks too. Just what we all need on this forum. We all have one horse power. That gives new difinition to add on parts :D you know...exhaust and stuff.

[mareze]

We could always do chariots. A lot more horse power. :D

[olddog]

Most of the auto manufacturers are marketing these cars now. They are called hybrids although I believe most run on gas. Ford is marketing an Escape based Hybrid.
I think your diesel idea is a very good one for the reasons mentioned and the fact that a diesel engine can run on virtually any type of oil including waste motor oil.

I worked with a guy that had a honda insite. It would get 60+ MPG, but it still wouldn't pay for itself at $2.50 a gallon, and what a beer can it is. With a million flashlight batteries and a tiny electric motor, this thing wasn't even a good try. The old volkswagon rabbit with a small diesel, was bigger, faster, and got just as good MPG. I here they are working on bigger vehicles, but I haven't seen one yet.

The diesel will run on vegitable oil too. There is a lot of used french fry oil in the country.

[olddog]

I've said it for years, I think we ought to run cars on alcohol. Take the money away from the Middle East and give it to the farmers. I bet a lot of terrorist activity and fighting would go away over there.

We have FFVs (flexible fuel vehicles) on the road today. GM, Ford and Chrysler all make them. They cost the same as regular vehicles, but they can run on gas or almost any mixture of ethanol (up to 85%) and gas. Their computers compensate for the mixture.

Yeah, ethanol doesn't get the milage gas does, but with the cost of gas going up it's looking better all the time. Plus, ethanol is a much cleaner burning fuel.

That's my .02

http://www.e85fuel.com/

I read a study on this issue. The problem is that you have to use fuel to plow, plant, fertilize, spray for pests & weeds, then harvest, then transport the grain and dry it. At present there is no pipelines to transport large volumes so it all has to be trucked. It you use the ethanol to do all this work there isn't much left over to sell, and the cost goes up. The only way to make it economically is to have cheep diesel fuel to do all the work. If there is cheep diesel fuel you don't need the ethanol. Bummer.

[TNcarguy]

Companies are building plants to create ethanol from wood waste, rice hulls, rice stalks and many other unused by products.

Check this story:
http://www.e85fuel.com/faqs/production.htm

I especially liked the last paragraph:
One company has plans for production facilities in New York and Alabama to produce ethanol from the biomass portion of municipal solid waste. The plants would reduce capacity problems at wastewater treatment plants and reduce the need for landfills. Many ethanol producers capture carbon dioxide emissions for processing and use in beverages.

Talk about recycling. Just think, the fizz in the next MGD you open could be someone else's f.art. EWWWWW :p

[Larry Piliavin]

Well my wife was in for a hysterectomy (just brought her home about an hour ago). While staring out into the hospital parking lot, I looked at the vehicles, over several days. I lump SUVs, Vans (mini & full sized), and trucks into the heavy fuel users. Most days there were more heavy users than cars (I guess about 50% is average). When you look at the cars, I would say less than 25% of them will get over 30 MPG. So 1/4 of 1/2 is 1/8, or about 12% of the autos would get good milage. Now a hospital may be skewed toward what the old farts drive, as they have more medical issues. I'm sure this is not real scientific, but I feel comfortable stating that this area uses lots of fuel.

You must be very young and "olddog" is just a moniker. I just turned 65 and have driven a minivan for years. Not because I need the seating, but because it's easier to get in and out of, and it drives like a car. An SUV would serve the same purpose, but most of them are nothing more than status symbols for yuppies. My van, a 2001 Olds Silhouette, gets over 26 hiway MPG if I keep it below Mach 1. Not bad for a near two-ton vehicle.

As you get older and your body starts falling apart, and you find it harder and harded to climb in and out of low cars, you will probably find yourself driving something a little more "old-fartish" too.

