Fill'er up today Options

[Sam Strano]

$3.55 for premium this morning. I can't believe I was paying $1.39 for premuim exactly 2 years ago. I'm considering looking around for a beater.

I realize the cost of oil is way up, and that a lot of the refineries were hurt by the Katrina. Both of which hurt badly at the pumps.

But, I've been keeping an eye on CNBC in the mornings.... Crude Oil is down about $1.50 from what it was *BEFORE* Katrina hit anything at all but had already shut down the Gulf Oil Rigs. CNBC has a "gasoline" tab on the screen most of the day. I just looked, and it's showing around $2.38-2.40. That appears to be wholesale price, yesterday it was $2.69 or so. So while that's dropping, the prices keep climbing at the pump. If we add 15% to the that price for a retail figure, you come up around $2.75 a gallon. Still outrageous, but better than the $3.19 and $3.29 regular is here right now. I firmly believe we have been and continue to be raped for fuel. Let's not forget that the oil companies have been making record profits all along the way be closing refineries and being able to say "oil prices are high".

Everyone is effected by the price of fuel, whether they are car folks or not. We are a fuel based economy. Everything runs by car or truck. All the goods you get are brought by trucks burning diesel. You get to work in a car, and most of live too far away to get to work otherwise. If something is not done, the economy will be wrecked and very soon.

I wrote to my US Senators months ago about the increases in fuel not matching the increases in Crude prices, and how it was hurting me since I use my truck for work and drive a lot. I mentioned my concerns about how the economy will be hurt by folks putting what used to spending money into their tanks. I got an answer from Rick Santorum, and that was basically..... we don't care, and can't do anything about it. That's crap.

Might I suggest everyone take the time to figure out how $3 or $4 a gallon fuel will effect you life and put that on paper (or your computer screen) and send it to your Senators and Representitives.

This is crisis stage, and Republican, Democrat, or Hippie you need to let your government know that you will be hurt. Otherwise we'll keep on this road until we just can swing it anymore and the economy collapses.

Bush is big on lowering your taxes because you best know how to spend you money. But it's ok if that money goes to the oil company coffers and pads their profits? It's ok if that money goes to gouging gas stations?

Please, please let you government know what's going on outside of DC for the folks that don't make $200k a year and get lifetime pensions!!!

[robz71lm7]

From what I understand it's not so much the crude oil, but rate at which it can be refined. Then throw in the recent events and the media and boom you have $3 gallon gas.

[Sam Strano]

From what I understand it's not so much the crude oil, but rate at which it can be refined. Then throw in the recent events and the media and boom you have $3 gallon gas.

It's not the crude oil now... Now it's the lack of refining and the scare of shortages driving the prices.

But, there is *always* a reason coming from the oil companies why the prices are up up and away. And it's *never* because they are raking in more money than ever.....

[mitchntx]

Mitch,

Fuel rods are reprocessed for nuke production.

See below.

The fuel rods in question are leftovers from North Korea's reactors, which were ostensibly built for nonmilitary purposes. Such rods are initially filled with enriched uranium—that is, uranium that has a relatively high content of the fissile uranium-235 isotope. Naturally occurring uranium is approximately 99.3 percent uranium-238, which doesn't do the trick when inserted into a reactor. Enriched uranium has been "purified" in order to up the uranium-235 percentage to about 5 percent.

Korean spent fuel rods, not those built by Siemens or Westinghouse (approved for use in the US), which have less than 1/2 that enrichment factor and a different chemical make-up altogether.

[Teutonic Speedra...]

Media sucks! They screw everything up. I hear at work (Army) all the good going on Iraq from Soldiers, etc, but all the media tells is bad and negative stuff. I don't blame Bush for any of this stuff either.

This post has been edited by Teutonic Speedracer: Sep 2 2005, 01:40 AM

[nape]

Might I suggest everyone take the time to figure out how $3 or $4 a gallon fuel will effect you life and put that on paper (or your computer screen) and send it to your Senators and Representitives.

I made myself a budget last month because I've been pretty broke lately and not only does it suck, but the race car wasn't getting finished. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/rant.gif)

Anyway, 12% of my take-home is spent in fuel to drive to/from work. I haven't written yet but it has been on my mind lately since a buddy and I were talking about it last week.

