Posted on 08/07/2005 5:10:04 PM PDT by traumer
Drivers Tired of Paying More for Premium Gasoline Switch to Regular
For some people, it's hitting the big five-oh that really hurts -- that is, dropping $50 on a tank of gas. For others, it's just that relentless upward creep in prices that gets their attention.
Whatever the trigger, drivers pulling up to the pump in vehicles that ostensibly require high-grade gas are wondering if they really need the more expensive fuel or whether it's okay just to fill it up with regular. As gas prices soar, car owners increasingly are going for the cheaper stuff -- no matter how fancy their wheels. And station owners and oil companies are seeing the impact: Sales of premium and mid-grade gasoline are tumbling.
It's an age-old response, industry experts say, for drivers to switch from pricey, higher-octane formulations of gas to cheaper alternatives whenever gasoline prices rise substantially. Now, with prices stuck stubbornly high, oil experts wonder whether high-grade gas will go the way of the Studebaker.
"I foresee no serious decline in prices anytime soon, so the question is, will consumers' buying habits change permanently if the higher prices stay as they are," said Daniel F. Gilligan, president of the Petroleum Marketers Association, which represents independent filling stations. "Will it be more difficult to attract consumers back to the higher-octane fuels? I don't know."
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
No, they weren't. It was an ugly problem, and eventually Toyota extended the warranty on the Camry engines, but they also put out a service bulletin, stating that you need to run an engine cleaner with EVERY oil change, and it was strongly recommended (though not required) that only Toyota dealerships change the oil. It was MOST IMPORTANT to keep records of every oil change!
Mark
But everyone notices when prices get high and the companies quit going bankrupt.
I work for an oil company and it's certainly flying high during this price cycle. I'd be an idiot if I believed that these prices are a new bottom despite what I read.
I've seen this too many times.
Amen. Gas is a bargain.
That's a democrat solution.
>>>"I'd at least like to get a nice dinner first.........."<<<
Depends on who is going to use me, Michelle, Ann.....
:^)
TT
The sludging problem is a Toyota problem, and they finally admitted it. My car is one that is on the list, and I think they will replace the engine if it goes bad due to this problem.
BS. It's being driven by supply and demand. China and India are growing, driving the demand. On the supply side, we are nearing Peak Oil. Supply cannot keep up with demand.
It really is that simple.
For some folks, it easier to blame boogeymen like "speculators".
And political fanactics are doing all they can to spin the issue. If we had a demoncrat president, the folks on this board would be screaming just as loudly as the leftists are now about high gas prices.
When gas went over $1 in 1977, the equivalent in today's dollars is $3.81/gallon
Another political talking point. Why not compare to an average price or median price over a given time frame, instead of the inflation-adjusted peak?
Not that I don't care about gas prices, but I don't see it as anything to scream about, either
Save the screaming for when peak oil production hits.
Prices are going up on most consumer items. The reasons for this are higher energy prices (which impacts the price of virtually everything), higher raw material prices, and inflation.
I expect it to get much worse.
Not really. Talking heads have been predicting an end to the commodity bull market brought on by a recession in China, for a couple of years now.
It hasn't happened yet.
It eventually will happen, then things will pick up again.
The idiot financial talking heads on CNBC will be patting themselves on the back for "another" prediction coming true. The smart money will see it as a buying opportunity for commodities.
LOL! It's already here. Government says it's "only" 3%. It's really around 6% if you figure it square (according to John Williams Shadow Gov't Statistics)
Greenspan is a fool if he doesn't stop and reverse the rise of the prime rate now
He needs to stop printing money. That is what causes inflation. As for the interest rates, I expect them to keep raising them until something (probably the mortgage bubble) breaks.
The economy is barely growing as it is
The "official" GDP growth number is about 4% annually. This assumes 3% inflation. If the correct number of 6% is used, that's about a 1% growth rate.
as goes the American economy,so goes the world
Not as true as it used to be, with India and China coming on line.
Once the deflation starts, we will be looking at a severe recession bordering on a depression
I think it will go the other way. I expect a hyper-inflationary depression. Then deflation. Not the other way around.
And the last time we had a depression, it took a world war to start the economic engines up again
I expect to see resource wars (water, oil, food) in the coming decades. Unfortunately, America is not very prepared for this since our manufacturing and technological base has been outsourced.
Try (many) different brands. 87 octane performance is not the same with every brand.
Do some serious research regarding alcohol in gas. For example, here in FloriDUH, gas can be sold with up to 7% alcohol added and this not be indicated at the pump. Even worse, that 7% limit applies to each kind of alcohol. Multiple alcohols would mean that a content more than 7% could be the case and you would not know it. Alcohol is a VERY poor way to increase octane. And causes other problems besides performance.
You need to determine which brands have the least alcohol (perferably none). Remember, 35 years ago, 5 cents a gallon meant something. Now it means nothing. If you have to pay 5 cents more to get less alcohol, do it. Generally, your independent discounters achieve that 5 cent edge by using alcohol.
Since I have different priorities, I guess I'm a political fanatic. Your namecalling is worthless, you have presented no argument. Gas prices aren't the problem. Your personal financial outlook/management is.
LOL
Nope. Just an old Mercedes 300D (Turbo). They built them with substance in those days.
Although the equivalent modern-day model, the E320 CDI actually is even heavier: 3835 lbs. Yet it gets 27/37 mpg thanks to the common-rail injection. I think the 2006 gets even better mileage with the new V-6, and more hp/torque.
Higher energy prices aren't trivial, as they generally lead to economic recessions.
Peak Oil certainly isn't trivial either.
Actually, our current tax situation irks me more than gas prices
Taxes suck, but inflation is even worse.
Gas prices aren't the problem. Your personal financial outlook/management is.
I thought it was all the "speculators" fault? Now, it's my fault too? Whatever.
Actually, I think my financial outlook is accurate. It centers around four basic concepts. 1) Gov't spends too much, and they will attempt to solve the problem by inflating our fiat currency; 2) much of the "real" wealth (industrial and technological) of the US has been outsourced; 3) we're in a secular commodities bull market, and 4) Peak Oil.
Possibly. I have simply lost faith that politicians actually have the best interest of the people in mind unless they think it will help them keep power. However, an oppressively high price and a recession should be enough to drive them into action.
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