Author Topic: Gas prices (Read 6931 times)

danny_galaga · « **Reply #40 on:** June 28, 2005, 12:55:43 am »

Quote from: mr.Curmudgeon on June 27, 2005, 01:52:19 pm

As for these obnoxious friggin' SUV's, I was on the road this weekend, stopped to fill up at a gas station and some moron pulled up in one of these:

He was using it to pull a tiny trailer that just about any truck could have handled. I laughed when I thought how much he had to pay to fill the tank. Either way, as prices get higher, at some point I imagine he'll sell it for something smaller.

mrC

hey, i feel i have to defend Drew! he only bought this because it could carry an arcade cab, and the price was right. in fact once he bought it he drained the fuel tanks and recouped his costs (",) . a bit like people who bought P-51 mustangs surplus after WWII. of course in both cases once you've sold the fuel, you aint goin' nowhere. but it sure looks good sitting on the lawn! (when are you buying some bricks for that baby, drew? would look even better on those)

danny_galaga · « **Reply #41 on:** June 28, 2005, 01:00:35 am »

Quote from: ChadTower on June 27, 2005, 09:51:05 am

My wife and I replaced the larger of our two cars with a more fuel efficient car.

daywane · « **Reply #42 on:** June 28, 2005, 08:44:55 am »

years ago KY tried a new fuel,
methanol ? if memory is right? made from corn. Wild Turkey distillery was making it just down the street from me. wonder why this is not done any more

ChadTower · « **Reply #43 on:** June 28, 2005, 09:11:56 am »

A scooter is good for a single person who doesn't mind being a pop bumper target for anyone in a bad mood, but doesn't work for most people in most places.

As for changing cars, sure there is expense involved, but you're not taking a few things into consideration.

1) I'm not going to be paying for unscheduled maintenance on this car until 2010, when the bumper to bumper warranty expires. This is the real reason we made the switch, to eliminate the headache of a pain in the ass car. Gas was a secondary reason.

2) Gas is $2.25 now. Last year gas was $1.60. The year before that it was $1.25. At this rate, we're looking at $3 this year, possibly $4 next year, and on from there. The rate of savings, though not that huge right now, will increase dramatically in a short amount of time. The vehicle switch will save a good amount but it's the shortened commute that is already saving $150/month even if you don't factor in the price increases.

It really comes down to doing what you can do when you can do it. I was able to make those adjustments because it was time to make changes anyway... coincedental, yes, but improvements for sure.

Arcadiac · « **Reply #44 on:** June 28, 2005, 11:43:40 am »

Daywayne, it was ethanol, a gasoline mixed with 10% alcohol I believe.
It's still around, some stations have it mixed in, look for ethanol sticker on the pump. Seems as if this stuff caused a lot of problems for some cars, switching from plain gas to the mix messed up carbeurators and fuel systems.
Now in some counties with higher air-pollution, like mine Jefferson we have wonderful reformulated gas.

same f'd up problems, different formulas.
Whenever possible, I fill up in another county, but I don't drive out of the way for it.
ARCADIAC!

Baker535 · « **Reply #45 on:** June 28, 2005, 12:19:02 pm »

I bought a Civic anticipating the inevitable rising costs about a year and a half ago. I'm also using one car as long as possible. It's a blessing and a curse that my girlfriend doesn't drive. Good thing she doesn't need to go out too much. Probably will have to get her license and another car if we get married and have a family...

I think SUV's have their place, but holy crap... there is way too many big cars out there. Not only from using up more gas point, but as a safety concern. it's really a pain in the ass to see around them. Especially when half the soccer mom's can't even drive properly. Don't even get me started on people with V-6's and V-8's who don't even drive the friggen speed limit... or accelerate like a turtle. So glad they need all that extra horsepower to waste gas on... ARRRRRG!

OK, gonna cool off...

-baker

missioncontrol · « **Reply #46 on:** June 28, 2005, 01:31:15 pm »

Quote from: Baker535 on June 28, 2005, 12:19:02 pm

... or accelerate like a turtle.

