I am laughing my ass off at high gas prices!

[TXlib]

I want to see the national average top $2.50/gallon by summer!

People are getting pissed at Bush because of it, and I'm starting to hear SUV and unnecessary pickup-truck-owners complain about the cost of gas!

Cry me a fuckin' river...

[PROGRESSIVE1]

1. I agree! The high oil prices will also eat up much of those tax.....

cuts that Bush gave and other capital too, slowing the economy and it WILL NOT help with the jobs situation either. Economically,
BUSH IS SCREWED!!!!!!!!!!!!

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[LynzM]

2. Yeah, would maybe start the trend toward smaller

More fuel-efficient cars, which would be nice. We're trading the van for a subara wagon this week, partly because of feeling like we're wasting too much gas...

[VelmaD]

3. Did you catch the news over the weekend...

one of the SUnday morning shows yesterday was trying to push the idea that SUV drivers didn't care about the high gas prices. It was amazing what some of the people they interviewed had to say. I can't figure out how people can be that stupid and self-centered.

[TXlib]

6. What were they saying?

[VelmaD]

18. Mostly that they'd pay whatever they had to for gas...

but they wouldn't dream of getting rid of their SUV. People are stupid.

[LagaLover]

20. Why do you say that?

I have an SUV (small one), and I can afford higher gas prices; so I'm willing to pay them if necessary. It doesn't mean I LIKE them, but I'll pay them.

[VelmaD]

21. Look, I don't want you to take it personally...

but I loathe people who drive SUVs in the city I live in. They pay no attention to the other cars on the road. They drive like maniacs. Most of the time these people who would swear up and down that they "need the room" are in the damn things all alone. They park in spaces marked "compact car only" because they don't want to have to walk a few extra feet. And to top it all off they're helping destroy the environment and are willing junkies in our nation's addiction to oil.

I'm willing to conceed that some people might need an SUV in some parts of the country. But they are pointless overconsumption for most people.

When there's a "gas crisis" the response of a sane individual is to purchase a more fuel-efficient car.

[LagaLover]

22. Wow ! What an amazing stereotype

Substitute Black or Asian for SUV driver and you'll see my point.

Second point, there is no "gas crisis." You're engaging in hyperbole.

Lastly, how am I insane if I purchase a commodity I can still afford even if it becomes a bit more expensive? If gasoline becomes too dear, I may change my driving habits or modes of transportation. Until then it would be stupid of me to buy another car right now just to save $5.00 on a tank of gas.

[VelmaD]

25. First, I am talking about people I'm in traffic with EVERY DAY

That's why I limited my remarks to people who drive SUVs where I live.

Second, the average price of gas in the US is the highest it has EVER been. Much higher than in the 1970s - the last time we had a "gas crisis". If that ain't a crisis what the hell is?

Lastly, just because you can afford to buy something doesn't mean that buying it is the right thing to do. SUVs are not good for the planet. Cars in general aren't good but SUVs are worse because of their ridiculously low gas mileage.

My real issue with the people in the aforementioned news reports was that they were willing to pay "whatever" it cost no matter how high gas prices got. And the news media was pushing this idea as the norm. Gee, I wonder if maybe they're in big oil's pocket and are pushing this idea so that people keep on buying expensive, gas-guzzling behemoths rather than smaller, more fuel-efficient cars like they did back in the 70s.

[LagaLover]

28. Yes, ALL of them are that way, right?

It's a blatant stereotype that is only "acceptable" because it targets SUV drivers.

The average price of gasoline is NOT the highest it's ever been when adjusted for inflation.

And my SUV gets as good as or better gas mileage than many cars.

[VelmaD]

34. Which cars?

Cause if you're talking a Lincoln or Cadillac land-yacht, well, I have issues with the people who drive those too.

And are you sure about the price of gas...they said the average was the highest ever on several news reports over the weekend. If you've got evident that it has been higher when adjusted for inflation I'd like to see it.

