In the past, I would always use my pick-up truck for anything and
everything construction related. Even for going to the store and buying say
a 5 gallon can of something.

Yesterday I needed to go to the store and buy a bunch of construction
stuff....

I thought about it... I would not be buying anything long... hummm, maybe I
could fit it all in my 38 MPG hatchback car?

And I'll be darned if everything fit. Just barely made it, but I crammed it
all in there. So then I filled up with gas on way back (tank half full)...
$9.00, not bad!

I think I'll use the car whenever possible from now on....

"Bill" wrote in message
...
In the past, I would always use my pick-up truck for anything and
everything construction related. Even for going to the store and buying
say
a 5 gallon can of something.

Yesterday I needed to go to the store and buy a bunch of construction
stuff....

I thought about it... I would not be buying anything long... hummm, maybe
I
could fit it all in my 38 MPG hatchback car?

And I'll be darned if everything fit. Just barely made it, but I crammed
it
all in there. So then I filled up with gas on way back (tank half full)...
$9.00, not bad!

I think I'll use the car whenever possible from now on....



Okay, that does it. I'm using my Vespa from now on.


--
J.C.

J.C. wrote:

"Bill" wrote in message
...

In the past, I would always use my pick-up truck for anything and
everything construction related. Even for going to the store and buying

say

a 5 gallon can of something.

Yesterday I needed to go to the store and buy a bunch of construction
stuff....

I thought about it... I would not be buying anything long... hummm, maybe

I

could fit it all in my 38 MPG hatchback car?

And I'll be darned if everything fit. Just barely made it, but I crammed

it

all in there. So then I filled up with gas on way back (tank half full)...
$9.00, not bad!

I think I'll use the car whenever possible from now on....




Okay, that does it. I'm using my Vespa from now on.

Don't laugh, when I was in Taiwan last year I saw a full-size kitchen
table being carried on a scooter!

Matt

"J.C." wrote in
:


"Bill" wrote in message
...


I think I'll use the car whenever possible from now on....



Okay, that does it. I'm using my Vespa from now on.


--
J.C.



you could tow one of those little bicycle trailers! Or a side car! ;-)

--
Jim Yanik
jyanik
at
kua.net

Bill wrote:
In the past, I would always use my pick-up truck for anything and
everything construction related. Even for going to the store and buying say
a 5 gallon can of something.

Yesterday I needed to go to the store and buy a bunch of construction
stuff....

I thought about it... I would not be buying anything long... hummm, maybe I
could fit it all in my 38 MPG hatchback car?

And I'll be darned if everything fit. Just barely made it, but I crammed it
all in there. So then I filled up with gas on way back (tank half full)...
$9.00, not bad!

I think I'll use the car whenever possible from now on....


I think there will be a lot more thinking like that from now on. The
days of cheap gas are gone forever. The prices may go down some but not
much. It's time for all of us to start thinking sensibly.

Of course, the first thing that needs to happen is that the auto-makers
need to start making fuel efficient cars instead of pumping out the
monster SUVs, and double cab pickups. Time to go back to the early 80's
when small cars were "cool".

It is not just the manufacturers who are at fault. It is the
Testosterone based buying habits of the American public. The car
companies are making what we want to buy. Or Did want to buy. I hope
the car companies are ready to change. Last month was the first drop
in SUV sales figures in years, but it was only by 1%.

Stretch

"Stretch" wrote in message
oups.com...
It is not just the manufacturers who are at fault. It is the
Testosterone based buying habits of the American public. The car
companies are making what we want to buy. Or Did want to buy. I hope
the car companies are ready to change. Last month was the first drop
in SUV sales figures in years, but it was only by 1%.

Stretch

As you alluded to, the car companies are willing to make/sell whatever
you're willing to buy. However, if gas prices stay where they are today,
the mark-up on fuel efficient cars will be like it was in the '70's, and
they will be giving away SUV's. Until recently, they were giving away the
efficient stuff and charging out the wazzoo for SUV's. I'd hate to be the
owner of a 3 month old Mega SUV. Resale has gone in the toilet for now, and
fuel expenses are 50% or more higher than expected.

Here in the Atlanta area, I've been amazed at the lack of traffic this
weekend. High gas prices and the lingering fear of shortages (yes, there
are stations without gas, but I suspect that's because of last week's run on
gas) are keeping people from making unnecessary trips. I love it, because
it is amazing how much better traffic flows when volume is down 25% or
more...

