tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18675105.post3352529904960991879..comments2023-12-30T10:06:37.450+00:00Comments on HousingPANIC - The Housing Bubble Blog with an Attitude Problem, 2005 - 2008: $5 gas is on the way. So will you be changing your driving habits? Or cutback on other spending to make up the difference?bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06585266242070350399noreply@blogger.comBlogger116125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18675105.post-47886575790497671732008-05-19T01:19:00.000+01:002008-05-19T01:19:00.000+01:00"Get rid of those huge cars with huge engines. You..."Get rid of those huge cars with huge engines. You don't need a v6 or a v8 to drive to work."<BR/><BR/>I see this particular comment repeated wherever possible under gas related articles. The problems with it are so obvious, I have to assume that the intent of the message is purely to be snide and antagonistic.<BR/><BR/>I'll state the two problems anyway:<BR/><BR/>1) Not everyone can afford to buy a new or more fuel efficient car. New and fuel efficient cars cost tens of thousands of dollars. A credit card is not a solution, as it actually increases the total cost of acquisition, and only merely spreads the huge cost over several months. Out of the question for most people.<BR/><BR/>2) Not everyone owns a specialty car purely for the sake of status. Believe it or not, people do use trucks and even SUVs for their intended purposes.<BR/><BR/>-LamAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18675105.post-11702371356417735112008-05-18T23:29:00.000+01:002008-05-18T23:29:00.000+01:00This oil bubble,,just like real estate and the Dot...This oil bubble,,just like real estate and the DotCom, is going to pop very very soon. <BR/>It's unsustainable. When the price of gas starts looking like a joke,,,just like the stocks and the houses....it's a bubble.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18675105.post-8249600700606155232008-05-18T21:46:00.000+01:002008-05-18T21:46:00.000+01:00To anyone trying to save gas by leaving the AC off...To anyone trying to save gas by leaving the AC off and instead opening the car windows:<BR/><BR/>That works until about 40 mph. After that the engine works harder to overcome the increased aerodynamic resistance then it would running an air conditioner with the windows closed.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18675105.post-84435421210674054122008-05-18T21:15:00.000+01:002008-05-18T21:15:00.000+01:00To RealtyNice points.But over here 100% of the cab...To Realty<BR/><BR/>Nice points.<BR/>But over here 100% of the cabs are diesel (huge mpg:)) and often work around the clock. And most of them are Mercedes.<BR/>I´ve personally seen cabs with 1 million kms on the clock having their engine opened and serviced for the first time.<BR/>And also, there are a LOT of old mercedes running around on cab duty and in good condition.<BR/>Most engines are 2000 cc diesel. And cab drivers around here are miser when it comes to maintnance costs:)<BR/>My point is that engines changed a lot and it maybe interesting to start looking at alternative cars/engines. You know, you can have a 2 liter engine 4 cyl. with the same power and comparable running life.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18675105.post-820174149457517632008-05-18T14:40:00.000+01:002008-05-18T14:40:00.000+01:00reason for 4.6V8 cabs:1. cheap repair parts and la...reason for 4.6V8 cabs:<BR/><BR/>1. cheap repair parts and labor. Cabs are rolling stocks of parts bins. The OHV engines and related transmissions that have been around for decades already have a supply pipeline in place, whereas the fancy DOHC engines would have to endure higher expense and wait for replacement delivery if something is broken; time is money for taxicab medallion holders (2-3 cab drivers sharing a cab round the clock is common in cities like NYC; utilization rate is key).<BR/><BR/>2. 4.6V8 can have two cylinders not working and still go to work; low compression pressure? no problem. Try that on a 1.6 I4. Higher utilization rate.<BR/><BR/>3. Higher torque, therefore less gear shifting, so less wear on the clutches and torque converters . . . which again translates to higher utilization rate.<BR/><BR/>4. Cab companies can get cars from police auctions. The Crown Vics are popular with the police. <BR/><BR/>5. Taxicabs have higher occupancy rate than average cars, and often times with luggages (often the reason they are hired to begin with) hence more power and especially more torque is helpful.<BR/><BR/>I do seem to have noticed that cab drivers are turning off their engines while waiting in line much more often. So the high gas price is having an effect; I wonder if it's time to invest in car battery and starter stocks :-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18675105.post-69861799535399649382008-05-18T13:28:00.000+01:002008-05-18T13:28:00.000+01:00I've just surfed Ford US website and discovered th...I've just surfed Ford US website and discovered the crwon victoria taxi model.<BR/>My question is:<BR/>WHAT FOR DOES A FUC**NG CAB NEEDS A 4.6 V8 GAS ENGINE?! Are your cities built over montains or something?<BR/>This is part of the problem with energy use in the US. A 4.6 v8 engine to power a simple taxi cab is irrational. A 1.6 or 1.8 4 cyl. engine would do just fine.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18675105.post-28548652853296116762008-05-18T13:12:00.000+01:002008-05-18T13:12:00.000+01:00What about 10 usd a gallon as in europe? Including...What about 10 usd a gallon as in europe? Including some 100% tax. What will you do then? Believe me, the world won't end...<BR/>Get rid of those huge cars with huge engines. You don't need a v6 or a v8 to drive to work.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18675105.post-5794333490233603692008-05-18T07:11:00.000+01:002008-05-18T07:11:00.000+01:00"will you be changing your driving habits? Or cutb..."will you be changing your driving habits? Or cutback on other spending to make up the difference?"<BR/>Neither. I guess I’ll be dipping into principle a little.<BR/>I get 27mpg combined (40mpg on highway).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18675105.post-42511008981999405852008-05-18T01:33:00.000+01:002008-05-18T01:33:00.000+01:00You are to stupid to be human,May 17, 2008 3:39 PM...You are to stupid to be human,<BR/><BR/>May 17, 2008 3:39 PM<BR/><BR/>----------------<BR/><BR/>Oh the delicious irony of someone incapable of writing properly calling someone else stupid.<BR/><BR/>I hope you aren't <B>TOO</B> confused <B>TO</B> figure out what I mean.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18675105.post-54240318320178976522008-05-17T20:36:00.000+01:002008-05-17T20:36:00.000+01:00We definitely cut back, but not because the actual...We definitely cut back, but not because the actual cost of gas, but because we have lots of service needs and they have gotten very expensive. <BR/>We make good money, but everything is very expensive these days, not just the gas.<BR/>There are some really unhappy, competitive people on the blog, and when Keith asks a simple question, it <BR/>is amazing how upset or boastful people get.<BR/>I heard on a kid's cartoon a few years ago, "Never try to take money from a rich man, because he will mind a lot more than a poor one."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18675105.post-79410567028156223382008-05-17T19:48:00.000+01:002008-05-17T19:48:00.000+01:00.GOT MOTORCYCLE?Great, lets put people who can't d....<BR/><BR/><BR/>GOT MOTORCYCLE?<BR/><BR/><BR/><BR/><BR/>Great, lets put people who can't drive something with 4 wheels on something with 2!<BR/><BR/>Genius!<BR/><BR/><BR/>.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18675105.post-73819348237700796152008-05-17T17:46:00.000+01:002008-05-17T17:46:00.000+01:00Amazing how everyone on HP makes $250K a year and ...Amazing how everyone on HP makes $250K a year and yet has to drive w/o A/C to save some money on gas.<BR/><BR/>Liars, liars, pants on fire.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18675105.post-44844082345895691272008-05-17T17:20:00.000+01:002008-05-17T17:20:00.000+01:00I live about 12 miles away from work and I am modi...I live about 12 miles away from work and I am modifying my driving habits a little. I drive a small car but even so the pinch, while little, is there. <BR/><BR/>If you think it's bad now (and it is) just wait! Why are the gas prices the way they are, you ask? Go to Google and grep up "peak oil" and have a fun read. When you understand about the oil peak aka "peak oil" you will find that everything makes sense while without knowing about nothing makes sense. <BR/><BR/>Are you ready for $5/gallon petrol? That's the next stop and it's not the end of the line. Not on this plane ride!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18675105.post-32940665480550285992008-05-17T15:41:00.000+01:002008-05-17T15:41:00.000+01:00I hope all you fools starve to death. Most brain d...I hope all you fools starve to death. Most brain dead city slickers will when it get bad like in a few months.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18675105.post-36261968302440446112008-05-17T15:39:00.000+01:002008-05-17T15:39:00.000+01:00Sure people love to complain about gas. And if I h...Sure people love to complain about gas. And if I had a choice of course I'd prefer $2 gas instead of $5. But at the end of the day, my life will not be affected by it and neither will the vast majority of people.<BR/><BR/>May 15, 2008 9:02 PM<BR/><BR/><BR/><BR/>You are to stupid to be human,Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18675105.post-3679964024523582472008-05-17T15:36:00.000+01:002008-05-17T15:36:00.000+01:00My bike gets REALLY GOOD gas mileage. For every $1...My bike gets REALLY GOOD gas mileage. For every $1 gas goes up there're less cars on the road which is a good thing from my perspective. Things will get really interesting once we'll face rationing.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18675105.post-3197650755045501072008-05-17T08:34:00.000+01:002008-05-17T08:34:00.000+01:00"%5 gas? big deal, make it $10. If you can't affor..."%5 gas? big deal, make it $10. If you can't afford another $100 or 200 a month, you should not be driving in the first place."<BR/><BR/>Care to elaborate on that point, please? A family that can't handle several hundred dollar increases to the cost of living, doesn't deserve to drive?