I miss cheap gas

[fotografica]

you think this means more people will move to the city now?

and yeah, i miss cheap gas too...it meant alot more road trips than we make now.

I would say that's doubful as the cost of living in major urban areas/cities is out of control.It practically negates the cost of not having an automobile.

I also miss cheap gas as well.It's pretty bad when you're excited about seeing $2.55 gallon for unleaded regular And it's not even Memorial Day yet. One hurricane going thru the gulf,and the oil companies will use that as an excuse to really boost up prices.I'm tired of having to grab my ankles every time I gas up..

 

[FrankBlack]

Yeah......I miss cheap gas.....especially since I have a company that requires keeping 4 gas-guzzling vehicles on the road each and every day.

Hell.....I remember when gas stations actually gave you something like a glass when you filled up your tank and gas was well under a buck a gallon.

I remember free road maps at gas stations.

 

[quagmire]

How about gas? Like that won't explode when there is a spark........ As I said hydrogen is the ideal fuel. But, I am not saying it will be the answer and become the new fuel for our cars. There is the storage issue and how to get hydrogen without using fossil fuels, etc. You may think electric cars might be the answer. Plug them into your house. Where does your energy come from? Coal powered power plants. They're issues of all the alternative energy sources. Solar powered you say, how about when it is cloudy?

 

[it5five]

Solar powered you say, how about when it is cloudy?

I hate hearing that argument, along with the "the sun is only out half the day" argument.

The amount of solar power that would be drawn in would far exceed the amount being used (depending on where the solar panels are placed). That excess energy is saved in batteries that can be used when people aren't able to draw power directly from the solar panels (like when it is cloudy or when it is dark). Obviously, solar power wouldn't be the ideal form of energy in certain places like the far far north, where in the winter there may be only a few hours of sunlight, but for places with a lot of sun, like Arizona for example, solar power makes so much sense it is ridiculous it isn't being utilized. We have over 300 sunny days a year, yet HOA's block home-owners from placing solar panels on their roofs, and there has been little effort to promote the use of solar panels from the local and state governments.

 

[Rodimus Prime]

I would say that's doubful as the cost of living in major urban areas/cities is out of control.It practically negates the cost of not having an automobile.

I also miss cheap gas as well.It's pretty bad when you're excited about seeing $2.55 gallon for unleaded regular And it's not even Memorial Day yet. One hurricane going thru the gulf,and the oil companies will use that as an excuse to really boost up prices.I'm tired of having to grab my ankles every time I gas up..

Umm do not blame the oil companies for that part. It all about supply and demand.
As it stand the US is running over 90% of it production capabilities for gas. a 10% extra capacity is not much. Now if a a hurricane comes though and hits the right areas the US demand for gas exceeds what it can produce and now gas is going to shoot up in price. 2 years ago when the gulf was pounded by 2 large hurricanes we are talking about over 30% of the nations production of gas was off line for a least 2 weeks since a lot of plants on the gulf coast shut them in case their area was going to be hit. It takes a while to shut down a plant correctly and at least a week to get one back up and running. This is not including the damage to the plants that did get hit which will stay off line even longer.

Oil right now is very expensive to buy and you are right the oil companies are passing alone that increase cost to them to the consumer. Also I might like to point out that the people in the US do not have much room to complain because the ones crying the loudest are the ones driving gas guzzlers that get less than 20 mpg. They are a huge part of the reason gas is so high in price. They increase their own demand for it and wonder why it is more expensive. To it off people will make multiple small trips wasting more fuel or driving a distance that could easily be walked or bike. My college is a good example of this.
The parking lot is full of cars of people who live less than 5 miles from campus. Hell a lot of people who drive to school could get to class in the same amount of time that they could bike once you factor in the time it takes to find a parking spot and then walk to class. I figure this out when I started biking to my afternoon classes that I was getting to class in about the same amount of time as it took me to drive. Hell a lot of people will drive home if they are close between their class I know I do because it is easy but I do try to bike to my afternoon classes depending on the weather (wet and/or cold there is no way in hell I am going to bike to class and the cold part why I have yet to bike to my morning classes)

You know if we all drove more fuel efficient cars the price of gas would go down since the demand for it would also great be reduced but most people just waste gas by driving cars that get less than 20 mpg and hardly any one drives a car than can even get over 27mpg at highway. My car pulls 24mpg city and 30mpg highway and yeah it could be better but at the same time I knew when I got the car I was giving up some gas mileage for a little sportier car.

