Are gas prices fueling your pain? - READ ONLY

keep doing what I've been doing, except maybe drive a bit more gently. I'm usually not a leadfoot anyway. I won't buy a new vehicle simply to get better fuel economy, but when the ones I'm driving wear out, they'll get replaced by something more economical.
 
When my 2000 Intrepid finally retires, I've thought about getting a 4-cyl Altima, but I've been thinking about that anyway. $4.00 gas wouldn't change that.
 
I'd probably cut the grass less often. And let parts of the yard return to forest.
 
As for the 70's, I was a kid back then and don't remember the first gas crisis. I do remember the second one, though. My Mom traded a 1975 LeMans coupe with a 350-2bbl for a 1980 Malibu coupe with a 229-2bbl. The LeMans rarely broke 15-16 mpg, while the Malibu regularly got lower 20's. That LeMans was getting pretty ratty though, so Mom was probably going to trade, anyway. However, had their been no fuel crunch, she might've gone for a V-8 in the Malibu instead of the V-6.
 
In 1979 we moved to Southern Maryland, about 40 miles from my grandparents. We had been living with them. Mom ended up getting homesick, so every other weekend we drove up to see them. So needless to say, even though Mom bought a more fuel-efficient car, we didn't do our part to conserve.

Replies to this message:
• paisan (Apr 05, 2007 10:00 am)

Replying to: andre1969 (Apr 05, 2007 9:54 am)

Replying to: altest (Apr 05, 2007 9:40 am)

Replies to this message:
• nippononly (Apr 05, 2007 12:18 pm)
  • dvsutton (Dec 13, 2007 8:43 pm)
• altest (Apr 07, 2007 8:54 am)
  • bumpy (Apr 07, 2007 10:52 am)
    • bayouguy (Apr 07, 2007 12:15 pm) and 1 more...
    • gagrice (Apr 07, 2007 3:25 pm)
  • isellhondas (Apr 07, 2007 1:24 pm)
    • gagrice (Apr 07, 2007 3:32 pm) and 4 more...
    • altest (Apr 07, 2007 7:38 pm) and 251 more...

Insulated myself against the pain of $4 by buying a Camry Hybrid (after owning a Civic Hybrid) and that price does not scare me much.
 
Go Go Hybrids !!!

Replies to this message:
• paisan (Apr 05, 2007 11:01 am)
  • rockylee (Apr 06, 2007 4:07 am)
    • paisan (Apr 06, 2007 4:15 am) and 2 more...

Replying to: altest (Apr 05, 2007 9:40 am)

Replying to: larsb (Apr 05, 2007 10:08 am)

Thanks Larsb, you are making up for my gas sucking hobbies!
 
-mike

Replies to this message:
• rockylee (Apr 06, 2007 4:07 am)
  • paisan (Apr 06, 2007 4:15 am)
    • rockylee (Apr 06, 2007 4:35 am) and 1 more...

Replying to: bumpy (Apr 05, 2007 10:00 am)

"I'll do the same thing I'm doing now: drive my 35 mpg Accent until a subcompact diesel hatchback shows up in this country."
 
Thank you, yes, I will echo that sentiment, except that my car is a 40 mpg Echo (and my other car is a 35 mpg Matrix). Saw this gas price spike coming a while back, and made the trade then. I really hope they do bring some ultra-frugal diesel-powered small cars to the U.S. - that would be a hoot!
 
Now I do a lot of driving, so even for me gas prices will have an impact if they get much above $4/gallon. I already employ some gas-saving habits in the way I drive. If gas gets to $4.50 or $5 I will definitely be reducing the amount that I drive, at least among the discretionary miles.
 
Which, by the way, is something everyone could probably do a lot of (reduction in miles driven) using simple tricks like combining errands, walking the errands of a mile or less from the house, carpooling for work, etc. You don't have to immediately trade in the old car for a new gas-sipper, which can be a major expense even if you calculate that it will save you money after year 2 or year 4 or whatever.
 
OTOH, trading out of a full-size V-8 pick-up into a Camry hybrid can save you several thousand dollars a year right off the bat, if you drive more than the average.

Replies to this message:
• dvsutton (Dec 13, 2007 8:43 pm)

Replying to: paisan (Apr 05, 2007 11:01 am)

ROTFLMAO....Mike, I don't know you but I do like your humor !
 
Rocky

Replies to this message:
• paisan (Apr 06, 2007 4:15 am)
  • rockylee (Apr 06, 2007 4:35 am)
    • paisan (Apr 06, 2007 4:52 am)

Replying to: rockylee (Apr 06, 2007 4:07 am)

From what I've read you are a big GM fan Rocky, how do you like those twin 502 Big Block Chevy's? 415hp each! If I push the Cig. Boat to it's limit of 75mph the fuel economy drops down to about .75mpg-1mpg!
 
The economy car for me the specB I think gets 19/25mpg!
 
Currently however I live in manhattan and take the train to work, so I guess that's a good trade off since I don't burn anything M-F
 
haaaaa
 
The way I look at things is that I work 3 blocks from Ground Zero, saw the 2nd plane hit with my own 2 eyes and had to walk home 12+ miles on 9/11 Do I really care how much money I spend in gas? Not really, I'm just glad I am here to be able to spend the money on the gas!
 

 
-mike

Replies to this message:
• rockylee (Apr 06, 2007 4:35 am)
  • paisan (Apr 06, 2007 4:52 am)

Replying to: paisan (Apr 06, 2007 4:15 am)

I have a cousin that lives in NYC, and was their in person on 9/11. WOW, you were really close to it all.
 
I'm just glad I am here to be able to spend the money on the gas!
 
Well I'm glad you are also...... You put it into that perspective I suppose we should all feel lucky to be able to spend money on gas.
 
So you have twin 502's on your cig boat ? Where do you take it to run one of those at ? Lake Ontario ???? Two 415 hp engine's Holy Smokes !!!
 
I also would say a lot of us wished we could take the train to work with these current prices !
Rocky

Replies to this message:
• paisan (Apr 06, 2007 4:52 am)