Influence of Gas Prices

[My Raven]

Re: Influence of Gas Prices

Stopped today on my way home from the dentist with Money Penny: BP Premium Gold Unleaded was $3.99 a gallon. Pump total was $63 so $4 gas is here in NC: I am not going to get political but lets just say I think this could have been avoided and I am pretty p*ssed (excuse me, Ladies).

Only good thing about that stop was I wasn't pumping the gas next to me in the Black blinged out Hummer H1 beside me.

[Bird03]

Re: Influence of Gas Prices

[B] I am not going to get political but lets just say I think this could have been avoided and I am pretty p*ssed (excuse me, Ladies).B]

I agree with you Joe. I think that most government people (liberal and conservative) while not admitting to it publicly, actually think that this is a good thing that will force us mere mortals to start conserving more.

Speaking of mere mortals, did you see where Hillary was asked about current gas prices and she said she didn't know because the secret service always fills up her tank? Not picking on her, probably the same with Mac and Obama.

The thing is that some people drive for a living and can't cut back and some people (like me with the new 2nd Bird) are just not going to cut back on driving.

As the price was going up, I was just biting the bullet. As we reach $4.00 it's time to put a plan into action.

Here's what I came up with so far:

canceled subscription to 2 newspapers
will not renew any magazine subscriptions
no more out to lunch at a restaurant during the workday (I'll go for a short cruise, but will brown bag it)
cut back on the cable bill

That should be enough for now, but I can certainly come up with more things that I really don't need.

The unintended consequence to all this is that it is going to wreck the economy. Life is all about choices and if I choose not to be forced to conserve gasoline by outrageous prices and adjust my spending in other ways then that is my right.

[007Cruiser]

Re: Influence of Gas Prices

Fed cut rates again, dollar as fallen again, gas will go up again.

[Monty]

Re: Influence of Gas Prices

Just filled up at Chevron in Waco. 52.00 and change for little over 14 gal. Cancelled my vacation and ordered a bicycle on the net.

[redbirdsal]

Re: Influence of Gas Prices

Just filled up at Chevron in Waco. 52.00 and change for little over 14 gal. Cancelled my vacation and ordered a bicycle on the net.

Bill, you didn't make Palestine, and you didn't make the All Ford Picnic...you are on notice that you'd best make it to N' Aulins!!!

You're skating on thin ice!!!

[MikeB]

Re: Influence of Gas Prices

We're leaving for an overnight trip with the Chicagoland Thunderbirds today to Wisconsin; I'll let you know what this short weekend trip cost in gas when we get back. Going to Cedarburg (antique shops & winery) and then Port Washington (dinner at historic hotel).

Update 5-4: spent about $45 for the round trip up to Cedarburg this weekend (gas averaged about $3.90+ per gallon premium).

[My Raven]

Re: Influence of Gas Prices

Unleaded Premium BP Gold here has dropped to $3.89 a gallon: Thank Goodness the 'Stang uses regular!

[Ol'Dave]

Re: Influence of Gas Prices

Hee hee. First thing I thought of when I sawyou bring this back to the forefront. Must amdit also, The Stang (87 octane) is getting a lot more daily usage than the Bird at 93 Octane. The Plus side of both is that at the Station I use, they also sell Deisel. Love seeing those Mercedes'' going cha-ching cha-ching at $4.20.9.

[Bruce]

Re: Influence of Gas Prices

Two of the three speciality cars I have run a SCT 93 Octane Custom Tune and I still yet want to give up that performance by going to a lesser octane tune.

[5bird7]

Re: Influence of Gas Prices

went to a station in the DFW area yesterday and they wanted 3.999 for premium. I didn't fill up - just enough to get me by for a few days.

gas has been enfluencing our driving since moving out to the country. we don't go into the metro area as often now but we will be taking planned trips this year - just not as many as before.

[Daktari]

Re: Influence of Gas Prices

Hi there,

We have to remember that these Mercedes and other diesel cars may be paying more for their fuel initially. However,once there tank is full, they can go at least twice as far on that one tank than our birds before having to fill up again.

Gordon.

[redbirdsal]

Re: Influence of Gas Prices

Split my tank of gas at the lake, in CARTOY, today.

89 octane $3.71 per gallon 7.18 gal
93 octane $3.83 per gallon 6.70 gal

For those of you who live in N E TX - The gas at Brookshire's in counties not affected by smog control additives yield a gain of 3 -4 mi per gallon. I drive a lot, so it adds up anually. Also the additives are hard on rubber gaskets and hoses. I always try to fill up when I'm in Henderson and Fairfield counties at Brookshire's. The price of gas is usually cheaper, and the gas gets me further down the road.

I've started using high mid-grade gas in both the Lincoln and '57 Bird. I plan to run a tank of premium about every fourth fill.

[MerlotBlue]

Re: Influence of Gas Prices

Hey Everybody, I have NEVER put anything but regular gas into my 2002 'Bird (owned since new) and now at 36,000+ miles, I have NEVER had a problem with the performance of the car. So save yourselves 20 cents+ per gallon and put regular in the car and enjoy.

Steve, Sarasota, Florida

10.5:1 in the '02 and 10.8:1 in the '04....... you run what you like..... me? I have seen the sorry effects of detonation in less sophisticated cars with high compression engines first hand.

I'd love to know what your actual MPG is. I'm gonna go out on a limb and bet that timing is so RETARDED by your computer that you are giving back your savings and GOD FORBID your computer can't compensate for a stressful situation like high altitude or just pulling hard as you accelerate.

Chancing broken pistons in what is an expensive engine seems like a poor trade off to me.

Your assertion that you've noticed no loss of performance is SUSPECT in my mind to say the least.

[bottomtime]

Re: Influence of Gas Prices

Split my tank of gas at the lake, in CARTOY, today.

89 octane $3.71 per gallon 7.18 gal
93 octane $3.83 per gallon 6.70 gal

For those of you who live in N E TX - The gas at Brookshire's in counties not affected by smog control additives yield a gain of 3 -4 mi per gallon. I drive a lot, so it adds up anually. Also the additives are hard on rubber gaskets and hoses. I always try to fill up when I'm in Henderson and Fairfield counties at Brookshire's. The price of gas is usually cheaper, and the gas gets me further down the road.

I've started using high mid-grade gas in both the Lincoln and '57 Bird. I plan to run a tank of premium about every fourth fill.

HAS ANYONE NOTICED ANY SIDE EFFECTS, OR PROBLEMS, WITH THE ADDITION OF 10% ETHANOL AT ALMOST EVERY GAS STATION YOU GO TO? IT IS A CLEANER BURNING FUEL, WITH THE 10% ETHANOL, BUT, IT CAN AND DOES DO HARMFUL THINGS AS IT IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH RUBBER SEALS AND GASKETS AND CAN CAUSE PROBLEMS AFTER CONTINUED USE WITH TIME............

[007Cruiser]

Re: Influence of Gas Prices

Donn...modern cars can handle it, but classics are another matter.