I laugh at the people who insist on stomping on the gas pedal just to wait for me at the next red light

hanelyp · « **Reply #47 on:** June 29, 2005, 02:15:31 pm »

Quote from: TOK on June 27, 2005, 01:37:31 pm

I read an article in a car magazine about hydrogen power. It was pretty indepth and didn't seem biased, but they mentioned the production of hyrdrogen for vehicle use consuming just as much, if not more raw materials as the production of gas.

Yup, they make hydrogen from oil. In terms of oil consumption and CO2 production, hydrogen fuel doesn't help.

DrewKaree · « **Reply #48 on:** June 29, 2005, 07:59:08 pm »

Quote from: Arcadiac on June 28, 2005, 11:43:40 am

Daywayne, it was ethanol, a gasoline mixed with 10% alcohol I believe.
It's still around, some stations have it mixed in, look for ethanol sticker on the pump. Seems as if this stuff caused a lot of problems for some cars, switching from plain gas to the mix messed up carbeurators and fuel systems.
Now in some counties with higher air-pollution, like mine Jefferson we have wonderful reformulated gas. same f'd up problems, different formulas.
Whenever possible, I fill up in another county, but I don't drive out of the way for it.
ARCADIAC!

Ethanol is a mixed gas, indeed with alcohol. It is alcohol obtained from corn. You're both right

The 10% mix is usable by ALL cars, the e85 ethanol requires manufacturer thingies to make it work.

The only down-side to the stuff was that when regular gas was cheap, ethanol was expensive (it's about $2/gallon), and your mileage SUCKED. For a car that got 26 mpg, using the corn-stuff dropped it to about 17 mpg. Your car also has to be capable of using the stuff, and if it does, it WILL use regular gas as well, it isn't some newfangled thing. If you have a car newer than '02-ish, there's a good possibility that you may be able to use the gas. Check out www.ethanol.org for more info.

Oh, and regardless what they say, the stuff DOES cause more problems with the fuel system (the 10% mix) than straight gas. I have no idea how the e85 stuff works.

danny_galaga · « **Reply #49 on:** June 29, 2005, 10:01:18 pm »

erm, are there no chemists here? ETHANOL and METHANOL are two types of pure alcohol. nothing to do with GAS per se. maybe this ethanol/gas mix is referred to over there as 'ethanol' but ETHANOL itself is a pure alcohol. both ethanol and methanol apppear in the stuff we drink and its conjectured that the less methanol in the drink, the less likely you are of having a hang-over. methanol has a very bitter taste. hence its thought that vodka (which has a very low methanol content) has a much lower risk of hangover, while cheap red wine (which has a much higher level of methanol) is what makes all those homeless bums (and my friends) really cranky!

anyway, engines can be made to run on pure alcohol quite nicely. just look at the car racing and model engine crowd. one of these types of alcohol is better than the other due to less problems with corrosion but i cant remember which.

i've been catching buses lately and most of the city ones here use Compressed Natural Gas. it produces 99 % less carbon monoxide, 94% less nitrogen oxides and is 60% quieter than diesel. just thought id mention it even though being a non-renewable resource it will run out too. but better to use gas to burn and oil for other products i say!

DrewKaree · « **Reply #50 on:** June 29, 2005, 10:36:58 pm »

That's just the lazy 'mercan in us, danny.

Unless you're into racing cars, it's referred to as ethanol here. Sure, they put the percentage on the pumps, and it SHOULD be referred to as "gasoline/ethanol mix" (or should that be "petrol/ethanol mix"?), but we simply can't be bothered to say the complete word/phrase.

Dig? Good, now throw another shrimp on the barbie.

jbox · « **Reply #51 on:** June 30, 2005, 01:16:56 am »

Quote

Yup, they make hydrogen from oil. In terms of oil consumption and CO2 production, hydrogen fuel doesn't help.

*sigh* Anyone who tried to tell you that the so called "hydrogen economy" was the silver bullet for our oil dependance deserves to be tasered in the manberries.