KB

Kyle Boatright wrote:
"Stretch" wrote in message
oups.com...

It is not just the manufacturers who are at fault. It is the
Testosterone based buying habits of the American public. The car
companies are making what we want to buy. Or Did want to buy. I hope
the car companies are ready to change. Last month was the first drop
in SUV sales figures in years, but it was only by 1%.

Stretch


As you alluded to, the car companies are willing to make/sell whatever
you're willing to buy. However, if gas prices stay where they are today,
the mark-up on fuel efficient cars will be like it was in the '70's, and
they will be giving away SUV's. Until recently, they were giving away the
efficient stuff and charging out the wazzoo for SUV's. I'd hate to be the
owner of a 3 month old Mega SUV. Resale has gone in the toilet for now, and
fuel expenses are 50% or more higher than expected.


I'm not usually for government interference but I think now might be a
good time to offer some kind of incentive to auto-makers and buyers to
help sell the efficient cars... of course, I guess you could consider
the current administration's work in getting the current gas prices to
record highs an incentive.

"Kyle Boatright" wrote in message

...I've been amazed at the lack of traffic this weekend...


I noticed the same thing. Also seemed to see a larger proportion of smaller
vehicles and an absence of monster SUV's, RV's, etc.

I heard that a Chevy Suburban is now costing around $150 for a fill-up, so
I can see why...

On 5-Sep-2005, "Kyle Boatright" wrote:

Until recently, they were giving away the
efficient stuff and charging out the wazzoo for SUV's.

Giving away the efficient stuff? Have you ever priced the
fuel-efficient cars? They have always been sold at a
premium over regular cars. My high-efficiency Honda cost
$1000 over the price of the same car with a regular engine.
That was 13 years ago - still runs well and now I'm really
saving at the pump compared to others.

Check the VW TDI compared to thother VW models or the Prius
compared to the comparably equipped Toyotas. Fuel efficiency
has always come at a premium.

SUVs on the other hand were just sold as expensive. I never
understood why someone would pay a $5000+ premium over a
similarly equipped van.

Mike

"Michael Daly" wrote in message
...

[snip]

I never understood why someone would pay a $5000+ premium over a
similarly equipped van.

Mike

1. Rear-wheel drive vs. front wheel
2. Truck chassis vs unit body construction
3. Driveability
4. Load carrying capability

And I'm not sure that your $5K figure is anywhere near accurate. --

"User Example" wrote in message

Of course, the first thing that needs to happen is that the auto-makers
need to start making fuel efficient cars instead of pumping out the
monster SUVs, and double cab pickups. Time to go back to the early 80's
when small cars were "cool".

They will make them but in the past few years, no one was buying them.
Attitudes have to change as you point out that small cars can be "cool"

I'm doing my best. I'm only driving down hill from no on.

On Mon, 05 Sep 2005 14:07:41 +0000, Edwin Pawlowski wrote:


"User Example" wrote in message

Of course, the first thing that needs to happen is that the auto-makers
need to start making fuel efficient cars instead of pumping out the
monster SUVs, and double cab pickups. Time to go back to the early 80's
when small cars were "cool".

They will make them but in the past few years, no one was buying them.
Attitudes have to change as you point out that small cars can be "cool"

The attitudes will change all by themselves. No need to call out the PC
Police.

I'm doing my best. I'm only driving down hill from no on.

Alternatively, you can put larger wheels on the back and small ones on the
front. Then you'll always be going down hill.

--
Keith

"keith" wrote in message

Alternatively, you can put larger wheels on the back and small ones on the
front. Then you'll always be going down hill.

Not needed. Wife says I've been going down hill for past few years.

On Mon, 05 Sep 2005 18:29:13 +0000, Edwin Pawlowski wrote:


"keith" wrote in message

Alternatively, you can put larger wheels on the back and small ones on the
front. Then you'll always be going down hill.

Not needed. Wife says I've been going down hill for past few years.

LOL! ;-)

--
Keith

On Mon, 05 Sep 2005 13:35:15 GMT, User Example
wrote:


I think there will be a lot more thinking like that from now on. The
days of cheap gas are gone forever. The prices may go down some but not
much. It's time for all of us to start thinking sensibly.

