Cheap Cars to Drive

Two years ago, when I bought a new car, I decided to go for a fuel-efficient vehicle which would give me few problems, rather than the most feature-packed model out there. It has worked out well for me with the spike in gas prices. And more and more it has been validated, as with this Consumerist article that rates the top 10 cheapest cars to drive. My Vibe came in #7.

10. Suzuki SX4
9. Kia Rio
8. Toyota Corolla
7. Pontiac Vibe
6. Scion xB
5. Nissan Versa
4. Toyota Yaris
3. Hyundai Accent
2. Chevrolet Aveo
1. Honda Fit

High Gas Prices

Gas speculation card

One of the major factors economists are positing for the rapidly-rising price of oil is speculators who are buying gas futures on the open market for higher and higher prices. Not to let the American consumer be outdone, now a company is letting the average American speculate on their next tank of gas.

Save money by pre-purchasing gas at today’s prices, then fill up with your MyGallons Card when prices rise. No matter how high prices at the pump will go, the price of the gallons you’ve purchased will be locked-in.

While I am always up for saving a buck, I have to say I am skeptical about this kind of scheme. First, there is no guarantee that you won't buy high (when gas is up) and wind up gassing up when the price is lower. (It does happen, really.) Second, this tends to make us less sensitive to sudden changes in price, thus insulating oil companies and Congress from our ire. Third, it is accepted "by most fill-up stations", so there is no guarantee that the one you choose to use will be among those.

Still, I have to admit it is a creative way to combat rising gas prices.

Colbert on High Gas Prices

Airline "Extras"

We have been planning a flight in late July to attend a friend's wedding and have been amazed by what the airlines now consider "extra" in order to squeeze a few more dollars out of every consumer.

Starbucks suffering from $4+ Gas

I do not drink coffee, as I really dislike hot drinks. So, I have never gotten the appeal of Starbucks. But it has been an enduring part of most of my coworker's commute for the last 10 years. But now, it appears Starbucks is facing a foe it can't defeat - $4+/gallon gasoline!

What was once a frequent occurrence such as the morning trip to Starbucks or taking the family to a ballgame just isn’t as financially feasible when $4-per-gallon gas must also share a place in the budget,” said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book and kbb.com.

I must admit this makes a lot of sense. The mid-day run to Starbucks or Dunkin Donuts for coffee used to be a tradition around my office. But when driving to the store costs more than the item itself, the free coffee machine provided by the boss must be much more attractive.

People vote with their feet

Painful truths

Oil or Congress on Trial?

The question is can McCain, Obama, or Clinton change this dynamic? Somehow I am doubtful.

Save Gas By Slowing Down

A certain member of our family has been transformed from a defensive driver who stayed at 60 into a highly offense-minded driver who drives over 75 MPH during their commute. The transformation happened when they changed jobs, and got exposed to overly aggressive drivers on one of CT's highways. But this person might change their mind if they knew how much money they were wasting on gas by changing their nature.

In a typical family sedan, every 10 miles per hour you drive over 60 is like the price of gasoline going up about 54 cents a gallon. That figure will be even higher for less fuel-efficient vehicles that go fewer miles on a gallon to start with.

...

Every 10 mph faster reduces fuel economy by about 4 mpg, a figure that remains fairly constant regardless of vehicle size, Clark said. (It might seem that a larger vehicle, with more aerodynamic drag, would see more of an impact. But larger vehicles also tend to have larger, more powerful engines that can more easily cope with the added load.)

I can only wonder how much gas Quizwedge used to waste during his regular commute when he approached the speed of light.

Gas Prices to continue to rise.

Sigh. What more can I say to this? As a commuter, I am expecting to have a LOT less disposable income this year, even if my job is unaffected by the market.

While several areas will see prices over $4 a gallon, Kloza said he expects the nationwide average to peak somewhere between $3.50 and $3.75. Kilduff is calling for a high of $3.50, and Statts thinks we'll see the $3.30s.

All three analysts think prices will peak early, in April or May, then decline as the economy worsens and demand for gas - already flat or falling - continues to deteriorate.

"[The falloff in demand] that occurs around $3.25 a gallon takes a lot of the mojo out of gasoline," said Kloza. "These prices are real speed bumps for the economy."

How long until we see truckers and other gasoline-based workers picketing Congress for relief? And how long until Oil Companies find themselves back in Congress to testify?

It's funny, because its true!

Gas Prices

Unfortuately, I left my camera phone at home today, so I have no photo. But I paid $3.129 per gallon today. Thought fans of gas prices would want to know

Movement

Ranting about Gas Prices and Traffic Rules

Can I give a nickel's worth of free advice to our governments? Gas prices are high. Politicians are offering to have hearings on the gas companies, investigations into refineries, negotiations with foreign dignitaries. Instead, how about putting on hold "Click it or ticket", "Truck Safety Week", and the rest of the never-ending traffic-related programs which are causing you to set up police checkpoints? I must have spent an hour the last month waiting in line at various checkpoints for police to confirm I was obeying the law, when I was burning gasoline and spewing pollutants into the air for NO REASON.

Sigh. Okay. Moving on.

Gas Price Alert: Gas Stations shutting down over price gouging

As the oil companies continue to have record profits and argue that their gross margins are still too lean, consumers are increasingly feeling gouged by high gas prices. You know exactly what I am paying for gas, and even at a discount club the prices are insanely high. Now, the high price for gas - and the incredibly low profits that individual gas stations get for it - are driving individual stations away from even selling gasoline in favor of just doing car repairs.

Including the wholesale cost of gas and other taxes and charges, he was being asked to pay $3.44 a gallon Friday, a day when the competing stations down the street were selling gasoline for $3.47.

"Three cents a gallon doesn't cut it," Curro said. "It doesn't pay the bills."

Add to that the money he loses every time a motorist uses a credit card at the pump, and there was no reason to keep selling gas, Curro said.

Credit card companies and banks get an average of 2.75% on every gallon of gas sold, and credit card processing fees now rank as the second-biggest expense for gas station operators, according to the National Association of Convenience Stores.

"The way I see it is, I'm doing all the work of providing the labor, the wages, the electricity, the lighting, the maintenance of the pumps, the repairs and the insurance, which is quite substantial," Curro said. "I'm doing all the work, and somebody else is getting fat on me."

It is time for the oil companies to realize their business model is fundamentally broken. Whether by refinery issues, problems in the Middle East, or by their own incompetence, they are rapidly reaching a point where consumers are demanding relief. And that relief will come. Either in the form of their own action, Congressional action, or alternative means of getting to work. I am actually telecommuting now far more often than before to save money on gas, and bought the most fuel-efficient non-hybrid I could. How long until a practical alternative to the gasoline-powered car is out there, and the bottom falls out from the oil machine?

Gas over $3 per Gallon

Over $3 per Gallon
Originally uploaded by nomad7674.
I know most Mod-Bloggers have been paying over $3/gallon for a week now, but I managed to put it off. I had forgotten how much it hurts.

Gas Prices

Gas Prices
Originally uploaded by nomad7674.