[KA9MOT]

You must be very young and "olddog" is just a moniker. I just turned 65 and have driven a minivan for years. Not because I need the seating, but because it's easier to get in and out of, and it drives like a car. An SUV would serve the same purpose, but most of them are nothing more than status symbols for yuppies. My van, a 2001 Olds Silhouette, gets over 26 hiway MPG if I keep it below Mach 1. Not bad for a near two-ton vehicle.

As you get older and your body starts falling apart, and you find it harder and harded to climb in and out of low cars, you will probably find yourself driving something a little more "old-fartish" too.

This old fart drives a SUV (a small one), and I'll never switch. I really dislike SUV haters. Mine is not Mall Rated either.

[Porcupine]

Ha !!!

This older fart just bought his first SUV and yes, it's thirsty. I'm not used to that.
But, I love this beast. It's fun to drive and kicks butt, better than my previous 455 Olds... I think :D. I've doing some Home Depot runs for our recent renovation. the only space I lack is hauling drywall. other than that this truck is shy of having a pick up truck. IMO this SUV is a bit of a looker.
Of course, I like Jaclyn Smith too.

[danny]

Ha !!!
IMO this SUV is a bit of a looker.
Of course, I like Jaclyn Smith too.


don't confuse jaclyn smith with your exploder-it's just not right. :rolleyes: :D

[Porcupine]

Well, if it makes any difference, they both have fine lines, they both look good and one of them should last for ever. Eventually, one will use the Energizer bunny. Scratch that comment. :D

[danny]

Well, if it makes any difference, they both have fine lines, they both look good and one of them should last for ever. Eventually, one will use the Energizer bunny. Scratch that comment. :D


i think the term is dillusional-the exploder has no fine lines, it is an odd shaped box with an engine and a tendancy to roll over given the correct bad driving habits, whereas jaclyn might resemble the afore mentioned description but let's hope not :D

[KA9MOT]

I hear Jaclyn will roll over with a little persuasion as well.

[Porcupine]

I hear Jaclyn will roll over with a little persuasion as well.


................:D..............

[olddog]

You must be very young and "olddog" is just a moniker. I just turned 65 and have driven a minivan for years. Not because I need the seating, but because it's easier to get in and out of, and it drives like a car. An SUV would serve the same purpose, but most of them are nothing more than status symbols for yuppies. My van, a 2001 Olds Silhouette, gets over 26 hiway MPG if I keep it below Mach 1. Not bad for a near two-ton vehicle.

As you get older and your body starts falling apart, and you find it harder and harded to climb in and out of low cars, you will probably find yourself driving something a little more "old-fartish" too.

To tell the truth I will be 47 this month. When I first registered to this forum, I incorrectly assumed that most of the people here would be a younger crowd. However, I do feel older than I am. My wife is ate up with arthritis. She has had total knee replacements on both legs, carpal tunnel both wrists, all the saliva glands removed on one side, tonsils removed, major back problems, I'm forgetting something, and this is all in the last five years. Myself, I'm in the first stage of cirrhosis of the liver. I have a rare genetic disorder called alpha 1 - antitrypsin. It causes cirrhosis of the liver and also destroys the lungs – emphysema. Median life expectancy for this disease is mid fifties. Lung and liver transplant is the only option. I doubt I would want to live that way. On top of this, we both have sleep apnea – so we are turbo charged at night. They say your only as old as you feel, and I do feel old.

I know what you mean about getting in and out of the cars. I have the Grand Marqui for my wife, as she is 5'1".

[olddog]

This old fart drives a SUV (a small one), and I'll never switch. I really dislike SUV haters. Mine is not Mall Rated either.

Don't get me wrong, I do not hate SUVs. I drive a 98 Ranger 4x4. I believe in looking at the facts. I believe in the free market economic system. Let everyone drive what ever they desire and can afford. I am mildly annoyed when people whine that they have a right to free or cheap anything. People talk like there are monopolies everywhere and it is not the case. We consume mind boggling amounts of energy, willy nilly without a thought, then whine if the cost goes up when the demand goes up. I don't like it either, but I don't blame others without just cause. I'm just trying to get some balance and perspective on the subject.

