Cars Hurt Most by $4 Gas

Good to Hear

It's good to hear that people give a carp.

It's absurd to blame the lazy union worker who just wants a better lot for the short-sightedness of our Big (stupid, selfish) 3. That is like blaming the toddler that gets to eat his desert first because he cries. Time to Pay the Piper. The Big 3 have constantly fought higher CAFE standards, they said to adopt them would put them out of business. Well GM is going out of business, so get used to it. They have a failed long term vision, like the rebellious toddler. I give them less than 18 months before they start threatening our government with their financial problems, looking for handouts. They obviously don't have the vision it takes to move forward, they have been listening to their own lies so long.

But as goes GM, so goes the US......

So yeah, our consumer debt has doubled, our government debt has doubled, but we are very creative and resilient and we could make it through, if only we could let go of that saying that we should have let go of 30 years ago. Say goodbye to GM and their stubborn mentality. Lets find someone with a "new" vision like Quantum, or someone that cares about potential and efficiency, take us into the renewable age.

As for those who have to drive SUVs, we celebrate choice, and to stay in business, of course, you have to pass on your costs. I think we all realize that. Drive on...

And Kudos to the Natural Gas advocate, Hydrogen or Bust!

But don't be so hard on the Canadian. If our country were to have put a 40% tax on fuel (and spent the proceeds on pushing our slumbering companies into the next era) we wouldn't be in this mess (excuse me, these messes). We wouldn't have a business failure as a president, we wouldn't be invading sovereign countries, we wouldn't have so many fat**ses sitting on the couch eating tv dinners while they watch our economy get outstripped by the likes of Romania and our technology get superseded by the Danes. Our gov't is willing to put a protective tariff on steel (17% - ?fact check?), a health and safety tax on our cigarettes, but really, only 10% on the most wasteful and most harmful commodity of our time!! Completely ridiculous were the claims - "consumers will never pay it", "we'll go out of business if you do that" never mind that railroads are more efficient, or private companies were willing to pay for half the cost of a high speed train, we must allow Exxon and GM to lead us into the new era of doom and gloom. And even now, Exxon considers their tax breaks crucial to their R&D that will lead us away from this armageddon. Exxon is the biggest joke (after The administration) and unfortunately, unlike GM, Exxon has enough money to suppress science and new inventions for years to come, and will in all likelihood morph into the next era as an energy company, not a oil company.

It's not too late to treat Exxon like Philip Morris, but first we must just say "goodbye" to GM, it was a good time, but it is time for you to go.

kv of FL @ Jul 01, 2008 19:43:02 PM

MPG or Safety

I will drive my GMC Yukon with its 12mpg even if gas hits $8 a gallon as long as

I live in California. After being the vicitim of 3 car wrecks in the last 12 years I

only had minor injuries in 2 of them thanks to driving a big car and SUV. Next time some irresponsible moron decides to crash into me with thier little economy

car they will be the one that ends up in the hospital or crushed to death. Gas

prices are still a bargain compared to the high cost of medical and losing work

due to car crash injuries. I can giveup the weekend ride in the country and the

drive across town to save $10 on a sale. It is cheaper to drive a 10 year old gas

guzzling SUV that is paid for than to drive a new econocar with $500 a month

payments, high insurance and registration fees.

Billy of CA @ Jun 28, 2008 14:23:38 PM

The Future

At least the high gas prices have we Americans thinking and talking about the future autos and how they will be powered. I like the idea of all electric cars for commuting and driving around town. The Chevy Volt and similar cars planned by other manufacturers will have a gas engine on board to recharge the batteries giving the car a claimed 600 mile range on a tank. If you just drive to work and back you can plug it in and use NO gas. Honda has just introduced a hydrogen car. Zero emissions but the problem is filling it with hydrogen. Refueling stations will need to be built. Most of you see this as a problem. If there is someone with capitol and vision you will see an opportunity to be the next century Chevron or Exxon. People are ready for a change if the economics of oil vs. whatever alternative are close to similar.

RDR of AZ @ Jun 28, 2008 13:40:47 PM

Get Real

Apparently those in the little tiny cars don't have a large family or work needs that require a large vehicle. I own several rent homes and need a suburban to haul materials around. I especially like being able to put 4' x 8' sheets of drywall in my suburban and close the door. Try hauling drywall and plywood in your civic.

You're the person calling people like me for a favor to haul your crap around when you buy something big, move or want to remodel.

Dan of TX @ Jun 28, 2008 13:02:30 PM

BIG OLE' SUV's

I do agree that gas is the most expensive evaporated liquid. I bought my 01 highlander and yes it is costing me gas. It wasn't just for the sake of buying an SUV and being spoiled. I had a 90 honda accord before that and had difficulty getting out of the car. I am a tall and a big female and I enjoy falling out of my vehicle instead of struggling out. I also have a 6'7 father who had major difficulty with getting out of my honda back then. Yes, we are spoiled, but if someone could find a car that sat like an SUV then I am all for it.

Chrisntoyo of TN @ Jun 28, 2008 13:00:55 PM

New car vs price of fuel

If I traded my 20Mpg Dakota V-8 for a new 30Mpg auto, I would only save $700 per year in fuel expense. My car expense would increase by $5,000 per year (the truck is paid off.) Gasoline would have to be much higher for this to be an option.

Now if you offered me a hydrogen-powered car....

I don't understand why CNG is not being pushed as a viable fuel until we get to a hydrogen infrastructure. Hydrogen and CNG fueling stations are very similar in design and set-back requirements, so, bringing up more CNG stations would not be a waste of time. 98% of NG used in the US is produced in North America, so, NGV's are not using as much foreign oil.

Using NG would also get the driving public used to fueling up with a gas vs a liquid.

Loboc of TX @ Jun 27, 2008 16:39:52 PM

Miles per gal

I see a lot of positive comments about some of these small cars getting 30 mpg on the highway and 22 in town. I own an 05 Buick LaSabre which gets 31 on the highway (2 people and luggage) and 24 in town. The highway driving is at 65 mph and the city driving is making use of the cars excellent ability to coast and my ability to resist jack rabbit starts. These numbers are confirmed and the highway numbers are winter numbers on many tank loads. My 97 Olds 88 gets similar numbers on the Highway. So you can drive a bigger V-6 and get the mileage that some of these people are talking about.

Bill Loll of MI @ Jun 27, 2008 14:07:50 PM

Avalon just sucks

While it certainly is true that around here 4 cylinder cars that nobody even wanted to be seen in two years ago are now the hot ticket, I would avoid an Avalon for a lot of reasons before worrying about the fact that it has a 6 cylinder. Their 4 cylinder version is a complete dog. And the car's styling sucks as well, regardless of engine option.

kerry bradshaw of MA @ Jun 27, 2008 12:59:11 PM