Of course, the first thing that needs to happen is that the auto-makers
need to start making fuel efficient cars instead of pumping out the
monster SUVs, and double cab pickups. Time to go back to the early 80's
when small cars were "cool".


The automakers will make anything that the public wants to buy. Last
time I was at the dealership no one held a gun to my head and said
that I must buy a gas guzzling SUV. They make the SUV because that is
what people are buying. All these dealerships also offer smaller more
fuel efficient vehicles (except hummer and perhaps a couple others).

Small cars are more "cool" now than they ever were. Most of the kids
want a Honda that they can soup up today. Those that drive a SUV do
so because it was a hand me down from their parents much the way I got
stuck driving the old station wagon geek mobile back when I started
driving.

In my opinion the first thing that needs to happen is the insurance
policies need to be rewritten so that one person can own two vehicles
without paying almost full load on two vehicles when they can only
drive one at a time.

I would LOVE to buy a small super fuel efficient car to drive back and
forth the work and to do errands in. I HAVE to have a vehicle capable
of towing and able to seat six in reasonable comfort. If I buy a
second car I am looking at $150 a month for insurance plus a payment
on the vehicle itself. If the new vehicle saves me 1/3 on my now $300
a month gasoline bill I am still hundreds in the hole at the end of
the month. End result.. I'm driving a full size vehicle back and
forth to work every day wasting gas.

Steve B.

"Steve B." wrote in message
Those that drive a SUV do
so because it was a hand me down from their parents much the way I got
stuck driving the old station wagon geek mobile back when I started
driving.

My son, now 35 and has owned a 3000GT, Trans-Am, Camero,, etc, but still
complains how difficult it was to drive a '71 Ford wagon when he was in high
school.

I think there will be a lot more thinking like that from now on. The
days of cheap gas are gone forever. The prices may go down some but not
much. It's time for all of us to start thinking sensibly.

Of course, the first thing that needs to happen is that the auto-makers
need to start making fuel efficient cars instead of pumping out the
monster SUVs, and double cab pickups. Time to go back to the early 80's
when small cars were "cool".



The automakers will make anything that the public wants to buy. Last
time I was at the dealership no one held a gun to my head and said
that I must buy a gas guzzling SUV. They make the SUV because that is
what people are buying. All these dealerships also offer smaller more
fuel efficient vehicles (except hummer and perhaps a couple others).

Small cars are more "cool" now than they ever were. Most of the kids
want a Honda that they can soup up today. Those that drive a SUV do
so because it was a hand me down from their parents much the way I got
stuck driving the old station wagon geek mobile back when I started
driving.


Last time you were at the dealership did you see any cars with gas
mileage in the 50s or 60s with sticker prices under $13K? I doubt it.
Maybe if they had them people would buy them. Especially or kids. It
could be done and is done in other countries.

User Example wrote:


I think there will be a lot more thinking like that from now on. The
days of cheap gas are gone forever. The prices may go down some but
not much. It's time for all of us to start thinking sensibly.

Of course, the first thing that needs to happen is that the
auto-makers need to start making fuel efficient cars instead of
pumping out the monster SUVs, and double cab pickups. Time to go
back to the early 80's when small cars were "cool".




The automakers will make anything that the public wants to buy. Last
time I was at the dealership no one held a gun to my head and said
that I must buy a gas guzzling SUV. They make the SUV because that is
what people are buying. All these dealerships also offer smaller more
fuel efficient vehicles (except hummer and perhaps a couple others).

Small cars are more "cool" now than they ever were. Most of the kids
want a Honda that they can soup up today. Those that drive a SUV do
so because it was a hand me down from their parents much the way I got
stuck driving the old station wagon geek mobile back when I started
driving.


Last time you were at the dealership did you see any cars with gas
mileage in the 50s or 60s with sticker prices under $13K? I doubt it.
Maybe if they had them people would buy them. Especially or kids. It
could be done and is done in other countries.

The Prius has the mileage, but not the price. However, your price is a
red herring as people have no problem paying $35K for an SUV so paying
$22K for a Prius isn't a problem.

Matt

Matt Whiting wrote:
User Example wrote:


I think there will be a lot more thinking like that from now on.
The days of cheap gas are gone forever. The prices may go down some
but not much. It's time for all of us to start thinking sensibly.

Of course, the first thing that needs to happen is that the
auto-makers need to start making fuel efficient cars instead of
pumping out the monster SUVs, and double cab pickups. Time to go
back to the early 80's when small cars were "cool".





