that oil prices closed at an all-time high, of $51.28 a barrel. All-time in gross dollars, at least. When factored for inflation, it's still about $30 a barrel less than it was in 1981, the "true" all time high.
The local Shell station, which had dropped down to $1.819 a gallon a few weeks ago, is now back up to $1.919 for 87.
On a similar note, I called my home heating oil company to see what prices are going to be, as my current rate of $1.19 a gallon expires on November 4. They told me that currently, prices are $2.10 a gallon! If I lock in for a year though, they'll "only" charge $1.74 a gallon. I've been thinking about the oil prices lately, because it's been cool enough that I've been firing up the furnace for a few minutes in the morning, while I'm getting ready for work.
Most of the stations near my home are at $2.179-2.219 for 87 to $2.379-2.419 for 93 octane. My S.O. and I have been talking about trading the Wrangler for a Corolla or Accord (4-cylinder). I'm guessing the Jeep gets about 15mpg around town (if not worse), and I figure either of the cars should better that by at least 50%.
but how many miles per week/month/year/whatever do you guys put on the Wrangler? 15 mpg might sound really crappy, but if you're not racking up the miles, it might not really be worth it to trade, and possibly take a bath on the Wrangler.
I've thought about getting a more fuel-efficient car, from time to time, myself. But my Intrepid already gets around 20-22 mpg around town, and I'm only doing around 10,000 miles per year now on it. The other cars, like the pickup, Catalina, and NYer, only get around 10-12 around town. Suprisingly, the DeSoto would actually do better...more like 13-14!
Do the numbers before making any changes. You'll find that buying a new car to get 10 more mpg is a losing proposition unless you drive a ton of miles.
Gas is $2.25 in Chicago. I am paing $1.85 out here in Crystal Lake, only 65 miles away. Of course, I am buying my gas at WalMart/Sam's Club, a retailer that has been legislated out of the city of Chicago. Just a thought.
...I'm fairly certain he's not upside down on the Jeep (payoff ~$11k minus interest), but we do a fair amount of driving, but probably less than a few years ago. The Wrangler is an '01, bought in July '01, and is almost at 45k miles, so basically 12-15k a year, pretty average. In any case, I don't think he'll trade it til after winter, that's a pretty nice vehicle to have in the snow. Of course, it's kind of nice to have in the summer when you can fold down the top, except on those days when it's hot and you have to dress up (weddings come to mind) and you're in a soft top truck with no a/c (I wish I could count how many times I've given him grief about that decision, i.e., buying a ~$20k vehicle with no air!).
I agree, buying a car to replace another specifically to get better gas mileage usually isn't a great idea. I'm thinking, though, that if he goes back to school and thus drives more, a Corolla or Civic would likely have a lower payment AND lower fuel and maintenance costs, so the monthly difference should be significant.
Sorry to have strayed off topic. Two nights ago, I put in 87 octane at $2.199 at a nearby Mobil station (one of the few remaining here).
getting a more fuel-efficient car might be a better idea than I had thought. For some reason, I was thinking that the Jeep was a brand-new model, and he had just gotten it.
Especially if you expect to be driving more than you are now, it might make more sense. What kind of "real world" (i.e., the way you guys drive) do you think a Civic or Corolla would get? Do you think it would be double what the Wrangler gets?
My uncle has an '03 Corolla, which I think is EPA-rated at around 30/38. He does mainly highway driving, about 130 miles round trip each day, but often he runs into congested, stop-and-go rush hour traffic. I think he said he averages around 32-34.
On the subject of fuel prices, it looks like they're holding in this area now, around the $1.92-$2.00 mark, for 87 octane. I'm driving up to Hershey tomorrow for a car show, with a friend. If I drive, I'll probably fill up by his house, where gas is usually about 10-15 cents per gallon cheaper. He was talking about driving his '78 Mark V, though, if it's ready (It's in the shop now). If he decides to drive, I hope he doesn't ask me to chip in for gas!
I've never been to Hershey, I'd love to go, but unfortunately as a bartender, I almost always have to work weekends )-: Kind of a drag. No, I wouldn't want to buy gas, either, for (or park, for that matter) any Lincoln made 1956-80!
We tend to do lots of stop and go driving, depending on the season (snow or not, Cubs traffic or not, I'm glad they choked!), rarely over 40mph in the city, not too much highway and even then for short distances, so I don't know that we'd get twice the mileage as in the Jeep in a Corolla, but I doubt it would be too far off that. Andre, is your uncle's Corolla a stick or automatic? We'd like a manual, but they're next to impossible to find here.
from my place to Hershey, I think it's about 125 miles. I just heard from my friend, and his beast is still in the shop, so I guess we'll be going in my Intrepid. It's kinda sad, but his other car is a 2001.5 Passat, and it's already to the point that he doesn't trust it on long trips!
