...a lot of people are deluded into thinking the smaller engine is automatically more fuel-efficient. Thing is, that smaller engine is often working harder, especially in a larger vehicle.
I think we can assume you wouldn't put a 2.2L engine into the Chevy Tahoe. But there is no reason why we can't aspire to have the 2.2L achieve 40+ mpg in the Cobalt.
...a lot of people are deluded into thinking the smaller engine is automatically more fuel-efficient. Thing is, that smaller engine is often working harder, especially in a larger vehicle.
The Cutlass Ciera had a V-6 and generally achieved 26-28 mpg. The later Ciera SL had a 4-cyl and achieved 24-26 mpg.
Jlawrence rile #6 - Always buy a car designed for the size of engine in it.
The going price for 87 is now $2.43 to $2.45. I noticed that Sheetz is pricing 93 at $2.75, 30 cents more than regular. Diesel is a comparative bargain at $2.59.
Funny how this year's price increase is mimicking last year's.
Not all areas seem to have had the raise. It may be a grab dollars from people leaving Thursday afternoon through Easter weekend routine of the oil companies.
Get your hybrids before they start jacking up MSRP !!
Here are Central Valley market averages on March 30, as reported by the American Automobile Association with last week’s (March 23) averages in parentheses and March 16 prices in brackets:
The average price of self-serve regular gasoline in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area is $3.205, which is 6 cents higher than last week. In San Diego, the price is $3.225, which is 5.4 cents above last week's price.
The highest market average in the state again this week is in San Francisco at $3.363, which is 7.4 cents higher than seven days ago, according to the AAA.
How do you figure you buy a hybrid when gas is cheap?
You buy a hybrid so the impact of high gas prices is less because if you have to pay $4 a gallon and you get 700 miles in a tank, the impact of that $4 is lessened because it is spread out more.
If you buy a gas guzzler when gas prices are high, then you are double-whammying yourself by purchasing a vehicle that costs more when gas prices are low and REALLY costs more when gas prices are high.
Why do you think hybrids and small cars had such good sales figures in the first half of 2006 and SUVs and trucks did so poorly? It's because gas prices were at or near record highs.
NOW is the time to buy a hybrid or a couple of Yarises or Aveos or SmartCars.
PS Phoenix up to $2.69 for the cheapest, with city average being $2.77.
If you pay up to $5000 over MSRP as some have done with the hybrids, you never gain it back with gas savings. You get incentives and rebates of up to $7,000 on an SUV it will pay for your gas for years to come. And you get a much more comfortable vehicle.
Gas up another penney at the ARCO stations. $3.15 RUL
I don't know of any gas-guzzling SUV which is more comfortable than my TCH. I don't equate "cargo room" with comfort.
And my TCH was around $26K, which is barely about $1200 more than a comparably equipped XLE.
People are still getting new Priuses for $25K.
And Prius leases for $249 a month.
And yes, if you get hosed on ANY car deal it hurts your long-term savings.
But that $7,000 "savings" on an SUV is not really savings, because just like any other car, the resale value falls off a cliff when you drive it off the lot. If they can sell it for $7,000 off, then it's not worth the original selling price to begin with.
Try to sell the SUV a week later with the $7000 tacked back on the sale price and see where that gets you. It's book money, not real money.
Gas savings from buying a hybrid will INCREASE over the years as gas prices INEVITABLY will go up.
It’s Time to Buy a Hybrid Vehicle, Suggests Edmunds.com
SANTA MONICA, Calif.--Considering a hybrid vehicle? Now is the time to buy, according to Edmunds.com, the premier online resource for automotive information. There are four key reasons:
1. According to Edmunds.com True Market Value(R) (TMV(R)) pricing system, average transaction prices of most hybrid vehicle models are at their lowest levels in history because the supply is finally beginning to exceed the demand. 2. For the first time ever, incentives are being offered on many popular hybrids. 3. Certain hybrid tax credits will be lower for those who purchase later in the spring, after automakers reach specific hybrid sales targets. 4. Gas prices have begun their seasonal rise. AAA recently reported that unleaded fuel is up 32 cents per gallon compared with one month ago.
So run TODAY or Tomorrow to get your hybrid today !!
