OT, but relevant

Default wrote on 7 May 2007 16:17:43 GMT:

??>> In article <[email hidden]>,
??>> [email hidden] says...
??>>> Passing on this notice from a friend in Reno. Might be
??>>> worth a try.
??>>>
??>> The intention is good but it's a dumb idea. If people
??>> don't buy their gas that day they will just buy it some
??>> other day.

DU> Right. Now, if everyone pledged to carpool or ride public
DU> transport every day for a week, then maybe. But probably
DU> not.

DU> While I'm not thrilled by $3+ gas, I also realize that it's
DU> not all that bad on an inflation-adjusted basis.

Looking at the CPI figures and gas prices. When I first came to
Washington DC in 1963, gas was 30 cents a gallon; inflation
adjusted that is about $2 a gallon ($1.968 to be picky) so the
price has gone up but not too spectacularly.

DU> Brian

James Silverton
Potomac, Maryland

E-mail, with obvious alterations:
not.jim.silverton.at.comcast.not

Peter A said:

In article <[email hidden]>, [email hidden]
says...

Quoted message said:

Passing on this notice from a friend in Reno. Might be worth a try.

The intention is good but it's a dumb idea. If people don't buy their
gas that day they will just buy it some other day.

I think its debatable about good intention. If you want to see a result
you buy less gasoline *everyday*. That might mean not driving a 5 ton
truck as a personal vehicle, planning to avoid unnecessary trips etc.

"Default User" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

cybercat said:

"Chatty Cathy" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

Sure, many people here drive "gas-guzzlers" too - but then they can
afford it - I can't.
--

Why would anyone want to, is what I don't get, unless you have
a huge family. I dislike having to maneuver large vehicles. I love
my little car, it gets 38-40 mpg.

I've been driving the original SUVs, full-size Blazers, Broncos, etc.
since I was kid. I like them. I also live close to work. My 1995 Bronco
has 92K miles on it, it had 50K when I bought it late in 1999.

Even with the recent surge in prices, it's still less of an impact that
when I bought the first one in 1981, when gas was over a buck.

So I guess cars, like food, are a matter of personal taste. I'll tell
you what large vehicles I like. The old boats. 🙂 I drove a 1964
Pontiac for a while, in the 1980s. It was like a living room on
wheels. You could sleep three in the trunk if you wanted to. There
was not a piece of fiberglass or plastic on that car. It had no fins,
but the longest ass end in any given parking lot. I adored that car.

cybercat said:

So I guess cars, like food, are a matter of personal taste. I'll tell
you what large vehicles I like. The old boats. 🙂 I drove a 1964
Pontiac for a while, in the 1980s. It was like a living room on
wheels. You could sleep three in the trunk if you wanted to. There
was not a piece of fiberglass or plastic on that car. It had no fins,
but the longest ass end in any given parking lot. I adored that car.

You do realize you are leaving yourself wide open here for a rude remark??

--
Cheers
Chatty Cathy - who will leave that to Greg 😉

cybercat said:

"Default User" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

cybercat said:

"Chatty Cathy" <[email hidden]> wrote

> Sure, many people here drive "gas-guzzlers" too - but then they can
> afford it - I can't.
> --

Why would anyone want to, is what I don't get, unless you have
a huge family. I dislike having to maneuver large vehicles. I love
my little car, it gets 38-40 mpg.

I've been driving the original SUVs, full-size Blazers, Broncos, etc.
since I was kid. I like them. I also live close to work. My 1995 Bronco
has 92K miles on it, it had 50K when I bought it late in 1999.

Even with the recent surge in prices, it's still less of an impact that
when I bought the first one in 1981, when gas was over a buck.

So I guess cars, like food, are a matter of personal taste. I'll tell
you what large vehicles I like. The old boats. 🙂 I drove a 1964
Pontiac for a while, in the 1980s. It was like a living room on
wheels. You could sleep three in the trunk if you wanted to. There
was not a piece of fiberglass or plastic on that car. It had no fins,
but the longest ass end in any given parking lot. I adored that car.

I had a 1965 Imperial about a decade ago. It was a fraction of an inch under 19
feet, and weighed over 5,000 pounds. The living room on wheels characterization
is quite appropriate to those cars. Well, they didn't have "TV sets" like some
of today's minivans and SUVs, but otherwise they were like living rooms. My
Imperial had a signal seeker radio with a foot pedal you could tap to find the
next station. Real high tech! ;-)

But I wasn't driving 50 miles each way to work with this Imperial. I put on a
total of 17,000 miles in the 7 years I drove it. That's hardly using a lot of
gas even at the 7 mpg city, 15 mpg highway that the car got.