He bought his Mark V out in Nevada, or some hot, dry western state like that. I think he said that driving back home, he averaged about 14 mpg at the best. All things considered though, for such a massive beast, I guess that's not too bad. Back in '95, I drove my Dart from DC to Oklahoma, and I was only getting around 16-17 on the highway. On one stretch through Arkansas, I hit an area with no gas stations for miles around, and was driving very gently, trying to nurse it to the next gas station. I think I figured on that tank, I almost got 18!
My uncle's Corolla is an automatic. He had thought about getting a stick, though. Originally he wanted a cheap stripper Echo with a stick and non-power steering. However, that's pretty much a mythical beast, right up there with unicorns and 3-headed snakes and rust-free '76 Volares!
I think he also decided that dealing with a stick shift would get old really fast in rush hour traffic, so he went with the automatic. He's been pretty happy with it so far. I think it has around 50,000 miles on it, and it's been pretty reliable. Only problems he had resulted from hitting a deer, and then bumping into a pickup truck at the construction site. I know he sent it in for a 30K mile service (at 40K miles, though), and I thought that bill was pretty expensive. I forget what all it included, but I think it was around $400.
Y'know, I always wanted to try working as a bartender. Don't ask me why, but I just wanted to experience it! I thought about trying it when I finally gave up pizza delivery, but at that time I started valuing my free time more than the income from a second job. And tending bar would be a lot less stressful on the car than pizza delivery was!
What really hurts is that they are requiring Atlanta gas stations to start carrying a "cleaner" grade of fuel which will increase prices another $.05 or more. With a commute of 40 miles each way living in the country with a big house and a big yard is becoming less and less appealing. City life with a condo and no yard here we come ......
Just paid $1.99 for 87 octane, but most of the staions around the general Ft. Lauderdale area are between $2.07 to $2.15...ouch! When will this nonsense end???
...that we're still paying less than $2.00 per gallon for 93 octane here in W. Georgia. As low as $1.97 this afternoon....but...easy to find higher prices without much effort.
The same gallon costs as low as $2.12 in Alabama and about $2.19 in Florida.
As much as it's on the top of the list today, let's keep these boards a politics-free zone. Thanks!
kirstie_h Roving Host & Future Vehicles Host
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name. 2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h) Review your vehicle
I just paid $1.84 per gallon for 87 octane after the $.05 member discount. 89 is as high as $2.19 without the Sam's card. I just put $28 in my CAMRY! Ouch!
....REALLY have something to complain about!! My roommate and I had a bet as to how much it was going to cost to fill up his Wrangler from empty; he said $28, it actually turned out to be exactly $35, and this was a couple weeks ago when gas was ONLY $2.199 or so here. 93 octane is now around $2.45-2.50 a gallon now. He's seriously considering ditching the Jeep for a Corolla in the next few months.
That drop from $1.99 to $195 creates a "tipping point of sorts fro my one vehicle. Had to fill up a fairly empty tank yesterday and had to "pack it in" to get up to $18 for the fillup. No way I could have gotten to $20, which seemed typical when prices were in the $1.99+ range
Making me feel better on the psychological side anyway!
Gas prices usual;ly come up at the chats. Stop in tonight with your LIVE report.
$2.25 at a cheap, no-name station in Berkeley, CA. Not bad; it was higher a couple of weeks ago. I've seen as high as $2.59 for regular at Chevrons and Shells nearby, within the last week. $2.75 when I went into San Fran.
Recent drop here has 87 regular in a range of $1.93 to $1.97 close to home. During our travels and errands today, we saw a few stations that are still $2.01 to $2.03 for regular.
I paid $1.859 for 87 the other day. Usually this station maintains a 7-cent difference among the grades, so 89 was probably $1.929 and 93 $1.999 - I actually didn't notice because I filled my wife's car and my truck at the same time.
I listen to a fair amount of radio and get to hear a lot of network radio news each day. When gas prices were rising, we were swamped with stories about "skyrocketing prices" every time the price went up 2 cents. Using my local prices as a guide, the price of gas is down about 9.5% from the high of $2.09 to the current price of $1.89, and the price of crude oil has dropped almost 15%. Yet, I haven't heard stories about "plummeting prices". I wonder how different our perception of EVERYTHING would be if the media reported good news with the same zeal and gusto that they sink their teeth into not so good news.
it's the old adage "no news is good news." The thing is is that some news IS good news, plain and simple. Prices are dropping so let's dig our NBA games, college football games and NFL games this weekend and low gas prices. Remember, we could be paying what they pay in ______ for gas, right?
The petroleum industry reps have the fax machines all set up to put out the propaganda to the gullible media types that there's going to have to be a price increase because a car ran over a pipeline in Indiana and it broke. Therefore there's a shortage and with the hurricane in Alaska we just have to raise prices.
