The only place in the US that I can think of that has a mass transit system that works is New York, but then again, I have never used it so I can say it's 100% true.

I didn't think that was correct. Did a google on it and this is what I found: www.fiscalpolicy.org/FPI%202005%20NYC%20Budget%20Briefing.doc

• Since the Governor's Budget failed to sufficiently fund the $27.6B 2005-2009 MTA capital plan (and the MTA operating budget faces sizable deficits), the City might have to "bail the agency out".

• Because the safety and reliability of the transit system is too important to leave in the hands of the Governor, the City should take the lead in building support for increasing the existing dedicated transit taxes or in identifying new dedicated revenue sources to adequately fund the MTA operating budget and 2005-2009 capital program.

• Fares already cover a higher proportion of operating expenses than in any other mass transit system in the U.S. Transit riders in NYC pay 53% of operating costs; in Chicago, 42%, in Boston, 29%, and in Los Angeles, 27%.

There is a whole lot more transit budget info in that doc file if you care.

Hey DK. You were close, $26,000. When you also place a monetary value of time saved per week (5 hours) while in the carpool lane, maintenance on the Caddy, replacement 20inch tires, (at least two sets) the $3200 IRS hybrid tax credit, I about break even at $3.50 a gallon. That is considering no battery replacement and zero dollars for trade-in value after five years.

I just drove by Chevron and it was $3.56 for premiuim. Texaco had it at $3.53.

The Prius is disposable. I'll be able to keep the SUV to tow the Z for many more years now.

Go by the nearest Walmart, Kmart, J.C.Penneys, etc., and grab a couple of discarded mannequins(or mexicans), and stick them in the Caddy. That puts you back in the H.O.V. lane again. Just trying to help you out.

DK

Nobody likes paying high prices for fuel but what REALLY gets me mad is when a servo advertises standard unleaded at, say, $1.10 ltr. in the morning and $1.30 ltr. that afternoon, without having had the underground tanks topped up. It's the same fuel so how can the increase be justified ?????????

Its justified because they have to use the money they earn on that tank of fuel to buy the next tank full, so gas is priced not according to what they paid for it, but what its replacement is going to cost when the tank is empty.

Oil companies only make about an 8% profit margin, which is about the lowest of any industry. Profits are at a record high, but thats because the crude prices are, they still are getting a small return on their investment. Ultimately, its the shareholders that are getting those record profits, and the majority of share holders are mutual funds and retirement funds.

As for mileage, I drive my C6, as it gets better mileage than the datsun and is much more comfortable ( no heat or air in the Z).

In reality though, is $10-20 more per week really gonna kill you?

Is $10-20 more per week really gonna kill me ?????

If I was earning the sort of money oil company executives do I'd say no but anyone on a Veteran's, Aged or Disability pension, couples on a single wage etc. find it increasingly difficult to make ends meet.

Rick.

:devious: :devious:

Man i went to the gas station on my way home yesterday and asked for 5 dollers worth of gas, he farted and gave me a receipt

Man i went to the gas station on my way home yesterday and asked for 5 dollers worth of gas, he farted and gave me a receipt

Rick, I don't know how it is down under, but I expect worse than here, but our government in the US gets more than 2 and a half times as much revenue out of every gallon of gas than the oil companies do.

Its justified because they have to use the money they earn on that tank of fuel to buy the next tank full, so gas is priced not according to what they paid for it, but what its replacement is going to cost when the tank is empty.

I disagree. This is a result of "peak demand" as percieved by the station dictating the price. It's common in CA for stations to stick it to consumers.

Oil companies only make about an 8% profit margin, which is about the lowest of any industry. Profits are at a record high, but thats because the crude prices are, they still are getting a small return on their investment. ...snip...

May I ask where you learned that number? According to Popular Mechanics, I believe it was the February 2006 issue (I will research that one) the actual COST of refining a gallon of regular from crude is $1.25. That's a much bigger difference than 8%.

In reality though, is $10-20 more per week really gonna kill you?

It's not a question of $10-20 a week going to kill me, it's the reasoning that over my lifetime, using your numbers, I will be paying something like ($20X52weeksX50years) $52000 MORE than I have to, as well as my wife, as well as EVERY DRIVER in the nation. If that's not gouging, I guess I don't know what is. I, for one, have MANY other things I could do with that extra $52000!!

...snip...Rick, I don't know how it is down under, but I expect worse than here, but our government in the US gets more than 2 and a half times as much revenue out of every gallon of gas than the oil companies do.

I would also like to know where you get that number. The numbers haven't changed in CA since 2002, but I don't know if they have for other states: http://www.gaspricewatch.com/usgastaxes.asp

In CA, Fed taxes are only $0.18 per gallon. The state tacks on almost $0.51per gallon: http://www.energy.ca.gov/gasoline/statistics/gas_taxes_by_state_2002.html

So, from a $3.36 price, the government (state and fed) get $0.69, it costs $1.25 to refine it, so out of the $1.42 left, the company pays for distribution, salaries, health benefits, and retirement plans and don't forget about exploration for more oil. I guess the stock price helps out a LOT with the last one...

I would also like to know where you get that number. The numbers haven't changed in CA since 2002, but I don't know if they have for other states: http://www.gaspricewatch.com/usgastaxes.asp

In CA, Fed taxes are only $0.18 per gallon. The state tacks on almost $0.51per gallon: http://www.energy.ca.gov/gasoline/statistics/gas_taxes_by_state_2002.html

So, from a $3.36 price, the government (state and fed) get $0.69, it costs $1.25 to refine it, so out of the $1.42 left, the company pays for distribution, salaries, health benefits, and retirement plans and don't forget about exploration for more oil. I guess the stock price helps out a LOT with the last one...

ok, maybe revenue was a bad word, I meant profit. Its all profit for the government, whereas the oil company does have the costs you mentioned and others.

Here is one of the places I have read about it, there are so many, I can't site a single source though.

Here is one place I have read about it.

http://boortz.com/nuze/200604/04262006.html

its been a compilation of reading and radio reports.

If it's so expensive, you'd think people would slow down. It works, Really! But then one can only take so many middle fingers. And, I don't see many people walking, or riding a bike. I'm actually doing both on occasion. So, Either way I still see the middle one. Lets see,three Z's, a '74 blazer(10mpg), and an '83 Madza B2000(orig owner/31mpg), which one do you think I drive?

Oh, I forgot, International 9100(5.6mpg), ouch. I hurt like everyone else.

If it's so expensive, you'd think people would slow down. It works, Really! But then one can only take so many middle fingers. And, I don't see many people walking, or riding a bike. I'm actually doing both on occasion. So, Either way I still see the middle one. Lets see,three Z's, a '74 blazer(10mpg), and an '83 Madza B2000(orig owner/31mpg), which one do you think I drive?

Oh, I forgot, International 9100(5.6mpg), ouch. I hurt like everyone else.

This is what happens when you slow down and go the speed limit, at least in atlanta, where noone does. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5366552067462745475&q=speed+limit

Its worth watching. It was done by some georgia tech students for their film festival, its what happens when a group of cars all go 55.