Summer Gas-Price Outlook Fuels Car Nostalgia

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Wednesday, July 09, 2008 5:36:03 AM

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Summer Gas-Price Outlook Fuels Car Nostalgia Tuesday, May 20, 2008
U.S. News & World Report -- With the first weekend of summer driving season approaching and gasoline closing in on $4 per gallon, Washington did the two paltry things it could do quickly. The administration stopped stockpiling emergency supplies of oil, after an overwhelming rebuke of that policy by Congress. And President Bush went hat in hand to the Saudis, who after initial balking, agreed to a modest production increase in a few weeks. The price of oil has wavered little in response. Far from making progress on the nation's energy woes, there is evidence that we've actually regressed. No one summed this up for me better than a recent commenter to this blog who noted that he bought a Geo Metro that got 50 miles per gallon in 1992 for less than $10,000. No car is on U.S. highways today with that kind of mileage except the expensive hybrids (and then, only when you're driving slowly and in electric mode.)
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JT Moderator	Message Posted: 5/20/2008 8:04:51 AM	Ignore JT Report Abuse
	Tuesday, May 20, 2008 U.S. News & World Report -- With the first weekend of summer driving season approaching and gasoline closing in on $4 per gallon, Washington did the two paltry things it could do quickly. The administration stopped stockpiling emergency supplies of oil, after an overwhelming rebuke of that policy by Congress. And President Bush went hat in hand to the Saudis, who after initial balking, agreed to a modest production increase in a few weeks. The price of oil has wavered little in response. Far from making progress on the nation's energy woes, there is evidence that we've actually regressed. No one summed this up for me better than a recent commenter to this blog who noted that he bought a Geo Metro that got 50 miles per gallon in 1992 for less than $10,000. No car is on U.S. highways today with that kind of mileage except the expensive hybrids (and then, only when you're driving slowly and in electric mode.) Visit U.S. News & World Report for full article

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figman Champion Author Chicago Posts:7,642 Points:2,036,360 Joined:Sep 2001	Message Posted: 5/22/2008 9:49:46 PM	Ignore figman Report Abuse
	If they rationed gasoline, maybe everyone would learn to conserve!!
PedalStomper Sophomore Author Twin Cities Posts:153 Points:15,035 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: 5/22/2008 10:31:48 AM	Ignore PedalStomper Report Abuse
	The key to the problem seems to be simplifying our lives. Easier said than done, of course. Our society has been led by the nose to believe that we need the newest, the latest, the greatest, the biggest, the shiniest of WHATEVER. We have become sheep. Its easy to gripe about gas prices because they are right in our faces, but there are most likely other areas where expenses can be reduced or avoided to offset the squeeze. Don't get me wrong - I'm griping too - all I'm saying is that we can use this crappy and out-of-control gas price situation as a wake up call. Its time to cut the fat. Do you need that $4 coffee every day? Do you need a new flat screen tv when the current one works just fine? Can you choose the generic product over the brand name? Buying a Prius (or similar) may be the answer being fed to us, but if you are upside down in your current car loan how is that going to help you right now? We can't lower the gas prices by ourselves, but we CAN help ourselves with the decisions we make every day. We don't need to let the greedy clucks drain us dry!
johndeereman Champion Author Tennessee Posts:4,678 Points:958,075 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 10:45:41 PM	Ignore johndeereman Report Abuse
	safety can be achieved in an econobox geo's may not have been the best but they didn't have to be. safety isn't really that heavy to put in a car. a two hundred pounds here or there isn't going to make a huge difference. the little cars didn't last cause gas was cheap in the mid 90's and coolness won out over function. It still does small cars aren't really that much more dangerous than midsize or full size cars. they just don't have the cool factor. but who looks cooler at the gas pumps. how many people really needed big suv's vs. wanted suvs. and i drive a 97 expedition so i am not picking on suv owners. but i do handyman work and mow lawns so i did need something that could tow several thousand lbs safely. we all can do our part to conserve some more than others but we all can save fuel. we like power and like to drive fast but try sticking close to the speed limit and driving calmly not like you're in a drag race for a couple of tank fulls. see how much you can improve fuel economy. then look how much time you really lose. unless you drive hundreds of miles a day 10 mph doesn't really take much more time. most ppl just like to go fast and gain position ovet the other guy on the road.
letmathe Champion Author Chicago Posts:6,342 Points:1,578,920 Joined:May 2001	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 12:00:49 PM	Ignore letmathe Report Abuse
	How are you doing, rperk03?
