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Automotive News & Views Are gas prices fueling your pain? 
10042 messages, Last post on Jul 12, 2008 at 3:07 PM
You are in the Automotive News & Views Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & claires
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Replying to: lemko (Apr 22, 2008 7:02 am) Actually, if it weren't for the skimpy legroom, it wouldn't be a bad little car, but it just forces me into a cramped position that's really uncomfortable for my legs. Headroom in the car is pretty good, although there's too much curvature in the sides for my tastes. The steering column is also too low for my tastes. Now if I just needed to hop in the car for 5-10 minutes, it would be fine. But it's not a good long distance car. Not for me, at least. I'd probably have the same problem with the Aveo...tight legroom. I think the Aveo's seat might be a bit higher than my uncle's Corolla, though, so that would be an improvement if it gives me some thigh support. Still, the Aveo is roomy for a small car. Actually, for its small size, the Corolla is pretty roomy. But it still can't escape the fact that it's a small car, and if you're used to the comfort of a midsized or large car (or even an "old school" compact like a '68 Dart  ), it's still going to be a compromise. Now the Civic feels a lot more comfy inside to me. It has a somewhat lanky ~106" wheelbase, which a few years back would have been indicative of a midsized car. I'm actually pretty comfortable behind the wheel of a Cobalt or G5. But if I'm going to get a car that small, I'm getting it for the fuel economy, and I don't think a Cobalt is really any more economical than a 4-cyl Accord, Camry, Altima, or Malibu. |
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Oil just hit $118. Gasoline soon to follow higher. It's already at $3.50 national average. The jitters from Nigeria have gotten their predictable publicity. Next month, we have the "summer driving season," so that effect is near. Then, the next month begins "hurricane season." So we can expect plenty of doomsday predictions, along with another "cautionary rise" in oil prices. Consumers can't cover $4 gasoline (and $5.50 diesel). The U.S. economy can't absorb it.
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As quickly as I could type the previous post, oil hit $119.
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Replying to: 1stpik (Apr 22, 2008 7:52 am) Restaurants around here are still jammed. Went for a boat ride last night, and people were using the lake. Drove around Chicago (I80 to I94) over the weekend and the traffic was heavy and traveling 80+. I guess time is still more valuable than gas. |
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Replying to: 1stpik (Apr 22, 2008 7:51 am) Sure it can; but some adjustments might be needed to compensate, and people of lower income may have to give up some things. 1) many employers could go to (4) 10-hr days. There is no golden-rule that businesses run (5) 8-hr days. 2) people will move closer to work, or take a job closer to home. 3) people may walk and bike more to local stores. 4) people will choose to shop at the closer stores rather than drive further. 5) People may take trips to closer spots - the lake 10 miles away rather than 30 miles away. 6) People may decide they rather have money for gas, than spend $100/month on cable and cell-phone. Or wasting money on their 15th Chinese-made "designer" purse, or upgrading their perfectly fine golf-clubs. And lastly before you get everyone all gloomy and doomy, higher gas prices is not the end of the world. Other countries with lower GDP, and individual incomes are getting along ok with these prices.
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Replying to: 1stpik (Apr 22, 2008 7:51 am)
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Replying to: lemko (Apr 22, 2008 8:48 am) Nope, it's real, and it's a major problem. Shell Oil, a major player there, is having to deal with much lower than planned production because of the constant attacks and kidnapping. And the hoped-for gush of Iraqi oil is very slow in coming because of the same kind of problems. This stuff ain't made up! |
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Replying to: lemko (Apr 22, 2008 8:48 am) That already happened didn't it? |
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Replying to: kernick (Apr 22, 2008 8:47 am)
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Replying to: lemko (Apr 22, 2008 9:04 am)
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Automotive News & Views Are gas prices fueling your pain?