 

[it5five]

Umm do not blame the oil companies for that part. It all about supply and demand.

Really? So we shouldn't blame the oil companies when ExxonMobil is making tens of billions of dollars a year, all the while completely screwing over the consumer with insanely high prices at the pump. Who want's to bet that next year ExxonMobil will once again have record high income, and the gas prices will also have a new record high? Who also wants to bet that the increase in gas prices will be due to "refining issues" or "supply line problems"; yeah right

 

[quagmire]

I hate hearing that argument, along with the "the sun is only out half the day" argument.

The amount of solar power that would be drawn in would far exceed the amount being used (depending on where the solar panels are placed). That excess energy is saved in batteries that can be used when people aren't able to draw power directly from the solar panels (like when it is cloudy or when it is dark). Obviously, solar power wouldn't be the ideal form of energy in certain places like the far far north, where in the winter there may be only a few hours of sunlight, but for places with a lot of sun, like Arizona for example, solar power makes so much sense it is ridiculous it isn't being utilized. We have over 300 sunny days a year, yet HOA's block home-owners from placing solar panels on their roofs, and there has been little effort to promote the use of solar panels from the local and state governments.

Yes, I know that the excess energy could be put into batteries. But, how far can the batteries last? It might last just for the commute from home to work and back, but what happens on long trips? Cloudy all day and you're driving for 2 days down to Florida. Lets say the batteries will last 300 miles. When the batteries are almost dead what am I supposed to do? Pull over and plug in for what? 4 hours and let the batteries recharge? While a trip like that would be rare, Americans won't go for that because of the limits of batteries and how long they will have to recharge. Maybe in the future they can recharge in 2 minutes, but who knows. As of now solar energy is less practical then hydrogen, Ethanol, BioDiesel, etc. As I said all of these forms of alternative energy sources have there flaws. Solar isn't exempt from it.

 

[fotografica]

Umm do not blame the oil companies for that part. It all about supply and demand.

Really?I've been hearing about alternative fuel sources for as long as I can remember,which seems to be the Ford/Carter era.And everytime some alternative energy initiative comes up,it gets stonewalled and buried by the oil co's multimillion dollar lobbyists.During Carter,it was all about corn being turned into ethanol. An alternative to gasoline..How did that work out?The oil co's (and big business for that matter) have far more clout and influence in Washington than most people realize or want to acknowledge. Regardless of which party is in 1600 Pennsylvania Ave,the White House has always been in bed with the oil industry...

 

[SteveG4Cube]

Thank Bush for reverting all the clean air policies Clinton put into place. It's the big factories and other things that are the major cause of pollution, not cars. And when it comes to cars, the millions of single car commuters sitting and idling in rush hour BS every day are causing ALOT more pollution than a niche of car collectors who like to take their pre-emissions rolling memorabilia out for a spin once a week.

As for gas prices, try driving a car that only runs on 100+ octane race gas at $7+ a gallon

 

[ryannel2003]

I miss cheap gas. Today many things went wrong and have set a depression in, and the only thing that has really ever just solved this depression was the days of being able to drive a whole tank screaming wonderful lyrics of sorrow. With gas where I am sitting at 3.20 however I am no longer able to do such a drive.

Now I know I could go listen to music on my laptop or do something of that sort, but there is nothing like that beautiful feeling of going 75 down a 55 and the bass banging the pain out of your heart.

Anyone else feel that way?