[olddog]

Oh buy the way, I am very outraged when some ivory tower elitist gets on TV and wants to chastise all of us for driving SUVs, pickup trucks, and big cars, then they go fly home (10,000 square ft mansion) in their private jet, and have their schoffer (sp) drive them from the air port in a stretch limousine.

[Porcupine]

I'm 57 and have my share of arthritis. Most all my joints and muscles ache and there's little I can do. But I keep on truckin. I find if I'm a least doing something it's some sort of activity exercisie or not. the only good it does is keep my mind off the pain and also getting those thing accomplished.

Wiring 100% done for the reno, vapor barrier right after the knap. Drywall next week. exit stage right...hello pillow.

[Daniel Wood]

They say your only as old as you feel, and I do feel old.

olddog, I sincerely wish you and your wife the very best. I hope that something can be done to stop this. My thoughts and prayers will be with you both.

[duffy]

On top of this, we both have sleep apnea
Yesterday morning, I watched a "special" on sleep disorders, and it was uncanny, they kept going back to how sleep disorders can be a contributing factor to other illnesses... One patient (that had sleep apnea) also was told that he was going to need a heart transplant... after several months of utilizing a "positive pressure breathing device" (whatever it's called) during his sleeping hours, his heart had improved to the point that he no longer was going to need the heart transplant. I'm now convinced that I should stay in bed to get the 7 to 9 hours sleep necessary for a healthy life... Ahhhh not that I'm overly healthy anyway... :eek:
Oh, yeah, 2.39 per gallon..., and it doesn't look like it's gonna get any better!!

[Porcupine]

Gee Duffy for a minute I thought you said Sheep apnea. I was starting to wonder bout you.

Gas here has stabilized around 0.84. I got my new truck this morning. E250 with 5.7 V8. It took $90.00 to fill this morning. Many days I'll fill up twice in one day. That was fueling habit with a smaller truck with the 4.6 V6. It just goes to show you that some high end management does not listen to people that know. These university people they're hireing to crunch numbers don't really have a clue about reality. Every tech across the board regardless of job description is getting the E250 with the 5.7 V8. Even our immediate top management knew AND suggested that I get a smaller vehicle. But corporate seems to know everything. I had directors, VPs and GMs agree with me.
At least my Airmiles will increase.

[Stormy]

I'm 57 and have my share of arthritis. Most all my joints and muscles ache and there's little I can do. But I keep on truckin. I find if I'm a least doing something it's some sort of activity exercisie or not. the only good it does is keep my mind off the pain and also getting those thing accomplished.

Wiring 100% done for the reno, vapor barrier right after the knap. Drywall next week. exit stage right...hello pillow.


Porky,

I know how you feel I am going to be 38 this year and i have had arthritis in my back for about 3 years now and my hands for about 2 now and i believe i am getting it in my knees now. It runs in my family but i really didnt expect to start getting it this early. I injured my back about 4 years ago and within a year arthritis had set in so i guess that is part of it all.

Gas prices are avereging about 2.25 to 2.36 a gallon from what i have seen around here lately.

[olddog]

Yesterday morning, I watched a "special" on sleep disorders, and it was uncanny, they kept going back to how sleep disorders can be a contributing factor to other illnesses... One patient (that had sleep apnea) also was told that he was going to need a heart transplant... after several months of utilizing a "positive pressure breathing device" (whatever it's called) during his sleeping hours, his heart had improved to the point that he no longer was going to need the heart transplant. I'm now convinced that I should stay in bed to get the 7 to 9 hours sleep necessary for a healthy life... Ahhhh not that I'm overly healthy anyway... :eek:
Oh, yeah, 2.39 per gallon..., and it doesn't look like it's gonna get any better!!

The machine is called Continuous Positive Airway Pressurization (CPAP). I call it my turbo charger. My father-n-law is on oxygen. He calls his Nitrous injection. You have to have fun, too.