They don't do that when there's a lowering of prices and the media doesn't care. The media is not getting the free storylines from the propaganda machine. They're looking for burns or bleeds stories to do.
Not putting out the lowering price news reduces the pressure on the companies to lower the price as quickly as they raised it.
The fax machines work the same for the political machines as well, IMHO.
I was thinking the same thing...one hell of a coincidence, esp as oil prices remain high.
I wonder if the statements of the Saudi foreign minister many months ago actually came into play, and are coming true. He promised increased production to lower prices for the election.
What I'd like to know most is why prices are falling. Of course, far be it from any oil company to give any legit reasoning for their pricing, whether it be an increase or decrease.
87 no-lead was going for $1.83/gallon. Looks like prices in my old stomping ground of western Washington state are as high as ever. What's that make 87 no-lead in Bellingham, fintail? $2.15?
Comments
The local Shell station, which had dropped down to $1.819 a gallon a few weeks ago, is now back up to $1.919 for 87.
On a similar note, I called my home heating oil company to see what prices are going to be, as my current rate of $1.19 a gallon expires on November 4. They told me that currently, prices are $2.10 a gallon! If I lock in for a year though, they'll "only" charge $1.74 a gallon. I've been thinking about the oil prices lately, because it's been cool enough that I've been firing up the furnace for a few minutes in the morning, while I'm getting ready for work.
I've thought about getting a more fuel-efficient car, from time to time, myself. But my Intrepid already gets around 20-22 mpg around town, and I'm only doing around 10,000 miles per year now on it. The other cars, like the pickup, Catalina, and NYer, only get around 10-12 around town. Suprisingly, the DeSoto would actually do better...more like 13-14!
Gas is $2.25 in Chicago. I am paing $1.85 out here in Crystal Lake, only 65 miles away. Of course, I am buying my gas at WalMart/Sam's Club, a retailer that has been legislated out of the city of Chicago. Just a thought.
I agree, buying a car to replace another specifically to get better gas mileage usually isn't a great idea. I'm thinking, though, that if he goes back to school and thus drives more, a Corolla or Civic would likely have a lower payment AND lower fuel and maintenance costs, so the monthly difference should be significant.
Sorry to have strayed off topic. Two nights ago, I put in 87 octane at $2.199 at a nearby Mobil station (one of the few remaining here).
Especially if you expect to be driving more than you are now, it might make more sense. What kind of "real world" (i.e., the way you guys drive) do you think a Civic or Corolla would get? Do you think it would be double what the Wrangler gets?
My uncle has an '03 Corolla, which I think is EPA-rated at around 30/38. He does mainly highway driving, about 130 miles round trip each day, but often he runs into congested, stop-and-go rush hour traffic. I think he said he averages around 32-34.
On the subject of fuel prices, it looks like they're holding in this area now, around the $1.92-$2.00 mark, for 87 octane. I'm driving up to Hershey tomorrow for a car show, with a friend. If I drive, I'll probably fill up by his house, where gas is usually about 10-15 cents per gallon cheaper. He was talking about driving his '78 Mark V, though, if it's ready (It's in the shop now). If he decides to drive, I hope he doesn't ask me to chip in for gas!
We tend to do lots of stop and go driving, depending on the season (snow or not, Cubs traffic or not, I'm glad they choked!), rarely over 40mph in the city, not too much highway and even then for short distances, so I don't know that we'd get twice the mileage as in the Jeep in a Corolla, but I doubt it would be too far off that. Andre, is your uncle's Corolla a stick or automatic? We'd like a manual, but they're next to impossible to find here.
He bought his Mark V out in Nevada, or some hot, dry western state like that. I think he said that driving back home, he averaged about 14 mpg at the best. All things considered though, for such a massive beast, I guess that's not too bad. Back in '95, I drove my Dart from DC to Oklahoma, and I was only getting around 16-17 on the highway. On one stretch through Arkansas, I hit an area with no gas stations for miles around, and was driving very gently, trying to nurse it to the next gas station. I think I figured on that tank, I almost got 18!
My uncle's Corolla is an automatic. He had thought about getting a stick, though. Originally he wanted a cheap stripper Echo with a stick and non-power steering. However, that's pretty much a mythical beast, right up there with unicorns and 3-headed snakes and rust-free '76 Volares!
I think he also decided that dealing with a stick shift would get old really fast in rush hour traffic, so he went with the automatic. He's been pretty happy with it so far. I think it has around 50,000 miles on it, and it's been pretty reliable. Only problems he had resulted from hitting a deer, and then bumping into a pickup truck at the construction site. I know he sent it in for a 30K mile service (at 40K miles, though), and I thought that bill was pretty expensive. I forget what all it included, but I think it was around $400.