rperk03 Rookie Author Wisconsin Posts:5 Points:26,755 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 8:44:48 AM	Ignore rperk03 Report Abuse
	While that's true, there are ways to work around those "restrictions": I am leasing my Prius: it's cheaper per month than buying, and when my lease is up and it's a few years "old" in terms of the technology in the vehicle, I'll always have a way to "sell" it. I know leasing isn't for everyone, but it's an option to consider for most drivers. Since prices have been soaring, I have been playing a little game while I drive to see how high I can get my gas mileage on each trip. My dad also has a Prius, and we have friendly little competitions to see whose will be higher. It's a good way to conscientiously drive as efficiently as possible.
brogan56 Champion Author Colorado Springs Posts:8,924 Points:1,434,095 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 8:19:40 AM	Ignore brogan56 Report Abuse
	Bicycle nostalgia...
ramshot412 Champion Author Riverside Posts:10,964 Points:1,100,575 Joined:Apr 2004	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 8:19:18 AM	Ignore ramshot412 Report Abuse
	"I've never had a car that gets the milage as my present car. The only nostalgia I feel is for the prices." Same here, and I remember selling gas to customers for $.22 a gallon. I couldn't believe it when I worked at a Gulf station in 1968/69 and the price of premium went up to an exorbitant $.37 a gallon. [Edited by: ramshot412 at 5/21/2008 11:22:50 AM EST]
acknot Veteran Author Seattle Posts:286 Points:523,000 Joined:Sep 2003	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 8:15:30 AM	Ignore acknot Report Abuse
	Nostalgia eh. How 'bout the horse and buggy?
rbrowdersr Veteran Author Detroit Posts:293 Points:338,560 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 8:13:06 AM	Ignore rbrowdersr Report Abuse
	I've never had a car that gets the milage as my present car. The only nostalgia I feel is for the prices.
steowimmy Rookie Author Quebec Posts:13 Points:18,785 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 8:12:57 AM	Ignore steowimmy Report Abuse
	I have crashed last year my Renault Medallion wagon with 7 seats to trip with my big family (4 childrens and my wife). With a 5 speeds manual transmission, I maded 5.7L/100km on the highway and near 9L/100km in city. Go to grocery with all family I had enough place to put all the bags in this great car! With the gas going to high plus high on the high I cry to putted my Medallion to the trash (body floor scrap). For the big family, I don't have found another car with big things inside and trip in economic mode... Nothing, as a Kia Rondo I can't make an economic state (10L/100km on highway AND 15L/100km on city and no place for bag at the rear of the car). Well, what can I make for my big family? Nothing... :( ** If you want to sell a Medallion wagon with 7 seats in US or CANADA please contact me I'm the first one to buy you this great car!
socalusra All-Star Author California Posts:589 Points:1,579,035 Joined:Aug 2003	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 8:10:26 AM	Ignore socalusra Report Abuse
	biking to work
Smarty_Pants Sophomore Author Fort Worth Posts:162 Points:5,200 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 8:07:42 AM	Ignore Smarty_Pants Report Abuse
	Im 6'9" #288 I have a '97 Fiesta and I literally sit in the back seat to drive. It takes me a good 5 minutes to get in and out.
uksqueeze All-Star Author San Jose Posts:662 Points:699,300 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 8:05:14 AM	Ignore uksqueeze Report Abuse
	My parents had a 1983 Renault that had a comfy back seat, decent power, and got 40+mpg.
EarlyMoose Champion Author Seattle Posts:1,354 Points:593,265 Joined:Dec 2005	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 8:04:55 AM	Ignore EarlyMoose Report Abuse
	My bicycle is looking good. And I'm losing weight and getting in shape. Not that round isn't a shape.
rjn5851 Champion Author Florida Posts:5,793 Points:1,253,560 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 8:04:44 AM	Ignore rjn5851 Report Abuse
	great.............
Wesk8 Rookie Author Michigan Posts:90 Points:51,055 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 7:58:51 AM	Ignore Wesk8 Report Abuse
	Glad I kept my '93 Festiva... 45+ MPG! I also learned to ride a motorcycle and am getting ready to revive my 10-speed!
Mooseman1 Champion Author Manitoba Posts:1,343 Points:185,790 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 7:58:49 AM	Ignore Mooseman1 Report Abuse
	Somehow a humiliated President doesn't hurt as much as, how much gas affects the rest of our lives.
Gerund1 All-Star Author Toronto Posts:616 Points:762,245 Joined:Apr 2003	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 7:54:58 AM	Ignore Gerund1 Report Abuse
	When the most powerful nation on earth is begging for scraps and favours from the middle east, the end is near.
