Gas Prices

[crickhollow]

meh...they've been hovering just below the two dollar mark here in Northwest Washington. Today when I went to fill up at the AM/PM (the only place cheaper is Costco, and I don't have a membership there), it had jumped up to $2.07.

I drive a little red '91 Mazda 626, and Red usually gets about 30 miles per gallon.

Unfortunately for me, work is 16 miles south of my house, and school is 25 miles north of my house, so I'm on the road a lot (sometimes 2 hours per day). Right now it feels like it's costing me more money to drive to work than I'm actually making. :-(

If I could change my habits, I would, but I can't very often take the bus right now, because I can't take the bus from work to school.

Ruinel: I miss $1.78 already. Last rumour I heard is that it will make it all the way to $3.00/g this summer before it starts easing back down.

[mithrand1r]

Originally posted by Insidious Rex
good for you. yer a better man then most. whats the deal with the gas stations on the NJ turnpike? they seem surprisingly low priced compared with other high way gas stations. someone must have a great contract set up there somehow. course the fact that the refineries are right there probably doesnt hurt. i always remember to fill up on the last stop in Jersey because once you hit New York the price jumps like 15 cents.

When I was ready to choose a new car a few years back I test drove several cars.

I wanted the following from any car I was going to buy:

Get at least 30 mpg (7.84 L/100km)

Comfortably fit 4 people with some luggage.

Have decent pickup speed (0-60 times)
This, for me, was more based on real-world feel than actual numbers.

I was unsure about the Diesel so I did look around for information and did a few test drives. The car drove well, got great mpg and it easilly 4 people with some luggage. The car being a hatchback was a bonus (very versitile (sp?)).

Since I drive over 30k miles (48k KM) per year it made it a lot of sense. (all things being equal a car driven by diesel gets 20-40% more miles per gallon than the same car driven by gasoline)

Part of th3e reason NJ has lower gas prices compared to other states is due to relatively low fuel taxes and close proximity of the fuel refineries.

(Although I have at times seen same or lower fuel prices in MD.)

I think the other reason is that New Jersey is better than all of the other states.

[Ruinel]

Originally posted by mithrand1r
...Part of th3e reason NJ has lower gas prices compared to other states is due to relatively low fuel taxes and close proximity of the fuel refineries.

(Although I have at times seen same or lower fuel prices in MD.)

I think the other reason is that New Jersey is better than all of the other states.

Texas has numberous refineries. Beaumont has the highest cancer rate in the nation for it. The port in Houston sees so many tankers coming in and out, I couldn't even begin to tell you how many. Yet, our gas prices have jumped over 15 cents a gallon in a week. Go figure.

And Texas is better than New Jersey... so there.

[crickhollow]

yeah, we've got BP and Texaco refineries in our area, too...they take in crude from Alaska. At this point I wouldn't be opposed to the US starting to take more from our AK resources, but that's another thread for another day.

[Ruinel]

Originally posted by crickhollow
yeah, we've got BP and Texaco refineries in our area, too...they take in crude from Alaska. At this point I wouldn't be opposed to the US starting to take more from our AK resources, but that's another thread for another day.

I'd be more in favor of developing alternative fuels. We need to think of the future, rather than the "here and now". We're suffering now because we failed to consider our future, in the past.

Our government spends money each year in alternative fuel research and developement. We currently get an incentive for purchasing hybrid cars through our taxes. If your windmill or solar panel system makes more fuel than you use, the local electric company is required to buy the excess from you.

But we're too focused on the rest of the world and our present rather than our future. It will be our undoing.

[Insidious Rex]

Yeah I sure hope they dont dig up the Alaska national parks because some people would rather destroy natural resources so that they can happily drive their SUV's and hummers around town and still pay next to nothing at the station. Its truly sad and terribly short sighted thinking. I heard somewhere that if we were to use EVERY single resource we currently have in this country and cut our ties with OPEC and any foreign oil sources that we would run out of oil in less then a year! Now is that worth digging up ancient forests and wild life sanctuaries. I think not.

