Gasoline Prices....

dbo1 · 07-19-2005, 08:21 PM

Here's a different take on recent gasoline prices:

Current gas prices really aren't that bad, even with the recent price hikes. Considering inflation, gas prices were higher in the early '80's until around '86 than they are now. At that time they peaked at more than $3/gallon, inflation adjusted.

Today, much of Europe is currently paying more than $5/gallon! Hell even in Cambodia, gas is $2.57/gallon. I think we've been lucky to have gas prices stay relatively level since the '70's.

Yeah it does suck to pay $40-some odd dollars to fill up my Titan but it could be a lot worse if we paid in line with what the rest of the world pays for gas.

Having said that...I really do feel bad for our fellow Titan owners who have to consider the increased fuel cost in their decision as to whether or not to keep their truck or not. That really is an unfortunate circumstance to be in. Hopefully, they'll be able to maintain their status as Titan owners w/o stepping foot into the poor house.

Thanks,

dbo

92TripleBlack · 07-19-2005, 08:23 PM

Gas is cheap here compared to the rest of the world. Europe is 5-8$ a gallon and there are other taxes and restrictions. EX. Germany taxes you each year based on how many liters of displacement you have in your engine. The tax is progressive so it increases dramatically as you get larger. We would be thousands each year in taxes. We were just spoiled by the low gas prices a few years ago.

MIAMI*TITAN091702 · 07-19-2005, 08:24 PM

we americans arent used to paying so much for gas. i hate it...im sure many agree. i will fill-up tommorrow at 2.25. now i believe in a couple of years gas prices should settle. for now im ok. now if it hits $3,$4,$5 per gallon i will start to get a lil concerned.

Titank · 07-20-2005, 03:36 AM

I'm pretty sure I'll get flame for the following....

As long as their's people like us, getting truck that is known to produce not so great MPG. As long as they produce Hummers that gets below 10 MPG. And as long as we keep paying for the gas no matter what the cost is... the price will only get higher.

Maybe in 10 years when newer tech change this way engine drink gas...

~Titank

GaryB · 07-20-2005, 04:51 AM

You guys nuts??? Thinking this way is why prices will stay up there! Yes, the rest of the world pays a lot, but thats them! No reason in the world why we can't be under $2 a gal! Go ahead...keep saying the rest is higher than us...the oil companies will keep raising, since we don't care!

scotty · 07-20-2005, 07:02 AM

Quote:

You guys nuts??? Thinking this way is why prices will stay up there! Yes, the rest of the world pays a lot, but thats them! No reason in the world why we can't be under $2 a gal! Go ahead...keep saying the rest is higher than us...the oil companies will keep raising, since we don't care!

I think you are saying you dont care when you buy a gas guzzler like the Titan... Otherwise buy a Hybrid car...

dbo1 · 07-20-2005, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaryB

You guys nuts??? Thinking this way is why prices will stay up there! Yes, the rest of the world pays a lot, but thats them! No reason in the world why we can't be under $2 a gal! Go ahead...keep saying the rest is higher than us...the oil companies will keep raising, since we don't care!

Actually, as TitanK said, as long as we as consumers keep buying gas at whatever the price, the price probably won't change that much. That is unless someone is good friends with some OPEC execs. Gas demand is inelastic, just like smokes and booze; if prices goes up, demand doesn't change much.

nthomp16 · 07-20-2005, 11:06 AM

The price of gas in Europe, for example, is as a result of the numerous taxes they place on the price of fuel. Most European European countries subsidize many social programs, road improvements, mass transit, etc by the taxes they place on each gallon of fuel sold. The argument could be made that even though they pay a great deal more per gallon for gas than we do, they see a greater benefit from the taxes that result. Here, we continue to pay a greater price per gallon and still drive on crumbling roads, have not mass transit and see no benefit from the money we are shelling out each week other than a lighter wallet.

The price of gas in my Titan hasn't yet become a huge deal since I have a short commute to work daily and am able to make the tank last considerably longer than most. However, my wife drives a car that gets over 30 mpg, but drives nearly 2000 miles a month for work...although she gets reimbursed for mileage, the reimbursement hasn't adjusted due to the rising cost of fuel.

hunter · 07-20-2005, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nthomp16

The price of gas in Europe, for example, is as a result of the numerous taxes they place on the price of fuel. Most European European countries subsidize many social programs, road improvements, mass transit, etc by the taxes they place on each gallon of fuel sold. The argument could be made that even though they pay a great deal more per gallon for gas than we do, they see a greater benefit from the taxes that result. Here, we continue to pay a greater price per gallon and still drive on crumbling roads, have not mass transit and see no benefit from the money we are shelling out each week other than a lighter wallet.

The price of gas in my Titan hasn't yet become a huge deal since I have a short commute to work daily and am able to make the tank last considerably longer than most. However, my wife drives a car that gets over 30 mpg, but drives nearly 2000 miles a month for work...although she gets reimbursed for mileage, the reimbursement hasn't adjusted due to the rising cost of fuel.

You've written the most truthful information regarding higher gas prices in Europe and Canada because of the taxes. As a Canadian, I know that almost 25% of the price of gas (currently 92.5 cents per litre) are for taxes (GST, PST and Excise tax). In Canada this money goes towards providing Canadians with universal health care and other social programs foreign to Americans. Recently the Federal government will be giving the Canadian provinces a share of the excise taxes that it collects to help the province's infrastructure (roads, bridges, etc).

Titank · 07-20-2005, 07:23 PM

So being that other countries, nations, etc use their gas taxes to pay for free social and medical programs... it begs to ask the question:

Would we as citizens, pay about $3.40/gal as listed by Hunter, for *free* medical and social care

~Titank

**HudsonValleyTitan** · 07-20-2005, 08:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Titank

So being that other countries, nations, etc use their gas taxes to pay for free social and medical programs... it begs to ask the question:

Would we as citizens, pay about $3.40/gal as listed by Hunter, for *free* medical and social care

~Titank

Nope! Nothings free in this world.