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Report Your Local Gas Prices Here (retired discussion, please see the new one)

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  • nvbankernvbanker Member Posts: 7,239
    I am a believer in good gas for my autos as well. I went down the discount gas road once, and fouled my injectors. Fortunately, Ford stepped up and fixed them under warranty for me. Major brands only for me since. Which is why I am paying $2.50 for 93 octane now.
  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 26,023
    I don't think I've ever gotten any bad gas. From the gas station, at least!! Well, there was that time I bought some hot dogs from Citgo! ;-)
  • nvbankernvbanker Member Posts: 7,239
    Hot Dogs @ Citgo! LOL in a government seminar! Don't do that to me, andre!
  • uga91uga91 Member Posts: 1,065
    I don't know. I've driven by too many name brand gas stations that were getting gas delivered and the tanker on them did not say anything about the brand of gas it had on board. I have also read about independent gas station owners and how they are able to buy from any number of different sources. I'm not convinced that the no-name stations don't get their gas from the same place as the name brand stations.
  • nvbankernvbanker Member Posts: 7,239
    And you are right as to the sources oftimes. But its the additives or
    detergents added. My neighborhood Chevron station gets their gas from the same pipeline that moves gasoline from CA to NV in the base refinery. Common carriers locally deliver the gas from the local depot-to the stations with no branding on the tanker. But the Chevron additives (Techron) is added to the base for delivery to Chevron. At least, that it what is supposed to happen.
  • lemkolemko Member Posts: 15,261
    I fill my tank when it gets to three quarters of a tank these days so it doesn't seem as bad when I buy fuel. I haven't let it get past that point for the last month.

    Sunoco Ultra = $2.379 last night.
    Any relief in sight?
  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 26,023
    I used to fill up after the low fuel light came on. Like, WAY after! Nowadays I'll fill up at around 280 miles or so, which, depending of whether I did a lot of highway driving or not on that tank, might only cost cost about $20-25 to fill up.
  • lemkolemko Member Posts: 15,261
    Did you ever do the math to find out how much it would be to fill your tank from empty?

    For me:

    2002 Cadillac Seville STS:
    Sunoco Ultra = $2.379 x 20 = $47.58

    1989 Cadillac Brougham:
    Sunoco Ultra = $2.379 x 25 = $59.48!
  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 26,023
    one bit of advice...don't ever let that Brougham get *too* low! My grandma's '85 LeSabre had the same 25 gallon tank. Well, one night, delivering pizzas, I was mentally calculating the mileage it *should* be getting (estimating 14 mpg...cold nasty weather, and pizza delivery driving isn't exactly the most economical!)

    Well, I figured I still had enough gas still left in the car. Unfortunately, at one stop, on a driveway that sloped upwards, the car stayed running just long enough for me to hop back into it, put it into reverse, and then it died, with enough momentum to roll down the driveway and park it out on the street. It wouldn't re-start, though. Luckily, it was only about a mile from my uncle, who brought some gas out to me.

    Well, I drove immediately to the gas station and filled up. Between what I put in from the gas can, and what I put in at the station, I think it only came out to about 22.5 gallons! So on that hill, it ran out with, theoretically 2.5 gallons still in it!

    IIRC, the fuel tank in my '67 Catalina is 26 gallons! I think my '57 DeSoto is 21 gallons. So is my '79 NYer. This is kinda sad, but the DeSoto gets better mileage than the NYer! So much for progress!
  • nvbankernvbanker Member Posts: 7,239
    I know it's my own fault, but I can easily get $57 in the Navigator, and I've never got more than 25 gallons in the 30 gallon tank. A lot of Suburbans have 40 gallon ganks in them!!! Oh boy!
  • lemkolemko Member Posts: 15,261
    That would be $95.16 to fill with Sunoco Ultra!
    I had a 1975 Cadillac Sedan DeVille with a 28.5 gallon tank that took $35.00 to fill when gas was still dirt cheap. Today that figure would be $67.80!