Finally, I'm gonna say this one more time, you can call it a stereotype all you want, but my initial post referred to specific behavior that I see on my commute every morning here in Austin. I drive a small car and there are people in SUVs and pickup trucks who pay NO attention to the cars around them. I can no longer keep track of the number of times I have nearly been hit. (Good thing I drive a small car with good handling and brakes or I would be dead.) I can go up into my agency's parking garage right this second and count the number of SUVs parked in the "compact car only" spaces if you'd like. They put those spaces there for a couple of reasons - so that behemoths are not parked where they obscure the view on corners, and on the side of the garage that is narrower so that there is plenty of room for drivers to fit between the two rows of parked vehicles...but people pay no attention and park SUVs in them anyway and create hazardous conditions that lead to regular accidents. And all so they don't have to walk a few extra feet to get to the elevators.

[TXlib]

61. Hey VelmaD...

There ARE some fairly efficient, smaller SUVs. Sure, they're no Prius or Insight, but they're comparable to a minivan or better.

Second, Lagalover is correct about the price of gasoline, inflation-adjusted, being less than during the gas crises of previous decades. I've heard that from many sources, including NPR.

[VelmaD]

63. Kewl...

I kept hearing about the average price being "the highest in history" over the weekend without a whole lot of background info being provided.

And saying that an SUV has comparable gas mileage to a minivan ain't saying much.

[TXlib]

64. It is the highest NOMINAL price in history

Our Toyota Sienna (2002 model) gets 19-20 mpg. My Toyota Camry (also 2002) gets about 27-28 mpg.

The Sienna ain't that bad. :)

[Kathy in Cambridge]

35. That stereotype has a big kernel of truth-you're right!

I live in a city with narrow streets that were built on 17th-century cow paths. I have seen SUVs get stuck on many one way streets with parking on both sides. I have also seen some of the WORST driving behavior from SUV drivers (and in Boston, aggressive driving is commonplace among all drivers).

The guy who owns my local gas station hates SUVs because they aren't subject to the emissions standards of regular cars. Maybe the DUer defending his SUV driving habit doesn't care about the environment and the future damage that his children and grandchildren will have to deal with. That's the American way I guess. We're selfish consumers living in our own worlds before citizens living in a community.

[Skittles]

43. LOL, those gas hoggers sure get defensive, huh?

:D

[northzax]

52. um, Velma? not it isn't

the Average prive of Gasoline in the US is roughly 1.85 or so right now. Adjust for inflation and the gas prices of the seventies get us a lot closer to 3.50 a gallon. And the purchasing power of the average american family is higher than in the seventies. So really gas is significantly off of the highs.

Of course, if you don't factor in inflation, then the price of almost everything is higher than it's ever been.

[VelmaD]

65. hang on...

I thought wages had been stagnant or even gone down after adjusting for inflation over the last couple of decades.

[Donkeyboy75]

86. That's true,

but there are many more two-income families...so purchasing power for families has increased.

[Bog Frog]

26. "substitute black or asian" -- BS.

Velma's right. SUV drivers in my town, too, are by and large overly aggressive assholes.

I wouldn't deny anyone the right to drive the vehicle of his or her choice. But if you drive an SUV you'd better inure yourself to my criticism, because AFAIC, unless you are towing a boat every trip or carrying a large brood every trip, you deserve to be criticized.

And maybe there isn't a gas crisis, but by God there is a crisis in this country today. There are several and they all started on 1/20/01.

[LagaLover]

29. So it's okay to stereotype

some groups, but not others...I see your logic there.

I AM inured to your criticism, I'll drive what I damn well please.