Ive heard a LOT of bitching about who is making out like bandits since these price increases and therefore whose fault it must be. Everyone blames OPEC and the oil refinery companies and the resellers and the stations but they never seem to look in the damn mirror at all. As long as we insist on being able to consume oil way beyond the rate at which we really need it, then we ultimately (and collectively --- I dont want to hear any DONT BLAME ME crap thanks) are responsible for what we are seeing today. Because in the end we control the market place. Not anyone else. Perhaps the only way to push people grudgingly away from their double standard norm is to make gas so costly that it takes us there kicking and screaming. Someone told me we may see $3 a gallon this year. Think that will do it?

[mithrand1r]

Originally posted by Insidious Rex
Yeah I sure hope they dont dig up the Alaska national parks because some people would rather destroy natural resources so that they can happily drive their SUV's and hummers around town and still pay next to nothing at the station. Its truly sad and terribly short sighted thinking. I heard somewhere that if we were to use EVERY single resource we currently have in this country and cut our ties with OPEC and any foreign oil sources that we would run out of oil in less then a year! Now is that worth digging up ancient forests and wild life sanctuaries. I think not.

Ive heard a LOT of bitching about who is making out like bandits since these price increases and therefore whose fault it must be. Everyone blames OPEC and the oil refinery companies and the resellers and the stations but they never seem to look in the damn mirror at all. As long as we insist on being able to consume oil way beyond the rate at which we really need it, then we ultimately (and collectively --- I dont want to hear any DONT BLAME ME crap thanks) are responsible for what we are seeing today. Because in the end we control the market place. Not anyone else. Perhaps the only way to push people grudgingly away from their double standard norm is to make gas so costly that it takes us there kicking and screaming. Someone told me we may see $3 a gallon this year. Think that will do it?

Gas fuel is now about $1.759 for regular gasoline.

I have seen diesel about $1.609-$1.679. I will need to see how things are when I fill up again.
(It is nice to be able to go 600-700 miles [960-1120 km] between fillups.)

[The Gaffer]

I agree with you there, IRex. The real costs of fossil fuels are not included in the price.

Not even here in the UK, where it's now over 80p a litre, which is £4.40 a gallon or (wait for it) $7.80!! About 80% of that is tax.

The problem is what's the alternative, particularly if public transport is not good where you live.

[Insidious Rex]

Originally posted by The Gaffer
Not even here in the UK, where it's now over 80p a litre, which is £4.40 a gallon or (wait for it) $7.80!! About 80% of that is tax.

good lord! that would NEVER stand here in the states. There would be a small revolution before it even got half that high. Washington would be stormed by irrate pitch fork weilding SUV driving oil eaters.

[crickhollow]

Originally posted by Insidious Rex
good lord! that would NEVER stand here in the states. There would be a small revolution before it even got half that high. Washington would be stormed by irrate pitch fork weilding SUV driving oil eaters.

haha, that's a funny image, IRex. And no, I'm not going to argue that we should start drilling in the Alaska wilderness. Mostly I'm just frustrated at the gas prices right now, and hte fact that there isn't anything I can do to change how much I'm on the road. I'll be finished with school at the end of the month, and I've already given notice at work. But in the meantime, I'm stuck driving back and forth .

Anyway...

Companies like BP are putting millions into alternative energy research as well--mainly because they know that as more people make the switch away from traditional cars, they'll need to have their finger in that pie if they're going to keep making money.

As far as gas prices...Yeah...I'm pretty sure it'll make it over three dollars per gallon here.

btw, last week, I had to put in a few litres up in Canada in order to make it back across the border, at it was .97/litre -- about $3.10 USD/gallon, if I've done the conversions right.

[BeardofPants]

Originally posted by Insidious Rex
As long as we insist on being able to consume oil way beyond the rate at which we really need it, then we ultimately (and collectively --- I dont want to hear any DONT BLAME ME crap thanks) are responsible for what we are seeing today.

Hear! Hear! More money needs to go into Public Transportation though, in order to actively encourage people into using buses, and trains instead of cars. Also, with the fat epidemic, it might be worth considering investing in a bicycle, or walking.

[Ruinel]

Originally posted by BeardofPants
Hear! Hear! More money needs to go into Public Transportation though, in order to actively encourage people into using buses, and trains instead of cars. Also, with the fat epidemic, it might be worth considering investing in a bicycle, or walking.

