Originally Posted by benhalleniii

With respect, US Presidents have very little control over energy prices in general. Our current predicament is due to a lack of a cohesive energy policy in this country, which you can thank the last 10 presidents and Congresses for failing to create. Oil is a market based commodity and it's price is set by its producers based on supply, demand and occasionally by wayward governments like Russia, Venezuela or even OPEC itself. It was OPEC that shuttered the US fracking boom a few years back by flooding the market with cheap oil to price them out.

Further, some here mention that this governor or that governor are fleecing certain states' residents with high gas taxes. Gas taxes as a percentage of total price are WAY lower in the USA than in other developed countries. Wanna buy a gallon of petrol in Norway? You'll pay $3.30 in taxes alone per gallon.

Bottom line is that there is a finite amount of fossil fuel available for us to exploit and investments in alternative sources of energy are not only prudent for future generations but-thanks to the American tradition of ingenuity and innovation-also very profitable for us as well.

I love my 4Runner but I also know that I won't be able to drive it forever.

B

Originally Posted by mrblah

Since there is so many people who wanted this, so ya'll got what you ordered....so enjoy. You're decisions have consequences.

Originally Posted by mc813

Get over it and vote again in 2024.

Originally Posted by JoeBand

19 gallons, 1 sweet Benjamin.

when our kids are our age, gas stations won't exist.

Originally Posted by DallasTRDPro

I'm lucky in a way. I only work 5 miles from the field I coach at. I now just walk to get my groceries and other errands that are mostly across the street. Another thing, my elderly parents that live 45 miles from me and with all tolls would cost me dearly when I visit them on the weekend. This week my dad said they have tons of rewards points at Kroger and since they minimally drive they want to fill up my tank each week. I balked at the idea and my dad got frustrated and said I do so much for them and they want to do this for me. He also said think of it as an early withdrawal of an inheritance. I thought about it and I will let them do it because it makes them feel better even though I'm their 50 year old son that doesn't need the money, but it does help save about $200/month. With that said, I did look at a RAV4 hybrid, but couldn't bring myself to driving one of those unless I get desperate.

Originally Posted by repo

Walking is underrated. It's great exercise and great time to just think. “Me thinks that the moment my legs begin to move, my thoughts begin to flow.” -Thoreau.

It doesn't seem to occur to a lot of people, especially in the suburbs and through no real fault of their own... that you can walk places. Almost a forgotten art. People will sit in a car for 30 mins in the school pickup line then go walk on a treadmill for 30 mins at the gym without ever realizing how ridiculous it all is. We're conditioned to doing everything with cars just coz.

Originally Posted by Tanley

Our society seems to suffer from short term memory loss relative to energy prices. It really wasn't that long ago that the price at the pump was at or above where it is today. Like before, it will eventually retreat - and then go back up - and then down... Energy prices fluctuate, it isn't a new phenomena.

Originally Posted by Tanley

Our society seems to suffer from short term memory loss relative to energy prices. It really wasn't that long ago that the price at the pump was at or above where it is today. Like before, it will eventually retreat - and then go back up - and then down... Energy prices fluctuate, it isn't a new phenomena.

I find it odd that there are owners considering selling a 4Runner now due to a relatively short term spike in energy costs. When purchasing the vehicle, did you not think of this - or was the buying calculus based on a short term perspective of what gas prices were at the time? Prices are moving down again this morning, briefly falling below $100/barrel - are these same people going to change their minds and hold on to the vehicle now?

(Oil pulls back as Russia, Ukraine talk and China institutes another COVID lockdown - MarketWatch).

Originally Posted by 2021nightshade4x4

It would take… a lot… to get me to not drive my 4Runner, but I also don’t want to minimize anyone else’s struggle if they’re on hard times, or their job hasn’t been giving them raises that even cover inflation.

Doesn’t take much googling to find several sources
stating these are the highest confirmed prices of all time. Ever notice they do go back down, but never quite reach the level they were before?

If we want to cite inflation, that’s a double edged sword. Good luck finding people who received a 7% raise this year on COL increases alone. Maybe associated with a promotion or a performance incentive but not strictly COL.

It’s not a matter of “if it will go back down” sure it will, but the “floor” goes up every time and the “good” or low end gas prices still rise in excess of some people’s income. 2020 saw the lowest oil prices since 2004, however, the finished product were discussing, gas, was $1/gal higher. $2.60 vs $1.60/gal.

I highly doubt supply chain or refinery employees saw a 62% pay increase from ‘04-20, again, not associated with any other reason such as a promotion or increased ratings.

The creep is real and it’s closing in on us.

Crude Oil Prices - 70 Year Historical Chart | MacroTrends

U.S. All Grades All Formulations Retail Gasoline Prices (Dollars per Gallon)