[Bog Frog]

33. Of course it's okay to stereotype. For chrissakes -- give me a break.

:eyes: Show me where I stereotyped anyone. I said SUV drivers in my town by and large are aggressive assholes. If anything it's a generalization, yet it is based on the facts of my experience. Now generalizations aren't good, granted, but you don't live in my town, do you? You don't drive 1.5 hours one way every day in a Tercel, surrounded by Behemoths who think nothing of cutting you off, do you? Do you realize what danger we small-car owners drive in every day because we're surrounded by these mofo environmentally-ignorant tanks?

[Kathy in Cambridge]

37. That's a stretch, pal

there's been no prejudice or legislation aimed at SUV drivers. You get special dispensation on emissions standards and special tax write-offs if you own a business.

Comparing the enmity toward SUV drivers to institutional racism is ludicrous. Apparently, you don't know much history.

[Red State Rebel]

59. Hot dog! Another SUV Owner who refuses to be intimidated!

I thought I was all alone here :). (It would really tick them off to know that my gas is paid for by our business so it's an expense write off.)

[VelmaD]

60. Oh please...

I'm sure the SUV driver who tried to run me into oncoming traffic on Saturday afternoon because he didn't like my bumperstickers was feeling really intimidated.

[Red State Rebel]

66. I am a careful driver...

Driving my Suburban is like driving a big blue school bus. I use my mirrors, I don't cut people off and I don't tailgate. Where we live is semi-rural so there usually isn't any really bad traffic. There are a lot of trucks and SUV's around here because there are lots of hills and in bad weather, you won't go anywhere.

We are at the 2nd highest elevation in the state where the Ozark Mountains begin - 45 minutes from downtown, there is a road about a mile away that on a clear day gives me a view of the St. Louis Arch.

When the weather is bad, we are on a list at the closest hospital to help bring in Nurses and Doctors who can't get to work in the snow.

Stereotyping SUV drivers is just silly.

[VelmaD]

67. Like I said in an earlier post...

I'm from the country originally and I understand that in some locales an SUV makes sense. Austin, Texas is not one of them. And I did reserve my "stereotype" for the wanna-be urban commandos who drive their SUVs like maniacs here in Austin.

[Coventina]

32. You are comparing ethnicity with consumer choice?!?!?!?!?

Give me a fucking break!

I think any scientist will tell you that people cannot change their DNA but they damn well can change their purchasing habits.
Geeeeez!
:eyes:

Boo - hoo! Let's all feel sorry for the poor, discriminated-against SUV drivers! Maybe we should pass some kind of law that makes it illegal to either criticize or make fun of them.
Boo-hoo-hoo! It's so tragic the way they are treated.
:cry: :cry: :cry:

[LagaLover]

38. No, I'm not.

I'm saying that stereotyping ANY group is wrong. You can't apply the specific behavior of a few individuals to a general population. Well, you can, but that is stereotyping, and is not normally seen as accurate (at the individual level) nor appropriate. That's what the poster did.

[Bog Frog]

40. "That's what the poster did." -- Again: Wrong.

VelmaD did not "apply the specific behavior of a few individuals to a general population."

She described the specific behavior of a specific group of people: "people who drive SUVs in the city (she lives) in."

[LagaLover]

42. That's a GENERAL population

unless she actually observed the behavior of every single SUV driver, she can't make that GENERAL statement to the GENERAL population of her area.

[VelmaD]

45. Oh good grief...FINE

My comments are reserved for SUV drivers who commute down North Lamar between 8:00 and 8:30am and 5:30 and 6:00pm. Oh, and SUV drivers who park in the Brown-Heatly parking garage. :eyes:

[LagaLover]

47. And EVERY single one of them

is an aggressive, overbearing driver, right? PLEASE!

[Rabrrrrrr]

58. In the words of the Eternal Sargeant Hulka:

Lighten up, LagaLover.

I think you are very much over-reacting. Criticism of SUV drivers is not the same as racism, calssism, or sexism.

And she never spoke in anything other than generalities - I don't remember her ever uttering an absolutist statement applying to all SUV drivers over all time, past and present.

