Gas Prices

[SHELLY]

I know we're not too concerned about the recent rise in gas prices (after all, gas and food don't count when figuring the CPI ), but here is a nifty website to check out the price of gas and the location of stations by zip code: http://autos.msn.com/everyday/gassta...?zip=&src=Netx

[John R]

[ame="http://www.sowal.com/bb/showthread.php?t=4410"]SoWal Beaches Forum[/ame]

[SHELLY]

Interesting...the price copied on the thread in the lounge showed the lowest price at Tom Thumb 116 of $2.31 on March 15 and the same station was $2.55 on March 16...that's gotta hurt for someone making $12.50 per hour!

[yippie]

Every year on March 15th, the gas prices are raised around here. Isn't it a shame that we all have to pay the price of touism like this?

I consider it price gouging. (??)

[Smiling JOe]

Much of the sudden jump in prices are also directly connected to the oil/gas distributers which contract with the individual stations. The stations do not make much mark-up on the gas, but hope to sell you a bunch of junk food when you come into the building. The stations make more profit on the premium and mid-grade gasolines, but on the regular, mark up is usually only a couple of pennies to the gallon.

[Wastin Away]

My husband came home from work and the price at one of the gas stations was 2.39. We were heading down to Seagrove in another car so he decided, not an hour later, to take the other car to fill up. THE PRICE HAD JUMPED TO 2.51 in less than an hour. He went into to pay and asked the gas station manager and you are not going to believe his response. He said, "Well the QT up the street was selling it for this and we were getting hit bad this morning so we raised the price." Not that the gas was any different than it was an hour ago, not that it cost them any more, but just because Joe Blow up the street decided he would raise his price.

[SHELLY]

CNBC reports gas will be $3 by summer.

Tom Thumb may be looking at an inventory glut of snack foods....If only GM can engineer an SUV to run on Yoo-hoo and Slim Jims...

[hi n dry]

I notice the biggest SUVs seem to have " W for pres" stickers on them.
I guess they were hoping W would get them cheaper gas in Iraq.
Well at least W had good intentions, too bad he blew it.

[Destiny]

Rural Georgia prices are 2.52 - 2.89.

[TreeFrog]

Today's Montgomery Advisor online edition reports an increase to $2.15 for regular there. Don't know how their taxes compare to ours, but that's a big difference.

[30A Skunkape]

High prices around these parts too. Hope we can avoid another hit to the refineries.

[Smiling JOe]

It is not as simple as I am about to state, but think about consider it. If the gov't didn't regulate the prices of gasoline, ie- if they let business owners create there own prices without limit and prices rise to $5 per gallon, don't you think the auto manufacturers would be forced by the public to create fuel efficient vehicles, and alternative and cheaper fuels? As long as the oil companies have lobbiests, we will always pump gasoline into our tanks.

[Rita]

It is not as simple as I am about to state, but think about consider it. If the gov't didn't regulate the prices of gasoline, ie- if they let business owners create there own prices without limit and prices rise to $5 per gallon, don't you think the auto manufacturers would be forced by the public to create fuel efficient vehicles, and alternative and cheaper fuels? As long as the oil companies have lobbiests, we will always pump gasoline into our tanks.

Speaking of fuel efficiency --- anyone got recommendations for smaller, less pricey, fuel effecient cars?

We'll be getting our daughter a car in a year or so. Will look for good used vehicle with good gas mileage.

[Smiling JOe]

Speaking of fuel efficiency --- anyone got recommendations for smaller, less pricey, fuel effecient cars?

We'll be getting our daughter a car in a year or so. Will look for good used vehicle with good gas mileage.

Unfortunately, the effecient cars typically sacrifice safety in a crash.

[Miss Kitty]

Speaking of fuel efficiency --- anyone got recommendations for smaller, less pricey, fuel effecient cars?

We'll be getting our daughter a car in a year or so. Will look for good used vehicle with good gas mileage.

White Volvo...where you been Rita?

[Lady D]

Honda Civics get very good gas mileage. Ours averages around 35 to 40mpg city and averaged around 44mpg highway when we drove it to PC Beach last year. Of course there is the Honda Civic Hybrid which runs off both gas and electric but I am sure they are pricy but the regular Civics are not that bad.

[Ocean Lover]

Unfortunately, the effecient cars typically sacrifice safety in a crash.

