Deisel.

 

To be honest, I am not sure what I would do yet. Gas prices aren't that horrible yet but it's getting there. Depending on how the market develops in the next few years (when I buy my new car) I will consider.

Kind of funny though, I just finished reading this thread over the past three days (completely) and I noticed that as we move from 2003 (lower gas prices) to 2005 (higher gas prices), more and more people wanted diesel than not.

I definately noticed that at the beginning of the thread people found more small reasons to stay away from diesel as the gas prices weren't that bad, ie. fouly oil changes, smell, rough idle and whatnot. But lately, toward the end more and more people are liking and looking into diesels, so it's obvious that market shifts affect people's opinion.

As I said, we'll see...

 

You crazy


The prices are horrible, and they don't even need to be. The oil companies are raising prices for no real reasons. Our gas went up $.12 over night because the hurricane in the gulf MIGHT slow down production in the gulf. (thats what cnn said), but it didn't, and I didn't get a refund, the oil companies just kept the price up.
I am not usually a conspiracy theorist, and I am not a government hater. But I think that it is pretty odd that the oil companies are all shooting prices up for a barrel of oil, without a clear reason, just a bunch of excuses. The thing that makes that odd is that the entire top tier of the government (president, vice president, and 85% of his cabinet) are all from oil companies and still have stock and money involved in oil companies. They are all making a killing by this jump in prices. And all of thier jobs in government are about to be over because Bush can't run again. Whoever wins the next election will bring in thier own cabinet and people.
It does not cost more to drill for the oil, and the production cost for gasoline isn't any higher, so why is the price up? There are alot of people making a ton of money from us. I wish I could figure out how to make some of it.

Sorry for the rant
Kent

 

Here happens something simillar but with worse prices...

I'm paying the diesel liter for 0.941 €/l. Gas is passing 1€/l...

Years ago diesel was a lot cheaper that gas, like 0.20€/l but now that oil companies have seen diesels are being sold more and more diesel is raising gas prices, why? Easy money...

Another thing makes me feel very very angry is that my truck notices a lot the diesel quality. If the diesel has water or is bad, truck has less torque and it's a lot noticeable.

Since a time some oil companies have begun to sell a "Better diesel", obviosly more expensive than the normal diesel (0.04€/m more). Then you begin to realize that the truck wasn't going 100% well since a time before this new diesel got the market... I found it quite suspicious!

And then the angryness is total when you try this new diesel and truck goes as well as a year before!!!

David

 

I don't blame you for thinking that way, but I used to live in Germany where gas prices were and still are $3.50-$4.00 converted. I mean consider this, we are still given the oppertunity to buy super duper 5.7L v8's which run at their full potential while in Europe you can't even do that because of gas prices. Also, when I lived there they had nothing like hybrid or electric cars, all you had were weak 1L-2L engines AND Audi's and BMW 4.0L v8's pushing less than 200HP because they were downtuned by the factory. Here in the U.S. on the other hand, you can choose 50MPG cars or 10MPG trucks, the industry isn't controlling what you buy YET.

I hope whatever I said made sense, there is probably a lot more to this argument (ie. europe uses more diesels, you can walk to a lot more places within europe cities, better public transportation) but I just wanted to explain why I find todays gas prices still within the realm of acceptableness .

I do know where you are coming from too though...you shouldn't have to pay $40.00 a tank just because some guy who can afford a gold pen wants you to.

 

There isn't really a conspiracy in oil anymore than any other industry. Supply and demand dictate the price, but do so a bit differently. The demand for fuel is inelastic, we need so we suck it up and buy it high priced or not. As a result, copanies can charge whatever they want.

Interestingly, biodiesel and hybrids are the first things that can add elasticity to road fuel costs. That elasticity is critical to cost control.

We could have a different president but lets think about it, what can they really do? Attack a nation and steal their resources? (don't even think about Iraq jokes, I wish we had their oil lowering our prices) Impose trade tariffs if they don't sell us oil cheap? (then they could just not sell it at all)

Bush signed a 1 dallar/gallon tax credit on biodiesel to aid its development so that does actually thwart the conspiracty theory.

In the end, diesels will save fuel. Hybrids will too. Diesel hybrids will save LOAD of fuel.

Frank

 

I hate to say consiracy theory, in the end it's just the opinion of a nut with a computer. (me).

