Gas prices...
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 12,581
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From: Illinois
Well, we can't make any more comments about CA prices in my neighborhood. Regular Shell 87 Octane is now $4.00 here, too ($3.99.9), despite the VA state-average of $3.68 as of today. (my neighborhhod is a relatively high-income area, as are most of the VA/DC suburbs, so prices often run above the state average).
The average markup for 93-octane over 87-regular, in the VA-DC suburbs, seems to be around 30-40 cents or so, depending on the station, with 91-octane mid-grade about 10 or 15 cents. Sunoco, in addition to 87 and 93, offers both 89 and 91-octane mid-grades as well....but I stick to Shell (or Chevron when I can find it.....their stations seem to be closing up in this area).
My Giant-Food grocery-shopping bonus-card accumulates points and earns some discounts at local Shell stations, from 10 to 40 cents a gallon or more, depending on how much you use it. That helps a little....not much.
The average markup for 93-octane over 87-regular, in the VA-DC suburbs, seems to be around 30-40 cents or so, depending on the station, with 91-octane mid-grade about 10 or 15 cents. Sunoco, in addition to 87 and 93, offers both 89 and 91-octane mid-grades as well....but I stick to Shell (or Chevron when I can find it.....their stations seem to be closing up in this area).
My Giant-Food grocery-shopping bonus-card accumulates points and earns some discounts at local Shell stations, from 10 to 40 cents a gallon or more, depending on how much you use it. That helps a little....not much.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,542
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
I see you're from IL. By "City", do you mean Chicago? Chicago, for some reason, has had CA-type gas prices for some time.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,363
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From: NY
First time I see regular 87 reach $4/gal......its 4.03 at my local Sunoco this morning....
just filled my sc430 on friday for $85, $4.29/Gal
My next car will most likely a "Hybrid". CT200H, GS400H/GS450H, G25 hybrid (if they made them).......just not the Pirus
just filled my sc430 on friday for $85, $4.29/GalMy next car will most likely a "Hybrid". CT200H, GS400H/GS450H, G25 hybrid (if they made them).......just not the Pirus
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,542
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Thread Starter
Lexus Champion
Joined: Sep 2010
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From: CA
But the CT200H does look nice, I just wont be able to afford it, it will still cost over $25k used, compared to $20k(?) for a new Prius C.
Will Lexus ever decide to make an IS hybrid? Don't think they will though, since it will conflict with the CT sales.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 12,581
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From: Illinois
I just heard on the radio while out running errands that the total federal and state taxes on a gallon of gas in Illinois is nearly $.90/gal (actually 89.4 cents). Yikes!
Racer
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,363
Likes: 48
From: NY
While it's true that hybrids generally get better mileage and often qualify for tax credits, they can also be more expensive to own, unless you save on a lot of gasoline, over a number of years, to get back to the break-even point. Case in point.....A small Toyota or Scion compact or sub-compact may start in the low-mid teens and get 35-40 MPG on the road. A Prius, which can, in some cases, do 50 MPG or better, also costs a lot more, starting well above 20K and running, in some versions, to 30K or more. Lexus hybrids, of course, run even more. So, you have to buy a lot of gas, even at high prices, to recuperate the price-difference, even with a hybrid tax-credit. You can save some by getting a 19-20K Honda Insight hybrid, but the Insight, despite being exceedingly well-built, has a number of ergonomic/powertrain/road-manners flaws, and I generally don't recommend it.
I'm sure more efficient hybrid are on the way in near future & the price of gas will continue to grow accordingly with more hybrid on the road. The gas giant will not suffer from less profit due to less sales volume. They will benefit from higher gas price while gas clunker owner taking the impact. I'm currently spending about $3000 on gas per year & I can save $7500 in 5 years if go hybird. In addition, you feel better by knowing you are consuming less gas per miles.
Last edited by grabber2; Apr 11, 2011 at 01:57 PM.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,363
Likes: 48
From: NY
Same here. I'm still kinda debating on getting a used IS or GS next summer, but if these gas prices continue get higher, than I'm thinking of getting the Prius C.
But the CT200H does look nice, I just wont be able to afford it, it will still cost over $25k used, compared to $20k(?) for a new Prius C.
Will Lexus ever decide to make an IS hybrid? Don't think they will though, since it will conflict with the CT sales.
But the CT200H does look nice, I just wont be able to afford it, it will still cost over $25k used, compared to $20k(?) for a new Prius C.
Will Lexus ever decide to make an IS hybrid? Don't think they will though, since it will conflict with the CT sales.
Also, I strongly suggest you to get rid of your chase 30% APR debt before you move on. It will hurt you at this point from all direction. Just try everything you can to pay it off first. Don't keep any saving now, just paid that Chase debt & you will be able to double your saving. I have tried to stay away from high interest as much as i can. You said you are paying hundreds in interest per month, you can have put thme for gas & saving. Just paid off that 30% apr in the first place.
To tell you a story, I drive the Toyota Corolla from age 17~25, & bought a G35X at 26. I'm 28 now & owning three car & debt free. Owning a nice car is tempting, but its never late especially for just 1~2 years.
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Lead Lap
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,534
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From: MD
When I was 20 (in '07) and gas prices really started to climb I put away the Subaru and borrowed my sister's Corolla for a month. It did low 30s, city driving, with a 5MT. Depending on where I move I would consider one again, but I do love my horizontally opposed AWD Subaru. It's gonna be a tough decision when I do need to buy a car.