In general, I've found that the people who drive SUVs in cities are obnoxious asses with no regard for the people around them. That's my truth. I've found that, in general, the ones out in the country KNOW how to drive their machines and are just fine.

Stereotype? I don't think so. It's an observation that *I* have made over the years.

But see, here's how logic works: I said "in general" which means many, but not all, of whatever group I'm talking about that I have observed.

You know what? I'm part of a number of classes that, in general, might be considered obnoxious by some. And when people casually comment off to me that, "Gosh, sure seems like a lot of engineers are shitty spellers" I can say, "Yes, many of them are" even though I spell quite well. And I DON'T say to that person, "Oh, okay, idiot, just replace engineer with BLACK or ASIAN or JEW and then hear how stupid you sound."

That's just dumb.

[TXlib]

68. It is not necessary for every single one of them to be aggressive drivers

in order for the generalisation to be fair.

If a statistically significant correlation exists between SUV/pickup trucks and aggressive driving, then it fits.

Now, I have not done a scientific study, but I have definitely noticed that SUV drivers (especially those in the behemoths, like Suburbans) and pickup truck drivers (like the F-250/350 and equivalent) tend to drive poorly and/or aggressively.

It tends to stand to reason that they would do so, since I imagine that those who know they are poor drivers would prefer to be in a larger vehicle in case they're in an accident. Also, I suspect that people prone to road rage gravitate towards larger vehicles, or perhaps being in a larger vehicle gives the driver a sense of invulnerability that leads to more aggressive driving.

Interestingly, I have also noticed that minivan drivers do not tend to be as aggressive as drivers of other similarly-sized vehicles; their aggressivity seems similar to that of normal-sized cars (like a Camry or smaller). I attribute this to the increased chance that small children are on board, so the driver is being careful.

You seem to be reacting to the statements made by Velma and others as if they are claiming that ALL SUV drivers are assholes. They certainly are not, but when I see them in traffic, experience has taught me to assume they are unless proven otherwise.

[politicat]

36. That is NOT all of us. Please don't tar us all with the same brush.

We have an SUV. I want to trade it in, but a) I can't afford another car payment, and this is paid off; b) it was purchased when we were a family of 6 and needed to be able to carry 6 people, 4 of which were taller than 5'7". Now we're not a family of 6 anymore, but things change. C) Our other car is as efficient as we could buy, and that's what we use primarily. D) we really do have land up in the mountains (inherited) that we can't get to without a vehicle with 18 inches of clearance and 4WD. Selling the land is not an option - it's in open-space trust and a sale could endanger that. But we have to be able to get up there and clean out brush, etc.....

We also drive it very, very carefully. We realize that we can't see as well as another, lower vehicle. We use mirrors, dim our lights when we're behind little cars, etc..... And we never park any place we can't pull through - thus, we park out in the hinterlands exclusively. (I hate backing it up.)

I am a sane individual - I also know my limitations. The gas savings will not make up for the new car payment and the higher insurance rates. Believe me, when I sell a book and have some ready cash, I'll definitely trade Beastie in. But until then, we have to live with what we have.

I realize for most people, they're status symbols (ours isn't - it's old, rusty, beat up outside (kept in perfect tune inside) but for us, it's what we're stuck with.

We've got 1500 of the 2000 we need to have the engine replaced with a diesel engine, and when we do, it will be a biodiesel engine.

Pcat

[VelmaD]

41. If all drivers, not just SUV drivers, were like you...

I wouldn't feel so scared sometimes during my morning commute. :-) You seem like someone who drives with consideration for other people on the road and unfortunately a lot of the people I am stuck in traffic with are not considerate.

Like I said in my initial post, for some people SUVs are a necessity. Hell, I grew up out in the country. I just don't think most suburbanites need one to toodle around town in.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

4. Send this to them...

I wanted to insert another image between the second and the third, to reflect your last sentence, but I decided not to.