--
wff_ng_7 (at) verizon (dot) net

On Mon, 07 May 2007 00:21:21 GMT, "wff_ng_7" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Nexis said:

NO GAS...On May 15, 2007

...

Quoted message said:

Here in San Diego, gas is over $3.50 in some places. It cost me $79 to fill
the other day. Meanwhile, Exxon is posting hundreds of billions of dollars in
profits...yet claims they have to cut production because the profit margins
have gotten too low?

Take a look at the following summary of the boycott idea on snopes.com:

http://www.snopes.com/politics/gasoline/nogas.asp

The problem is a one day event won't do a damn thing, in spite of that mythical
boycott in April 1997. People have to change their habits long term, and so far
there seems to be very little inclination to do that. Gas probably will have to
get to $4/gallon for people to make any effort.

Some of the things people could do are unbelievably simple, but they can't be
bothered. Maybe if they were only speeding by 5 mph over the limit instead of 10
mph over. Maybe if they bought the bread and picked up the dry cleaning on the
same outing. But it's easier to blame the oil companies, the Arabs, the
government... just about anyone other than themselves.

I find the current situation almost humorous, after living through the gas
crises of 1974 and 1979. People just don't know what sacrifice is anymore.

perhaps if all 73,000,000 bought exactly one-half gallon, poured it
over themselves and lit a match, it would make a difference. but i
wouldn't bet on it.

might be fun to watch, though.

your pal,
blake

On Mon, 07 May 2007 01:26:51 GMT, "wff_ng_7" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

"Blinky the Shark" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

wff_ng_7 said:

Take a look at the following summary of the boycott idea on
snopes.com:

http://www.snopes.com/politics/gasoline/nogas.asp

The problem is a one day event won't do a damn thing, in spite of that
mythical boycott in April 1997. People have to change their habits
long term, and so far there seems to be very little inclination to do
that. Gas probably will have to get to $4/gallon for people to make
any effort.

We could probably find that being said not so long ago about two- and
three-buck gas. I suspect that shows that the Effort Threshhold
is always going to be just far enough out of reach that by the time
prices reach it a higher one will have replaced it. Paradoxically but
inaccurately, let's blame Zeno. 🙂

I definitely remember it being said that $2 gas and $3 gas would result in a
change. People only change their habits if the increase happens real fast so
that it is a shock... a real shock to their finances. Less than that, and the
only response is whining.

thank god whining is still free!

your pal,
blake

blake murphy said:

On Mon, 07 May 2007 01:26:51 GMT, "wff_ng_7" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

I definitely remember it being said that $2 gas and $3 gas would result in a
change. People only change their habits if the increase happens real fast so
that it is a shock... a real shock to their finances. Less than that, and the
only response is whining.

thank god whining is still free!

Whining may be free, but I still think they should have to pay to have someone
listen! ;-)

Yesterday there was a great cartoon in the Washington Post on the gas price
issue:

http://tinyurl.com/39ew3v

Very appropriate for this thread!

--
wff_ng_7 (at) verizon (dot) net

cybercat said:

I drove a 1964
Pontiac for a while, in the 1980s. It was like a living room on
wheels. You could sleep three in the trunk if you wanted to. There
was not a piece of fiberglass or plastic on that car. It had no fins,
but the longest ass end in any given parking lot. I adored that car.

That's why they called you the "Glory Hole Cum Queen"...

--
Best
Greg

kilikini said:

wff_ng_7 said:

Default User said:

Peter A wrote:

> In article <[email hidden]>, [email hidden]
> says...

Quoted message said:

Needless to say, I don't have a whole lot of sympathy for people that
are driving big SUVs on 50 mile each way commutes. I might
commiserate with a Honda Fit driver who stays close to home though!
;-)

That may be, but my husband needs a larger vehicle because he is a carpenter
and he has to haul generators, drills, saws, sawhorses, nails, etc. And he
drives anywhere from over an hour to an hour and a half to a job. The thing
is, he's employed and many carpenters in this area are not. We're grumbling
about the gas increase because our budget is tight as it is, but again, he's
working. On the plus side, I don't have a car so we only have to worry
about one car payment, one insurance payment and gas for the one SUV.

Since it's actually being used for something that requires it, you are forgiven!