Y'know, I always wanted to try working as a bartender. Don't ask me why, but I just wanted to experience it! I thought about trying it when I finally gave up pizza delivery, but at that time I started valuing my free time more than the income from a second job. And tending bar would be a lot less stressful on the car than pizza delivery was!
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Host
Pickups & News & Views Message Boards
87 - $1.949
89 - $2.069
93 - $2.149
diesel - $2.289
27.8 gallons of D last night... $63.65... ouch...
kcram
Host
Smart Shopper and Wagons Message Boards
89---$2.23 to $2.45
93---$2.35 to $2.65
The prices is for island of Oahu. In island of Maui, kauai, big island, and lanai can easily add another 15 to 25 cents to the high end number.
Costco is 5 cents cheaper than the low end number.
I guess I can't complain too much considering mainland prices seems to have shot up quite a bit since last september.
Premium: $2.22 - $2.38
A coworker (who lives closer to the city) said she saw prices about $.10 higher.
regular: $1.95
plus: $2.05
premium: $2.15
What really hurts is that they are requiring Atlanta gas stations to start carrying a "cleaner" grade of fuel which will increase prices another $.05 or more. With a commute of 40 miles each way living in the country with a big house and a big yard is becoming less and less appealing. City life with a condo and no yard here we come ......
87 - $1.939
89 - $2.039
93 - $2.139
diesel - $2.099
Wasn't all that long ago I was paying 89¢ for diesel...
kcram
Host
Smart Shopper and Wagons Message Boards
87- $2.459
89- $2.559
91- $2.659
And these are at the low end! Higher prices can be found!
87 - $1.939
89 - $2.039
93 - $2.119
94 - $2.169
diesel - $2.139
My credit score would be shot right now if I had a gasoline pickup instead of a diesel, because I'd be maxing my credit cards buying go-juice.
kcram
Host
Smart Shopper and Wagons Message Boards
Most places now (off-brand and major brand):
87 -- $1.899
89 -- $1.999
93 -- $2.099
I bought 87 today for $1.879 at an off-brand station. Diesel was $1.999 at the same station.
The highest I've paid here was $1.899 at the end of May.
87 - $1.859
89 - $1.959
93 - $2.059
diesel - $2.219
kcram
Host
Smart Shopper and Wagons Message Boards
1.929
2.029
2.129
In Fort Chiswell right on Interstate 81 the cheapest gas in the area: 1.839 for regular
Diesel is right at 2.00 a gallon just about everywhere. When will the madness end???
PF Flyer
Host
Pickups & News & Views Message Boards
When will this nonsense end???
The Sandman :-(
The same gallon costs as low as $2.12 in Alabama and about $2.19 in Florida.
I'd hate to see the gas bill on an H2...
kirstie_h
Roving Host & Future Vehicles Host
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Review your vehicle
Took $19.50 to fill a Civic up. Ouch.
I just paid $1.84 per gallon for 87 octane after the $.05 member discount. 89 is as high as $2.19 without the Sam's card. I just put $28 in my CAMRY! Ouch!
Making me feel better on the psychological side anyway!
Gas prices usual;ly come up at the chats. Stop in tonight with your LIVE report.
PF Flyer
Host
Pickups & News & Views Message Boards
SAAB and SUBARU chats are on TONIGHT. Check out the schedule
--
$2.25 at a cheap, no-name station in Berkeley, CA. Not bad; it was higher a couple of weeks ago. I've seen as high as $2.59 for regular at Chevrons and Shells nearby, within the last week. $2.75 when I went into San Fran.
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
87 - $1.899
89 - $1.999
93 - $2.079
94 - $2.119
diesel - $2.159
kcram
Host - Wagons
I wonder how different our perception of EVERYTHING would be if the media reported good news with the same zeal and gusto that they sink their teeth into not so good news.
PF Flyer
Host
Pickups & News & Views Message Boards
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
They don't do that when there's a lowering of prices and the media doesn't care. The media is not getting the free storylines from the propaganda machine. They're looking for burns or bleeds stories to do.
Not putting out the lowering price news reduces the pressure on the companies to lower the price as quickly as they raised it.
The fax machines work the same for the political machines as well, IMHO.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
I wonder if the statements of the Saudi foreign minister many months ago actually came into play, and are coming true. He promised increased production to lower prices for the election.
What I'd like to know most is why prices are falling. Of course, far be it from any oil company to give any legit reasoning for their pricing, whether it be an increase or decrease.
Did notice that diesel is now more than premium (about $2.09 vs. $2.19). Not too long ago diesel was about 160 when regular was 190.
But, diesel has always been like that from what I remember. much bigger fluctuations than gasoline.
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
89 - $1.869
93 - $1.939
At Sheetz - big regional brand out of PA.
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick