Gas prices

[Amelia]

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What did you pay at your last fill up?

Me: thursday 7 april $2.45 gal

[Dr. Shane]

Wow, now I don't feel so bad paying $2.09. I don't mind gas going up, in fact it needs to if we are ever going to wean oursleves off forgien oil. I just wish it wouldn't go up so fast.

[GreatLakesGramma]

My last fill-up, at $2.39/gallon, cost me $84. And my tank wasn't even empty! I wish I could get soy diesel. I'd buy it even if it cost more. It's non-polluting, renewable, and would be a tremendous boost to the US farm economy.

[Pockey]

$2.69 here for regular gas

[cricket]

What on earth are you driving with a 35+ gallon tank???

My last fill-up was at $2.28 USD.

The most boggling thought to me though is that those people who complain about gas expenses will continue to buy their coffee, sodas and "convenience" items at outrageous rates.

One soda typically costs $1.19 per 16 oz. bottle. Converted, that's $9.82 per gallon.

[there buster]

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I don't like high gasoline prices any better than anyone else, but these are not actually all that high, in historic terms.

In fact, gasoline was considerably higher in the late 1970's to about 1981. In constant dollars today's price is just a little higher than it was the year I was born, 1950!

[Gregory Matthews]

In 1984 I lived in a country where a gallon of regular gasoline cost $5.00. I can't even think of what that would be in today's dollars.

Fortunately, I was able to purchase gasoline at a large discount. But, I still paid $5.00 per gallon if I was traveling.

Of course, the gasoline was sold in liters, rather than gallons, so it did not seem to be so much.

[Peter]

I heard on the radio they are paying $3.25 a gallon for regular in pebble Beach California. OUCH!!!!

They say we will be paying $3 a gallon before the end of the summer. Already I am paying $2.69 as you are for regular.

[Ron Lambert]

Looks like the wise who can afford to will purchase a hybrid car, like the Toyota Prius Hybrid, which is claimed to give better than 60 miles per gallon. Other automakers are beginning to market hybrids, including the American car makers, such as Ford with its Hybrid Escape suv, which is rated at 29 miles per gallon (good for an suv)!

As gas prices continue to climb--as they have to, with the increased demand caused by the growing major new markets such as China--sooner or later there may even be gas rationing. I really, really believe those who can should purchase hybrids. It would be too bad if your gas tank has run dry, you can't get any more gas that week, and it's only Wednesday.

[Amelia]

Ive also heard that some in government want to tax hybrid car owners to make up for the loss of revinue from gas sales to them. This of idea comes from the oil lobbyists of course.

And the prediciton for Oregon is my high summer gas prices will be well over $3.00gl <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon_smile_sick.gif" alt="" />

[Dr. Shane]

I think the oil companies are doing just fine with the high cost of crude oil. I would look for Congress to provide tax incentives for people to buy hybrid cars.

[Michelle]

We pay around $6 a gallon in HK, when you figure it all up.

Hybrids are good in many ways, but I would hope that there are more larger ones, such as the Escape. We have a family of four and when we travel with the family plus the French horn and tuba, we have to have a car with room in the back for the instruments and stands. The tuba won't fit in a trunk. Of course, we could always take the instruments and leave the kids . . . . Which is why we own a Mitsubishi Space Wagon which is a 7-passenger wagon--most of the time we don't need that room, but when we have visitors, or are playing our instruments somewhere . . . . Just can't do that on public transportation (won't fit in the trunk of a taxi, couldn't get it through the door of a mini-bus).

Of course, my dh always says that maybe he'll take up flute! (NOT!)

M

[Neil D]

Oregon coast, specifically Newport, $2.59 per gallon for regular...

[K]

Heard this morning on the news out of Dallas that used Toyota Prius cars were selling for $2000.00 above cost. In most cases they were selling for more than brand new cars.

In Central Texas I watch the price go up astronomically daily. My last fill up at Wal-Mart was 1.99 a gallon on Friday, BUT everywhere else it is $2.15. (The new Super Wal-mart in our small town is trying to shut down all the mom and pop places by selling way below everyone else) After they shut them all down they will be the same price as everyone else.