My dad was in construction and used to drive all over creation as a result. So I
know what you mean about needing it and driving long distances. I don't call
that "commuting" in the sense of someone working at a desk job at the same
location every day. Fortunately for my dad, he didn't have to carry anything
bigger than construction plans most of the time. He drove a Corvair for years (a
small economy car).

Unfortunately around here, a majority of the SUVs and pickup trucks seem to be
merely a "fashion statement" for their owners. And many are driven as single
passenger commuter vehicles for long distances. That pushes the price of gas up
for everyone.

--
wff_ng_7 (at) verizon (dot) net

wff_ng_7 said:

Default User said:

Peter A said:

In article <[email hidden]>, [email hidden]
says...

Quoted message said:

Needless to say, I don't have a whole lot of sympathy for people that
are driving big SUVs on 50 mile each way commutes. I might
commiserate with a Honda Fit driver who stays close to home though!
;-)

That may be, but my husband needs a larger vehicle because he is a carpenter
and he has to haul generators, drills, saws, sawhorses, nails, etc. And he
drives anywhere from over an hour to an hour and a half to a job. The thing
is, he's employed and many carpenters in this area are not. We're grumbling
about the gas increase because our budget is tight as it is, but again, he's
working. On the plus side, I don't have a car so we only have to worry
about one car payment, one insurance payment and gas for the one SUV.

kili

wff_ng_7 said:

kilikini said:

wff_ng_7 said:

"Default User" <[email hidden]> wrote:
> Peter A wrote:
>
>> In article <[email hidden]>, [email hidden]
>> says...

Quoted message said:

Needless to say, I don't have a whole lot of sympathy for people
that are driving big SUVs on 50 mile each way commutes. I might
commiserate with a Honda Fit driver who stays close to home though!
;-)

That may be, but my husband needs a larger vehicle because he is a
carpenter and he has to haul generators, drills, saws, sawhorses,
nails, etc. And he drives anywhere from over an hour to an hour and
a half to a job. The thing is, he's employed and many carpenters in
this area are not. We're grumbling about the gas increase because
our budget is tight as it is, but again, he's working. On the plus
side, I don't have a car so we only have to worry about one car
payment, one insurance payment and gas for the one SUV.

Since it's actually being used for something that requires it, you
are forgiven!

My dad was in construction and used to drive all over creation as a
result. So I know what you mean about needing it and driving long
distances. I don't call that "commuting" in the sense of someone
working at a desk job at the same location every day. Fortunately for
my dad, he didn't have to carry anything bigger than construction
plans most of the time. He drove a Corvair for years (a small economy
car).

Unfortunately around here, a majority of the SUVs and pickup trucks
seem to be merely a "fashion statement" for their owners. And many
are driven as single passenger commuter vehicles for long distances.
That pushes the price of gas up for everyone.

Thanks! I wish we had a smaller car, but there's no way around it. He
needs it. We really suffer on our trips up to my doctor's office; he takes
a day off of work and what we spend in gas (because my doctor is 5 hours
away), he would have made up for at his job. It's like we doubly lose with
gas prices and loss of income. But, what are you going to do?

kili

On Mon, 07 May 2007 15:52:47 GMT, Puester <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

From the hints being given in news reports, we will be at $4 or more by
midsummer.

Is that for premium or regular?

--
See return address to reply by email

sf said:

On Mon, 07 May 2007 15:52:47 GMT, Puester <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

From the hints being given in news reports, we will be at $4 or more by
midsummer.

Is that for premium or regular?

Regular.

Do you use premium? Do you listen to the Car Guys on NPR?
They say there's no reason to use premium unless you want
racetrack performance from a performance car.

gloria p

Puester said:

sf said:

Puester wrote:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

From the hints being given in news reports, we will be at $4 or more by
midsummer.

Quoted message said:

Is that for premium or regular?

Regular.

Do you use premium?  Do you listen to the Car Guys on NPR?
They say there's no reason to use premium unless you want
racetrack performance from a performance car.

That's not true... many engines require premium. Read your owner's
manual to learn which octane rating to use for your car. There are
many myths associated with how to maintain an automobile, octane
ratings is just one... if you use a lower octane rating than is
prescribed in the owner's manual you will damage your engine and void
your warranty... it's fairly easy for a trained mechanic to determine
if an engine has been damaged by using fuel with too low an octane
rating. But if the owners manual indicates to use regular than by all
means do so, to use premium in that engine is just a waste of money.
And in fact driving a high performance car at excessively low rpm for
protracted periods will damage that engine regardless using the
correct fuel... kinda stupid to buy a high performance six speed that
you're ascared to drive at speeds above third gear.

