A vast country we have

[Big_Charlie]

Have you considered one of these Charlie?

You know, that looks like a great vehicle for me...imagine the towing capacity one of those must have, being that it has treads and all. And the main gun would be one sweet way to get rid of traffic in my way. If only it could manage highway speeds...

 

[Tom_Veatch]

...
If only it could manage highway speeds...

Well, even if it doesn't, you don't need to worry about tailgaters. That turret reverses, you know.

 

[cowpie1]

You know, that looks like a great vehicle for me...imagine the towing capacity one of those must have, being that it has treads and all. And the main gun would be one sweet way to get rid of traffic in my way. If only it could manage highway speeds...

It will manage highway speeds. That is, up to 55mph. The M1 does it as well.

I traded one of my rides in for a Diesel Jeep Liberty early last summer. Best move I made in a while. It will pull 5K lbs, goes anywhere on my farm, and gets in the high 20's for fuel mileage. Will wait for warranty to expire before I start running more than B5 or B10. Daimler Chrysler has been denying warranty work on a number of Dodges around here lately for running biodiesel percentages higher than B5 or B10. (except the government vehicles which they allow B20). After the warranty, I will consider brewing my own fuel.

 

[michigandon]

Better yet, do what I do. Tell the fuel companies to go ***** themselves. I own nothing but diesels and refine all my own fuel from used cooking oil. Been burning nothing but french fry oil for over 4 years now. Cost me between .97c to $1.08 to process per gallon not counting the refund I get from selling the byproduct glycerin to a local company. Drive by the gas/diesel stations every day laughing.

I too have phased out gasoline power in my household as much as possible. Haven't tried making my own homebrew (yet!), but everything runs on B99 throughout the summer and B20 during the winter.

 

[hsdfcu]

When oil goes up so high things change. One thing I think we under estimate is the amount saved by buyers exchanging big 4 wheel drives for small vehicles. If only 10% of the (would have been 4 wheel drives) are converted, at trade in, to 25 - 30 mpg cars the savings in gas has to be in 10s of millions of fuel per week; in just one fall buying season. I have a nephew who lives in Vegas and he has a big 4 wheel drive. He has no idea why he has one. It doesn't snow much and he doesn't go into the desert. He doesn't drive into the mountains. Next time he buys it will be something 2 wheel drive. With a little % of savings here and a little more saved there, our country can make a big impact on prices.

Cheers...Coffeeman

I agree. And we, USA will never learn. Prices go up, we whine. Go back down, back to old ways. I think prices need to go up to lke $5 per g and stay there for most to get the hint.

 

[MikePA]

Prices go up, we whine.

I disagree. Only the people shown on TV and quoted in the media whine. The vast majority of people do not whine.

I think prices need to go up to lke $5 per g and stay there for most to get the hint.

What 'hint' are people supposed to get? Every time prices spike, people react. Some by buying a more fuel efficient vehicle. Others by riding public transportation, car pooling, making their own diesel, driving less, or simply adjusting their budget. Do some go back to their old ways? Sure, but it's their choice, but people who make a permanent change, e.g., get a more fuel efficient car, make their own diesel, etc., do not go back to their old ways. Most people have already gotten the 'hint'.

 

[hsdfcu]

I disagree. Only the people shown on TV and quoted in the media whine. The vast majority of people do not whine.


What 'hint' are people supposed to get? Every time prices spike, people react. Some by buying a more fuel efficient vehicle. Others by riding public transportation, car pooling, making their own diesel, driving less, or simply adjusting their budget. Do some go back to their old ways? Sure, but it's their choice, but people who make a permanent change, e.g., get a more fuel efficient car, make their own diesel, etc., do not go back to their old ways. Most people have already gotten the 'hint'.

I must disagree. Our demand has gone back up as stated on usatoday on Friday. So much for the people getting it. When prices where high that is all I heard (real life, not tv); gas this and that. Now, nothing and suv sales are still as strong as they where. All this special cars (hybrid electric ,etc) you are lucky to see (2) on the road, at least for me. I see more hummer 2, F350, exploders now then ever.

Last winter I noticed people complaining about oil prices like mad. Now, nothing at work. It is all due to prices. High prices we try to conserve. Now, people go back. No carpooling, no trying to save gas, no turing down heat to save. When the prices go back up, all these new ways will come back. It is the save every year at the same time.

The hint is when gas prices STAY above 3.50 per gallon, we as a nation will learn. Until that, we will still use the most oil in the world.

 

[3RRL]

The hint is when gas prices STAY above 3.50 per gallon, we as a nation will learn. Until that, we will still use the most oil in the world.
I don't know if that's true?
That could have been said back in the 50's when gas 22¢ a gallon and went up. Look what's happened over the years. Each time it goes up we just cope because it kind of "creeps up" instead of slamming us. Some people frankly don't give a **** how expensive gas gets, they will still use it to basically the same degree. IMO it takes a personal hit in your lifestyle to consider conserving. At $3.50 a gallon I don't think that would do it ... more like $10 a gallon?
We use more oil than anybody in the world because we have more stuff than anybody in the world. Then look at the transportation industry and carriers like Fed-X or UPS. They just pass the cost over to us anyway.
What's it gonna take?

 

[MikePA]

The hint is when gas prices STAY above 3.50 per gallon, we as a nation will learn.

Exactly what are we supposed to learn?

Until that, we will still use the most oil in the world.

What's wrong with us using the most oil? We're the largest economy and our economy runs on oil.

 

[williekioti]

I love it when people wish excessive fuel prices on the masses to "teach us a lesson", so that blue collar working folks will have to make real sacrafices. The SUV vs. small ugly hybrid argument is tiring as well. The explosion in popularity of SUVs is a complex situation and not all simply a product of slick marketing along with trying to out do the Jones in ego purchasing. There used to be MANY choices in passenger CARs for a family to mobilize in, i.e. station wagons and large sedans that could safely transport six or more occupants, tow a trailer and carry some cargo as well. When the big three stopped manufacturing those type vehicles years ago your choice was either a mini-van(yuck IMO), cargo/utility full size van or SUV. I'd love to have some kind of environmentally/wallet friendly hybrid type vehicle, but how am I supposed to stuff my family in a Prius AND pick up groceries or pick up needed supplies at TSC? Not to mention their completly ugly Euro styling. Where I live pickups and SUVs rule the roads and most are utilized to their capacity and beyond. FWD is very useful if not completly necessary, but >14" wheels, ground clearance and a decent suspension ARE necessary to navigate here in the mountains. Not to mention carry more than four people, pull a few thousand pounds trailered and maybe carry some lumber or what not. Where's the Hybrid with those traits?

Having said all that I do conceed there are entirely too many Hemi Rams, Tahoes and Super Duties daily commuting w/o cargo or people and never see an unpaved road. But we live in a Capitalist society where if you can afford it you have the priviledge of purchasing the vehicle that makes you happy. Lets be honest, how many CUTs and SCUTs are purchased annually according to absolute NEED? The alternative is what, an overbearing government regulation to determine what everyone needs to drive and operate? Where you must justify your purchasing habits or pay prohibitive fees and taxes. No thanks. The manufacturers need to produce vehicles that people will buy, the more eco/enviro advanced, fuel efficient, safe and task capable the better. Oh yah, and affordable.