I was completely disfunctional when I finally went for help. The CPAP made a huge improvement in quality of life, but the sleep apnea put quite a lot of miles on my heart. I was living on coffee for years and didn't realize how bad I was until I gave up the coffee.

[olddog]

Arthritis distroys the cartlig in the knee joints and others. All my wifes experts highly recomend glucosamine chondroitin. It's over the counter stuff. It you are interested.

Sorry, I didn't mean to turn the price of gasoline into a health thread.

[Porcupine]

I think maybe we have two topics on the go on this thread. Oh well, let's have two topics on one thread. It's not the first time we've been goofy.

Health. I notice that virtually all my joints ache at one time or another. The last couple of days my left elbow was so sore that it felt like it was bruised. I accidently banged it against a door and it felt like someone hit me with a hammer. Normally my hands, feet, knees and and leg muscles throb. It really takes a toll on your day. My lower back is something else. I find I walk slower than I used to. When I walk on ice I tend to walk like Tim Conway (as the old man). I try to avoid sitting around and this renovation has been physically demanding. Maybe a jacuzzi bath next year.

[Trader Ray]

I found this site that you enter your zip code and it tells you the average price in your area. There is still gas for $1.97 a gallon in Chattanooga. I wont drive that far for it though. The site is www.gasbuddy.com...

[vetteonr]

Here's the financial report for Exxon Mobile that came out today...........

Total revenue of 298 Billion

Record profit of 25.33 Billion

CEO Lee Raymond total compensation package is 38 Million including salary, bonuses, and stock.

I'm at a loss for words right now........ :(

[Porcupine]

I can't understand this. It seems like there's a private club that the 'big' boys seek out. They seem beyond making decent incomes where they vote themselves in for the real big bucks. These CEOs tend to want noteriety more than anything. You and I and the next guy could survive and be quite content on much less.

Don't get me wrong, I feel there are some that make those big bucks are worth it, but those are the private enterprize people. The selfmade millionaires.

But to be hired on as a CEO and demand that kind of coin is not logical. If he made 38million you know all too well that there's many below him that make a big chunk as well. We gripe about the cost of stuff and they don't give two hoots. We have to look at things in persepctive.

Bill Gates changed the world as we know it. He is self made. If his product sells for a decent shlef price then people will buy and he benifits based on volume, plus it's his company.

With oil prices we seem to be at their mercy. We can do without Window XP and move on to something else, but we can't do without oil. FREE enterpize has its cost.

[duffy]

I can't understand this. It seems like there's a private club that the 'big' boys seek out. FREE enterpize has its cost.
Porko, I guess you just "don't get it"..... The Auto makers are behind in selling economy cars, (government mandated corporate fuel economy) so they call their buddies in the Gasoline industry, and ask them to raise prices... Viola, people buy more economy cars, and the Gasoline industry makes huge profits....... The Gasoline industry isn't making huge profits, so, they call their buddies in the Auto industry, and ask them to discount the huge "gas guzzlers"..... Viola, people buy more gas guzzlers, which in turn causes them to buy more gasoline, and both the Auto industry and the Gasoline industry makes huge profits.... To them, it's just a big "shell" game of greed and profit.. (get it.... "shell" game).... :D

[Stormy]

This is getting really out of hand and there is no reason for someone in a "saliared (sp) position" to make that kind of money.

As was said when someone themselves earns theirselves that kind of money such as Bill Gates it is one thing but to be earning that type of money for being hired into a position no matter how good you are for the company there is no reason anyone needs that much money to live on. Especially as people struggle to even be able to fill their gas tank enough to make it back and forth to work every week.

