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Local gas prices (non-political)
- Thread starter ctenidae
- Start date
ctenidae
Active member
I lease and use 89 octane (as recommended)- I do notice a performance difference, but as previously stated, my driving habits are not the norm
ctenidae
Active member
http://online.wsj.com/public/articl...-6gMLCLIoOfpd7t41Ueb0M3Vxgr4_20060802,00.html
Very interesting bit on peak oil and what we need to do about it, and not from the peak oil "kooks". To bring it into relevance and sum up, we will eventually run out of oil, and the decline is roundly thought to start in our lifetimes. Unless we start doing something about it now, we'll get creamed- super high prices at the pumps, massive inflation due to high transportation costs, and all the electricity ski areas use to operate will drive lift tickets through the roof. More efficient gas engines is more of a delay than a fix, and in the end, rising gas prices may be an important economic incentive to find solutions.
Very interesting bit on peak oil and what we need to do about it, and not from the peak oil "kooks". To bring it into relevance and sum up, we will eventually run out of oil, and the decline is roundly thought to start in our lifetimes. Unless we start doing something about it now, we'll get creamed- super high prices at the pumps, massive inflation due to high transportation costs, and all the electricity ski areas use to operate will drive lift tickets through the roof. More efficient gas engines is more of a delay than a fix, and in the end, rising gas prices may be an important economic incentive to find solutions.
loafer89
New member
I had posted about the peak of oil a few months ago. The front cover of the August National Geographic has an article about the future of the energy world after oil.
The article states that development work is underway to produce very thin and efficent solar cells that could be "painted" on surfaces such as roof tops.
The energy needs of the entire United States could be meet with solar panels covering the area the size of the state of Vermont-provided it is sunny
The other main problem is how to store the extra energy that is produced when it is required on non sunny days.
The solar energy could be used to catalyst hydrogen for use in cars/trucks. I did not realize how energy consuming the production of hydrogen is, it is much more (energy) wastefull right now than just using oil alone.
The article states that development work is underway to produce very thin and efficent solar cells that could be "painted" on surfaces such as roof tops.
The energy needs of the entire United States could be meet with solar panels covering the area the size of the state of Vermont-provided it is sunny
The other main problem is how to store the extra energy that is produced when it is required on non sunny days.
The solar energy could be used to catalyst hydrogen for use in cars/trucks. I did not realize how energy consuming the production of hydrogen is, it is much more (energy) wastefull right now than just using oil alone.
ctenidae
Active member
Same problem with hydrogen as with ethanol- it's a net energy loss. I think someone should develop a solar cell that is transparent, to be used in office windows. Imagine a solar panel the size of the Sears Tower- it'd power itself all day, which is when it needs the most, anyway.
smitty77
New member
GM is always 3 steps behind every other auto maker in the world. They put out cars with styling from two years ago. Their reliabilty sucks hard (see below). They made the smart move to kill off the rear-drive passenger cars just as they were coming back into vogue with the advent of traction control. Gee, I wonder why they're having trouble staying afloat. When they do come up with something promising, they still find a way to eff-it-up. The SSR would be a bad*ss ride if they got rid of the wheezer v-6 for a v-8 and dropped the sticker price by a third. The GTO would have been a nice idea if it didn't look like a Cavlier dressed in untra conservative business attire. Back when I owned a Saturn, I couldn't wait for the release of the Saturn Vue. When it finally came out, I was like "You're kidding. This is what us loyal Saturn owners were waiting for?" Same with the new Ion. GM had a good thing going in Saturn - Loyal followers, cheap vehicles, decent reliability (in the early years). GM then killed Saturn by trying to make it more like the other failing divisions.ski_resort_observer said:
My father-in-law owned a Saturn from the early years (1992), and it was indestuctible. He commuted daily to boston and put 200k+ on that car. His biggest repair was brakes. My wife bought her first Saturn in 1996 and had oil consumption issues. We got a good trade in figure, so we bought another Saturn in 1999. The exhaust pipes rotted out at 18,000 miles! The car wasn't a year old. Sure it was covered under warranty, but it didn't make me feel any better about long-term reliability. I dumped that car in 2002 and bought a Chrysler.