If you are planning on buying a hybrid that is good advice. You may be able to get one at or below invoice as several posters in the hybrid section have done. For Toyota the tax credit will be nearly nothing after March 31st. For me the vehicle we are looking at is bringing a premium, which is not in my make up to pay. The GL320 CDI is sold out at most MB dealers I spoke to in Oregon and Washington. It is a sellers market. Just have to wait. Did I mention, diesel is the only fuel in CA under $3 per gallon?
Need I mention, that only recently did diesel prices dip below regular unleaded, and that for a LONG TIME recently, diesel was way expensiver?
Cali has an odd phenomenon going on right now: Diesel is 29 cents per gallon cheaper than regular unleaded.
But with the USA average, diesel is 6 cents HIGHER than regular unleaded. In every other region besides CA and the West Coast, diesel is higher.... :confuse:
There is NO explanation for the way California operates. The CA legislature feels they are big enough to buck the rest of the country on anything they desire. And they do.
The CA legislature feels they are big enough to buck the rest of the country
Do you think that the CA legislature is less enlightened than the federal legislature? Personally, I don't. I think it's pretty cool what's going on in CA. While they are just one state the size of their population and economy can effectively drive federal policy. I like their governor's policies and, while he could never be president, he is in a position to have almost as much national influence.
Here's a good article. I'm sure oil companies will have huge profits again this year. I'm also sure many of us will be blaming them for the high prices we are paying for gas. Kind of a sad commentary on our intelligence.
Is it because of the "Madman of Iran" holding the British hostages and today's forecast of a bad hurricane season for the Gulf?
Hess went up 10 cents in one day, now $2.53 for 87. Except for Kangaroo (where my wife filled up today at $2.38), 87 runs from $2.49 to $2.57. 93 is now $2.85 at Sheetz, with diesel holding at $2.69. Normally, we avoid the 'Roo, but at the lower price, we'll take it. It is a regional brand moving up from the South as someone mentioned here.
No Aveos for me; Camrys get decent mileage (4-cylinder) and are perfectly comfortable. Obviously, the Camry Hybrid will get better mileage at a higher purchase price.
Gagrice, just wondering about diesel. Why is there always an "oil slick" around the diesel pumps? Is it easier to spill for some reason? Do your hands smell after filling up, as I have heard? I think some stations supply disposable gloves for this reason.
Very simple. Diesel does not evaporate into the air. Gas does and we breathe all those harmful fumes. I'll take a little inconvenience to breathing raw gas fumes. With the sulfur nearly gone the diesel I use has very little smell. The same cannot be said for unleaded gas. That is the reason in CA for the special nozzles on gas pumps to try and block as much of the harmful pollutants as possible. Many states still let it fly from old antique dispensers.
Mount Arlington Exxon, Mt. A NJ - prices up 4 cents just from Wednesday!
87 - $2.619 89 - $2.779 93 - $2.939 (their diesel price is not on the main sign, it's not even on the small pump sign, you have to see what is programmed on the pump itself, and I just don't wanna know... probably close to the 93 price)
My station went overnight from $2.55 to $2.69 for regular. But then again the soda vending machine at work went from $1.10 to $1.30!
Seeing the price for milk, OJ, gas ... I wonder how inaccurate the government's inflation #'s are. Basics go up a lot, but what used to be luxuries go down - you can get 2 DVD players for the cost of a tank of gas!
at usual Meijer for $2.55. Jumped from $2.47 three days prior. We are edging closer to $3 everyday, with my latest sighting at the Shell 2 miles from me being:
$2.67 for 87 $2.81 for 89 $2.92 for 93
And this is the burbs!!!
I watched last week as the so-called "uprising and unrest" in the East got the oil prices to shoot up. And now that I'm reading that 2007 is ripe for hurricanes I can expect the barrel prices to go up even more. Will see what it is in Chi-town on Friday. But if this is any indication, it's $3 in the city and +$3 downtown, as the fuel out here is usually 10 ~ 15 cents cheaper than in the city.
Just spent a couple days north of here. The cheapest gas I saw in San Bernardino and Riverside counties was $3.22 for regular. Diesel was $2.99 most stations that carries it. Many stations were in the $3.35 range for regular. I was able to make it up and back in the Lexus. Filled at Poway Costco for $3.31 for 91 octane.
Short trip to Tennessee and found $2.69 to be highest in strips along I75 from SW Ohio to Seveirville. Bought for $2.51 and $2.64. Lowest I saw was $2.48 for off brand that I don't recall.