[Bog Frog]

9. " I wanted to insert another image" LOL

good thing you didn't :)

[Rabrrrrrr]

57. Took me a few moments, but I got it!

Very clever! My hat's off to you for that one.

:cheers:

[MSgt213]

5. I'm not I got a fucking Dodge Drango!@!

[TXlib]

7. Sell it and buy a Toyota Prius (~50 mpg)

[GOPisEvil]

8. That's not an option for some people.

First, there's a waiting list for the Prius.
Second, some people need the space.

But, even if I needed an SUV for some reason, I would have read my Consumer Reports and found out that the Durango is a thirsty vehicle. Worst fuel economy in its class, I believe.

[dolo amber]

53. And third

Prius's are hideously ugly. Buy a Civic Hybrid instead. ;)

:P

[TXlib]

69. You're joking!

I am not a car man at all, but the Prius is one sexy vehicle.

[Dying Eagle]

12. well as a union man

I suggest you buy cars made in America

[GOPisEvil]

13. Like a Honda, Toyota, BMW, Mercedes...

...of course there are GM cars, Fords and Chryslers made in Canada and Mexico...

[LagaLover]

15. Like many other Toyota's right?

N

[Bog Frog]

16. Ford's building a hybrid Escape -- they licensed Toyota's technology.

But I still wouldn't buy an American-name car. Not because I don't support unions, but because other cars are better. Moreover many foreign-name cars are in fact built in the USA by Americans. Those cars don't count?

[Bog Frog]

11. Congratulations!

You probably leave it running when your wife runs into the post office & grocery store "real quick," too, don't you? I can hear you whining now: "It uses more gas to turn it off & on!" "It's chilly; I need the heater!" "It's hot out; I need the A/C!" :eyes:

[LagaLover]

10. You know, higher gas prices

don't really hurt many SUV drivers...I drive a small SUV and can afford higher gas prices. But they DO hurt many who are living pay check to pay check driving their Ford Escorts to and from work. Yeah, let's all yuck it up as the poor pay more for their gasoline.

[Kathy in Cambridge]

39. It's not how much u pay. It's how much more you CONSUME

and thus drive the world faster toward oil depletion.

You can drive your SUV, but don't pretend that the ramifications aren't hurting the environment and everyone else. That's hypocrisy.

[Guy_Montag]

14. Correct me if I'm wrong...

175 cents per gallon (US)
= 46 cents per litre
= 26 pence (UK) per litre.

We pay 77 pence (UK) that's $1.39 or a litre for fuel.
Or $5.33 per gallon (US)

Makes me think if I need to drive or should walk or cycle instead.

Actually I normally walk or cycle because my car keeps breaking down, and we do live in a smaller country - having said that 26p a litre. WOW and people complain about that.



Actually my car always breaking down makes me walk or cycle,

[trotsky]

17. Just wait...

It's my theory big oil is jacking up the prices now so they can slash them come October, maybe even take a hit for their back-pocket boy.

[elfwitch]

19. I have an idea (only partial sarcasm here)

How about gas prices on a scale based on MPG.
If you drive a low MPG fuel efficient car, your gas costs less per gallon. If you drive a low MPG gas guzzler car, you gas costs more per gallon.

That might cut down on the wasteful pleasure cruises and single passenger commutes made by H2s and Lincoln Navigators.

Or then maybe it wouldn't.

[Book Lover]

55. I think you'd have to

factor in size of gas tank and what mods, if any, have been done to the car. Also, you don't get the same MPG on the same car all the time. My suggestion is biofuels. There are biofuels that can go into your engine right now with no mods, and all we have to do is keep on growing the (non-Frankenfood!) corn...

[Lizz612]

72. I don't want to start a fight

But there have been questions raised about the efficency and water usage of even the best ethanol plants. I can't cite any sources off the top of my head, but there have been significant changes in the water tables around ethanol plants.