Not all of them, I agree with LDB..the Honda Civic is a good choice. For example:
2003 Civic Safety Ratings

[Smiling JOe]

Not all of them, I agree with LDB..the Honda Civic is a good choice. For example:
2003 Civic Safety Ratings

Yes, it does receive good marks by the Insurance testing peeps, but please don't be fooled by a 40mph crash test. If you are in a wreck while trying to cross hwy 98, you will most likely get creamed by someone driving 65+mph.

[Lady D]

Ocean Lover, our Honda Civic is a 4 door Civic LX. We love the car. A great car. From what I saw as to crash test ratings it fairs pretty well. I hadn't looked at those stats but thanks for putting the link on the post.

[Jdarg]

I notice the biggest SUVs seem to have " W for pres" stickers on them.
I guess they were hoping W would get them cheaper gas in Iraq.
Well at least W had good intentions, too bad he blew it.

My SUV most certainly does NOT have a "W" sticker on it!!

[Cheering472]

My SUV most certainly does NOT have a "W" sticker on it!!

You go girl! Only a Sowal sticker will do for you

[Mermaid]

My SUV most certainly does NOT have a "W" sticker on it!!

I can vouch for jdarg's Extra Large SoWal sticker. I want one for my car--mine's only "standard issue" size.

[Smiling JOe]

I can vouch for jdarg's Extra Large SoWal sticker. I want one for my car--mine's only "standard issue" size.

Now where did Jdarg get an Extra Large SoWal sticker?

[Rita]

White Volvo...where you been Rita?

Working! It's that season ............. Plus I feel a bit guilty getting on much in the eves because daughter gave up Xanga and Myspace for Lent.

She asked me what I was giving up (I'm sure she wanted me to say SoWalling - -- I said I'd just try to be a better person. (Couldn't give up SoWal! - Shhhh)

[Rita]

Ocean Lover & Lady - Civic is high on the list. Hadn't checked mileage numbers though. Do the newer cars get better mileage than the 2000 - 2003?

We've driven Accords and love them. In fact that's what we would be getting rid of because it's a 5-speed (less to have to concentrate on for her early in the learning stages - She can learn manual later on).

[Jdarg]

Now where did Jdarg get an Extra Large SoWal sticker?

It is nice to know people that appreciate the importance of a well placed sticker on the car. Yes, my car looks amazing now. The sticker really comes in handy at Target since every other parking space has a tan Yukon just like mine. I don't have to try and unlock other people's cars anymore- I can find mine right away!

[Ocean Lover]

Ocean Lover & Lady - Civic is high on the list. Hadn't checked mileage numbers though. Do the newer cars get better mileage than the 2000 - 2003?

I haven't checked lately but before I had kids in the early 90's I drove a civic and it got great gas mileage so I assume it's the same or better. I sold my little red civic for more than half of what I paid for it and it was 6 years old.

[Smiling JOe]

Ocean Lover & Lady - Civic is high on the list. Hadn't checked mileage numbers though. Do the newer cars get better mileage than the 2000 - 2003?

We've driven Accords and love them. In fact that's what we would be getting rid of because it's a 5-speed (less to have to concentrate on for her early in the learning stages - She can learn manual later on).

The Accord Hybrid claims EPA Mileage Estimates of 25/34. They could have done even better if they had not juiced it up with 250+ horse power. I guess they didn't want customers to get turned off by a wimpy hybrid engine. I have driven one, and it is a cool little car and fun to drive. I am a big fan of Honda. Base sticker price for this car is around $30K new, and you will get a tax write off of maybe $2000.

[Rita]

The Accord Hybrid claims EPA Mileage Estimates of 25/34. They could have done even better if they had not juiced it up with 250+ horse power. I guess they didn't want customers to get turned off by a wimpy hybrid engine. I have driven one, and it is a cool little car and fun to drive. I am a big fan of Honda. Base sticker price for this car is around $30K new, and you will get a tax write off of maybe $2000.

You've got to be kidding!

That's the best they can do with hybrid mileage? I get 24 mpg city with my '93 Accord Wagon! What's wrong with this picture?

[Smiling JOe]

You've got to be kidding!

That's the best they can do with hybrid mileage? I get 24 mpg city with my '93 Accord Wagon! What's wrong with this picture?

Your 93 Accord Wagon didn't/doesn't have 250 hp, more like 170 hp. It takes burns more fuel when you get more hp. If this Accord was equipped with 170hp engine, you would probably get closer to 35/45 mpg.