K

[Ron Lambert]

Also, last I heard there was an eight-month waiting list to buy a new Toyota Prius. But meantime, several other car companies are now offering hybrids, in various sized models, including SUVs. Hopefully that will help availability, and possibly bring prices down a little as automakers tool up to meet the surprising level of demand.

[Dr. Shane]

Oh the conspiracy!!! Write your congressman about that wicked Wal-Mart. Who knows, maybe they will try to run Exxon out of business next - then Citgo.

[Jeannieb43]

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />

Oregon coast, specifically Newport, $2.59 per gallon for regular...

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

Oh-h-h-h! You live in Newport, Oregon??!!

I've heard that's the most beautiful, romantic seaside town!

I've always wanted to go there for a visit.

Could you maybe start a travelogue thread (somewhere else on this board), and just tell us all about the town?

Is it terribly cold in winter? Terribly windy all year? The beaches are nonexistent--only a rocky coastline?

Or are there so many "pluses" to living there that the rocks and weather aren't a bother?

This is a serious question. I've never before known anyone who's from Newport.

[K]

Come on Shane don't tell me you think Super Walmart is playing fair. Selling their gas at 15 cents below everyone else. You know they are selling at a loss.

As a consumer I love it, but the little guys will be gone in a month unless they can sell bunches of beer.

K

[Amelia]

All stores use some type of product as a "loss leader". Its whatever will bring the biggest draw from the consumer.

[Dr. Shane]

I have mixed feelings about Wal-Mart but I am not worried they will put Exxon and Citgo out of business. All the oil companies are big boys so Wal-Mart trying to undersell them doesn't bother me at all.

[K]

No doubt that all stores do sell items at a loss knowing that when you come in you will buy other things. Walmart has just mastered the art of competition. They are so big that they can easily out last the competition.

K

[K]

Shane I am glad we have a system of competition like we do. I just feel for the little guys. (Exxon and Citgo are not little guys)

K

[GreatLakesGramma]

Quote:

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What on earth are you driving with a 35+ gallon tank???

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Chrys, I drive a diesel Suburban, with a 42 gallon tank. Fortunately, I don't have to fill up very often. That tankful will last me 6 to 8 weeks under normal circumstances.

Shane, you've stated that high prices are what it will take for us to end our dependence on foreign oil. I don't agree. The people who suffer most from high gas prices are the people who are least able to do anything about it. The oil companies are making record profits now, and they have Congress in their back pocket. They'll do everything they can to protect their profits, including placing all kinds of roadblocks in the way of those enterprising individuals who might come up with some solutions that regular people can actually afford to adopt.

[cricket]

Wow! A 42 gallon tank. Lucky you for not having to go to the gas station but once a month. Now, for people who drive vehicles like you, I can truly understand watching the prices and trying to get the best price.

For me, it's just pointless. When I run out of gas, I have to fill up the tank or I'll be stuck at home. (And for me, only serious illness will keep me home for more than 2 days straight.)

[Dr. Shane]

It seems you don't know much about the oil market or what drives prices. Congress has little to do with oil prices so if the oil companies had them in their "back pocket" it wouldn't do much to affect the price of gas. I don't doubt that Oil Companies contribute significant money to Congressional campaigns but that is for protection from excessive government regulation - not to control prices.

Prices are controlled mostly by other countries because we are so dependant on forgien oil. Mexico, Venezuala and the middle east are where the US buys most of its oil. Russia sells much of their oil to European countries. Many oil wells in the US are capped off because in the US it costs nearly $20 a barrel just to get the oil out of the ground. (Five years ago oil prices were down around $13) In some parts of the world the oil in the ground is under so much preasure it blows out when they drill a hole to it (no pump needed). OPEC has stated they want oil prices at least $33 a barral and currently they are around $50 a barral. If the price stays high, American oil companies will not only open more of their capped wells, but they will search for more oil - thus our dependance on forgien oil will decrease.