I'm the same way when it comes to driving... I will sometimes get in the car and just drive around. Might even put 100 miles on my car not going anywhere special. I have a pretty fuel efficient car (2000 Toyota Camry LE) but even though I get 25MPG, it still costs about $50.00 to fill the car up. I do have a part-time job, but I find it hard to balance gas, going out with my friends, and buying my computer stuff all at the same time. Will just have to stop driving less to conserve more gas

 

[RojoLeo]

Really?I've been hearing about alternative fuel sources for as long as I can remember,which seems to be the Ford/Carter era.And everytime some alternative energy initiative comes up,it gets stonewalled and buried by the oil co's multimillion dollar lobbyists.During Carter,it was all about corn being turned into ethanol. An alternative to gasoline..How did that work out?The oil co's (and big business for that matter) have far more clout and influence in Washington than most people realize or want to acknowledge. Regardless of which party is in 1600 Pennsylvania Ave,the White House has always been in bed with the oil industry...

Actually the corn thing went away because of the feasibility. The amount of corn you'd have to grow to begin seriously considering it as a fuel source was ridiculously high, not to mention that the processing of the corn also released harmful pollutants into the air.

Really? So we shouldn't blame the oil companies when ExxonMobil is making tens of billions of dollars a year, all the while completely screwing over the consumer with insanely high prices at the pump.

No, we shouldn't. You're blaming a company for being profitable? If every person in the world wanted a Mac, I don't think Apple could keep up with the 6 billion unit demand, thus costs for consumers and profits for the companies would go up.

That's basic business, not conspiracy theory.

 

[satty]

I consider it very cheap at the moment...

... so enjoy the cheap gas/petrol!

I reduced my driving to 350 km this year so far (less than 20 litres altogether) and very soon I will be a car-less person.

Soon many people are going to realise how much our food supply depends on oil and gas. The food prices will go through the roof in the next couple of years.

And alternatives like ethanol will put even more pressure on food prices.

 

[fotografica]

I've never seen an instance where an increase in the raw material cost results in an instantaneous increase in it's primary product.Yet on the other side,when the cost of raw crude goes down,it takes several days to see a drop at the pump. Go figure. And it's always ironic how that when OPEC decides to reduce output there is suddenly an oil shortage..That's not a manipulated market?

 

[adk]

I've never seen an instance where an increase in the raw material cost results in an instantaneous increase in it's primary product.Yet on the other side,when the cost of raw crude goes down,it takes several days to see a drop at the pump. Go figure. And it's always ironic how that when OPEC decides to reduce output there is suddenly an oil shortage..That's not a manipulated market?

OPEC is a self-admitted cartel. There has never been any debate as to whether or not the middle eastern oil market is manipulated.

 

[SkyBell]

How about we forget gas and all this crap, and go back to horse-drawn carraiges?

Seemed to work fine for a couple hundred years...

 

[840quadra]

I like it! I want to see less trucks, SUVs, and van's that people don't really need.

While I understand that even SUV's are getting better fuel milage, not everyone needs a MER (Massive Earth Roamer) just to drive back and forth to work every day, with just them, their wallet (or purse), and a cup of coffee!

If your vehicle cannot make it over 450 miles on less than 15 gallons of fuel, it shouldn't be a daily driver, period.

I love cars, and I love technology. We have the technology to make damn powerful cars that get good fuel economy, so why the hell do we have so many V8 powered hulks that can't even get 30 MPG in a year round useable vehicle!?!?

 

[fotografica]

OPEC is a self-admitted cartel. There has never been any debate as to whether or not the middle eastern oil market is manipulated.

Which in turn affects the global economy...

 

[juanster]

I Want Cheap Gasssssss.

 

[SteveG4Cube]

If your vehicle cannot make it over 450 miles on less than 15 gallons of fuel, it shouldn't be a daily driver, period.

I love cars, and I love technology. We have the technology to make damn powerful cars that get good fuel economy, so why the hell do we have so many V8 powered hulks that can't even get 30 MPG in a year round useable vehicle!?!?

Err, my '06 Civic is rated at 30/40mpg. I used to average about 34-35mpg during my weekly commute which is mostly highway. Now with ethanol blended gas, I'm lucky to average 30mpg on a tank.

 

[Rodimus Prime]

Err, my '06 Civic is rated at 30/40mpg. I used to average about 34-35mpg during my weekly commute which is mostly highway. Now with ethanol blended gas, I'm lucky to average 30mpg on a tank.

quote from the turth. Ethanol has quite a bit less power in it and gas mileage drops a lot on it and mostly it increase the polution we put out because of the fairly large drop in mileaged.

