gasoline prices - Page 16

jon1856 · #**226** 05-19-2008, 08:27 AM

Following are some web sites that can be of some help in finding lower priced gas in your area:
http://gasprices.mapquest.com/index.jsp
http://autos.msn.com/everyday/gasstations.aspx
http://gasbuddy.com/
http://www.gaspricewatch.com/new/default_V3.asp
From:
12 ways to find cheaper gas

With gas prices stuck in the stratosphere, you can save hundreds of dollars a year by using these tips and tricks to buy your gas for less.
http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com...dCheapGas.aspx

Coramoor · #**227** 05-19-2008, 11:55 AM

I remember reading how a large part of the increase in the cost of gas is due to the weak dollar. A barrel of oil is still worth the same amount when set against gold as it was a few years ago.

The devalue of the dollar, due to stupid policies like bailing out homeowners that made irresponsible decisions and bought houses they couldn't afford (for example), is causing this increase.

It had some other examples...but I can't be bothered to try and find the article. Once again I'll just blame the democrats and their unsound fiscal policies driving the dollar into the ground.

KatieKate1244 · #**228** 05-19-2008, 12:32 PM

Gas prices have actually dropped here a bit. They hit $3.95 and stayed put for a few days, went down to $3.91, and now it's down to $3.85. My dad thinks it will drop a little bit more before Memorial Day, and it will suddenly jump to over $4.00.

texas*princess · #**229** 05-19-2008, 12:43 PM

I saw gas at a nearby station for $3.67!!!

(Is it sad that $3.66 is a bargain for regular unleaded?)

nate2512 · #**230** 05-19-2008, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coramoor

I remember reading how a large part of the increase in the cost of gas is due to the weak dollar. A barrel of oil is still worth the same amount when set against gold as it was a few years ago.

The devalue of the dollar, due to stupid policies like bailing out homeowners that made irresponsible decisions and bought houses they couldn't afford (for example), is causing this increase.

It had some other examples...but I can't be bothered to try and find the article. Once again I'll just blame the democrats and their unsound fiscal policies driving the dollar into the ground.

That is correct, when the dollar weakens in global markets the price of oil goes up because oil is traded in strictly American dollars. Thats not the only reason oil prices are so high though. OPEC says they are producing enough oil to meet global demand, and they won't increase it because they are basically punished America. A while back, when oil was about $20/barrel, OPEC and the US were working on a deal to increase middle eastern oil production which would have meant billions of more dollars for OPEC, well before the deal was done, far eastern countries struck oil and the US went there to get the rest of the oil needs and oil plummeted to $10/barrel. So OPEC wasn't happy about that and now they're hammering us for it.

jon1856 · #**231** 05-19-2008, 01:26 PM

Just read this story in AutoWeek. Interesting observation on Federal "Gas Tax":
Kevin A. Wilson

Pounding the pavement
I was going to toss in my two cents on the gasoline-tax summer-holiday idea advocated by two of the presidential candidates, but you know what? They're U.S. senators, paid to lead, legislate and cast votes. So if the idea was more than pandering for votes, we'd see a bill in Congress with their names on it. It takes longer to pass and implement such legislation than to fill the starting grid at Indy.

Forget a Memorial Day-to-Labor Day tax cut. Ask instead, why is there a federal gasoline tax? It's not just a tool for managing the economy or reducing emissions or oil consumption. The tax, established in 1956, goes into the federal Highway Trust Fund so we have money to build and maintain roads (a tiny portion goes to mass transit).......
http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dl...8/newsletter01

kstar · #**232** 05-19-2008, 01:45 PM

This is what is bugging me more than anything:

When gas prices were rising when Clinton was in office, he released some of the federal oil reserves, lowering the price. It actually ended up making the gov. some money, as he then turned around and bought them back at the now lower price. Why hasn't Bush done this? Oh yeah, he likes his oil buddies having record profits.

nate2512 · #**233** 05-19-2008, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kstar

This is what is bugging me more than anything:

When gas prices were rising when Clinton was in office, he released some of the federal oil reserves, lowering the price. It actually ended up making the gov. some money, as he then turned around and bought them back at the now lower price. Why hasn't Bush done this? Oh yeah, he likes his oil buddies having record profits.

It's a quick fix, it'd work for a couple of weeks, but then they would cut it off, or run out, and you're right back where you started. There are two ways to fix the problem, the dollar must strengthen in the global market, or OPEC has to agree to produce more oil per day.