A certain law that even the *patent office* understands will tell you that it must 'make things worse' in terms of wasted energy from the strictly mathematical point of view. But if you *also* support the larger switch from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources (hydro, solar, aero, thermo) then you will see that H2 helps solve the energy-weight ratio problem currently plaguing our battery technology. Basically the goal is to have a fuel source we can manufacture using only renewable components (eg. water and electricity). Almost all renewable architectures become cost effective once the original product becomes scarce.

ChadTower · « **Reply #52 on:** June 30, 2005, 08:34:31 am »

Since when is electricity renewable? It is almost always generated with a fossil fuel.

fredster · « **Reply #53 on:** June 30, 2005, 04:50:53 pm »

I have a perpetual motion machine I'm working on. But the gerbal keeps dying from the electrical shock.

ChadTower · « **Reply #54 on:** June 30, 2005, 04:53:40 pm »

Stop putting the gerbil in your rectum and that may not happen.

fredster · « **Reply #55 on:** June 30, 2005, 04:56:50 pm »

No, they asphyxiate too fast when I tried that. (Methane I guess).

This one involves a tazer powered by the wheel connected to the gerbal.

DrewKaree · « **Reply #56 on:** June 30, 2005, 08:48:18 pm »

I'm down with the Pro-Smokestack party. Now I need to get a vehicle with a smokestack

USSEnterprise · « **Reply #57 on:** July 01, 2005, 04:00:37 am »

My first car will probably end up being a fuel efficent hybrid, or a fuel efficient Gremlin, Beetle, or Geo.

The Prius and Accord Hybrid look good, but that new Toyota Highlander Hybrid (SUV) I am seriously considering.;

DrewKaree · « **Reply #58 on:** July 01, 2005, 09:07:14 pm »

Quote from: USSEnterprise on July 01, 2005, 04:00:37 am

My first car will probably end up being a fuel efficent hybrid, or a fuel efficient Gremlin, Beetle, or Geo.

Are they SERIOUSLY remaking the Gremlin?

Personally, I'm partial to the Pacer

but I've had some good memories in a Gremlin....plus the super-cool retro look thing....I'd be beating the babes off with a stick.

"That? That's my sweet ride!"

SirPoonga · « **Reply #59 on:** July 02, 2005, 10:13:55 am »

Quote from: BrokenBones1 on June 27, 2005, 09:06:27 pm

There is a reasonable chance that if you choose to ride a motorbike or scooter to save money, it won't work in the long run.

All it takes is some retard to run into you and any petrol saving is offset by lost wages due to injury.

Not applicable, same thing with a car. Actually, it's better with a bike. 9 times out of ten if someone runs into your bike it is totalled, meaning the frame will probably get bent and repairmen don't like to deal with bent frames.

That's what happened to a friend of mine. Teh bike went out form under him on a bump sandy curve. He was only going 25. But since the bike hit the curb on its side the frame got bent. Insurance company totalled it and gave him money for the bike. Enough money to get a new bike. He just had some hospital bill to slightly pay for, insurance company covered most of that too. He was in the hospitol overnight for a small concussion.

When I rear ended someone in rush hour traffic they person I hit just had a scratch, but because I was heavy on the brakes my bumber went under hers. My top frame rail and raditor were shot. Cost me some money to claim the vehicle from the yard is was towed, etc..

So it doesn't matter, bike or car, there's going to be costs in any accident. Even if it is hitting a deer...

But with what you are saying there is some reasonable chance to get hit by some wacko? Bah, I've been drving motorcycle since I was 11, never been hit by anyone.

quarterback · « **Reply #60 on:** July 02, 2005, 01:03:44 pm »

Quote from: SirPoonga on July 02, 2005, 10:13:55 am

Quote from: BrokenBones1 on June 27, 2005, 09:06:27 pm
There is a reasonable chance that if you choose to ride a motorbike or scooter to save money, it won't work in the long run.

All it takes is some retard to run into you and any petrol saving is offset by lost wages due to injury.