I filled up my truck at a Shell station. 89 octane was $2.749. Prices are definitely creeping up. 89 octane in my neighborhood is running about 10 cents higher.
Were at $2.35. Went to $2.59 last week about Thursday in anticipation of happy folk leaving on vacation or grandma's house. Went down in some parts to $2.46. And on Thursday of this week the monopoly raised the prices to $2.859.
The rise from $2.59 at the highest stations to $2.85 occurred the day AFTER the oil prices went down when the British sailors were released out of Iran. The usual excuse is that prices on gas go up with the barrel price; the price should have gone down. But to celebrate Easter the Marathon company raised them.
Fuel prices jumped $.20 yesterday, with most places at $2.75 - $2.79 for regular. $3.00 for premium. I was going to top off at $2.57 but missed my chance :sick:
My usual Meijer had prices $2.86, $2.96, $3.06. This was higher than the Mobils and Shells :surprise: , usually Meijer is at least $.10.
Just got some diesel for my tractor. They have diesel for $2.91 and regular unleaded for $3.22. I could have used red dye diesel for 10 cents less per gallon. It stinks when I use it in my little Kubota.
I noticed that, if you need hi-test at least, it's up over the $3.00 barrier. Local Shell was $2.899/$2.999/$3.079 for the three grades.
I'm also finding myself at a crossroads with my 10-12 mpg '85 Silverado. It needs to go in the shop for an oil leak and some maintenance stuff (belts, hoses, tuneup, tire rotation, check brakes, etc), but I'm starting to debate on whether I want to put the money into it, or just get something more economical. A newer pickup with something like a V-6 or base V-8 would probably get around 15-17 in my type of driving, which would be a big cut in fuel usage. But then I start thinking, do I want to get into a monthly payment on something that only goes maybe 5,000 miles per year? Heck, even if I had to sink $2,000 into my old '85 Silverado, I'd sink more than that into the down payment on a new truck!
If everyone stayed home and did not drive for one day it would get the attention he is hoping for. Not switching buying days. Consumption has to be cut for the powers to act. As long as we will buy and use they will sell for what ever the market will bare.
Dang, you're fast. I had deleted that post since the other post had come down.
I never could figure out what was the POINT of a "National Boycott" day when all we were supposed to do was not BUY gas on that day, but not necessarily consume any less. It just never made any sense.
Do you have any good historical sources to directly compare the average retail price of gas to the price of crude oil? I tried gasbuddy but was only able to get data going back 6 years.
Gas pricing is so difficult to pin down. The same priced crude produces gas that sells with as much as a buck difference. It all depends on the formula and regulations in the state. CA has to truck that nasty ethanol over to mix with the gas and has had a big impact on the price. The West coast got the shaft on ethanol. Even the EPA says that oxygenating is a waste. Politics are the name of the game. If high gas prices in CA are a problem there are options. Get a smaller car, drive less or move somewhere else. We are in for high prices here.
San Diego is stable now at a low of $3.15 per gallon. Premium is $3.35 at most of the ARCO stations in my area.
Comments
The Cutlass Ciera had a V-6 and generally achieved 26-28 mpg. The later Ciera SL had a 4-cyl and achieved 24-26 mpg.
Jlawrence rile #6 - Always buy a car designed for the size of engine in it.
<-----over THAT way
6 cent bump last night in Happy Valley to $2.65
Funny how this year's price increase is mimicking last year's.
Not all areas seem to have had the raise. It may be a grab dollars from people leaving Thursday afternoon through Easter weekend routine of the oil companies.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
My "low fuel" light came on for the older Camry -- so there went $35+ on the way home tonight ($2.47/gal. at Hess).
Looks like those $42 fill-ups will be back by summer.
Get your hybrids before they start jacking up MSRP !!
Here are Central Valley market averages on March 30, as reported by the American Automobile Association with last week’s (March 23) averages in parentheses and March 16 prices in brackets:
• Bakersfield, $3.230 ($3.184) [$3.143]
• Visalia-Porterville, $3.203 ($3.157) [$3.141]
• Fresno, $3.221 ($3.165) [$3.140]
• Merced, $3.226 ($3.192) [$3.172]
• Modesto, $3.190 ($3.142) [$3.120]
• Stockton-Lodi, $3.210 ($3.149) [$3.122]
• Sacramento, $3.192 ($3.132) [$3.113]
• Yolo, $3.190 ($3.128) [$3.118]
• Chico, $3.169 ($3.118) [$3.095]
The average price of self-serve regular gasoline in the Los Angeles-Long Beach area is $3.205, which is 6 cents higher than last week. In San Diego, the price is $3.225, which is 5.4 cents above last week's price.