The automakers will make anything that the public wants to buy. Last
time I was at the dealership no one held a gun to my head and said
that I must buy a gas guzzling SUV. They make the SUV because that is
what people are buying. All these dealerships also offer smaller more
fuel efficient vehicles (except hummer and perhaps a couple others).

Small cars are more "cool" now than they ever were. Most of the kids
want a Honda that they can soup up today. Those that drive a SUV do
so because it was a hand me down from their parents much the way I got
stuck driving the old station wagon geek mobile back when I started
driving.


Last time you were at the dealership did you see any cars with gas
mileage in the 50s or 60s with sticker prices under $13K? I doubt it.
Maybe if they had them people would buy them. Especially or kids. It
could be done and is done in other countries.


The Prius has the mileage, but not the price. However, your price is a
red herring as people have no problem paying $35K for an SUV so paying
$22K for a Prius isn't a problem.

Matt

They pay 35K for the SUV because they think they are getting a $35K
car... but $22K for a prius which is about the same type of car you
normally pay $16K for? No way!

"Matt Whiting" wrote in message
The Prius has the mileage, but not the price. However, your price is a
red herring as people have no problem paying $35K for an SUV so paying
$22K for a Prius isn't a problem.

Matt

Not a question of total dollars, but of perceived value. If the Prius was
equipped as a standard gasoline powered car, it would sell for about $15k or
$16k. For the same price as the Prius, I can buy a minimal model Buick
LeSabre and have lots more room and comfort.

Comes down to paying $22k for a $16k car just to be "green" and probably not
save a buck in the overall life of the car. Even at today's prices, there
is no payback for a long time. In 75,000 miles (assuming a 15 mpg gain)
you'd save 1125 gallons of gas, at 3.30 a gallon, only $3712. Not enough to
pay the difference in car cost.

User Example wrote:

Bill wrote:

In the past, I would always use my pick-up truck for anything and
everything construction related. Even for going to the store and
buying say
a 5 gallon can of something.

Yesterday I needed to go to the store and buy a bunch of construction
stuff....

I thought about it... I would not be buying anything long... hummm,
maybe I
could fit it all in my 38 MPG hatchback car?

And I'll be darned if everything fit. Just barely made it, but I
crammed it
all in there. So then I filled up with gas on way back (tank half
full)...
$9.00, not bad!

I think I'll use the car whenever possible from now on....


I think there will be a lot more thinking like that from now on. The
days of cheap gas are gone forever. The prices may go down some but not
much. It's time for all of us to start thinking sensibly.

Of course, the first thing that needs to happen is that the auto-makers
need to start making fuel efficient cars instead of pumping out the
monster SUVs, and double cab pickups. Time to go back to the early 80's
when small cars were "cool".

They do make fuel efficient cars, but few buy them. This problem isn't
Detriot's or even Washington's, it is our problem. If you want to see
the cause of high fuel prices and shortages, just look in the mirror.

Matt

On 5-Sep-2005, Matt Whiting wrote:

They do make fuel efficient cars, but few buy them.

Around here, there are waiting lists for the Prius.

Detroit doesn't make fuel efficient cars. Everyone else
does. They aren't always imported into the US.

Mike

"Matt Whiting" wrote in message
...
User Example wrote:

Bill wrote:

In the past, I would always use my pick-up truck for anything and
everything construction related. Even for going to the store and
buying say
a 5 gallon can of something.

Yesterday I needed to go to the store and buy a bunch of construction
stuff....

I thought about it... I would not be buying anything long... hummm,
maybe I
could fit it all in my 38 MPG hatchback car?

And I'll be darned if everything fit. Just barely made it, but I
crammed it
all in there. So then I filled up with gas on way back (tank half
full)...
$9.00, not bad!

I think I'll use the car whenever possible from now on....


I think there will be a lot more thinking like that from now on. The
days of cheap gas are gone forever. The prices may go down some but not
much. It's time for all of us to start thinking sensibly.

Of course, the first thing that needs to happen is that the auto-makers
need to start making fuel efficient cars instead of pumping out the
monster SUVs, and double cab pickups. Time to go back to the early 80's
when small cars were "cool".

They do make fuel efficient cars, but few buy them. This problem isn't
Detriot's or even Washington's, it is our problem. If you want to see
the cause of high fuel prices and shortages, just look in the mirror.