Not applicable, same thing with a car.

monkeybomb · « **Reply #61 on:** July 02, 2005, 06:40:27 pm »

If you lived in Los Angeles or similar I don't think you would feel the same way (I could be wrong). Would you really make my comute on two freeways and through hollywood on a bike? I'm guessing my commute would take around 30 minutes on a bike. And I promise you will run into at least 3 or 4 true idiots a day, that could easily kill you. Maybe my perspective is a bit messed up from living here and being a former EMT.

danny_galaga · « **Reply #62 on:** July 03, 2005, 02:05:09 am »

Quote from: fredster on June 30, 2005, 04:50:53 pm

I have a perpetual motion machine I'm working on.

Bones · « **Reply #63 on:** July 03, 2005, 08:56:29 am »

I rode 7 days a week, rain hail or shine. I was even so committed I sold my car.

I have done the courses plus chocked up a considerable amount of clicks on two wheels (and quite a few on one wheel

), by no means do I claim to be the worlds best rider but I do have good road sense and believed I could avoid all the idiots.

Then one day I ran out of luck and got totalled big time by someones carelessness. I miss my bike and I miss only paying $12.00 a week in petrol, but for me while I live in the city I ain't jumping on another bike to commute. Perhaps track and ride days but that's about it.

ChadTower · « **Reply #64 on:** July 03, 2005, 10:56:29 am »

There is a reason when you see a group of bikers, lifetime riders who know their stuff, half of them are amputees.

Zakk · « **Reply #65 on:** July 03, 2005, 01:33:49 pm »

I once ran over a scooter in my SUV...I thought it was just a fleck of mud on the windshield!

Seriously, my wife was an emergency room nurse for years, and the stats and stories of 'bike' season here made sure nobody in this family will ever get on a scooter or a cycle. Sad part is, the injuries were RARELY the rider's fault, it was always motorist error. Well, except for the guys on the Ducati's, they're just accidents waiting to happen!

Take it easy out there guys and keep your eyes open every moment. Somewhere there's a bumper with your name on it and an 89 year old named hilda at the wheel.

ChadTower · « **Reply #66 on:** July 03, 2005, 03:15:12 pm »

All it takes is someone to cut you off and NOT hit you to be enough to make you dump and lose a limb...

Bones · « **Reply #67 on:** July 03, 2005, 05:28:23 pm »

It's a shame that so many bad things can happen on a bike (or when you come off anyway).

In the big scheme of things they are good for the environment using less fuel, there is less wear & tear on the roads and it really is the best fun you can have <with> your pants on.

*Edit <with>

DrewKaree · « **Reply #68 on:** July 03, 2005, 06:37:11 pm »

Quote from: BrokenBones1 on July 03, 2005, 05:28:23 pm

it really is the best fun you can have your pants on.

After seeing your "ear to ear grin"

and reading the above statement, I've come to the conclusiong that, other than building your cab, you have no idea what fun or happiness is. Proceed directly to jail. Do not pass go.

Oh, and I'm tellin' Mrs. Bones that you don't think she's the most fun you can have with your pants on. Then she'll come runnin' to me, and I'll show her she's fun with OR without pants

* DrewKaree doesn't want to think of Bones with no pants on but giggles like a schoolgirl at making you think of HIM with no pants on!

w00t!

missioncontrol · « **Reply #69 on:** July 03, 2005, 08:21:56 pm »

they put the wrap between two sign posts as a prank not expecting something as small as a motorcycle to come down the street <----- click link

yeah I think I'll keep my truck............

Kremmit · « **Reply #70 on:** July 04, 2005, 05:31:18 pm »

Anyboyd know anything about biodiesel? Saw an ad in the local paper from some guy that says he's selling it at $0.70 / gallon. I burn over $1000.00 of diesel a month at current prices, that would save me a fortune. But I can't afford it if it eats up my motor and fuel system.

SirPeale · « **Reply #71 on:** July 04, 2005, 10:43:56 pm »

Biodiesel is good stuff! Go for it. It's even better if you make you own.

There was a recent thread regarding it, do a search for 'biodiesel' and you should find it easily enough.

DrewKaree · « **Reply #72 on:** July 05, 2005, 07:30:02 pm »

Yeah, and with you living where it's warm all the time, the solidification shouldn't be an issue at all. Git R done!


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