Influence of Gas Prices

[SixPac]

Just wondering if the current price and future increases in price will influence your travel plans for this year's Thunderbird events and/or vacations.

[islandtime]

Re: Influence of Gas Prices

I don't do a whole lot of driving anyway, but I planned for upwards of $4.00/gal for the Savannah trip. Just can't pass up the opportunity for fun, fun, fun!

[MikeB]

Re: Influence of Gas Prices

My short answer is yes but if there is an event I really want to attend, this wouldn't sway me. I think I'll be more discriminating on taking too many "joy rides" (but that's always tough with this beauty!).

Frankly, we don't put that many miles on the T-Bird anyway as most of our driving is in the Prius.

[Ol'Dave]

Re: Influence of Gas Prices

Not a chance! Waited too, too long, for another Bird. This baby is mean't to be enjoyed to it's fullest. At any cost.

[MidNiteRiders]

Re: Influence of Gas Prices

I consider gas in the Tbird as entertainment, every $ well worth it.

[Daktari]

Re: Influence of Gas Prices

Hi there,

On a personal level, we just spent around 20 grand to buy a car that we can enjoy crusin' in, mainly on weekends. I am still working and would never regard myself as wealthy. However, compared to 20 years ago, financially we are more comfortable and unless the price of gas goes through the roof I am prepared to spend more at the pump just to keep on enjoying our T-Bird. I am starting to cringe a little though as I watch the numbers roll round as the gas goes in.

After saying that, there is always a part of me that feels a little selfish owning two cars that between them guzzle up an awful lot of fuel. I think moving here from the U.K. where gas prices are still around three times what we pay here, most folks have been forced in to driving more economical cars. I would say the average engine size over there would be 1.6 litres and certainly a 3 litre engine would be seen as excessive and for the 'well off' or folks who don't care about the enviorement.

I do think that the U.S. is a litlle behind on the 'green' side of things and this recent price hike in gas has probably got people thinking about it a bit more. Not a bad thing for the future.

Summing up, I do feel a tiny bit guilty but at the moment, not enough to stop us flying away at weekends in our bird with big smiles on our faces.

All the best, Gordon.

[js tbird]

Re: Influence of Gas Prices

My comment is that I don't drink, not even coffee, I have never smoked, and I have never taken drugs. However, I am addicted to gas. I buy gas whenever I need it and don't think twice.

With my 2004 Thunderbird, 1965 Thunderbird, 2004 F-150, 1974 MGB, a pontoon boat and three jet skis, I can buy a lot of gas during the summer, but that is what I do. I am sure there are worse habits to have.

Steve

[MidNiteRiders]

Re: Influence of Gas Prices

I have always purchased "practical" cars with good gas mileage my whole life (Engineer). My wife and I finally got are youngest son off to college and have saved for the tuition. We felt it was time we could finally spend some together time and we saw the Tbird and decided to take the plunge. I am conserving wherever I can but can't feel guilty about this pleasure we decided on. I still figure over my lifetime I have done better at conservation then the norm and will continue to work at it. BUT, we will be enjoying our time with theTbird in the meantime.

[Johnny TBird]

Re: Influence of Gas Prices

Gas cost is an issue for me....however if the cost don't go off the deep end....Kathleen and I still plan to attend Nashville and Las Vegas events.

Happy Trails

[Monty]

Re: Influence of Gas Prices

Strange coincidence as the reason I even have the Bird is due to gas prices. I also have a 2006 F150 with the 4.7 that gets about 13mpg. I was upset about having to shell out 60.00 per wk just to go to work and back (about 50 miles a day). Went down to my local Ford dealer just to check on a used Focus or something similar that would get good mileage. There sat the Bird all waxed and polished right in front of their used car lot. I made the sad mistake of taking a test drive and was immediately hooked. Although it really doesn't get that good mileage (about 21mpg) and, even with the 93 octane gas, I'm not sorry about buying it at all. The wife and I looked at them when they first came out as I had owned a '57 back in the early 60's and still had a secret love affair going. I just couldn't justify the 40K price tag at that time for a 2 seater. Wish now I had gone on and bought a new one and would have had that much additional time to enjoy. Long live the "birds".

[Ediron]

Re: Influence of Gas Prices

I voted it would slow me down some.Were as I was going to drive to N.Y. I will fly .I can do it for $200 or less and still rent a car for the cost of driving and motel stays.Last time I took the Caddy up and it did cost a couple of bucks.As far as everyday ,it's either car and they use the same mpg.It's hard not to uncover the Bird on a day like this (73*) in S.Fl. and just drive to no place.

[Hotwheels]

Re: Influence of Gas Prices

Gas prices are crazy and Ethanol is bad for the cars we love. Sandra and I have chosen to drive our 1977 Ford Bronco accross coutry for fun (11mpg worth of fun) this fall; from Hawaii to Niagara Falls.

[yelobird2002]

Re: Influence of Gas Prices

Its not the price of the gas (I'm not wealthly either), it's having enough vacation time available. 1,000 mile trip, 2,000 round trip would take about 5 - 6 tanks. Say $70 per tank (on empty) would be $350 - $420 for complete trip. Back at $2 per gallon prices would be $40 per tank or $200 - $240. That would make $150 - $180 increase in gas cost. If $180 makes the difference between going on a 2,000 mile trip or not going, then I say you probably shouldn't be going anyways. Just my opinion.

[laikjaim]

Re: Influence of Gas Prices

No...probably why I still need to work 60 plus hours per week...I bought the BIRD to be self indulgent and I will continue to indulge!

[2K2BIRD]

Re: Influence of Gas Prices

We are not going to let the price of gasoline slow us down (this year at least). We have trips planned to the major Thunderbird events this year as well as others for family, fun and work.

I don't see gas prices going down anytime soon (probably never) so we'll just pay the price and have our fun, fun, fun! The alternative is to sit home and listen to the stories about the good times our friends are having. We'd rather be telling the stories instead of hearing them.

There is no time like the present to spend the kid's inheritance!