Matt

Depends what you mean by fuel efficient. Hear these loose terms all over
this thread.

Believe its the people going solo to/from work in their big V8, high weight
SUVs waiting in stop n' go traffic with the AC going full blast that are
consuming most of the gasoline per person per mile. All the gas saved by
the less cylinders used in the latest Hemi, is killed by one foot stomp on
the gas pedal. All of this is appropriate for the look in the mirror
remark. Both for vehicle demand type from Detroit and fuel consumption.

"Lil' Dave" wrote in
ink.net:


Depends what you mean by fuel efficient. Hear these loose terms all
over this thread.

Believe its the people going solo to/from work in their big V8, high
weight SUVs waiting in stop n' go traffic with the AC going full blast
that are consuming most of the gasoline per person per mile. All the
gas saved by the less cylinders used in the latest Hemi, is killed by
one foot stomp on the gas pedal. All of this is appropriate for the
look in the mirror remark. Both for vehicle demand type from Detroit
and fuel consumption.




My trip home takes 45 minutes... 20 minutes going 3 miles through town,
and 25 minutes going ~20 miles on the highway. I've often said that if I
could eliminate the stopping, I'd get much better gas mileage.

I want a car that gets 100+ mpg, but I don't know of anyone that makes
them.

Puckdropper
--
www.uncreativelabs.net

Old computers are getting to be a lost art. Here at Uncreative Labs, we
still enjoy using the old computers. Sometimes we want to see how far a
particular system can go, other times we use a stock system to remind
ourselves of what we once had.

To email me directly, send a message to puckdropper (at) fastmail.fm

"User Example" wrote in message
.. .
[snip]

Of course, the first thing that needs to happen is that the auto-makers
need to start making fuel efficient cars instead of pumping out the
monster SUVs, and double cab pickups. Time to go back to the early 80's
when small cars were "cool".

Manufacturers ARE making fuel efficient cars, as well as SUVs (of all
sizes). People choose for themselves what it is they want to buy.

Of course, the first thing that needs to happen is that the auto-makers
need to start making fuel efficient cars instead of pumping out the
monster SUVs, and double cab pickups. Time to go back to the early 80's
when small cars were "cool".


Manufacturers ARE making fuel efficient cars, as well as SUVs (of all
sizes). People choose for themselves what it is they want to buy.


These Hybrids are not what I call fuel efficient. Yes, they are better
than standard cars but they could be better. Besides, they cost too
much for what you get. Auto makers have had years and years to get it
right but have choosen not to be innovative and we're still driving cars
around that have the same gas mileage as 30 years ago.

On 5-Sep-2005, User Example wrote:

These Hybrids are not what I call fuel efficient.

Then what are they? They get better fuel economy in the
city than on the highway - what conventional vehicle can
do that?

Mike

Michael Daly wrote:
On 5-Sep-2005, User Example wrote:


These Hybrids are not what I call fuel efficient.


Then what are they? They get better fuel economy in the
city than on the highway - what conventional vehicle can
do that?

I call them "not good enough". They are a nice start but getting 15-20%
better gas mileage is not a big deal to me.

"User Example" wrote in message
.. .
Bill wrote:
In the past, I would always use my pick-up truck for anything and
everything construction related. Even for going to the store and buying
say
a 5 gallon can of something.

Yesterday I needed to go to the store and buy a bunch of construction
stuff....

I thought about it... I would not be buying anything long... hummm, maybe
I
could fit it all in my 38 MPG hatchback car?

And I'll be darned if everything fit. Just barely made it, but I crammed
it
all in there. So then I filled up with gas on way back (tank half
full)...
$9.00, not bad!

I think I'll use the car whenever possible from now on....


I think there will be a lot more thinking like that from now on. The days
of cheap gas are gone forever. The prices may go down some but not much.
It's time for all of us to start thinking sensibly.

Of course, the first thing that needs to happen is that the auto-makers
need to start making fuel efficient cars instead of pumping out the
monster SUVs, and double cab pickups. Time to go back to the early 80's
when small cars were "cool".

The small cars of the 80's were not cool! They were little tin coffins.

"David A" wrote in message
news:lVoTe.17958$Sx4.14932@trnddc06...