The only good thing about gas going up is I decided I couldn't afford to smoke anymore, so I had to quit (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/rotf.gif)

[bubba353z]

Might I suggest everyone take the time to figure out how $3 or $4 a gallon fuel will effect you life and put that on paper (or your computer screen) and send it to your Senators and Representitives.

Not to pee on everyone's Cheerios here, but Europe has been paying $4-5 per gallon for years. Granted a lot of European cities have better mass transit and are more centralized than many US cities, but they are surviving. How? - small cars and diesels power are commonplace there.

I haven't read all of this thread, so forgive me if this has been discussed - but there are market forces at play here as well. Supply and demand dictates the price. OPEC is keeping the barrel price up, by curtailing production - and demand is up. Oil companies are also partly responsible, but it's not all their fault either. Countries like China are starting to "discover" the automobile, and if one billion Chinese start buying cars - look out.

Perhaps if more people drove reasonable cars and stop buying Suburbans and Hummers to drive their 2 year old to daycare - we'd all be a little better off. Maybe I'm being smug because I drive a 32 mpg Civic, but a lot of people are buying the status as opposed to the utility of SUV's and big cars.

I do feel for the big rig drivers (especially owner operators) and the working folks who use their truck as part of their trade - those are the people who really need the help. All of the H1 owners can kiss my a$$.

[Ojustracing]

Well gas here is up again to 3.59 a gallon and 4 dollars a gallon is right around the corner for the weekend. I have some sobering figures about my father and his drive to work. My father is a Pain in the ass to work with, anybody that works with a family member will know what im talking about. But his drive to work is 76 mile one way. So 152 miles a day, 760 a week, and he does about 60,000-65,000 a yr.

60,000 60,000 60,000 60000 60,000
17mpg 15 mpg 28 mpg 38mpg 15mpg
3529 gal 4,000 gal 2143 gal 1,579 gal 3529gal
$3.00 $3.00 $3.00 $3.00 $3.75
$10,587 yr $12,000 yr $6429yr $4737yr $13,273yr

I have been on his case for the last yr to buy a more fuel efficeint car and he cant drive a small car becasue he is not 'comfortable'. Well dad if you are looking at this you are just freeking stupid/stuborn (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/rant2.gif) (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/rant.gif) :leaving: Buy a CAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

His truck averages 15mpg for the yr, He just doesn't get it. And he doesnt make 100K+ a yr. Sorry for the Vent. John

[BigEnos]

Rode the motorcycle to work today. 40-45mpg, great parking, and it'll do a wheelie! Gotta love it! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/whip.gif)

Of course I'm far too much of a wuss to ride in the cold so it'll be back to the Maxima when the temps drop too far.

This post has been edited by BigEnos: Sep 2 2005, 01:01 PM

[axoid]

Not to pee on everyone's Cheerios here, but Europe has been paying $4-5 per gallon for years. Granted a lot of European cities have better mass transit and are more centralized than many US cities, but they are surviving. How? - small cars and diesels power are commonplace there.

The major reason that the Europeans pay so much for gas is because their governments tax the hell of of there citizens. The UK has a 76% tax on gas. If you took away the taxes, the cost would be about the same.

[sgarnett]

I'm 12 miles each way, but it's a trip through the 'hood by bike. I'll pass thanks.

Just drag a trebuchet along for protection! (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/rotf.gif)

I have enough property, maybe I should get a horse?

A "Trebuchet ACP"?

What caliber is that anyway.....

Well, I've seen them demonstrated in calibers ranging from small rock to grand piano. However, they are almost invariably single-shot breech loaders, so I doubt if there would be an "A"CP load.

However, I suppose you could just dump in a bunch of anything from .25 to .45 ACP (no powder or primers needed) if you want to take out a flock of low-flying geese .... A 55 gallon drum's worth should be about right.

Of course, an auto-loading trebuchet would be tres cool (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/cool.gif)

[trackbird]

Of course, an auto-loading trebuchet would be tres cool  (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/cool.gif)

We have the brain trust here to make that happen (if anywhere can....ok, maybe second to CC.com) if it's possible.

We can start the first anual FRRAX road course/autocross/track day/spare tire launching event. Maybe we could dig up some cracked blocks and start launching "dead" LS1 cores for distance.....

[sgarnett]

We can start the first anual FRRAX road course/autocross/track day/spare tire launching event. Maybe we could dig up some cracked blocks and start launching "dead" LS1 cores for distance.....