The highest market average in the state again this week is in San Francisco at $3.363, which is 7.4 cents higher than seven days ago, according to the AAA.
Our local watchdog site says San Diego average for unleaded regular is $3.27 diesel holding at $2.97.
How do you figure you buy a hybrid when gas is cheap?
You buy a hybrid so the impact of high gas prices is less because if you have to pay $4 a gallon and you get 700 miles in a tank, the impact of that $4 is lessened because it is spread out more.
If you buy a gas guzzler when gas prices are high, then you are double-whammying yourself by purchasing a vehicle that costs more when gas prices are low and REALLY costs more when gas prices are high.
Why do you think hybrids and small cars had such good sales figures in the first half of 2006 and SUVs and trucks did so poorly? It's because gas prices were at or near record highs.
NOW is the time to buy a hybrid or a couple of Yarises or Aveos or SmartCars.
PS Phoenix up to $2.69 for the cheapest, with city average being $2.77.
You get incentives and rebates of up to $7,000 on an SUV it will pay for your gas for years to come. And you get a much more comfortable vehicle.
Gas up another penney at the ARCO stations. $3.15 RUL
And my TCH was around $26K, which is barely about $1200 more than a comparably equipped XLE.
People are still getting new Priuses for $25K.
And Prius leases for $249 a month.
And yes, if you get hosed on ANY car deal it hurts your long-term savings.
But that $7,000 "savings" on an SUV is not really savings, because just like any other car, the resale value falls off a cliff when you drive it off the lot. If they can sell it for $7,000 off, then it's not worth the original selling price to begin with.
Try to sell the SUV a week later with the $7000 tacked back on the sale price and see where that gets you. It's book money, not real money.
Gas savings from buying a hybrid will INCREASE over the years as gas prices INEVITABLY will go up.
I may have to start driving the speed limit again. :sick:
Buy before Sunday !!!
It’s Time to Buy a Hybrid Vehicle, Suggests Edmunds.com
SANTA MONICA, Calif.--Considering a hybrid vehicle? Now is the time to buy, according to Edmunds.com, the premier online resource for automotive information. There are four key reasons:
1. According to Edmunds.com True Market Value(R) (TMV(R)) pricing system, average transaction prices of most hybrid vehicle models are at their lowest levels in history because the supply is finally beginning to exceed the demand.
2. For the first time ever, incentives are being offered on many popular hybrids.
3. Certain hybrid tax credits will be lower for those who purchase later in the spring, after automakers reach specific hybrid sales targets.
4. Gas prices have begun their seasonal rise. AAA recently reported that unleaded fuel is up 32 cents per gallon compared with one month ago.
So run TODAY or Tomorrow to get your hybrid today !!
Did I mention, diesel is the only fuel in CA under $3 per gallon?
Cali has an odd phenomenon going on right now: Diesel is 29 cents per gallon cheaper than regular unleaded.
But with the USA average, diesel is 6 cents HIGHER than regular unleaded. In every other region besides CA and the West Coast, diesel is higher.... :confuse:
Gary, can you explain that one?
Do you think that the CA legislature is less enlightened than the federal legislature? Personally, I don't. I think it's pretty cool what's going on in CA. While they are just one state the size of their population and economy can effectively drive federal policy. I like their governor's policies and, while he could never be president, he is in a position to have almost as much national influence.
Here's a good article. I'm sure oil companies will have huge profits again this year. I'm also sure many of us will be blaming them for the high prices we are paying for gas. Kind of a sad commentary on our intelligence.
http://money.cnn.com/2007/03/30/news/international/pluggedin_schwartz_iran.fortu- - ne/index.htm?postversion=2007033009
Hess went up 10 cents in one day, now $2.53 for 87. Except for Kangaroo (where my wife filled up today at $2.38), 87 runs from $2.49 to $2.57. 93 is now $2.85 at Sheetz, with diesel holding at $2.69. Normally, we avoid the 'Roo, but at the lower price, we'll take it. It is a regional brand moving up from the South as someone mentioned here.