ETA: We have stopped putting oil in the reserve, but you see it hasn't helped at all.

jon1856 · #**234** 05-21-2008, 02:09 PM

Found this in AAA's Car and Travel Magazine today-Could be of interest for those who are currently filling up with Hi-Test:
Why Pay for Premium Gas?
Do you spend $200 every year on octane that you don’t need?
To rein in budget-busting gas prices, maybe you need look no further than the button you press to pick a grade at the pump. If you usually fill up with highpriced, high-octane gas, you could save $6 or more per fill-up by switching to good old 87-octane regular. You’ll notice a difference in your credit card statement, but probably not in the way your car behaves.
According to AAA’s most recent statewide Fuel Gauge Report, premium gas costs 31 cents more per gallon than regular; midgrade, about 23 cents more. Despite their higher costs in a time of rising overall gas prices, premium and midgrade still account for roughly 17 percent of the market, according to the U.S. Energy Information Agency. Some people opt for higher-octane gas because the owner’s manual tells them to use it in their cars. (Actually, carmakers recommend premium gas for only about 5 percent of all models.) Other folks buy premium because they believe it gives them better mileage or more power. Still, others splurge on an occasional tankful as a treat for their car, much the way you might indulge your dog with a juicy morsel of steak every now and then. Unfortunately, all these reasons will waste your money....
http://carandtravelmagazine.com/Cara...remium_Gas.asp

Benzgirl · #**235** 05-21-2008, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nate2512

It's a quick fix, it'd work for a couple of weeks, but then they would cut it off, or run out, and you're right back where you started. There are two ways to fix the problem, the dollar must strengthen in the global market, or OPEC has to agree to produce more oil per day.

ETA: We have stopped putting oil in the reserve, but you see it hasn't helped at all.

It will only impact 70,000 barrels per day, which Bush said is too small to make an impact. Not that he knows what he is talking about

TexasWSP · #**236** 05-21-2008, 03:05 PM

He's been around the oil business his entire life. I think he knows what he is talking about concerning it. That is too small to make an impact.

I haven't seen anyone mention anything about refineries.....which, in my opinion, is one of the greatest causes behind the increase in gas prices besides the futures markets and their uncertainty due to the conflict in the Middle East. Refineries used to use a gasoline product called Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether to make cars run cleaner....but it also was a contaminate and was severely affecting water supplies. Now they are using ethanol and it is costing oil/production companies a boat load to switch over.

Even with the recent spikes in oil production, companies can't meed the demands of refineries because of having to produce ethanol. The cost to produce it is being handed to us people. You can thank Congress for that..although their actions were not a bad thing given the circumstances. Now add in state and federal taxes and you get a pretty good idea of why it is so high.

nikki1920 · #**237** 05-21-2008, 03:09 PM

I moved 2 weeks ago. Gas at the station 2 lights from me was $3.48. This morning it was $3.79.

Bush doesnt care about working people and/or their budgets. The economy is not in a slow down, its in a recession. Stop sweating OPEC and find somewhere else to get our oil for gas already. Already my summer plans are greatly reduced because gas is too dayum expensive. How's THAT for economic stimulation?

TexasWSP · #**238** 05-21-2008, 03:28 PM

Actually if you go by the textbook definition of a recession.......I'm pretty sure we aren't in one....at least we weren't last month when someone else mentioned it.

.........and this isn't really aimed at you I guess but, I get so sick and tired of blaming f'ing Bush for gas prices. That is a tool of the completely ignorant and uninformed. "Stop sweating OPEC and find somewhere else to get our oil for gas"??? Take a trip through East Texas, the Gulf of Mexico, Ft. Worth, Wyoming-Colorado-North Dakota, The Marcellus Shale......just to name a few. The oil and gas is there but it takes time, money, and extremely smart individuals to get it. There is oil all over this country.

Tom Earp · #**239** 05-21-2008, 03:34 PM

I love how we acomplian, myself included when European Countrys have paid a much higher price than we have in the USA!

I also wonder why the Oil for Alaska is going to Japan and not us in the USA?

nikki1920 · #**240** 05-21-2008, 03:48 PM

mccallan, Im sure you weren't referencing me. My point is he is acting as if OPEC is the ONLY place we can get oil from. If we have all these places at home where we can get it from, then why is gas so high? Rhetorically (sp?) speaking, of course. I place some of the blame on Bush because he is so closely tied with Big Oil. And I am hardly ignorant nor uninformed. I am going by what my wallet says.