[Book Lover]

73. I'm not here to fight either :-)

I had no idea about water tables being affected. And of course, that's never mentioned in Car & Driver or Autoweek. I'll be looking into it. Thanks.

[Lizz612]

74. Thanks

Your right, C&D would never mention anything about a water table! :hi:

[Fleshdancer]

23. I agree

Americans pay less than half of what Europeans pay for gas and I never understood why.

Here's a question...today (in Austin) I passed a gas station where the diesel fuel was cheaper than the regular unleaded. Is it just me, or is that odd? Isn't diesel normally a little higher than reg. unleaded or am I just flat out wrong?

[LagaLover]

24. Easy. Europeans

tax the HELL out of gasoline.

[VelmaD]

27. Yup, and use the revenues...

to help maintain some of the best mass transit systems in the world.

[LagaLover]

30. Yep,

very efficient mass transit in Germany when i lived there. Not so much in the UK.

[LynzM]

48. I miss that

German public transportation rocks!

[Kellanved]

31. Diesel is cheaper

It is not as refined, even if equally taxed, it should be cheaper than regular.
As for European prices: the taxes on fuel are higher and each tax is used as an excuse to raise the price even higher (i.e. 5 cent tax increase => 10 cent price increase).
However cars tend to be smaller, more efficient and less frequent. Distances are not as long, public transportation is better (near cities that is; it's a catastrophe in rural areas but Farmers get their fuel untaxed). Even in the IMHO most car-oriented European nation, Germany, a car is far less important, both in a practical and a symbolical sense, than in the US.

[Skittles]

44. UM - GLORIA

they get far more services for their taxes than we do. I cannot hop on a bus and get it to take me anywhere regularly. And when people in Europe spend $4000 at the dentist like I did last year, maybe I will sympathize with their higher gas prices.

[Susang]

78. $4000?!?!

Skittles, you need to kick your insurance company's ass!

Oh yeah, and to avoid all these high gas prices, just buy a nice little Honda scooter like I have. It gets 100 mpg on the average and since it's a four stroke engine, it's extremely non-polluting, both in terms of noise and air pollution. Plus, it's a helluva lot of fun to ride! :-)

[Spider Jerusalem]

75. Diesel fuel is, usually, a little more expensive;

this is because diesel is more highly taxed than gasoline, since them primary consumers of diesel fuel are trucks, which cause much more wear and tear on the roads than cars, by and large. Hence, it makes some sense for that to be reflected in the relative rates of taxation.

[MissMillie]

46. Even those who drive economy cars are hurt

Please don't laugh too hard. I drive a Toyota Corolla and get better than 30 mpg, but I drive 90 miles a day. It'd be nice to live closer to work, but it's just not an option given the rents of the Boston suburbs (heck, even in Boston proper).

My rent went up 30% this year, and now gas prices... not to mention that I haven't received any child support in 2 months.

Rising gas prices effects even those of us who try to conserve.

[northzax]

54. of course they are, in fact they are hurt more

SUV's are conspicuous consumption. What better way to advertise your wealth, or supposed wealth, to the joneses then by not caring that gas has doubled in price?

The people who are living closest to the margians are the ones who really get hurt, and those people are much more likely to be driving a used corrola than a Durango.

It will take time, and a lot of money, to wean this country off of cars, and it is the poor and the lower middle class who will get hurt the most in the process, those who cannot afford to live near their jobs, those who HAVE to drive.

[TXlib]

71. Can't I sympathise with your plight while simultaneously

laughing my ass off at freeper coworkers who bought unnecessary bigass SUVs last year, and are now whining at the price of gas?

[tsakshaug]

49. I wish I did not have to drive

A few years ago I could walk to work, or when I lived in Boston, take the T walk or bus. Now my wife and I can carpool some days. I have to move between two buildings during the day (about 3 miles one way) so I use my bike to do that (is it ethical to charge milage if using a bike?

