Gas prices, have they...... - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Plantman · #1 05-11-2004, 12:11 PM

Affected any of our lives yet?

I don't mean the inflation of consumer goods due to higher fuel prices. Although I have noticed increases on certain grocery items.

I mean the direct affect when you go fill up a car at the pump. Do you know if anyone who has had to alter their lifestyle for example?

I ran into a fellow this morning at an Amoco station. He was filling up an Explorer and commented that he is having a harder time making ends meet. He is spending appox $125.00 per month more than when he bought his car 18 months ago.

I certainly am feeling it when my employees ask me for more gas allowance. Can't say I blame them either. If I don't absorb the cost, they would be spending an extra $20.00 - 25.00 per week, which in a couple of cases would mean the difference between going to a movie, or staying home.

I keep telling me friends that within the next 6 mos to a year, you will see prices go over 2.00 per gallon and never come back down. Just like the early eighties when it was under and buck.

Thoughts?

rickg · #2 05-11-2004, 12:14 PM

I have a great time chuckling at owners of those big SUV's whinning about gas prices. Takes me back to the mid-70's when you could buy a Lincoln Town car for pennies on the dollar

Nope. No lifestyle change for me (yet).

Plantman · #3 05-11-2004, 12:34 PM

After my fill-up, which cost me $72.00 incidentally. (FYI, it was another of my work vans, a big E350 ford van which gets about 11mpg) I don't use it much as you can imagine.

Anyway, after the fill-up, I went in the service station to shoot the **** with my mechanic and the station owner, who drives a hummer. We came to the conclusion, after much debate, that the only way for the US public to become sensible when it comes to gas usage if for the price to go up and force people to rethink their ways. If gas were to contiue to rise, the guy who owned the station, would be the only one out of the 4 of us, who it wouldn't affect.

VirginaDude, I agree that my guys should not have to bear the brunt of the increase. For now, I'k ok as business is pretty good. However, I have been getting calls from some clents, complaining about recent increases. They are small, about 5% and I have passed them on to out of the way jobs that require more driving.

mzsmbs · #4 05-11-2004, 02:38 PM

I have pretty much stopped cruizing around. Sunday drives no more.

mzsmbs · #5 05-11-2004, 02:41 PM

allthough it sure is expensive, the 2 dollar gas, but it's nothing comparing to other countries. In Canada they are paying $4 (CA $ i think) and in some parts of europe it's like 6.50/gal. Hurting? yes, but I don't feel so bad when I see those other prices....

crash9 · #6 05-11-2004, 02:45 PM

We need to go over $2.80 too exceed the 81' high in adjusted $$ - Crude stumbleing at $40, but unleaded up about 3 cents today

djugurba · #7 05-11-2004, 02:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TheVirginiaDude
thats all taxes, the gas itself is the same. Those are artificially high prices.

um, no- our prices are artificially low. same with meat.

G-Benz · #8 05-11-2004, 02:49 PM

I'm sure airline ticket prices will rise proportionally...especially THIS summer!

FedEx buys and stockpiles fuel ahead of time to keep costs down...eventually that will be spent and it will start eating away at our profits.

So far I haven't changed my habits...but it will be more expensive to drive the ML on vacation this summer!

Plantman · #9 05-11-2004, 02:54 PM

My sister drives a Camry and although she does pretty well, the xtra $$$ makes her think twice about needless trips. Instead of making several small trips, she tends to make one trip for several things.

I have also noticed price increases at my favorite restaurant Outback Steakhouse. Sign of things to come I guess......

#10 05-11-2004, 03:36 PM

Nope, I'm still under $20 per week, driving 500 to 600 miles per week.

Yes, I do love my Prius.

sfloriII · #11 05-11-2004, 03:38 PM

Stopped for gas this morning on the way to work. I realized it was the most expensive gas I'd ever bought at $2.19/gal. So I just put $10 in and will keep driving 'till I find a cheaper station.

This sucks.

Gee..... don't we have all kinds of oil in our own country that we could drill for?????

sfloriII · #12 05-11-2004, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TheVirginiaDude
Go to Manassas, VA gas is cheaper there if the 20 mile drive is worth it to save $0.20 a gallon.

We do in Alaska, but the Environazis won't let us.

Yeah, it is cheaper in Manassas. I think Manassas is far enough outside of DC not to be hit with that stupid smog additive that makes the price higher here. It's cheaper in Woodbridge too.

I'm still waiting to drill in Alaska, but not holding my breath. It's pretty ridiculous that we haven't.

3star · #13 05-11-2004, 04:16 PM

Quote:

In Canada they are paying $4 (CA $ i think) and in some parts of europe it's like 6.50/gal.

Actually, in Canada today the average price of regular unleaded fuel is 88.5 cents per litre which works out to about
Cdn $3.35/U.S. gallon or at todays exchange rate of $1 Cdn buys $0.7212 U.S. it works out to be around $2.42 U.S./gallon in Canada.

Not much higher than in the U.S. Although I did buy 91 Octane yesterday at 99.5 cents per litre....OUCH ...about $2.72 U.S/gallon

Plantman · #14 05-11-2004, 04:35 PM

In my conversations this morning with my buddies at the gas station, the general them from their end id that a readjustment of lifestyles choices will be in order, if prices continue to rise.

I for example, would not sell my house, pull out my euity and purchsae a larger, home that would cost me more to heat/coll etc....

I asked how do people in 3 world countries like Belize(wife is from there) where they pay appox 3.00 per galon in US $$$$, get by.

Thier responses, in no particular order, were:

They live less complicated, simpler lives and don't always feel the need for bigger,better,faster houses, cars, toys, etc....

A smaller percentage of the population drive/have cars, and that those that do have them are typically well off and the prices don't afffect them much.

Their drives are generally shorter, thereby using less fuel. As opposed to us in the states twher we probably average close to 20,000 miles per year, so gas is a more important part of our lives. Or should I say, takes a bigger chunk of our disposable income.

The Warden · #15 05-11-2004, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Plantman
Do you know if anyone who has had to alter their lifestyle for example?

I'm cutting as far back as I can on fuel usage, and am looking into SVO conversions. I basically have a choice between buying fuel and buying food...I need the food to live, but I need the fuel to go to school. So, with the way prices have jumped, I have to cut back on both...again, limiting usage of my car as much as possible (and eliminating the use of my truck altogether unless someone else is paying the fuel because I'm moving something for them), and probably starting a forced diet pretty soon...

Gets real depressing after a while...especially since there doesn't appear to be a light at the end of the tunnel. The cost of living appears to be going up while income levels are either remaining constant or going down. Not a very pretty picture

I wonder what will give first?

Sorry for rambling somewhat...not doing too well right now...