I also owned a Chevy S10 in which the radiator and U-joints went at 40,000, and the valve cover and ball joints were shot at 60,000. Piece of junk. GM finally got smart and "partnered" with Honda to put Honda V-6 powerplants in some vehicles (I think the Vue is one of them). And yet they wonder why they can't give cars away.
Needless to say, I doubt I'll ever buy another GM vehicle.
loafer89
New member
I just paid $2.57 for regular and it cost $38.05 to fill up with 1/4 tank left :angry: :evil: :x
Skiing will be seriously curtailed if the prices go higher than this
Skiing will be seriously curtailed if the prices go higher than this
hammer
Active member
Was the Chrysler any better? My only experience with a Chrysler was a car I bought back in 1987 -- nothing but a bunch of trouble.smitty77 said:
FWIW, every US brand vehicle I've had has been nothing but trouble, and every Japanese brand vehicle I've had has been reliable.
I'd like to "buy American" whenever I can, but unfortunately I won't be doing that with cars anytime soon...
ctenidae
Active member
Only good thing I've seen from GM Lately- they're working with Honda and BMW to standardize parts (nozzles, lines, etc) for fuel-cell cars, so you can refill hydrogen with a standard pump. Good to know they'r eat least looking that far ahead, for once. Of course, GM will spend the money on research, Honda will make it reliable, and BMW will make it classy, then Honda and BMW will sell cars, and GM won't.
loafer89
New member
I bought my first foreign brand car ever when I bought my Mazda 6, but the car is made in Michigan so I feel somewhat better to help the auto workers than with a pure foreign made car.
so I feel somewhat better to help the auto workers than with a pure foreign made car.
smitty77
New member
Yeah, my dad had a 1987 caravan that was always giving us fits. They've improved since then. I bought a PT Cruiser and have loved it ever since I got it new 3 years ago. Knock on wood, not a problem to report other than condensation dripping in the passenger foot-well from the AC on really humid days. My in-laws have the same issue with their Caravan (also a 2002) so I think something is wrong in the design. Other than that, great car with decent options for under $20,000. I like all of the room inside for what is basically a Neon chassis.hammer said:
Smitty
1. The VUE is the only GM product that has the 3.5l Honda V6 (model years 04+)
2. The VUE was as expected in my terms as "functional". It is what I expected for a sub $20k polymer product. Mine has been reliable. The quirky item is the CVT tranny.
3. I was going to get an 05 VUE leftover, but the only item located was the V6. More motor than I need. My attraction to Saturns is the polymer. Without it, it is just another GM product
As soon as Saturns become dentable (no more polymer like the Relay and upcoming Aura) I will buy another make.
edit: The only US built engine for the VUE is the Ecotec (based on SAAB's 2.0). The CVT tranny is made in Hungary. The 3.0 V6 used for the 02 and 03 VUE was a SAAB design built in England mated to a Japanese 5 speed automatic. I believe the Caddy Catera used a derivative of the 3.0 motor and the Saab 9-5 did also.
2. The VUE was as expected in my terms as "functional". It is what I expected for a sub $20k polymer product. Mine has been reliable. The quirky item is the CVT tranny.
3. I was going to get an 05 VUE leftover, but the only item located was the V6. More motor than I need. My attraction to Saturns is the polymer. Without it, it is just another GM product
As soon as Saturns become dentable (no more polymer like the Relay and upcoming Aura) I will buy another make.
edit: The only US built engine for the VUE is the Ecotec (based on SAAB's 2.0). The CVT tranny is made in Hungary. The 3.0 V6 used for the 02 and 03 VUE was a SAAB design built in England mated to a Japanese 5 speed automatic. I believe the Caddy Catera used a derivative of the 3.0 motor and the Saab 9-5 did also.
smitty77
New member
I thought I read in Car and Drivel that they were also thinking of putting it into other models (minivans perhaps?) Guess that rumor was false, or it just hasn't happened yet.skijay said:
I can't figure out why they would get rid of the polymer panels. Is the mass public really demanding (marginally) better fit/finish with steel versus the dent resistance of plastic?
tree_skier
New member
smitty77 said:
The issue is cost. It cost a significant amount more for the plastic then steel body panels. Consumers mostly love the plastic, I had a fiero and was hit in the middle of my hood by a potato bouncing down the road at 60 mph. There was potato everywhere and not a mark on the car. Yes it was in Northern Maine.
