hurricane causing increase gas $

[matoolie]

This is a GREAT link

http://money.howstuffworks.com/gas-price.htm


__________________
2003 4x4 Sport 4runner V8, Scion HU w 4 upgraded speakers, Hella horns, MapLight Mod, de-badged 40k + miles
1994 Jeep GC with 180K + miles
1990 Corolla 140K + miles


I will not pretend to be an expert in gas prices, but justifications for high prices recently do not make sense. In 2003 DOE lists the average price as $1.30/gal, including adjustments for inflation. Now 2 years later the average price is more than 2x, even before Katrina. Everyone claims demand is higher and SUV ownership is higher. How in the world can the purchase and driving of SUV's and other less fuel efficient vehicles increase so drastically in 2 years to justify a 2x increase in price? Sorry....I do not see it!!

 

[TOY LVR]

3.35 here in wisconsin

 

[bryancos]

I left the office to go to lunch today and the price at the Shell station down the street was 2.99/gal.... in less than 30 minutes later, on the way back to work it had jumped to $3.09/gal!

 

[TeryT]

Got 21 MPG with V8!

I stopped at a Pilot truck stop today where the gas was still 2.99. All others are up around 3.20 in Phoenix area.

On the way home, around the 101 loop, I decided to see what kind of mileage I could get out of the V8. According to the corrected trip computer (reading minus 7%), I could get 21 MPG at about 60 MPH!

Again, I got 21 MPG highway with the V8!!!! :awais: :awais: :awais: :awais: :awais:

This is using 87 octane Top Tier gas, with A/C on (105 outside).

Now how much are Exxon shares going for, cuz I need to sell my house & buy some!

 

[MsMarine]

Any recommendations for a Motorcycle

I just bought my new truck Sunday.
I will be looking for a motorcycle this weekend.
Now mind you I haven't been on a bicycle in 15 years, and have never driven a motorcycle.
So, If any of you know a good small bike
let me know. Trucker Babe to Biker Babe.
Nope.... more like the Broke Babe.

 

[greasefingers]

Has anyone tried removing the cross bars yet? I may have a look at them this weekend. I use a Thule rack system them I need to carry stuff, so the cross bars are useless to me.

 

[Mark86]

The AC is officially turned off for good in my truck! I don't care how hot it is, the windows will suffice! I think I am going to steal my mom's hybrid and drive that until the gas prices go down! :arrow:

 

[rensho]

I removed the crossbars and the roof rack the day i purchased the truck. Easy to find now among the crowd; only 4runner in N.CA that doesn't have roof racks.

 

[broncosi]

well its finally going down here, we went from $4 during the hurricane to now at $2.87

 

[boston_kevin]

The AC is officially turned off for good in my truck! I don't care how hot it is, the windows will suffice! I think I am going to steal my mom's hybrid and drive that until the gas prices go down! :arrow:

You'll probably use more gas with the loss of good aerodynamics with the windows down... Just crank that AC to 75 or 76 to keep it from running as often.

 

[Bluto]

You'll probably use more gas with the loss of good aerodynamics with the windows down... Just crank that AC to 75 or 76 to keep it from running as often.

I agree. The MD State Police did a study on AC vs. windows. AC is more fuel efficient on the highway, at least in Crown Vics.

 

[greasefingers]

Yea but if one lowers the lift gate window as well as other windows? The wind resistance would be significantly lower. Of course you would have to tolerate the sulfur-ass smell.

 

[Dansnare]

No such thing as gouging or profiteering.

For those of you complaining that the rise in gas prices is "gouging" or "profiteering" (whatever that means) or some other sinister thing, let me assure you that market forces work exactly the same way in emergencies as in regular times.

There is no such thing as price gouging.

Gas prices (as all prices) are determined by supply and demand. "Supply" doesn't simply mean "how much gasoline is in the station's tanks." Supply is a range of values (a curve) reflecting how much a seller is willing to supply at each price. The reason supply (curve) moves downward when there is an emergency such as this is that sources of wholesale gasoline have instantly become questionable and uncertain. That is, gas station owners suddenly have no idea what sources of gasoline will be available when. That makes gasoline suddenly much more scarce than it was the day before -- even if inventories have not yet gone down materially.

It is the uncertainty associated with gasoline supplies that drive the price way up. It's also the reason that retail prices seem to be all over the place -- because there is so much uncertainty, retailers are largely guessing at what the right price should be.

"Right price" you ask? Yes, the right price being the price which clears the market (no lines and no excess inventory) and prevents lines around the corner.

This dramatic price rise is actually very beneficial in an emergency such as this because it encourages conservation in times of uncertain availability. The large price rise forces people to consider ways to conserve gasoline so that inventories do not suddenly run dry. If prices did not rise, people would be using the same amount of gasoline as before and there might be massive shortages as stations ran out one after the next.

Anti-gouging laws actually cause long lines and shortages. They are very bad.

Dan