Gas Prices = Apprehension for Next Season?

[Greg]

That's over $5000 a year. Buy an old Civic for $5,000 and you will save $3,000 a year on gas. How much is insurance in your area? Even with high insurance rates my guess is it would still pay off in a few years. Plus you can use the Civic for ski trips when the roads are good and you are by yourself or with one other person.

Maybe a good solution for a single teenager like yourself. Not exactly practical for hauling the family around though.

 

[awf170]

Maybe a good solution for a single teenager like yourself. Not exactly practical for hauling the family around though.

Huh, you drive your family to work every day with you? I meant as an additional vehicle.

 

[Greg]

Huh, you drive your family to work every day with you? I meant as an additional vehicle.

Yes. I drop off. Wife picks up.

 

[wa-loaf]

Isn't gas/mileage used driving to and from work, a tax write-off..I only live 2 miles from work so it doesn't really apply to me..

Only if you work for yourself. You can write off parking garage fees and commuter passes up to a certain amount.

 

[deadheadskier]

Only if you work for yourself.

Especially true if you drive a giant pick up truck or hummer.

 

[drjeff]

Isn't gas/mileage used driving to and from work, a tax write-off..I only live 2 miles from work so it doesn't really apply to me..

Just be carefull with racking up all those write-offs, if you get too many you'll get the pleasure of learning about the Alternative Minimum Tax, which is a definate oxymoron!

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Maybe a good solution for a single teenager like yourself. Not exactly practical for hauling the family around though.

You have little kids..they can sit in the backseat of a Civic fine..

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Just be carefull with racking up all those write-offs, if you get too many you'll get the pleasure of learning about the Alternative Minimum Tax, which is a definate oxymoron!

No need for me to worry...I pay the accountant a couple hundred every year and he's in charge of my taxes..

 

[snoseek]

Yes. I drop off. Wife picks up.

You would be suprised how much stuff you can cram into a Civic/Corrolla ect.... if you have 2 kids or less you all set. Four adults can ride comfortably, so 2 adults and 2 kids should have no issues. The trunk is decent also, they are good in the snow with proper tires.

There is also something to be said about the handling ability to easily park with these little cars.

 

[nelsapbm]

I know plenty of people with families that drive Civics/Corollas/Accords and they get along just fine. AND YES, the ski, kayak, etc. One big "problem" in our society is that we feel like we need so much "stuff" (I'm guilty of that 'cause I love to shop LOL!). If the price of gas really is a back breaker for some, then you've really got to take stock and ask, do I actually need this, or do I really just want this.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

You would be suprised how much stuff you can cram into a Civic/Corrolla ect.... if you have 2 kids or less you all set. Four adults can ride comfortably, so 2 adults and 2 kids should have no issues. The trunk is decent also, they are good in the snow with proper tires.

There is also something to be said about the handling ability to easily park with these little cars.

4 adults in a Civic...maybe if they're midgets or the front seats are moved way up..I feel bad when I have backseat passengers in my Impreza...but when I'm driving I'm laid back..with my mind on my money and my money on my mind..

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

People are driving 2% less so far and with prices rising like crazy everywhere..consumption is down in China as well since in a place like Beijing average income is $3,000. Which means maybe prices will drop..lol

 

[wa-loaf]

Someone sent this to me. Not sure how effective it will be, but I thought I'd pass this along and let you decide for yourself:

http://www.americansolutions.com/drillnow

I thought it looked a bit hokey, but then discovered Newt Gringrich is behind the campaign. Agree with him or not, I do appreciate the way he doesn't sugarcoat anything.

Yea, so the Oil companies should try using the 68 million acres they already have leased from the gov't before we even think about giving them anymore.

Washington, D.C. - In an effort to compel oil and gas companies to produce on the 68 million acres of federal lands, both onshore and offshore, that are leased but sitting idle, House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Nick J. Rahall (D-WV) today introduced legislation that gives Big Oil one option - either "use it or lose it."

"Big Oil, as many Americans already suspect, are perfectly fine with high gasoline prices at the pump while they hold back domestic production on federal leases and enjoy world record profits. I am calling them on the carpet. I am calling their bluff. We are not going to continue to allow them to speculate and profiteer with public resources to the detriment of the American people," Rahall said.

The Responsible Federal Oil and Gas Lease Act of 2008 (H.R. 6251) is a direct response to the facts outlined in the recent House Natural Resources Committee Majority Staff report, "The Truth About America's Energy: Big Oil Stockpiles Supplies and Pockets Profits", that illustrate how energy companies are not using the federal lands and waters that are already open to drilling. The legislation is co-sponsored by Reps. Rahm Emanuel (D-IL), Maurice Hinchey (D-NY), Ed Markey (D-MA), and John Yarmuth (D-KY).

The 68 million acres of leased but inactive federal land have the potential to produce an additional 4.8 million barrels of oil and 44.7 billion cubic feet of natural gas each day. This would nearly double total U.S. oil production, and increase natural gas production by 75 percent. It would also cut U.S. oil imports by more than one-third, reducing America's dependency on foreign oil.

The Rahall bill would force oil and gas companies to either produce or give up federal onshore and offshore leases they are stockpiling by barring the companies from obtaining any more leases unless they can demonstrate that they are producing oil and gas, or are diligently developing the leases they already hold, during the initial term of the leases.

Coal companies, which are issued leases for 20-year terms, are required, as a result of the Federal Coal Leasing Amendments Act of 1976 to show that they are diligently developing their leases during the initial lease term. The law was enacted in an effort to end rampant speculation on federal coal as a result of the energy crises of the 1970's.

Oil and gas companies, however, are not required to demonstrate diligent development. Because of this, oil and gas companies have been allowed to stockpile leases in a non-producing status, while leaving millions of acres of leased land untouched. The Rahall legislation directs the Secretary of the Interior to define what constitutes diligent development for oil and gas leases.

Companies could avoid this new lease prohibition by relinquishing their non-producing leases, thus creating an opportunity for another company to explore for and perhaps produce oil and gas.

"As long as oil companies hold oil hostage, they will continue to get away with charging high prices and demanding a greater share of the public's land. This bill forces their hand by compelling them to produce or hand the over their idle leases for someone who will," Rahall said.

Source

 

[mlctvt]

You would be suprised how much stuff you can cram into a Civic/Corrolla ect.... if you have 2 kids or less you all set. Four adults can ride comfortably, so 2 adults and 2 kids should have no issues. The trunk is decent also, they are good in the snow with proper tires.

There is also something to be said about the handling ability to easily park with these little cars.

Or better yet a small hatchback! I once had a VW GTI that was very comfortable for 4 adults. I used it for a cycling vacation once with my wife and another couple. four bikes on the roof, four full size luggage bags in the back , four sets of cycling gear and four adults on a long drive. It worked fine. It was only a 2-door hatchback but very similar to a small wagon.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Bump..prices dropped at a few local stations by 3-4 cents since yesterday..

 

[ERJ-145CA]

but when I'm driving I'm laid back..with my mind on my money and my money on my mind..

Are you rollin' down the street smokin' indo, sippin' on gin and juice?

 

[ski_resort_observer]

China just greatly reduced their gas subsidy so the price basically doubled at the pump for them which should reduce their global.consumption and therefore reduce demand which should reduce prices....maybe.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Are you rollin' down the street smokin' indo, sippin' on gin and juice?

how did you know??

 

[ERJ-145CA]

S N double O P told me.

 

[mountainman]

Get over it.

Still do want you want to do. If their is a will their is a way. Put the boards on and go you can't help it.