[Lady D]

Rita, I would assume the newer Civics would get about the same. Ours showed when we bought it 29 and 36 on the sticker but we have gotten mileage above that both highway and city ever since we bought it. We average over 35 mpg city week to week, usually showing closer to 40. We only take it on the highway every other weekend 130 miles round trip. Will try to find any info on the newer Civics and will post it here tonight as I have to go to work.

[Smiling JOe]

Rita, I would assume the newer Civics would get about the same. Ours showed when we bought it 29 and 36 on the sticker but we have gotten mileage above that both highway and city ever since we bought it. We average over 35 mpg city week to week, usually showing closer to 40. We only take it on the highway every other weekend 130 miles round trip. Will try to find any info on the newer Civics and will post it here tonight as I have to go to work.

New Civic Hybrid:
49/51 mpg (the key is the lower hp - only 110 hp here, compared with the Accord's 250+hp)
Notice the major difference between the fuel economy in the hybrids comes into play in the city mileage when the electric engine is running instead of the gas.


The regular 4-door Civic:
30/40 mpg (140 hp)

[Lady D]

Rita, here is info on the later model Civic than 2003. This is on I believe the 2006!
2) Honda Civic
EPA city/highway mileage: 30/38 (manual), 30/40 (automatic)

When it comes to squeezing every last inch of motion out of a drop of gasoline, no one does it like Honda. A 40 MPG highway figure makes the Civic the most thrifty automatic-transmission-equipped car on this list bar the Prius Hybrid and the VW Jetta diesel. It's an amazing feat considering the Civic's acres of interior room and full complement of safety features. Another Honda coup.

Test drive: 2006 Honda Civic
From Aaron Gold,
Your Guide to Cars.
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Messing with a good thing
Guide Rating -




It is generally accepted knowledge not to mess with a good thing, which is why there haven't been many earth-shattering changes to the Civic over the past decade or so. Well, folks, the earth has been shattered. Along with the host of improvements that usually accompany a new Civic -- bigger engines, more interior room -- comes a new shape, a new approach to interior design and a new commitment to safety. Honda's messed with a good thing -- and they've made it even better.

First Glance
"Umm...I asked to see a Civic, you're showing me Accords." I wonder how many Honda dealers will be hearing that? The new Civic's styling builds on the puckered-and pudgy-look of the recently-redesigned Accord. The Japanese-styled sedan is a bit awkward, but the US-designed coupe is a real looker.

But it's what's underneath the skin that I like best. Honda designed the Civic using what it calls "advanced compatibility engineering". Translation: It's designed not to get pummeled when hit by a bigger vehicle. Honda showed us a Civic that had been slammed head-on into a two-ton minivan. The Civic's front end had crumpled and passed the forces of the collision up through the roof rails, the passenger compartment staying intact and keeping its shape.

Civic's commitment to safety goes deeper: Antilock brakes and side airbags, once available only in higher-end Civics, are now standard in all 2006 Civics, as are side-curtain airbags. Way to go, Honda! Side impact protection has been beefed up -- no easy feat on the coupe, which has no central door pillar -- and the front end is said to be more "pedestrian friendly" (which, by the way, is no excuse to mow down your ex, no matter how strong the urge may be).

[Rita]

Thanks Lady & SJ.

SJ,
I don't even remember what hp our Accord wagon has but it has good enough get-up-and-go for us. Only drive it to work any more though.

A fellow told me he was consistantly getting right at 40 mpg (city) with his Jetta.
That surprised me. I don't think the Beetles get that. ?

I'm really going to hate selling our Accord ...

[Smiling JOe]

1993 Honda Accord Wagon EX:
140 hp (so I was a little high with my guess of 170 hp)

Fuel Data Fuel Fuel Tank Capacity: 17 gal. EPA Mileage Estimates: (City/Highway) Manual: 23 mpg / 28 mpg Automatic: : 21 mpg / 27 mpg


Now just think about the new Accord Hybrid having around 70% additional power than your your '93 Accord -- no wonder the gas mileage isn't so outstanding for this hybrid.

[Smiling JOe]

Thanks Lady & SJ.

SJ,
I don't even remember what hp our Accord wagon has but it has good enough get-up-and-go for us. Only drive it to work any more though.

A fellow told me he was consistantly getting right at 40 mpg (city) with his Jetta.
That surprised me. I don't think the Beetles get that. ?

I'm really going to hate selling our Accord ...

That is probably the Diesel Jetta. My brother's Chevy 2500 long bed four door 4x4 pickup gets around 30 mpg -- it is a diesel.