 

[MACDRIVE]

100% ETHANOL

I was just wondering if we had cars that ran on straight ethanol, if they would still require the use of a catalytic converter for emissions regulations. Does anyone know?

 

[MongoTheGeek]

100% ETHANOL

I was just wondering if we had cars that ran on straight ethanol, if they would still require the use of a catalytic converter for emissions regulations. Does anyone know?

Yes. The catalytic converter and such are needed because it is impossible to get perfect combustion. Ethanol helps reduce the CO and hydrocarbons because it brings extra oxygen to the mix. I don't know enough about the various chemistries to say if it burns faster or not. The extra oxygen though increases the production of NOx.

 

[Rodimus Prime]

Yes. The catalytic converter and such are needed because it is impossible to get perfect combustion. Ethanol helps reduce the CO and hydrocarbons because it brings extra oxygen to the mix. I don't know enough about the various chemistries to say if it burns faster or not. The extra oxygen though increases the production of NOx.

Yes it reduces CO and hydrocarbons per gallon but the fact that fuel mileage decreases their is a net increase in CO and hydrocarbons per mile driven.

 

[Sdashiki]

To those who claim the profit windfalls made in the last few years from the price-gouging of gas, is merely "Capitalism Working"....

gimme a break.

Billions of dollars in profit where the increase in pricing that created that large profit was brought on by "problems" which would in turn reduce profit, or keep it level, not increase it to where they are now. Profit levels/margins like this, on an energy source (which is not the same as other consumables) are not supposed to happen.

Gasoline helps our economy, our society, and all that froo froo junk. How can a company, in good conscience, make SO much money when they are supposed to be supporting the basic blood of america? This just doesnt sit well with most americans, and yet we still take it straight up the chute.

This is not capitalism working, this is greed run amok.

When oil costs $70 a barrel, compared to $25 from pre-2001, profits SHOULD NOT GO UP!

 

[Rodimus Prime]

To those who claim the profit windfalls made in the last few years from the price-gouging of gas, is merely "Capitalism Working"....

gimme a break.

Billions of dollars in profit where the increase in pricing that created that large profit was brought on by "problems" which would in turn reduce profit, or keep it level, not increase it to where they are now. Profit levels/margins like this, on an energy source (which is not the same as other consumables) are not supposed to happen.

Gasoline helps our economy, our society, and all that froo froo junk. How can a company, in good conscience, make SO much money when they are supposed to be supporting the basic blood of america? This just doesnt sit well with most americans, and yet we still take it straight up the chute.

This is not capitalism working, this is greed run amok.

When oil costs $70 a barrel, compared to $25 from pre-2001, profits SHOULD NOT GO UP!

You know that might carry some weight if most people where not driving SUV that get piss poor gas mileage. They drive this cars that takes a ton of gas to run and then they complain about high prices. Drive something that gets more than 20 mpg and that might carry some weight.

and why shouldn't they go up. Like other business and hell retail they charge a certain % over their cost. When there cost double our cost is going to double and yes they make double the profit. Most company do not just add a flat fee to their work and a lot of it is based % above cost. Go look at the construction industry. They do not charge a flat fee on their work. No the contractors will charge 10% above their cost which is per profit. All over head cost are past on and then they make a certain % more. It how it works. (plus they are making a lot of money right now because their is more work to be done than their are contractors that are able to do it.)

Also I might like to point out if everyone drove cars that got better gas mileage and just reduced the demand for gas just 10% prices of gas would fall by at least 10% because demand drop so much.

Right now the oil company have a long list of reasons and you can blame the American public for most of it. First off the country consumes gas at 90% of max production capabilities. On top of that it hard for the oil companies to increase their production capabilities because of tree huggers preventing them from getting the land or the permits to be able to do it. And then that same groups complains about high prices.

You can not have your cake and eat it to here. Drive a car that gets better gas mileage.


Also if any one who drives a car that gets less than 27mpg really has no room to talk (unless you use that vehicle as it was designed for and really require it)