[TheMightyFavog]

50. I know this...

When I move to Stevens Point this fall, I'll probably ony use my Cutlass Ciera SL for going home for the weekend of for longer road trips. For getting to and from class, I'll go pick up a nice used bicycle. (The husband of one of the professors here refurbishes old bikes for the exchange students, and I know I can get a decent ride for under thirty bucks.

[redqueen]

51. Did everyone see Jon Stewart's map

showing which countries paid more for gasoline than the US?

I love Jon Stewart. :loveya:

[Shananigans]

56. What about those who can't afford to drive then???

Not all cities have reliable public transportation. Look at Minneapolis, our transit union has been on strike for over a month now.

The gas crunch doesn't harm the middle or upper classes except to take a few extra bucks out of their pocket every week or so. Whoopdidoo...that means they have to cut out ONE stop a week at Caribou or Dunn Brothers coffee. Not a big thing.

But think about the poor that DEPEND on their cars to get to work at their minimum wage job. The higher the gas prices, the less money they make to support their families, the more chances of them ending back up on welfare.

I just wonder what these people are supposed to do....any ideas?

[Triple H]

62. I'm poor and can't afford a damn thing.

I don't own a car. I walk everywhere I go. :) So what's wrong with a little exercise?

I'm in MN also, but I don't live in the Twin Cities. I live in the country, so I can't really say what one should do about the public transportation strike. The strike is hurting those who have to travel, let's say 2 or more miles to work.

Is there any way one can carpool?

[bif]

70. Yeah, it's real funny

I commute about 80 miles a day round trip to work. It's hilarious!

[Rabrrrrrr]

76. Maybe this is a good, first chink the wall of oil-addiction falling down

and bringing back the age of excessive public transportation, rail transport, and an initiative toward developing higher efficiency fuel sources, high efficiency fuel burners, and bringing America back to a more environmentally friendly world-view.

[Lisa]

77. my Prius-owning friends called me up to gloat ...

Apparently they drove out of town last weekend and only used 2 gallons of gas. I pointed out that I don't own a car -- and they said that they just had to tell SOMEBODY, and everyone else they know is tired of listening to them going on about how great their Prius is!

But seriously -- they are very happy with it, and always have people coming up to them asking how it runs. Some of the local taxi companies also have them. One driver/owner was so excited that he forgot to activate the meter, he was so busy pointing out all the special features to my co-worker. (Who gave him a big tip anyway, because he was so enthusiastic.)

[gold_bug]

79. I feel sorry for couriers

and other people who need to drive for their job. I mean the contracted people who use their own vehicles for delivery.

[Dunedain]

80. I'm not

I commute to work. One hundred and fifty miles round trip.
It's a choice I made, I know. After doing this for three years now, I'm looking for ways to change that.
It's pinching everybody though.
To me, what your saying is cutting off ones' nose to spite your face.

[solinvictus]

81. 2001 Chevy Metro LSI

Let 'em rise, I get over 25 MPG city and 35 MPG highway.

[RPM]

82. I was too, but....

...now I am worried that the Public Transit in Pittsburgh will run out funding sooner. (sigh).... if only it were so easy.

[solinvictus]

83. Yep

It kills me how cost prohibitive it can be to own and maintain a car, yet public transportation is non existent in some cities.

[RPM]

84. cost prohibitve

I hear you. My fiance and I made the commitment to be a one car family. We bought a home where it's 2 or 3 blocks to the bus stop(depending on which way you go) and a 4 block walk to the grocery. We feel incredibly fortunate to be able to afford the house as it is in a pretty nice neighborhood; but ultimately it was down to we either spend $50k more on a house, or we become a two car family. Seeing as the house will likely appreciate and the second car never would, it was a no-brainer.

Still is sad - so many co-workers wonder how we 'manage' on one car.

I wish the gas tax revenues could be unlocked for transit, instead of more highways... but thats an issue for another night.

[Tweek]

85. It sucks!