The Price of Oil

[Ron Ramirez]

I am prompted to start this thread, not only because it is a problem that will not go away, but also because this subject was banned on the other forum.

It's open for discussion here!

I'll start things off with some thoughts of my own.

These ongoing hikes in oil prices, accompanied by hikes in the cost of gasoline, diesel fuel, kerosene and heating oil is going to cause severe damage not only to our economy, but to our lives as we know it if things continue unchecked.

Nearly everything we buy is shipped by truck. Trucks run on diesel fuel. As fuel rises, trucking companies have no choice but to pass along the higher fuel costs by charging more for hauling freight. So groceries get more expensive.

The vintage radios we buy on our favorite auction site are shipped by various companies or the government entity, the Postal Service (the WORST way to ship larger packages, btw). As the cost of fuel rises, UPS, FedEx, DHL, and USPS will have to raise their rates.

I am, frankly, amazed at the number of huge gas-guzzling vehicles I still see on the roads on a daily basis. How can these people continue driving something that averages 10-15 MPG? And not only that, the way they drive around here...very aggressively...the vast majority of people floor the accelerator pedal from a stop, go 10-20 + MPH over the speed limit...

All of this activity just burns up more and more fuel, which means there is more of a demand for it, which means prices go even higher.

I switched to a compact car for the first time this year, and I do not regret it one bit. I only wish I could have bought one that was even smaller than the four cylinder 1997 Grand Am that is now my daily driver.

What can we do?

Cut down on unnecessary trips. Don't drive like you are in a NASCAR race. Start gradually from stops. GET A SMALLER VEHICLE if you can!

One man's opinion. That's all.

The floor is open for your opinions...

[Doug K.]

So sad that winter's here again, I have to pack up my Honda Shadow until spring. Gonna miss that 50+ MPG!
Other suggestions for better gas mileage- inflate your tires to the maximum pressure listed on the tire. It may make for a harder ride, but less rolling resistance will help MPG's. Also don't forget to check those air filters as well. Restricted filters will cause higher fuel consumption...

[Ron Ramirez]

Great suggestions, Doug...along with proper maintenance such as regular tune-ups.

[Bill Hutchinson]

Well...I'm sure this is a topic being kicked around in many a watering hole across our great nation. Naturally, it would be at Old Ron's Bar & Grill, right?

Ron, I agree with many of the points you bring up. It truly amazes me that the way kids these days (my definition of "kids" - anyone under 35 ) drive like there's no tomorrow, and that gas was still under a buck a gallon. Yes, I remember those days, so I must be OTD. *

Jackrabbit starts, 80 MPH, Hummers (sometimes all 3! ), and the list goes on an on. These "kids" must think money grows on trees, and that there's an endless supply of gas sitting under their neighborhood gas station. I don't know where that tree is, and the gas station down the street only holds so much.

Doug, you list several terrific and cheap suggestions. The tire inflation tip is a great one - one that often gets overlooked.

The vehicle I run around in these days is a '99 Plymouth Voyager with a 3.0 V6 and almost 130K on it. And it still gets 23 MPG. It's simply equipped - I could care less abot DVD players, GPS and powered seats... all excuses to jack up the price, IMHO. A compact car would be nice, but isn't practical for me.

That's my rant for the day. Next?

Bill

* - Older Than Dirt

[Ed Locker]

Image is so important to these boneheads that insist on driving these pick-up twucks. So many of these drivers *think* they are bad and bulletproof when they are behind the wheel of a twuck with a lift kit and over sized wheels.

I was reading on a twuck forum that these morons like being able to "see above traffic". In other words, looking down on traffic. Trying to intiminate. Ever wonder why a Judge in court sits higher than everyone else? It's to make you feel little because you have to look up. A physological advantage. These a**holes that drive twucks *think* they are superior because their vehicle just happens to sit higher. They are too dumb to realize that it is just a vehicle and does nothing for them except for what happens in their little brains.

Insecure dumba**es.

Ed

[Ron Ramirez]

Around here, the idiot drivers are often OVER 35 as well as under.

I see so many "twuck" drivers around here...passing everything in sight...driving recklessly...running red lights...totally ignoring speed limits, just driving as fast as they wish. God help you if you end up in front of one of these putzes. Better get out of their way; they would just as soon run OVER you as pass you.

And you would be surprised how many of these nuts have utter disregard for those driving 18-wheelers! Doing such stupid things as passing a big rig, cutting in front and then slamming on their brakes, as one example of utter stupidity (I've experienced it myself, folks, so I know of which I speak). A semi CANNOT stop on a moment's notice!

The poor driving habits (to be kind) applies to drivers of cars as well as "twucks" and SUVs.

People like this need to be taken off the road; they have no business behind the wheel of a motor vehicle. That's all.

I am frankly amazed that there are not more accidents around here, with nuts like this.

[Bill Hutchinson]

Too bad there isn't a way to have these knuckleheads pay for their gas at $10/gal. It might drive the price down for the rest of us.

Bill

[Texasrocker]

I drive a 99 Toyota Camry on my road trips unless I need my 00 Dakota P/U to haul things. The Camry gets close to 30 mpg (4 cyl) and saves lots of gas. My small V-8 in the P/U (318 ci) has plenty of punch, although I dont punch it much. One thing I have always noticed for yrs & yrs, is whenever Im driving the speed limit on the highways with cruise-control set, 99% of the other drivers that run up on my bumper & pass, are women in a hurry to get "nowhere fast"!! Most of them have a cell-phone in one hand, lipstick in the other, and tryin their best to keep it between the fences!! Im not saying all ladies are bad drivers, but next time your out on the open highway, you might notice the same thing? (peace ladies!) Randal