<BR/><BR/>I'm sorry, but a lot of the posts here seem to be using the crisis as a means to boast about their own personal wealth, hybrids, location, jobs, et al while dismissing anybody else. <BR/><BR/>Most of the people I see and know are cutting back on both their spending and their driving. I live in a suburb, the sight of multiple bags of groceries in carts is getting simultaneously less impressive and scarcer.<BR/><BR/>-LamAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18675105.post-40758736156807800732008-05-17T06:13:00.000+01:002008-05-17T06:13:00.000+01:00I can afford the higher energy and fuel costs but ...I can afford the higher energy and fuel costs but I don't want waste energy or water . I can get in the habit of trying to conserve .<BR/><BR/>In my youth energy costs were cheap and nobody was very concerned with costs . <BR/><BR/>But ,I think I will drive to cut down the driving in the future .Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18675105.post-40929674204369116322008-05-17T04:41:00.000+01:002008-05-17T04:41:00.000+01:00"I gave up my car in 2003."And it sounds like you ..."I gave up my car in 2003."<BR/><BR/>And it sounds like you haven't left Washington, D.C. in 5 years. Yeh, that's living...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18675105.post-31403966917377232412008-05-17T04:23:00.000+01:002008-05-17T04:23:00.000+01:00well my next car ( 3rd one for us ) will be full...well my next car ( 3rd one for us ) will be full electric... just waiting for Toyota to bring it to market...then we will have an electric.. a gas sipper.. and an SUV... I figure that will pretty much handle anything...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18675105.post-71765982152958918472008-05-17T03:29:00.000+01:002008-05-17T03:29:00.000+01:00I already have. I used to go to the office 3-4 tim...I already have. I used to go to the office 3-4 times a week, now I go only once a week.<BR/><BR/>Why? Because I can telecommute. I expect to see more and more workers pressing their employers to allow for it.<BR/><BR/>Because spending say $600 a month per family for gas simply doesn't make for happy and motivated workers.<BR/><BR/>Not that I see many motivated workers (I work for software company in Silicon Valley). It's the Ben Bernanke, Barney and Dodd. <BR/><BR/>They are tanking dollar, propping up liars and speculators, and giving the rest of us who are responsible a big finger. And they think they are invisible doing that.<BR/><BR/>If I can do a feature for software I work on (that sells for at least 500K a piece) in about 2 weeks (with padding!) I say 5 weeks.<BR/><BR/>It's not immoral, unethical or illegal.<BR/><BR/>It's just when unit of currency I am paid in shrinks in value, then assuming number of such units remains relatively constant, I am entitled to work less and be less productive to compensate.<BR/><BR/>See? Easy as proverbial pie. Feels better and less stressful too!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18675105.post-80366115288883111772008-05-17T01:16:00.000+01:002008-05-17T01:16:00.000+01:00"and 78-percent believe prices could eventually re..."and 78-percent believe prices could eventually reach $5. "<BR/><BR/>Q. Do you think gas prices will go to $5 a gallon.<BR/>A. Yes, because gas keeps going up and up!.<BR/><BR/>Q. Do you think houses prices will average $1M?<BR/>A. Yes, because house prices keep going up and up!<BR/><BR/>when will the sheeple ever learnAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18675105.post-3751731861766975742008-05-16T23:50:00.000+01:002008-05-16T23:50:00.000+01:00Hoo-weee, thank god that ultraliberal majority run...Hoo-weee, thank god that ultraliberal majority running the Congress and Senate for the last 2 years have a revolutionary mass transit project for the country, with magnetic bullet trains and all. Hmmmm...I wonder if they're waiting for Obama to get elected first, so they can all cut the ribbon together.<BR/><BR/>/sarcasmAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18675105.post-715649778002410222008-05-16T23:49:00.000+01:002008-05-16T23:49:00.000+01:00My brother lives in Dallas and drives about 30 mil...My brother lives in Dallas and drives about 30 miles to his job. He tells me that guys he works with are quitting because they can't afford to pay for the commute anymore. One even offered to trade his honkin' F250 dualie for my brother's beat up Aveo! These are not overly bright people, and it sounds like some of them are about to get desperate on us.<BR/><BR/>Keep thinking these prices won't matter all you high-rollers. When they start jacking cars at gunpoint for the contents of the fuel tank, you might see the situation differently.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18675105.post-14654125758312615962008-05-16T23:46:00.000+01:002008-05-16T23:46:00.000+01:00$5 gas won't bother me. $10 gas won't really bothe...<I>$5 gas won't bother me. $10 gas won't really bother me. (High air tickets and food might.)</I><BR/><BR/>Fools like you think that gas at those high prices won't affect everything else you consume. What's amazing is how financial retards embrace inflation or ANY tax increase on ANYTHING as being benign.<BR/><BR/>Please don't breed, don't vote, and don't drive while chewing gum...ever!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com