NavyEOD Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:1,291 Points:298,880 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 7:52:22 AM	Ignore NavyEOD Report Abuse
	Yea and staying home to watch movives.
Smarty_Pants Sophomore Author Fort Worth Posts:162 Points:5,200 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 7:51:31 AM	Ignore Smarty_Pants Report Abuse
	We must develop our own resources, and not be at the feet of rogue nations that set un-reasonable demands.
Don20 All-Star Author Oklahoma City Posts:894 Points:882,280 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 7:45:45 AM	Ignore Don20 Report Abuse
	Boernewatch: In the 1930's all the vehicles got 30 mpg, and they were 8 cyl. (figure)
jjulson All-Star Author North Dakota Posts:629 Points:217,470 Joined:Mar 2007	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 7:45:22 AM	Ignore jjulson Report Abuse
	The rest of the world has had higher gas prices then the US for decades.
CJarman Sophomore Author South Carolina Posts:231 Points:227,155 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 7:45:19 AM	Ignore CJarman Report Abuse
	BoerneWatch, I wish you were right, but I think you're dreaming if you believe manufacturers will come out with cars that get 50mpg -- without us paying a heavy premium for them. After all, they are still selling gaz guzzling F250s, Hummers, Z71's and powerful sports cars like there's no tomorrow. If we see a normal manufacturer model making 40-43mpg within 2-3 years, I'll be surprised.
NissanGirl Sophomore Author Oregon Posts:154 Points:86,330 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 7:43:42 AM	Ignore NissanGirl Report Abuse
	I remember 99 cents a gallon. Of course, I didn't even have my license at the time, but I still remember.
DST43 Champion Author Oklahoma Posts:1,475 Points:271,975 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 7:39:56 AM	Ignore DST43 Report Abuse
	ok
spunky4443 Veteran Author Washington Posts:480 Points:323,370 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 7:35:15 AM	Ignore spunky4443 Report Abuse
	Well if everybody continues to drive less, the price of the gallon will come down, lets make the Oil Companies suffer.
Dennis783 Champion Author Wisconsin Posts:4,928 Points:989,420 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 7:34:32 AM	Ignore Dennis783 Report Abuse
	I'm sure the car manufacturers will revive cars like the Geo
4warned All-Star Author Michigan Posts:549 Points:485,995 Joined:Nov 2006	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 7:34:05 AM	Ignore 4warned Report Abuse
	What is going to happen to the camping industry?
mattnmona Rookie Author Los Angeles Posts:36 Points:44,205 Joined:Apr 2002	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 7:28:34 AM	Ignore mattnmona Report Abuse
	The prices of cars has increased with a corresponding drop in car mileage. This has been ever true with the Lotus and Porsche. But our perception of fuel economy has changed since the late 80's and 90's when we started driving SUV's.
BoerneWatch Champion Author San Antonio Posts:5,440 Points:696,610 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 7:28:15 AM	Ignore BoerneWatch Report Abuse
	We have to remember that cars getting 30 mpg or better were not everywhere in 1978, but by 1988 they were. In the 1970's, a car that got 20+ mpg was a sippin' machine. In the early 1980's, it was a guzzler. In the late 1990's it was a joke. With gas at 400% of the 1990's price, we want cars that get 50 mpg or better and car manufacturers will deliver. Just not on our demand schedule.
fairchildd All-Star Author Kansas City Posts:653 Points:248,010 Joined:Aug 2007	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 7:26:05 AM	Ignore fairchildd Report Abuse
	the capability to build better fuel vehicles is there - it has been there - but the demand hasn't. Why would the auto industry offer a vehicle that nobody was interested in buying? That will more than likely change with the increasing price of gas. Of course Detroit will then trumpet it as "a brand new improvement"
laddyboy62 All-Star Author Riverside Posts:905 Points:860,810 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 7:25:21 AM	Ignore laddyboy62 Report Abuse
	bought my 1st car for less then these suv fill ups now...
danthemanvan Champion Author Montgomery Posts:2,438 Points:522,405 Joined:Nov 2006	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 7:22:34 AM	Ignore danthemanvan Report Abuse
	that $10,000 car in 1992 would be more like $13,500 in 2008 dollars. so $22k IS expensive by comparison.
cbpilot Sophomore Author Riverside Posts:145 Points:285,880 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 7:17:15 AM	Ignore cbpilot Report Abuse
	Some of the comments below are confusing safety with mpg. Hello. It's fuel economy that's the stumbling block here. If it can be done in a cheap car, it can be done.