Now that would be cool (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Sure, anybody can run an autocross course that's laid out in the morning and doesn't change. Lobbing in new obstacle son the fly makes it a whole new ballgame (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

Back (somewhat) on topic, I was planning to mow the field this weekend, but at $3.09 a gallon and 10~15 gallons to mow, I may just embrace my "wildlife conservation zone".

[bubba353z]

Not to pee on everyone's Cheerios here, but Europe has been paying $4-5 per gallon for years. Granted a lot of European cities have better mass transit and are more centralized than many US cities, but they are surviving. How? - small cars and diesels power are commonplace there.

The major reason that the Europeans pay so much for gas is because their governments tax the hell of of there citizens. The UK has a 76% tax on gas. If you took away the taxes, the cost would be about the same.

I know that (I was being lazy and just didn't bother to type it in), but the net result is still the same. (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Could you imagine what Europe is paying now - if they aren't adjusting the taxes to keep the pricing steady (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/banghead.gif)

[TOO Z MAXX]

Not to pee on everyone's Cheerios here, but Europe has been paying $4-5 per gallon for years. Granted a lot of European cities have better mass transit and are more centralized than many US cities, but they are surviving. How? - small cars and diesels power are commonplace there.

The major reason that the Europeans pay so much for gas is because their governments tax the hell of of there citizens. The UK has a 76% tax on gas. If you took away the taxes, the cost would be about the same.

That is correct and I sure as hell do not want our government taxing the hell out of our gas. We all know how well that tax money will be spent.

[bubba353z]

I'm currently just North of Charlotte NC, and there is no gas available down here - all of the pumps are bagged up. We were heading to Columbia SC, but that may be on hold / cancelled, as we may not be able to find gas to get back.....

Price is not an issue for me right now.... (IMG:http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)

[UKCamaroSS]

I hope any of you who are in the affected area's caused by Katrina are all OK, and I know that any gas, no matter what the price is, is what you all need and hopefully you get it soon. The people of my local area in Cambridgeshire, England all wish you well.

Just to give you a laugh though (and to the rest of the US who are paying so much for gas now), here in my city the normal price is £0.93(p) per liter.... which is at today's exchange rate $1.71 a LITER........... and this is normal, but it is expected to go up due to the effects of gas shortages / market. This price is for Unleaded regular, which is the cheapest type of gas here.

Stay safe,
UKCamaroSS

[bubba353z]

Just to give you a laugh though (and to the rest of the US who are paying so much for gas now), here in my city the normal price is £0.93(p) per liter.... which is at today's exchange rate $1.71 a LITER........... and this is normal, but it is expected to go up due to the effects of gas shortages / market. This price is for Unleaded regular, which is the cheapest type of gas here.

Stay safe,
UKCamaroSS

My point exactly.....

We Americans are spoiled, especially when it comes to gasoline - and are now starting to get a taste of what others are going through. There'd probably be riots, if we got to $6.50 a gallon.

This post has been edited by bubba353z: Sep 3 2005, 12:30 PM

[gillbot]

As for the radioactive waste from nuclear power plants... this might be a crazy thought... but what would be wrong with say launching the waste into the sun?  I doubt we'll be going there anytime soon, and it is already a site of high levels of radiation and nuclear reactions... I can't imagine that would affect it too much...

Beaver Valley is a top performing plant ... what did you do there?

Pimp ... the cost of leaving the earth's atmosphere is too great ...

At Beaver Valley I was in Maintenance.


I can also see alot of people using E85 in vehicles that weren't designed for it since gas has spiked. It can and will cause ALOT of damage. You need Viton seals and stainless everywhere since it's highly corrosive and eats rubber like chewing gum.

[v7guy]

I looked at gas here for the first time in a couple days 3.25 for premium. I've still got 3/4 a tank, but any of you who own an F-body know after 1/2 tank it goes QUICK.



A NOTICE TO ALL THOSE IN THE DFW AREA

I read an email from the Wal Mart home office that said our Sams club in Irving TX will not recieve any more gas shipments until further notice. Realize the Sams club/Wal mart are wholesale purchasers. This means one of two things, either the price isn't low enough so the buyers won't bite............this is debateable as Sams routinely looses money at it's gas stations. Or that even TX is due for a shortage. If anyone is interested I'll use my member ship to get you gas if you give me the cash equivelent (I need to use my membership card and debit or it could raise suspiscion). The gas was sitting at 2.16 last night for premium.