    I recall a television commercial for some forgotten car that showed a guy filling up a Lamborghini-like sports car. "Disco Inferno" by the Trammps is playing in the background, a greasy-looking dude in flashy clothes is dancing next to the pump as his ditzy girlfriend in the passenger's seat is swivelling around to the music. The pump reads $80.00. Mr. Macho gets into his ride, revs the engine twice and the fuel gauge needle drops to "Empty."
  • nvbankernvbanker Member Posts: 7,239
    How much it costs to fill the tank doesn't bother me, it's a matter of how often I go by, and I think of it that way. How much gas it burns, does matter to me at some point......not sure when the break is between what I'm willing to drive, and what I'm willing to pay to drive it is....I'll be sure and let ya'll know. Also, I don't drive a lot of miles each year, which may be why it's not freaking me out yet.
  • rae52rae52 Member Posts: 102
    Guess what happened today, gas actually went DOWN by 2cents/gallon in Clinton, NJ!

    Unbranded gas-1.979; Citgo and Shell both 1.999 for regular grade
  • nvbankernvbanker Member Posts: 7,239
    The cheapest on the Left Coast (where I live in Vegas) is still $2.19 at a Shell, which is even with the unbranded places.
  • Mr_ShiftrightMr_Shiftright Member Posts: 64,481
    Shell Premium @ $2.62/gallon on Francis Drake Blvd in Corte Madera, California. "Full Serve" premium was listed at $3.08. First time I ever saw a "$3" sign at a gas station, even though it was the inflated "full serve" price. Made my car swerve.

    QUESTION: If Person A bikes or walks or scooters or rows one day a week, (doesn't use car at all) then his yearly gas bill for that car is cut by 1/7th, is that right?

    Any volunteers out there to calculate how much that would mean to you in dollars and sense?

    I'll do mine in the meantime since we'll all get different answers....I wanna see if this is worth the hassle....
  • oregonboyoregonboy Member Posts: 1,650
    If I walked to work one day per week, 5 miles round trip, 5*52=260 miles per year / 25 mpg = 10.4 gal. @ $2.25 = $23.40 savings per year.

    My annual mileage is about 25,000 miles, which makes my annual gas bill about $2,250. The savings would be just over 1%.

    Before you question my math, please note that I do most of my driving on weekends. The walk to work would save wear & tear on my vehicle and would certainly be beneficial from a fitness standpoint.

    I'll give it a try next week if I can manage to get up 3/4 of an hour earlier. :P

    james
  • PF_FlyerPF_Flyer Member Posts: 9,372
    On Saturday we had a 10 cent drop in prices here to $1.89 for 87. I don't think it's any coincidence that the price finally dropped once the news media stopped beating us over the head with stories about "no end in sight" to increasing gas prices. That caused a lot of uncertainty and panic in a lot of folks. Heck, you just have to look back at the postings here with calls for release of the strategic reserves, etc...

    Then again, the Belmont and the Triple Crown run of Smarty Jones mave have been a factor as well. There was an awful lot of mass hysteria about that horse that took focus away from worrying about gasoline prices! :)

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  • nvbankernvbanker Member Posts: 7,239
    Personally, a 1 percent savings does not motivate me at all. But thanks for clearing that up for me. I was thinking about it....He He.
  • rae52rae52 Member Posts: 102
    I've noticed that whenever I fill up my two cars (Cavalier & Civic) with Hess reg. that BOTH cars consistently get 5 mpg's lower per tankfull than with any other brand-regardless of outside temps. i.e.; summer or winter. Does anybody elese who tracks his/her gas mileage have an answer regarding Hess' formulation?
  • 18fan18fan Member Posts: 129
    We don't have Hess stations here, but I have noticed similar declines in gas mileage whenever I fill up with Sunoco gas. Hence, I do not buy Sunoco gas regardless of the price.
  • nvbankernvbanker Member Posts: 7,239
    I have never been able to demonstrate a consistent difference in mileage between brands. Using the fuel computers in my cars, it's easy to tell if one brand gives you a boost or a negative effect. None noted. I have neither Sunoco or Hess gas here though. Usually use BP in Florida, so haven't noticed a difference there either. Wasn't looking for one, but would have to calculate it manually there as the cars I keep there don't have fuel computers.
  • lemkolemko Member Posts: 15,261
    ...Sunoco Ultra and Amoco Ultimate.
  • nvbankernvbanker Member Posts: 7,239
    cost me $2.39 for Chevron Supreme. Prices are holding here.
  • uga91uga91 Member Posts: 1,065
    I filled up today in Columbus, GA for $1.83 a gallon for 87 octane. Most places seem to be down a couple cents.
  • oregonboyoregonboy Member Posts: 1,650
    Some brands of gasoline are consistently blended with 10% alcohol (methanol?). Here in the NW, Arco is that way.