krmack Veteran Author Illinois Posts:444 Points:78,535 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 7:16:02 AM	Ignore krmack Report Abuse
	Well I guess I am not getting the new Challenger. Damn, that sucks!
radrunner All-Star Author Toronto Posts:612 Points:933,590 Joined:Apr 2004	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 7:15:18 AM	Ignore radrunner Report Abuse
	sure, i remember filling up for $5.00 but it won't help me now
cbpilot Sophomore Author Riverside Posts:145 Points:285,880 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 7:14:12 AM	Ignore cbpilot Report Abuse
	Let's be realistic. I bought a Chevy diesel Chevette in 1983 and got a consistent 45 mpg with it. How far have we come in those past 25 years? We haven't. We put a man on the Moon 39 years ago, and you tell me they still haven't figured out how to get us all 80 mpg? Come on...who do they think they're kidding?
jmuse Veteran Author Long Island Posts:263 Points:59,125 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 7:11:28 AM	Ignore jmuse Report Abuse
	I drove my Prius 75 miles yesterday, about 60 of it highway. I got about 50 mpg at an average speed of 65 highway and 40 street. I also don't think it's fair to catogorize a car that has a base price of under $22,000 as expensive. That $10,000 cost in 1992 would be about $15,000 today. As far as the automakers who say it would be to expensive to build today. I can only assume the author is referring to american automakers. American automakers haven't be innovative in about 40 years.
Crosley Veteran Author Vermont Posts:323 Points:693,160 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 7:11:08 AM	Ignore Crosley Report Abuse
	geez.. remember the 10 cent phone booth? 25 cent loaf of bread? 5 cent cigar? The $3.00 gallon gas? All seems so far in the past!
cbpilot Sophomore Author Riverside Posts:145 Points:285,880 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 7:10:45 AM	Ignore cbpilot Report Abuse
	Yes, what happened to the Geo Metro? It's all a skam! There is no oil shortage. 80 mph carburetors exist. Elvis is dead though.
LukeIN All-Star Author Indianapolis Posts:869 Points:165,735 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 7:03:47 AM	Ignore LukeIN Report Abuse
	US auto makers need to get with the times faster, or their going lose big time to Toyota, and Honda!
tomok Champion Author Portland Posts:6,930 Points:585,585 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 7:03:44 AM	Ignore tomok Report Abuse
	Those Geo Metro's were very thin wall and cheaply made. I looked at them and did not like them at all. Much higher MPG vehicles can be built with the safety requirements required for todays roads. US auto wants more money so that will not happen. And, it doesn't have to be an inbred for a higher MPG vehicle to happen.
mmene Rookie Author Houston Posts:75 Points:21,700 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 7:03:15 AM	Ignore mmene Report Abuse
	If the metro was really such a great car more people would have bought it.
papa9571 Veteran Author Toledo Posts:316 Points:93,555 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 7:00:59 AM	Ignore papa9571 Report Abuse
	agreed. government is the cause of most problems.
gasman50 All-Star Author Portland Posts:770 Points:694,040 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 6:58:04 AM	Ignore gasman50 Report Abuse
	Less regulation, more free market. The government is not the answer
phatride92 Champion Author Kansas Posts:3,075 Points:806,875 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 6:57:25 AM	Ignore phatride92 Report Abuse
	thats a fact.
Sealer Champion Author Charleston Posts:1,619 Points:176,555 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 6:56:34 AM	Ignore Sealer Report Abuse
	Yes, weren't the good old days great? They're in the past. Get over it. That Geo Metro was a lousy unsafe car that nobody wanted to buy. That's why they don't still make it. [Edited by: Sealer at 5/21/2008 9:57:05 AM EST]
vascojoe All-Star Author Washington Posts:503 Points:800,650 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 6:55:25 AM	Ignore vascojoe Report Abuse
	We had a Geo Metro, The muffler cost more to replace than the car was worth after 7 years.
GGAlbo Veteran Author Detroit Posts:401 Points:356,470 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 6:55:19 AM	Ignore GGAlbo Report Abuse
	That a good point, little cars in the 80's and 90's got lot better gas milage than little cars today and cost lot less!!!
RochBear Champion Author Minnesota Posts:1,082 Points:387,990 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: 5/21/2008 6:55:10 AM	Ignore RochBear Report Abuse
	What is interesting is the old Metro would not pass today's safety requirements (mandated by the Gov't) nor would it pass the EPA requirements (again mandated by the Gov't) So for those who want the gov't to do something, the best thing is to GET OUT of the car business.