[Porcupine]

Porko, I guess you just "don't get it"..... The Auto makers are behind in selling economy cars, (government mandated corporate fuel economy) so they call their buddies in the Gasoline industry, and ask them to raise prices... Viola, people buy more economy cars, and the Gasoline industry makes huge profits....... The Gasoline industry isn't making huge profits, so, they call their buddies in the Auto industry, and ask them to discount the huge "gas guzzlers"..... Viola, people buy more gas guzzlers, which in turn causes them to buy more gasoline, and both the Auto industry and the Gasoline industry makes huge profits.... To them, it's just a big "shell" game of greed and profit.. (get it.... "shell" game).... :D

Duffy, I got that picture a long time ago. In fact if you look back in some of the threads I said some of those very words. BUT, along with what you said, is the fact that these big CEOs ALONG WITH the Auto makers are working together in harmony and while gouging you and me, are lining their own pockets at the same time. Yep, I get it. There's actually two stories on the go here and Both relate to your last sentence.

[olddog]

The thing I hate the most about the CEO position is that they can make a dumb decision that nearly sinks the company. They still get payed (not as much because much of their pay is based on company performance). Then they go in and make a bunch of "tough decisions" (fire 20 % of the peon worker bees), and start cleaning up the mess that they made. Now they set the performance goals down to an achievable level based on the mess that they made. Next year huge payout for cleaning up their own mess. The one that peons payed all the prices for.

On the other hand, you guys act like they are all a bunch of good old boys helping each other out. Not true. These guys will gladly take their grandmother's retirement and insurance away, if it will make them look better (=more money & power). These egotistical power mongers have no problems looking in the mirror and shaving right after they cheat you and 20,000 other employees out half your retirement. These guys are competing against each other. If the CEO of Exon thought his company would make more money by cutting prices and taking market share from BP, he would do in half a heart beat. Never doubt that. The economics are not there. The huge pay isn't really about money or need, it's how they keep score. I don't like it, but it is what it is.

There are companies out there making all types of fuels, alchohol (sp), propane, natural gas, LP, and more. The CEO in all of those companies would love to have the auto market. If they could provide you with a system to operate your car at a better price, you would buy it, and they would sell it. There is a free market out there. The biggest power out there tampering with it is the governments. After all if it wasn't for government regulations, you and I could go out and build our own refinery, drill our own oil wells, and sell gasoline at a lower price. If any industry goes to far someone else alway enters their market.

[Racerock]

Here you go for all the drivers of vehicles that have the "Average Fuel Mileage Computer". Real quick fix:

-Push the units button so that it displays l/kM or whatever that ferrin unit is.

The mileage in my Expedition went from about 14 to 18 in a split second!

[duffy]

The mileage in my Expedition went from about 14 to 18 in a split second!
Geeezzzzzz...Rocky,.. Who would have thunk it???? Porko, you can chime in here, cause when you leave that ferrin' country, and come here to the states, you probally push that button, and the mileage decreases from 18 to 14.. :eek: :D

[Stormy]

Well gas seems to slowly be coming back down a bit.........I paid 2.17 a couple of days ago.

[Racerock]

Geeezzzzzz...Rocky,.. Who would have thunk it???? Porko, you can chime in here, cause when you leave that ferrin' country, and come here to the states, you probally push that button, and the mileage decreases from 18 to 14..

No lie, just started driving the Expedition a month ago, and reset the mileage, and wanting to see how good it would get, really drove it easy. Man, was the mileage looking good, I thought.....humm deee duummm dumm, driving down the road after about 200 miles into the tank, feeling pretty darn good :D

Could not believe how high it was, then looked at the display closer. Must have hit the E/M button by itself while resetting it or something. :o

[olddog]

Gas was $2.30 a couple weeks back. Now it's down to $1.98. I keep filling up, but I'm only using about 6 gallons between the big drops. I'm not complaning that it is dropping too fast. It just ticks you off because you expect it to jump way back up at any moment.

[thecarguy]

It was about $70 to fill up my truck lastnight with 91 @ $2.76

[Odawg]

It was about $70 to fill up my truck lastnight with 91 @ $2.76


I guess I won't complain (as much) I gassed up yesterday, then I bought some fuel for 2.53 in the 909. :)

[vetteonr]

$2.07 was our weekend price here.