The buses aren't going to be of any help if they're spewing out black, nasty fumes into our atmosphere... these buses need to be converted so that they run cleaner as well.

Cities are so spaced out that buses take over 2 hours (or more) to get from one place to another with all the stops. I really think that with the way development and homes are being built so that they spread out past the city's borders that we should focus on changing the fuel/resources we currently use... convincing people to sit on a bus for 2 or 3 hours to get to work and then another 2 or 3 hours to get home each work day isn't going to be as successful in making a permanent change.

[Ruinel]

Originally posted by Insidious Rex
good lord! that would NEVER stand here in the states. There would be a small revolution before it even got half that high. Washington would be stormed by irrate pitch fork weilding SUV driving oil eaters.

I have an SUV (for the purposes I mentioned), but sorry... no pitch fork.

Trust me when I say... I looked at all the possible high clearance vehicles that would hold a kayak without compromising safety... there weren't that many choices. At least I had a 6 cylinder option... and I've never had trouble climbing any rocky path with my 6 cylinder.

So, all those soccer moms and dads with 4-wheel drives need to rethink their choices... why do you have your SUV? What do you use it for? If you have a good reason for it, ok... but if it's just to pick up a few kids and throw soccer equipment in the back... hell, a station wagon could do the same.

[Insidious Rex]

you think the soccer moms are bad. how bout the jackasses who insist on driving monster SUVs to the grocery store, to work, to starbucks, to bars, in highway traffic, just so they can feel better about being 8 feet above everyone else and show off their $1500 rims. you think they give one crap about natural resources at all? No. But I guess its the same attitude that allows them to take up 2 spaces every time they park without feeling bad about it. Navigator syndrome...

[The Gaffer]

There was some statistic bandied around a few years ago that 95% of off-road vehicles never go off-road.

Maybe there should be a "tadger tax" for wasteful items that are acquired solely for the purpose of making inadequately endowed males feel bigger.

[BeardofPants]

Originally posted by The Gaffer
Maybe there should be a "tadger tax" for wasteful items that are acquired solely for the purpose of making inadequately endowed males feel bigger.

Does that include extra-large condoms? [/innane comment]

[The Gaffer]

Nah, they'd make big people feel smaller. Unless they make 'em all the same size anyway and just put a different label on the package.

[Beruthiel's cat]

Originally posted by Ruinel
I have an SUV (for the purposes I mentioned), but sorry... no pitch fork.

Trust me when I say... I looked at all the possible high clearance vehicles that would hold a kayak without compromising safety... there weren't that many choices. At least I had a 6 cylinder option... and I've never had trouble climbing any rocky path with my 6 cylinder.

So, all those soccer moms and dads with 4-wheel drives need to rethink their choices... why do you have your SUV? What do you use it for? If you have a good reason for it, ok... but if it's just to pick up a few kids and throw soccer equipment in the back... hell, a station wagon could do the same.

At least you have a reason for driving an SUV. As you say, most people just want them so they can pack up the kids and the groceries after a trip to Sam's Club.

I drive a Chrysler PT Cruiser -- a 4 cylinder (without the turbo-charger option). The mileage is good, approx. 22 - 24 mpg city driving (not as good as my Toyota Corrolla, but that car had so much wrong with it that it negated any savings on gas -- what a piece of garbage!!!). The PT also has better visibility than the Corrolla and is way more fun to drive!!

I managed to find gas at 1.88/gal this past Sunday, but I have a feeling that was the last time I'll be paying under $2.00 for gas for a long time...

[GrayMouser]

Read the back posts and weep!

Current price in Taiwan- NT$38/ liter

US $4.80 (US gal)= 63p/liter(sterling) = euro0.79 liter
(Sorry, BoP, too lazy to do NZ$ )

[The Gaffer]

Originally Posted by GrayMouser

Read the back posts and weep!

Current price in Taiwan- NT$38/ liter

US $4.80 (US gal)= 63p/liter(sterling) = euro0.79 liter
(Sorry, BoP, too lazy to do NZ$ )

Lightweights.

Current UK price £1.20 per litre. That's $2.40 a litre, or > $8 per US gallon.

Now THAT'S what you call a petrol price.