    Because alcohol has less chemical energy than gasoline, it yields fewer MPG. The Arco price is always lower than name-brand stations, perhaps to equalize the "value".

    I believe that the fine print on the pump discloses the presence of the alcohol.

    One side effect of alcohol is that it is "miscible" with both gas and water. (They will mix). "Dry Gas" fuel additives are primarily alcohol. So alcohol in your fuel will clear out moisture in your fuel system.

    The downside of that is that it will also absorb any moisture that it encounters in the distribution system: in the tanker truck, storage tanks... and I imagine that any water-soluble crud in the water comes along for the ride.

    I avoid the stuff.

    james
  • nvbankernvbanker Member Posts: 7,239
    since we never have an original thought, we buy California gas, and it's mandated by local law that we must have Ethanol in our gas from October through March, to reduce emissions. Since they all have it then, it doesn't matter which brand you get, you get lousy performance from your drunk engine. We used to use MTBE in some brands, but that's now been outlawed.
  • SylviaSylvia Member Posts: 1,636
    A magazine reporter would like to find car buyers who considered an SUV, but ended up going with a regular car because of gas mileage concerns. He's not looking for hybrid buyers necessarily, just folks who rejected SUVs because gas prices are so high.
    Please respond to jfallon@edmunds.com with your daytime phone number and a few details about your decision by Monday, June 14, 2004.

    Thanks,
    Jeannine Fallon
    PR Director
    Edmunds.com
  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 26,023
    we also get a change in gasoline. I never paid that much attention to what's in it, all I know is that it's referred to as "oxygenated" gasoline.

    I've heard people complain about reduced mileage and clogged fuel lines, etc, but I've never had any problems. My fuel economy always dropped in the winter anyway, because it's cold and the car takes longer to reach operating temperature.
  • 18fan18fan Member Posts: 129
    Prices are falling slowly and have been holding steady for the last week or so. Range from $1.899 to $1.959 for regular... add 10 cents for each higher grade.
  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 26,023
    I didn't catch the sign on the Citgo station, but the Shell station looks like it came down about 2 cents a gallon. Now $2.119 for 87 octane and $2.279 for 93.
  • lemkolemko Member Posts: 15,261
    ...is down by two cents. Woohoo! Now I can buy those gumballs I've been eying up!

    There's a Coastal station across from the Sunoco in my neighborhood where the price of regular is a whopping $2.49! Their rationale is that "We Pump Your Gas." Geeze, for that they better have Hooters girls at the pumps in skimpy outfits. Needless to say, the place is deserted.
  • uga91uga91 Member Posts: 1,065
    In Columbus, GA, gas is "down" to $1.89 a gallon for 87 octane. I just came from metro Atlanta and they had name gas for $1.79 a gallon and no-name gas for $1.73 a gallon. Why such a big difference?
  • nvbankernvbanker Member Posts: 7,239
    is down to $2.17 for 87, generic.
  • PF_FlyerPF_Flyer Member Posts: 9,372
    Have to see if it spread overnight, but late yesterday I saw a station showing a 3 cent drop to $1.86 for 87. Not my usual stop or station I use to report here, so my morning trip should confirm if it's going to be an area trend...