[duffy]

$2.07 was our weekend price here.
WOW.... I'm movin' to Detroit !!! :D

[vetteonr]

WOW.... I'm movin' to Detroit !!! :DYou may want to re-think that........no........wait.........you're used to Philly........come on down!

[duffy]

You may want to re-think that........no........wait.........you're used to Philly........come on down!
I just don't understand it, Philly has some HUGE oil refineries, and the price of gasoline is higher in the metro area than outside of the metro area.. ????? it sure baffles me.. :confused:

[Porcupine]

some of the pricing is indexed on city property tax. If you pay more tax on your commercial property your pump price will be higher accordingly. That's why in some areas like outskirts of major centers you might see some pump prices unbelievably low(er).

That only explains the differences between prices in area. it's still the base price that urks us all.

[olddog]

I just filled up at $1.939. It only held 6.9 gallons, but I couldn't pass that price.

[vetteonr]

WOW.... I'm movin' to Detroit !!! :DIsn't it funny how your mayor and our mayor made two of the three worst mayors listed by Time magazine.

[duffy]

Isn't it funny how your mayor and our mayor made two of the three worst mayors listed by Time magazine.
OH, in Philly, it's "business as usual"... "pay-to-play" politics and business... the FBI had a wiretap in the mayor's office, it was found, and now the FBI is going after everyone involved with the mayor. :D

[danny]

OH, in Philly, it's "business as usual"... "pay-to-play" politics and business... the FBI had a wiretap in the mayor's office, it was found, and now the FBI is going after everyone involved with the mayor.

:eek: you're not on that list are you??-lol-:D

[duffy]

:eek: you're not on that list are you??-lol-
No, NOT ME !!!.... Maybe the mayor can find gasoline for me at less than $2.30 per gallon.... Porky can find it for less than $2.30 per liter.. :eek:

[Trader Ray]

I just filled up at $1.939. It only held 6.9 gallons, but I couldn't pass that price.

I think I would have been filling up milk jugs or what ever held fuel at that price! :)

[Porcupine]

No, NOT ME !!!.... Maybe the mayor can find gasoline for me at less than $2.30 per gallon.... Porky can find it for less than $2.30 per liter.. :eek:

Truth is, ours dropped to 0.80 this past weekend. back up to 0.84 today.

[Young_unn]

i found a lone gas station taht always has the lowest gas price, while other places cost 2.309 i paid 2.02 per gallon, why would this lone gas station sell for so little?

[Trader Ray]

Probally watered down, bottom of the fuel tanks on the truck gas. Of course that is only a guess. We have one place like that too, usually 10 cents cheaper than the place right next door yet no buisness either while the high price place has lines at all 8 pumps. Anyone use the gas at Walmart, it is Murphy brand? It has made just about any car I have used it in ping till I get a different brand. Truth be known I like Sunoco brand the best and so does my car. I got that bad boy up to about 67 HP now. :D

[olddog]

Anyone use the gas at Walmart, it is Murphy brand? It has made just about any car I have used it in ping till I get a different brand.:D

I use it a fair amount and never have a problem with it. Meijer (another supermarket with a gas station) is about the only place around here that sell pure gasoline. Everyplace else has methanal blends. I use the Meijer in my two stroke stuff (trimmer, leaf blower, etc.). My 98 Ranger with 3.0 engine pings bad on the Meijer, and pings some on a few others, but it never pings on the Walmart gasoline. My 2001 Grand Marquis has never pinged on anything. It runs great on anything put in it.

[vetteonr]

Shell oil released their 1st quarter PROFITS today. They are up 28% over last year for a total of $5.548 BILLION.

And the band played on..................

[Trader Ray]

Regular is $2.01 today. Why am I happy about that? :confused:

[Stormy]

Regular is $2.01 today. Why am I happy about that? :confused:

Because its a hell of a lot better than 2.30 something...........I have seen 2.05 and 2.03 around here

[Daniel Wood]

I just knew that we wouldn't see the gas in the $1 plus range any more. But it's down to 1.98 within a 30 mile radius.

