for myself
 

i like the five speed idea. it isnt that hard if you get all the parts. it was offered in the 300e but prob not all years. they are rare as hens teeth though. prob hard to find in salvage yard as folks put them in when their automatics eat it.

tom w

Thanks guys. I love my Benz, but although it's in amazing condition and runs like new, it's still a $2500 car at best. No tranny swaps for me.

Duke...great advice. I'm running my tires at 35 cold now. Maximum is 44. I won't go that high, but may add a few psi's to see how it helps (38 ish).

I alternate between mid-grade and premium at fill ups (89/93). Car seems to run just fine on either with no noticable change in mpg. When the weather cools off, I may try running some 87 as well.

Plan B will be to pick up a 3 year old 5-speed Corolla for the commute. I suspect I'll hate it, but they get close to 40 mpg highway pretty consistently. It'll also help preserve the MB.

Better yet, why don't we have a national boycott on gasoline? If the entire country goes 3 days without buying a drop of gas, I'm betting prices will plummet. As of now, we're not in control....they are!

Just to add a little " Ray of Hope " to your situation........I don't believe this pricespike will last very long. ;)

All that'll do is increase the buying to the days before and after the boycott with no net effect.

Plus, this'll mean that women have to give up their shopping for a few days. That won't fly too well with them. I've always considered shopping a significant waste in gasoline.

Kestas

Don't paint all women with the same brush.
It depends what they're shopping for.
I don't mind my wife using the car to buy me presents or beer. :D

Agreed. I guess it happens that a lot of the women in my circle have a lot of time on their hands, and use it as a quest for the "perfect blouse" or some other item, which sometimes results in burning $10 worth of gas to save $5 on a purchase, or no purchase at all.... especially this past weekend when we're experiencing a crunch.

hey if it makes her happy
 

why not? mine lets me do ridiculous car stuff and i let her shop for the perfect blouse on sale.

tom w
2nd marriage: 29 years so far... i think this one might last.

an alternative to the corrola would be to pick up a mint 80's diesel benz, and run it off wvo.

cheaper car, way cheaper fuel
hahaha, who am I kidding