Please joint in the "Gas Out" - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

BENZ-LGB · #1 05-03-2007, 10:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt L

No excuses needed. People keep buying it, so the price keeps going up. When you see people dumping their SUVs due to the price, it will have to come down. Until then, it won't.

I agree. Gas prices in So. Cal. are outrageous. Still, people keep buying their obscenely wasteful SUVs. I can understand it if you have lots of stuff to move around or if you have a big family. But about 90% of the SUVs I see on the road are single-occupancy.

Last summer I was able to convince my wife to give up her beloved Yukon and start driving the E320. Boy am I glad I did!

One question for you boys and girls (maybe I'll make this a separate thread).

With gas prices going through the roof, are you giving up something in order to save moeny for gas? Maybe postponing a major purchase? Trimming down
on vacation plans?

If gas prices keep going up, there will eventually be a negative impact on the economy. Most people can't afford to pay for the extra cost of gas AND still spend like they used to do before the gas price hikes.

We haven't given up anything...yet. But we are far more careful about making needless car trips and are going out to dinner less often. Not a big sacrifice yet...

aklim · #2 05-03-2007, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BENZ-LGB

Last summer I was able to convince my wife to give up her beloved Yukon and start driving the E320. Boy am I glad I did!

With gas prices going through the roof, are you giving up something in order to save moeny for gas? Maybe postponing a major purchase? Trimming down
on vacation plans?

Yes, but you are irrelevant. The question is whether SWMBO is happier. If not, you might not be having your nights set on fire. I had the wife gave up her Merkur Scorpio. She has gone thru a 201, 202 and now has a 210. However, she does mention it now and then. I was just tired of chasing parts that were obsoleted by Ford.

I wouldn't call it "going thru the roof". We go thru this same scene every year. We just roll with it. Already have it figured out into the finances. So, to answer your question, no. If needs be, I'll get a part time job bagging groceries during winter to make up for the gas increase but nothing yet planned.

BENZ-LGB · #3 05-04-2007, 01:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

Yes, but you are irrelevant.

Yes we know that you are the only one whose opinions are relevant around here.

It must be such a blessing.

And yes we already know that your wife is happy taking whatever you dish out to her.

She is certainly one lucky gal.

Some of us, however, live in the real world.

aklim · #4 05-04-2007, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BENZ-LGB

Yes we know that you are the only one whose opinions are relevant around here.

It must be such a blessing.

And yes we already know that your wife is happy taking whatever you dish out to her.

She is certainly one lucky gal.

Some of us, however, live in the real world.

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

Yes, but you are irrelevant. The question is whether SWMBO is happier. If not, you might not be having your nights set on fire. I had the wife gave up her Merkur Scorpio. She has gone thru a 201, 202 and now has a 210. However, she does mention it now and then. I was just tired of chasing parts that were obsoleted by Ford.

Obviously some of you can't read what was typed nor understand the little humor that was inserted. Oh well. Do I need to draw a cartoon for you?

Edit: OK, you wanna talk real world. Lets talk Real World. I took a hit in my 99 C280 in the driver door. The other driver T-boned me. She fared worse than I did. Now, I could make an argument for her to get a Jetta TDI because she drives 150 miles every day. 50 mpg vs her 30+ mpg, I could make it stick. However, I doubt she will be happy in a Jetta. In fact, I know she won't like it one bit. We drove one around. So, to get this 15+ mpg more, I have to pay a little more to get a Jetta. That is the good part since I will recoup my investment in a couple years. However, the bad part is that she won't like it a whit. Now, compound that with the fact that she will be in a lunchbox with wheels and might fare worse in a collision, her fault, the other party's fault, it don't matter, what is that extra safety margin worth to me? Well, money we can earn again. Body might not regenerate so easily.

BENZ-LGB · #5 05-04-2007, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

...the little humor that was inserted.

That was humor?

OMG and I missed it? How will I ever live with myself?

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

Oh well. Do I need to draw a cartoon for you?

Oh yes please do. Pretty pictures and big-type letters would be most helpful, oh inscrutable one.

BTW, sarcasm escapes you, doesn't?

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

However, I doubt she will be happy in a Jetta

My wife now drives a big, comfortable, safe and efficient Benz E320.

If we need to carry anything bigger than what would normally fit in the trunk of the E320, we have three station wagons to choose from.

If it is bigger than what would fit in a wagon, I hire people to move it for me.

Our dogs travel in the luxury and safety of a Benz or a Volvo.

Life is good in the BENZ-LGB household.

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

Body might not regenerate so easily.