And I can remember as a kid when Mama was talking bad about $.35 a gallon many, many, many moon's ago.

[dancerman]

I use this web site to check prices locally around Atlanta. I would bet other cities have something like it. Prices vary greatly but if you are needing gas it's helpful to query the site before you fill up so you know if you can get a low price nearby. Yesterday I paid $1.90 at BP.

http://www.atlantagasprices.com/

The prices listed are supplied anyone who cares to post what they have seen on their travels.

[Trader Ray]

Ha, I seen it for $1.88 today at a co-op store, I did not need gas at the time so I am sure it will be up by the time I do need it. :(

[Stormy]

I wish it was that low here..............I just paid 2.03 today :( :(

[dougbfresh]

People beef about gas prices but look what people pay for bottled water-a Gallon of Milk costs more than a gallon of gas and a cow can make more milk. We still pay a lot less than the rest of the world for gas, and would probably pay less if so many people didn't think it was their birth right to drive gas thirsty SUV's to move 1 or 2 people for 95+% of the vehicles life. If you don't like gas prices, there is something you can do, drive a 4 or 6 cylinder car and/or a motorcycle when you can and rent a truck when you need it.

Hey I don't like paying more than I have to either, but Detroit in their infinite wisdom gives me few choices these days. I do not want to buy a foreign car if I can avoid it, but unless Detroit get their collective heads out of their behinds, they are going to lose it all to the Asian manufacturers. They missed the boat in the late 70's and they are doing EXACTLY the same thing today-they milk the cash cow (SUV's) till it's dead, then cry poor mouth so the government can help bail them out instead of reinvesting the $10-15K they make on each monster SUV into other technologies. Seems to me, if they can get 30 mpg out of a Corvette, they ought to be able to manufacture a 4 door, 6 cylinder sedan or coupe that get's 35 and decent performance. Toyota and Honda are willing to sell Hybrid vehicles for a loss to get a jump on the competition-now GM is trying to get cozy with Toyota to be able to use the technology when GM should have pioneered this to begin with.

[Trader Ray]

You know Doug, I agree with almost all of your post, the part I dont and it is a weak point at that is actually true.
I have a 4x4 that I have been going through and repairing all the things that hinder gas milage and have made great gains, for one I found a hose that runs off of one of the tanks and it being a 3/8 hose was spit half way across the hose. I have drove my whole rotation off work (4 days) and have only used a 1/4th of a tank to were I would have used much much more. I drive my 4 banger (34.5 MPH) to work daily and the truck for my toy.
Filters, tire pressure, proper driving skills, vehilce maintenenance, making sure it operates at the proper engine temp and just plain ole' common scence will help every individual get the most for thier gas dollar.
Gas was cheaper when all these large SUV's hit the market and now it aint. I agree if you own one and drove it to work it would pay to get a car pool going to help the gas crunch going on.
I love driving my truck and would like to take it every where I go, but it dont make sence when I have a car that takes a fill up every other week and that is @ 70 miles a day 4 days a week. Even though I could afford the gas for the truck I dont see the reason to just waist gasoline like that. I guess if it was the only vehicle I owned I would not have a choice and with insurance and wheel tax that we have here two cars are expensive to maintain, and we have 3, a V6 96 Monte Carlo as well.
I realize my post was pointless but it was on my mind and I have the whole nite to stay up.. :eek:

[olddog]

Doug your right again. It is amazing that companies spend $100K to drill a well in the middle east. Spend millions on pipe lines. Billions on super tankers to get over here. Then spend billions on refineries and billions on pipelines all over this country. Then after all of this they can sell you a gallon of gasoline for $1.50 (not counting taxes) and make a handsome proffit. Then some guy drills a water well for $3K pumps it through $2K worth of filters and puts it in small bottles. People then pay him $6 per gallon and are happy about it.