SkiDog
New member
skijay said:
I have an "issue" with the word "requires" what will the car stop working? Naaaaaaa....like mentioned you might notice a slight performance drop with the lower grades, but all I notice is maybe a mile or 2 less per gallon, nothing else. Like I mentioned..I give her a "treat" about every third fil up.
Yes its a lease...no I don't beat it....but with these prices i'll be darned if I am going to put the super in....
M
riverc0il
New member
don't get me started on saturn! :lol: okay, too late...
apparently, the new saturns will no longer have the decent resistant plastic all saturn lovers, well, love, but rather they are going to make saturns like all other GM cars. wonderful! there is also a mini-van that is an all but exact carbon copy of another GM mini-van (GM loves having nearly identical cars in different devisions with different names :roll: ). there was the SUV thing, fine, whatever. but now there's a convertable, that looks like crap besides, that really had no place in the previous saturn line up.
the reason saturn did okay was because of a die hard loyal following. my parents bought two saturns, i bought two, my brother has one, etc. my last saturn went till 204k miles, my current one has only had brake repair in over two years. mint! i don't know if i'll buy another one though. maybe fish around for a nice 94 model with low milage when someone's granny dies. let's hear it for junk bond status!
/rant
sometimes, our economy does too much to bail out failing businesses. scrape them off the sidewalk and throw them away that way we can have some progressive new ideas.
hammer
Active member
I'd respond, but I think that the thread would turn political, and I don't want to be responsible for that... :-?riverc0il said:
riverc0il
New member
economics is different than politics we should not be affraid of pushing topics further. the mods will pipe in if things get carried into questionable territory. i don't like the fact that people feel they can not say what they want to say without fear of having a locked topic.
we should not be affraid of pushing topics further. the mods will pipe in if things get carried into questionable territory. i don't like the fact that people feel they can not say what they want to say without fear of having a locked topic.
riverc0il said:
thought this wasn't a 'political' arguement, but with such a view, St. J is sure to sprout up a Walmart very soon.
'Progressive' economical views (in such context) clearly do nothing more than create more sidewalks and drive up pharmacies in this nation.
I maybe misreading you being fecicious here, but last I checked - Politics = Economy
*Mods, let me know if I'm overstepping my bounds here, if so I'll pipe down as honestely, all I really want to do is ski*
Post Scriptum: I have a 95 Ford Explore for sale as I'm moving towards a greener life - sorry its not a GM product with dent proof doors, but it will get ya to the hill
ctenidae
Active member
Aargh... I can understand market pressures, but I hate it when political considerations are the driver:
Crude futures climb above $63 to a new record By Myra P. Saefong
SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- September crude climbed $1.19 to $63.50 a barrel in New York, touching new record after the U.S. said diplomatic missions in Saudi Arabia will be closed for at least two days because of possible threats against American buildings. The gains in oil are "tied to a 'heightened state of alert' as opposed to an actual supply shortage," said Tim Evans, a senior analyst at IFR Markets. "This gives the markets an opportunity to blast to new highs in the near term, although the ongoing flow of ample production means that a major downside risk for this market remains," he said in a note to clients.
Crude futures climb above $63 to a new record By Myra P. Saefong
SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- September crude climbed $1.19 to $63.50 a barrel in New York, touching new record after the U.S. said diplomatic missions in Saudi Arabia will be closed for at least two days because of possible threats against American buildings. The gains in oil are "tied to a 'heightened state of alert' as opposed to an actual supply shortage," said Tim Evans, a senior analyst at IFR Markets. "This gives the markets an opportunity to blast to new highs in the near term, although the ongoing flow of ample production means that a major downside risk for this market remains," he said in a note to clients.