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  • andre1969andre1969 Member Posts: 26,023
    at the two stations I pass on my way to work, but yesterday while I was out, I found a station about 10 miles away where gas was $1.999 a gallon for 87 octane. That's better than the $2.099 a gallon at the Citgo near my house, and the $2.119 a gallon at the Shell, but still not worth driving there just to fill up! I noticed most of the stations in this area were around the $1.999 mark. One was $1.979.

    Still, as bad as prices might "seem", at the most I'm usually paying maybe $25-26 to fill up my Intrepid's tank. 16-17 years ago, I remember sometimes it would take almost $20 to fill up my Malibu's tank. So while seeing all those $2.XX9 a gallon signs all over the place is quite a sticker shock, it's really not as painful as it seems.
  • PF_FlyerPF_Flyer Member Posts: 9,372
    Not $1.86 everywhere, but the price of choice is $1.87 this morning!

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  • ghuletghulet Member Posts: 2,564
    At the Speedway on Route 30, just east of I-80, I paid $2.119 for 92 octane on Saturday. Apparently New Lenox is either short of gas stations or this place was least expensive, because it was absolutely mobbed.
  • nvbankernvbanker Member Posts: 7,239
    Filled up on the way to work this morning, for $2.35 for 93 octane, it was $2.15 for 87, at both a Shell and a Chevron.
  • PF_FlyerPF_Flyer Member Posts: 9,372
    She paid $1.81 for 87 about 10 miles west of here in Warrior's Mark, PA... usually a leading indicator for our area!

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  • millspdmillspd Member Posts: 104
    you were practically next door! Going to fill up today at the local Dominick's today, so we'll see what they are charging. I have never seen go above 1.999 this year.
  • nvbankernvbanker Member Posts: 7,239
    A Rebel station in Vegas dropped to $2.11 yesterday - a new low for the area.
  • ghuletghulet Member Posts: 2,564
    ...my uncle got married at a church on Gougar Road, so I made the trip out there from the north side (~45 miles each way). I must say I was shocked at how little traffic there was, particularly on the way back.
  • PF_FlyerPF_Flyer Member Posts: 9,372
    Another drop to $1.79 for 87 with six cent steps up for each grade... State College PA
  • kkollwitzkkollwitz Member Posts: 274
    87 $1.69
    89 $1.79
    92 $1.89
  • nvbankernvbanker Member Posts: 7,239
    clearly, they are dropping. Made it to $2.05 today in Vegas. Never expected to be thrilled to pay $2.35 for 91 octane in my life, but I was!
  • KCRamKCRam Member Posts: 3,516
    Mobil NJ4 west, Hackensack NJ

    87 - $1.999
    89 - $2.099
    93 - $2.199
    diesel - $1.599

    Any surprise my next truck will also be a diesel?

    kcram
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  • nvbankernvbanker Member Posts: 7,239
    We got to $1.99 for 87 today. I also would probably opt for a diesel, if they made one I liked.
  • PF_FlyerPF_Flyer Member Posts: 9,372
    Tonight we have a chat with Saab cars president Debra Kelly-Ennis at 7pm ET, the new weekly Saab enthusiast chat immediately following at 8pm ET, and the Subaru Crew chat at 9PM ET. Hope to see you there!

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  • deaner14deaner14 Member Posts: 40
    This is an awesome site to see comparisons of gas prices in your area vs those of surrounding cities, states and even Canada. It's interesting to see that Toronto has "dramatic" price changes twice a week. Check your city vs Toronto in the 3 month time period.

    http://www.texasgasprices.com/retail_price_chart.asp
  • ghuletghulet Member Posts: 2,564
    Just discovered, not at all to my surprise, that gas here in Chicago is about 25 cents more than in St. Louis and about 20 cents more than Indianapolis. Perhaps a bit more surprising is that prices in Chicago are nearly identical to Phoenix, the place where all Chicagoans go to retire, and/or watch the Cubs in Spring Training.
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