No Aveos for me; Camrys get decent mileage (4-cylinder) and are perfectly comfortable. Obviously, the Camry Hybrid will get better mileage at a higher purchase price.
Gagrice, just wondering about diesel. Why is there always an "oil slick" around the diesel pumps? Is it easier to spill for some reason? Do your hands smell after filling up, as I have heard? I think some stations supply disposable gloves for this reason.
Yippee!
My usual Sunoco truclk stop, Palisades Park NJ - everything up 6 cents from the previous Friday
87 - $2.499
89 - $2.599
91 - $2.659
93 - $2.699
diesel - $2.539
Mount Arlington Exxon, Mt. A NJ - prices up 4 cents just from Wednesday!
87 - $2.619
89 - $2.779
93 - $2.939
(their diesel price is not on the main sign, it's not even on the small pump sign, you have to see what is programmed on the pump itself, and I just don't wanna know... probably close to the 93 price)
kcram - Pickups Host
The lowest now is $2.49 at Hess and Exxon (we'll see how long these last).
Glad we took our trip to the Southwest 3 weeks ago!
Regular = $2.67
89 Octane = $2.77
"ultra?"93 = $2.87
But most other places still have the 10-cent difference between the various octane ratings.
Seeing the price for milk, OJ, gas ... I wonder how inaccurate the government's inflation #'s are. Basics go up a lot, but what used to be luxuries go down - you can get 2 DVD players for the cost of a tank of gas!
$2.67 for 87
$2.81 for 89
$2.92 for 93
And this is the burbs!!!
I watched last week as the so-called "uprising and unrest" in the East got the oil prices to shoot up. And now that I'm reading that 2007 is ripe for hurricanes I can expect the barrel prices to go up even more. Will see what it is in Chi-town on Friday. But if this is any indication, it's $3 in the city and +$3 downtown, as the fuel out here is usually 10 ~ 15 cents cheaper than in the city.
And it's not even summer yet...
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
Rocky
P.S. Glad I bought the fuel efficient Impala, cuz if I was still driving the Ford F-150, I'd be gas broke !!!! :surprise:
The rise from $2.59 at the highest stations to $2.85 occurred the day AFTER the oil prices went down when the British sailors were released out of Iran. The usual excuse is that prices on gas go up with the barrel price; the price should have gone down. But to celebrate Easter the Marathon company raised them.
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
My usual Meijer had prices $2.86, $2.96, $3.06. This was higher than the Mobils and Shells :surprise: , usually Meijer is at least $.10.
What the cuff is going on?
Hess, where I often go, is still at $2.55.
I'm also finding myself at a crossroads with my 10-12 mpg '85 Silverado. It needs to go in the shop for an oil leak and some maintenance stuff (belts, hoses, tuneup, tire rotation, check brakes, etc), but I'm starting to debate on whether I want to put the money into it, or just get something more economical. A newer pickup with something like a V-6 or base V-8 would probably get around 15-17 in my type of driving, which would be a big cut in fuel usage. But then I start thinking, do I want to get into a monthly payment on something that only goes maybe 5,000 miles per year? Heck, even if I had to sink $2,000 into my old '85 Silverado, I'd sink more than that into the down payment on a new truck!
87 - $2.579 - up 8
89 - $2.679 - up 8
91 - $2.739 - up 8
93 - $2.759/2.779 - up 6/8 (Monday discount on Ultra)
diesel - $2.639 - up 10
kcram - Pickups Host
87 - $2.719
89 - $2.879
93 - $3.019 :surprise:
kcram - Pickups Host
Regular = $2.69
Plus = $2.79
"ultra?"93 = $2.89
I never could figure out what was the POINT of a "National Boycott" day when all we were supposed to do was not BUY gas on that day, but not necessarily consume any less. It just never made any sense.
Do you have any good historical sources to directly compare the average retail price of gas to the price of crude oil? I tried gasbuddy but was only able to get data going back 6 years.
San Diego is stable now at a low of $3.15 per gallon. Premium is $3.35 at most of the ARCO stations in my area.
The other post was moved btw:
johnny4016, "What will you do when gas price rises above $4/ gallon?" #72, 10 Apr 2007 1:34 pm
Anyone got gas prices to report? It was $2.75 for regular in Boise earlier this week (forgot to check tonight when I was cruising around).
Higher though in WV and MD. One Shell station just off the interstate (in MD I think) was selling diesel for $3.25! Ouch!