I am shocked that someone as accomplished, wise and knowledgeable in all matters, such as yourself, has not yet figured a way to make his own body regenerate. I am shocked, shocked, shocked...

aklim · #6 05-04-2007, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BENZ-LGB

That was humor?

OMG and I missed it? How will I ever live with myself?

Oh yes please do. Pretty pictures and big-type letters would be most helpful, oh inscrutable one.

BTW, sarcasm escapes you, doesn't?

My wife now drives a big, comfortable, safe and efficient Benz E320.

If we need to carry anything bigger than what would normally fit in the trunk of the E320, we have three station wagons to choose from. If it is bigger than what would fit in a wagon, I hire people to move it for me. Our dogs travel in the luxury and safety of a Benz or a Volvo.

I am shocked that someone as accomplished, wise and knowledgeable in all matters, such as yourself, has not yet figured a way to make his own body regenerate. I am shocked, shocked, shocked...

If you decide not to, there are alternatives.

The wife is better with drawing pictures as she has done when watching kids so I'll send in a request to her.

With you, I never can be sure which it is.

Hey, if she is happy and doesn't look back, more power to you. As I said, my wife still looks back to her Merkur Scorpio although her cars are much better and easier to get parts for. I sold it because it was heading for an expensive and lengthy breakdown and I didn't want to scrounge parts for it anymores. So, if she has no regrets, more power to you. The drunk who hit my 8000# Excursion was badly injured. She got bruised a little. I'll set her up with the biggest car and safest car she can drive comfortably and likes.

Your station wagons able to tow my 8500# toy hauler? What about your trailer with 2 ATVs in it? Lets see how far they get. ATVs are 1600# plus whatever the trailer weighs. Lets not forget the wind resistance and all the sail area when you are considering the trailer.

Blame it on Bush. He stopped the Stem Cell research. If we had stem cells, who knows. In any case, regeneration is not one of my subjects of interest so I am not too well versed in it.

I don't like to have too many vehicles hanging around so if you can find me the one vehicle that will do all that I want it to do and cheaper, I'll go for it. Needs to be a 2nd car, be able to tow heavy loads, carry dogs in comfort (60# 70# and 110#), cannot cost more than the current solution all things considered (fuel, space, insurance, maintenance, vehicle cost, etc, etc). The way I see it, either it has to be a truck like an F250, F350 or an Excursion with a diesel. I never wanted either but if I want the toys I have, I have to have one or the other. But hey, you got a better idea? If so, I'm listening.

Hatterasguy · #7 05-03-2007, 10:58 PM

Currantly I make very little since I am kind of between career's. But I don't drive much(10k-15k a year, and my cars get good mileage. I just added up all the fuel I have used since Feb 2 of this year. About $300 worth, the cheapest fuel was $2.52 a gallon, most expensive was on Monday, at $2.92.

I can't really complain, in my broke state it doesn't really affect my life style. Once I start making money again and can write the fuel off as well, I probably won't care that much.

mwood · #8 05-03-2007, 11:02 PM

The only way people are going to conserve is if fuel prices go way up. Prices increase with demand, we use significantly more fuel than we refine; until we change that balance prices will never come down. Ironically we won't conserve until prices force us to, so the big gas guzzling SUV's may lead the way to conservation as they will be hit the hardest.

aklim · #9 05-03-2007, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mwood

The only way people are going to conserve is if fuel prices go way up. Prices increase with demand, we use significantly more fuel than we refine; until we change that balance prices will never come down. Ironically we won't conserve until prices force us to, so the big gas guzzling SUV's may lead the way to conservation as they will be hit the hardest.

Haven't we had this before in the 70s? People bought lunchboxes on wheels. Now they don't. Soon as the crunch ends, people will discard their lunchboxes. I don't think it will go way up. Reason being is that going way up benefits nobody. Oil is something they pump up or don't pump up. They can always pump more if they want to lower the prices. Doesn't pay to kill the goose that lays the golden egg. That is what people do, they weather the storm.

300SD81 · #10 05-03-2007, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BENZ-LGB

I agree. Gas prices in So. Cal. are outrageous. Still, people keep buying their obscenely wasteful SUVs. I can understand it if you have lots of stuff to move around or if you have a big family. But about 90% of the SUVs I see on the road are single-occupancy.

Last summer I was able to convince my wife to give up her beloved Yukon and start driving the E320. Boy am I glad I did!

One question for you boys and girls (maybe I'll make this a separate thread).

With gas prices going through the roof, are you giving up something in order to save moeny for gas? Maybe postponing a major purchase? Trimming down
on vacation plans?

If gas prices keep going up, there will eventually be a negative impact on the economy. Most people can't afford to pay for the extra cost of gas AND still spend like they used to do before the gas price hikes.

We haven't given up anything...yet. But we are far more careful about making needless car trips and are going out to dinner less often. Not a big sacrifice yet...

I've given my savings for the last 4 years to my car and keeping her filled.. At least its with homemade B100.. Man, I need to get a job... Begging my parents for money for anything hasn't worked since I was 10.. "If you want money, earn it." pfft, its called being cheap...

aklim · #11 05-04-2007, 10:55 AM

Does anybody know why people tend to point fingers at SUVs claiming they are gas hogs but yet, nobody ever talks about the good ol' boy's truck? I mean, they are, for all practical purposes, the same thing. I do see a lot of guys with trucks that have no load in them, one driver, etc, etc. Could it be that the SUV is the feminine version of the man's truck and it is not accepted while we have been ingrained that trucks are a guy thing and come to accept it?

AustinsCE · #12 05-04-2007, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

Does anybody know why people tend to point fingers at SUVs claiming they are gas hogs but yet, nobody ever talks about the good ol' boy's truck? I mean, they are, for all practical purposes, the same thing. I do see a lot of guys with trucks that have no load in them, one driver, etc, etc. Could it be that the SUV is the feminine version of the man's truck and it is not accepted while we have been ingrained that trucks are a guy thing and come to accept it?

Dude, stop already my god. Good ole boys, that is a real one, probably has horses, and cows, and spend a lot of time in the hills on their ranches, yet probably live on enough to be comfortable with one vehicle, and cant afford to get another car to drive when they get into town etc, etc, etc. Women in SUVs are in shopping malls, nail salons, even work! But rarely....nope never, have I seen a woman in an SUV towing 4 horses in a huge trailer. Besides, I dont know where you live but round here as many if not more women drive trucks as men.

And how about them 1600 lb. ATVs?? You like driving off-road trails in your Lotus Elise huh? You get a lift kit on there or what? 2 700 atvs, pretty big mind you, and a trailer is probably not even 1600 lbs. N***a please.

aklim · #13 05-04-2007, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AustinsCE

Women in SUVs are in shopping malls, nail salons, even work! But rarely....nope never, have I seen a woman in an SUV towing 4 horses in a huge trailer. Besides, I dont know where you live but round here as many if not more women drive trucks as men.

And how about them 1600 lb. ATVs?? You like driving off-road trails in your Lotus Elise huh? You get a lift kit on there or what? 2 700 atvs, pretty big mind you, and a trailer is probably not even 1600 lbs. N***a please.

Men in trucks are there too. What of it? My point is that there are many men who drive a truck for the simple reason that it is a manly vehicle and not that they have a practical reason for it. Further to that, there are many trucks out there that are not used for hauling or dragging stuff more than once every year or so. However, they don't get the negative issues.

WTF are you talking about? Not sure if it is your grammer or lack of it but I am not clear on what you are saying or trying to say. A Polaris Sportsman 500 is 715# and a Polaris Sportsman 800 is 770#. Both are dry weights. Total about 1485# dry weight. Add fuel, oil, coolant, baggage, winch, extra fuel tanks, etc, etc and you are talking about 1600#. Do you even know what you are talking about or did you just have flatulence? Dry weight of 1485# leaves 115# between 2 machines. How heavy do you think the winches are? What about fuel? Fluids? Other equipment you bring along? How heavy do you think the trailer itself is? I'll tell you what. I'll even put the 2 machines on my light trailer and ready them for a ride. Full fuel load and all that. If they and the open bed trailer don't top 1600, I'll give you $50 for every pound it is under and you give me $10 for every pound it is over. I'll still come out ahead. Now, we won't even get into the discussion of how heavy the enclosed trailer is.

Oh, BTW, are you aware that the sail area of the trailer also affects how the vehicle is towed? More sail area means the engine works harder. Less sail area, engine has an easier time and I am talking about 2 trailers with identical weights and different sail areas.

Edit: Oh, I'll be nice. The open trailer is 375#. Still wanna bet?

AustinsCE · #14 05-04-2007, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

Men in trucks are there too. What of it? My point is that there are many men who drive a truck for the simple reason that it is a manly vehicle and not that they have a practical reason for it. Further to that, there are many trucks out there that are not used for hauling or dragging stuff more than once every year or so. However, they don't get the negative issues.

WTF are you talking about? Not sure if it is your grammer or lack of it but I am not clear on what you are saying or trying to say. A Polaris Sportsman 500 is 715# and a Polaris Sportsman 800 is 770#. Both are dry weights. Total about 1485# dry weight. Add fuel, oil, coolant, baggage, winch, extra fuel tanks, etc, etc and you are talking about 1600#. Do you even know what you are talking about or did you just have flatulence? Dry weight of 1485# leaves 115# between 2 machines. How heavy do you think the winches are? What about fuel? Fluids? Other equipment you bring along? How heavy do you think the trailer itself is? I'll tell you what. I'll even put the 2 machines on my light trailer and ready them for a ride. Full fuel load and all that. If they and the open bed trailer don't top 1600, I'll give you $50 for every pound it is under and you give me $10 for every pound it is over. I'll still come out ahead. Now, we won't even get into the discussion of how heavy the enclosed trailer is.

Oh, BTW, are you aware that the sail area of the trailer also affects how the vehicle is towed? More sail area means the engine works harder. Less sail area, engine has an easier time and I am talking about 2 trailers with identical weights and different sail areas.

There are many women who drive trucks for the hell of it??? my point is shut up about the women already. SUVs catch more hell because they have no use any time of the year. Not even once.

You have an SUV and you tow the gas? Put it in back. Do you need to tow them gassed? Unless you include the cargo weight with the towed weight to make a point. But still doesnt work as a truck is still better than an SUV. No trailer needed, and no need to figure it in. If alls you got is a Wagon, then you probably got a nice Raptor at only 300 lbs anyway, that way you can tow it. Easily, with gas in it. Isnt that the whole issue, how much is necessary? Why did you get a 700 polaris? Even the Yamaha 700 is lighter. Not to mention, if you do have an excursion, you can fit one whole atv in the back with the seats down if required. Its laziness, to get an enclosed!?!?! trailer for atvs? That is gay.

Nobody cares about sail area. Nobody. Drafting doesnt even work below about 90MPH Im sure the effects are meager.

aklim · #15 05-04-2007, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AustinsCE

There are many women who drive trucks for the hell of it??? my point is shut up about the women already. SUVs catch more hell because they have no use any time of the year. Not even once.

You have an SUV and you tow the gas? Put it in back. Do you need to tow them gassed? Unless you include the cargo weight with the towed weight to make a point. But still doesnt work as a truck is still better than an SUV. No trailer needed, and no need to figure it in. If alls you got is a Wagon, then you probably got a nice Raptor at only 300 lbs anyway, that way you can tow it. Easily, with gas in it. Isnt that the whole issue, how much is necessary? Why did you get a 700 polaris? Even the Yamaha 700 is lighter. Not to mention, if you do have an excursion, you can fit one whole atv in the back with the seats down if required. Its laziness, to get an enclosed!?!?! trailer for atvs? That is gay.

Nobody cares about sail area. Nobody. Drafting doesnt even work below about 90MPH Im sure the effects are meager.

Wanna bet? Come down here and I'll show you enough to crash that theory or whatever you call it.

Once again, you obviously have no clue about ATVs. For one, you are never sure of the gas you get on the trails, assuming you even can get gas. Best bring your own. For two, even if you do run it empty, it doesn't save very much. Also, you probably don't know the difference between a Raptor and a Sportsman, do you? I got the ATV I liked. I can also use it for trail riding which the wife can also ride along. We don't go around high speed turns in mudholes. Also, I use it for hunting. Further to that, I have 2 ATVs because my wife is also a rider. Lets see, I go for a ride and come back muddy and dirty. What would I like to do now? Jump into the car and drive to the next location? Trailer lets us drive in, dress and undress into some decent clean clothes. Good storage for the machines so they don't rust also. I still think you know absolutely nothing about ATVs other than what you see on TV. Go for a ride sometime and get a clue.

If you think I want the muddy ATVs in my excursion or any vehicle I own, you are nuts. I don't happen to have junk cars and I don't treat them as such. I hope you realize they are not all showroom clean after a ride. Not even if the trail is bone dry. So, how do you plan to fit 2 machines inside any vehicle? BTW, my dogs ride in the back. That saves boarding costs and gives them someplace to be. Where do you think we should put the gear?

I got the machines we got because they were EFI. I didn't want to screw around with carburetors when the altitude changes. The machines we got are suitable for what we intend to do with them. Raptors are for other types of trails. Totally different. But if you knew anything about ATVs you wouldn't need me to tell you that. So please, do your research before you start spouting off crap.

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