BUT

I don't think that the 1 dollar/gallon tax credit on biodiesel is actualy proof that there is nothing hinky going on. The 1 dollar credit will still make it years before biodiesel is a viable resource. So Bush would be long out of office before it makes any type of dent in the oil prices. I'm just saying it's suspicious.
I know about supply and demand, but the demand is still the same, and there is no evidence (from watching CNN and Fox news) that there is really supply issue. The only thing they claim to justify the higher prices is that they are worried about the surplus reserves. Not even that the reserves are low, but they might get low. Or that the hurricanes MIGHT slow production.
So the prices are up for Just in case something happens.


Once again, sorry for the rant
Kent

 

TOTALLY!!! Diesel Rocks!

 

Either way I would have jumped to buy a turbo diesel 4runner if I had that option...

 

Hahaha YeloSub7, I think you fell in love with diesel 4Runners?

One one like mine for 5000€? I saw it the other day in a forum

David

 

I think I see where the problem might lie. Demand is far from the same and increasing every day. India and China will soon surpass us in consumption. Also, we are on the downward end of the supply curve. Road fuel costs are going to get higher and higher making alternatives more attractive.

Believe me, that 1 dollar a gallon is very helpful in making a road fuel viable especially since the bulk of diesel prices consist of taxes. It hits the oil industry in the pocket directly too. Hydrogen won't effect oil company profits as it is not a fuel but a means to store energy which if they have thier way will still come from fossil fuels. So, for Bush to sign that is contrary to his oil special interests.

Another thing to consider, worry adjusts the prices of thousands of commodities every day on the stock exchange. Oil is no different. So, if there is a "conspiracy" it is pretty universal from that perspective.

Diesel is a big step in the right direction. Hybridize 'em, we can self sustain on renewables like bio diesel. Hydrogen is crap but that's for another thread.

Frank

 

That is a very good point, but usually when the "worry" drops, the prices do to, But that doesn't seem to be happening in the case of gas.
But I have to say that I sold my 30mpg VW Jetta at the wrong time. I swapped it for a LandCruiser that seems to get about 10mpg.
:cry: :cry:

 

My new record: over 29 mpg (8.0 l/100 km) at normal road driving with 4Runner 3.0 Turbo-Diesel w/33x10.50R15. Not bad?

 

I know where you are comin' from. I have an '88 Mazda MX6 that gets 28-30MPG with the AC on at 80. You can get 'em real cheap if find yourself looking for a daily driver.

As a college student, I could afford to use my truck as primary transpo.

Now if my truck we a diesel...

Frank

 

Hey Matti, do you have in mind the difference from the wheels? Since I put the 31's on I get a 20% lower tacometer

But you've 33's so the mileage with error would be poor...

I've done 9l/100km but I drive fast! Highway and road are the best for mileage...

David

 

Yes, I have calculated: original tire (215R15) diam. 730 mm, 33" 826 mm -> it´s 13% taller = 13% longer diameter. So, I calculated 1,13 x my trip reading. I think it´s close to reality (compared with my wife´s Jetta).

You are right, if I don´t count extra at all, mileage would look like poor.

I think Aisins help few decilitres.

 

Ditto! I have a '99 Jetta TDI and people who drive it have no idea it is a diesel. No smell, no noise and plenty of scoot. At 50+ mpg it's hard to say "no". :-)

 

Well, I think my screenname should sum up my feelings I grew really fond of the 4.2L TD in Australia, and have since been looking for a way to get it into something offroadable here in the states... Turbo Diesels hold more power potential than gas motors BY FAR...

FUnny, in OZ, we just washed our hands with Petrol, and used Diesel to moisturize I think the stuff smells great.

 

Funny....You look normal.

By the way....got any leads on cheap 2LII-T's or 1KZ-T's in OZ?

 

Uh, how about the fact that Diesel is the same price as premium gas????? That right there is proof that the ĊĊĊĊing oilconglomerate/US government is a total bunch of crooks... Diesel is nothing more than Motor Oil!!!!!!!!!!!! It has no refinery costs, so why is the fuel that get's the best MPG the most expensive... and why do we all just accept it. As for Bio, gee, do you really think that something this easy to make and attain is ever gonna be viable? What would poor little Exxon and Shell do... they'd have to cut jobs, and fire all the actual workers cause the bloody execs would have to take a 2% pay cut... ĊĊĊĊ W, ĊĊĊĊ the Oil OCmpanies, ĊĊĊĊ the GOvernment and all of the other greedy bastards in the world... Petrol costs are one thing, we're getting gouged, not compared to the rest of the world, but were getting gouged... It all comes down to bottom line profit margins, and unfortunately were all at the bottom of the proverbial barrel. Why does Diesel cost so much? Cause they have us bent over and they get to tell us what we pay... Scientificlay it dosn't make ANY sence, but then neither do Neo-Cons... sorry for the rant, bu this is a really touchy subject for me...

Dave