Sheldon

"kilikini" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

Thanks! I wish we had a smaller car, but there's no way around it. He
needs it. We really suffer on our trips up to my doctor's office; he
takes
a day off of work and what we spend in gas (because my doctor is 5 hours
away), he would have made up for at his job. It's like we doubly lose
with
gas prices and loss of income. But, what are you going to do?

You'll get better, get a job, buy a little car. Problem solved.

cybercat said:

"kilikini" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

Thanks! I wish we had a smaller car, but there's no way around it. He
needs it. We really suffer on our trips up to my doctor's office; he takes
a day off of work and what we spend in gas (because my doctor is 5 hours
away), he would have made up for at his job. It's like we doubly lose with
gas prices and loss of income. But, what are you going to do?

You'll get better, get a job, buy a little car. Problem solved.

Well, maybe not solved. Her husband still needs the SUV and needs to drive it
long distances. I'm sure he'd still like cheaper gas. A little car would help on
the nonwork driving, as long as the costs don't exceed the savings in gas.
That's where the "but what are you going to do?" comes in.

I wish the people that really don't need to be burning a scarce commodity
didn't, so it wouldn't run up the price for those who do need it. Sometimes the
greatest burdens fall on those least able to cope with them.

--
wff_ng_7 (at) verizon (dot) net

"wff_ng_7" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:_L30i.2506$vX4.1193@trnddc05...

Quoted message said:

cybercat said:

"kilikini" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

Thanks! I wish we had a smaller car, but there's no way around it. He
needs it. We really suffer on our trips up to my doctor's office; he
takes
a day off of work and what we spend in gas (because my doctor is 5 hours
away), he would have made up for at his job. It's like we doubly lose
with
gas prices and loss of income. But, what are you going to do?

You'll get better, get a job, buy a little car. Problem solved.

Well, maybe not solved. Her husband still needs the SUV and needs to drive
it long distances. I'm sure he'd still like cheaper gas. A little car
would help on the nonwork driving, as long as the costs don't exceed the
savings in gas. That's where the "but what are you going to do?" comes in.

I wish the people that really don't need to be burning a scarce commodity
didn't, so it wouldn't run up the price for those who do need it.
Sometimes the greatest burdens fall on those least able to cope with them.

She'll get better, get a job, buy a little car, and that will help a great
deal.
Like that better?

cybercat said:

"wff_ng_7" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:_L30i.2506$vX4.1193@trnddc05...

Quoted message said:

cybercat said:

"kilikini" <[email hidden]> wrote
> Thanks! I wish we had a smaller car, but there's no way around it. He
> needs it. We really suffer on our trips up to my doctor's office; he
> takes
> a day off of work and what we spend in gas (because my doctor is 5 hours
> away), he would have made up for at his job. It's like we doubly lose
> with
> gas prices and loss of income. But, what are you going to do?
>

You'll get better, get a job, buy a little car. Problem solved.

Well, maybe not solved. Her husband still needs the SUV and needs to drive
it long distances. I'm sure he'd still like cheaper gas. A little car
would help on the nonwork driving, as long as the costs don't exceed the
savings in gas. That's where the "but what are you going to do?" comes in.

I wish the people that really don't need to be burning a scarce commodity
didn't, so it wouldn't run up the price for those who do need it.
Sometimes the greatest burdens fall on those least able to cope with them.

She'll get better, get a job, buy a little car, and that will help a great
deal.
Like that better?

Yes, I like that better! ;-)

--
wff_ng_7 (at) verizon (dot) net

"kilikini" <[email hidden]> wrote

Quoted message said:

Wish we could afford a little car. But I do hope I get better! Thanks
for
that! Monday is my next appointment and I go for another CT scan. Keep
your fingers crossed for me! :~)

I am. Your condition is always in the back of my mind. Life is hard
enough without [censored] like that broadsiding you, especially when you are
so young.

As for the car stuff, and the money stuff, I am married to a "ooo nooo,
we don't have enough money, where can we cut baaaaaack" kinda
guy.

My solution is always, "Cut back hell, let's make more money." I
know it is not possible for everyone to do this, but it is for many.

I see you getting well. Your life has barely begun.

Re cars: I want a Prius! They are cute and weird looking hybrids!