Thread Starter
Lexus Champion
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,439
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From: CA
Get a prius, it will seriously save you on gas.
Also, I strongly suggest you to get rid of your chase 30% APR debt before you move on. It will hurt you at this point from all direction. Just try everything you can to pay it off first. Don't keep any saving now, just paid that Chase debt & you will be able to double your saving. I have tried to stay away from high interest as much as i can. You said you are paying hundreds in interest per month, you can have put thme for gas & saving. Just paid off that 30% apr in the first place.
To tell you a story, I drive the Toyota Corolla from age 17~25, & bought a G35X at 26. I'm 28 now & owning three car & debt free. Owning a nice car is tempting, but its never late especially for just 1~2 years.
Also, I strongly suggest you to get rid of your chase 30% APR debt before you move on. It will hurt you at this point from all direction. Just try everything you can to pay it off first. Don't keep any saving now, just paid that Chase debt & you will be able to double your saving. I have tried to stay away from high interest as much as i can. You said you are paying hundreds in interest per month, you can have put thme for gas & saving. Just paid off that 30% apr in the first place.
To tell you a story, I drive the Toyota Corolla from age 17~25, & bought a G35X at 26. I'm 28 now & owning three car & debt free. Owning a nice car is tempting, but its never late especially for just 1~2 years.
I'm fearful of buying a used car, even CPO, cause you will never truly know how the last person treated the car before you got it.
So, I'm thinking of getting the Prius C next year (July 2012 for a Birthday Present?
), and having it paid off in 3-5 years, and then buying another new car. I'll be 25 when getting the Prius C, and I'll get a nicer ride when I'm 28-30 years old.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 20,244
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While it's true that hybrids generally get better mileage and often qualify for tax credits, they can also be more expensive to own, unless you save on a lot of gasoline, over a number of years, to get back to the break-even point. Case in point.....A small Toyota or Scion compact or sub-compact may start in the low-mid teens and get 35-40 MPG on the road. A Prius, which can, in some cases, do 50 MPG or better, also costs a lot more, starting well above 20K and running, in some versions, to 30K or more. Lexus hybrids, of course, run even more. So, you have to buy a lot of gas, even at high prices, to recuperate the price-difference, even with a hybrid tax-credit. You can save some by getting a 19-20K Honda Insight hybrid, but the Insight, despite being exceedingly well-built, has a number of ergonomic/powertrain/road-manners flaws, and I generally don't recommend it.
how can you, in right mind, compare vehicles of different classes?
Why would anyone cross-shop between Scion xD and Prius?
That's true, but you're not necessarily helpless either......there are a number things you can do to give your car better gas mileage and get the most out of every expensive gallon you do buy.
Start by cleaning anything out the trunk and interior you don't need to carry with you....weight is the enemy of acceleration, braking, handling, and fuel-mileage. Consolidate your trips into one as much as possible.....numerous cold start/warm-up cycles use a lot more gas, pollute more, and place more wear on the engine. Try to drive at steady speeds instead of a lot of stop-go or slow/fast cycles (I know, that's often hard to do or not possible in dense traffic). Avoid, if possible, areas you know have a lot of stop signs, traffic lights, or speed bumps. Drive at moderate speeds...mileage, in general, depending on the vehicle's aerodynamics, deceases significantly over 60 or 65 MPH. Keep tire PSis where they should be. And don't do jack-rabbit starts.
Start by cleaning anything out the trunk and interior you don't need to carry with you....weight is the enemy of acceleration, braking, handling, and fuel-mileage. Consolidate your trips into one as much as possible.....numerous cold start/warm-up cycles use a lot more gas, pollute more, and place more wear on the engine. Try to drive at steady speeds instead of a lot of stop-go or slow/fast cycles (I know, that's often hard to do or not possible in dense traffic). Avoid, if possible, areas you know have a lot of stop signs, traffic lights, or speed bumps. Drive at moderate speeds...mileage, in general, depending on the vehicle's aerodynamics, deceases significantly over 60 or 65 MPH. Keep tire PSis where they should be. And don't do jack-rabbit starts.
I already follow them though, its probably why i average ~30mpg 
Sorry but that's really stupid logic.
Say your full tank lasts you 8 days, if you fill a half tank, its only going to last you 4 days. Meaning in 4 days days your coming back and filling another half tank anyways. So all things considered, in 8 days, your STILL basically filling a full tank (half + half). For them, it doesn't make a difference, everyday 8 days they are still getting the same amount from you
Fill 1/8th of a tank everytime if you want, it doesn't matter
Last edited by KillaIS250; Apr 12, 2011 at 09:17 AM.
Thread Starter
Lexus Champion
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,439
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From: CA
04/03/11: $4.21 Regular, Chevron, Pasadena, CA.
04/06/11: $4.27 Regular, Chevron, Pasadena, CA.
04/12/11: $4.33 Regular, Chevron, Pasadena, CA.
Should be passed $4.50 before the end of May, and over $5 by July at this rate.
04/06/11: $4.27 Regular, Chevron, Pasadena, CA.
04/12/11: $4.33 Regular, Chevron, Pasadena, CA.
Should be passed $4.50 before the end of May, and over $5 by July at this rate.