"User Example" wrote in message
.. .
Bill wrote:
In the past, I would always use my pick-up truck for anything and
everything construction related. Even for going to the store and buying
say
a 5 gallon can of something.

Yesterday I needed to go to the store and buy a bunch of construction
stuff....

I thought about it... I would not be buying anything long... hummm,
maybe
I
could fit it all in my 38 MPG hatchback car?

And I'll be darned if everything fit. Just barely made it, but I
crammed
it
all in there. So then I filled up with gas on way back (tank half
full)...
$9.00, not bad!

I think I'll use the car whenever possible from now on....


I think there will be a lot more thinking like that from now on. The
days
of cheap gas are gone forever. The prices may go down some but not
much.
It's time for all of us to start thinking sensibly.

Of course, the first thing that needs to happen is that the auto-makers
need to start making fuel efficient cars instead of pumping out the
monster SUVs, and double cab pickups. Time to go back to the early 80's
when small cars were "cool".

The small cars of the 80's were not cool! They were little tin coffins.



Not so much so if there weren't all the big SUVs bullying them around by
sheer weight and size, and you all would slow the "f" down to make things
safer collision-wise on the faster roads.

Small cars were never cool. They just made sense until the behemoths were
built again. Now everyone needs a behemoth for some sense of survivability.

And it all goes back to the same thing, look in the mirror. Not behind you,
at yourself. And even if you do, you'll still do the same BS until you're
forced to do so. No conscience, self only, feed the system.

Lil' Dave wrote:
"David A" wrote in message
news:lVoTe.17958$Sx4.14932@trnddc06...

"User Example" wrote in message
...

Bill wrote:

In the past, I would always use my pick-up truck for anything and
everything construction related. Even for going to the store and buying
say
a 5 gallon can of something.

Yesterday I needed to go to the store and buy a bunch of construction
stuff....

I thought about it... I would not be buying anything long... hummm,

maybe

I
could fit it all in my 38 MPG hatchback car?

And I'll be darned if everything fit. Just barely made it, but I

crammed

it
all in there. So then I filled up with gas on way back (tank half
full)...
$9.00, not bad!

I think I'll use the car whenever possible from now on....


I think there will be a lot more thinking like that from now on. The

days

of cheap gas are gone forever. The prices may go down some but not

much.

It's time for all of us to start thinking sensibly.

Of course, the first thing that needs to happen is that the auto-makers
need to start making fuel efficient cars instead of pumping out the
monster SUVs, and double cab pickups. Time to go back to the early 80's
when small cars were "cool".

The small cars of the 80's were not cool! They were little tin coffins.




Not so much so if there weren't all the big SUVs bullying them around by
sheer weight and size, and you all would slow the "f" down to make things
safer collision-wise on the faster roads.

Small cars were never cool. They just made sense until the behemoths were
built again. Now everyone needs a behemoth for some sense of survivability.

And it all goes back to the same thing, look in the mirror. Not behind you,
at yourself. And even if you do, you'll still do the same BS until you're
forced to do so. No conscience, self only, feed the system.



Are you telling me small sports cars weren't cool?

Bill wrote:
In the past, I would always use my pick-up truck for anything and
everything construction related. Even for going to the store and buying say
a 5 gallon can of something.

Yesterday I needed to go to the store and buy a bunch of construction
stuff....

I thought about it... I would not be buying anything long... hummm, maybe I
could fit it all in my 38 MPG hatchback car?

And I'll be darned if everything fit. Just barely made it, but I crammed it
all in there. So then I filled up with gas on way back (tank half full)...
$9.00, not bad!

I think I'll use the car whenever possible from now on....



I drive a large pickup truck because I am a general contractor
and I may need to haul, tow, etc. on a daily basis. Due to
the gas prices, I have often been riding my motorcycle to
work, only to discover that I need to move some tools to
another jobsite. I then drive all the way home to get my
truck and return to the jobsite (which may be 2-30 miles from
home.

I have found one silver lining in this gas price surge. 35
years ago, cowboys, ranchers and construction workers drove
trucks. They were fairly reasonable back then. No frills,
but you could get a good truck without taking out a second
mortgage on the house. Since everyone and their mother wants
trucks and SUVs now, the price of those vehicles have
skyrocketed. Typical construction workers can barely afford
to buy what they NEED to do their job.

Now that gas prices are shooting up, the demand will go down
and perhaps those of us who NEED those types of vehicles will
be able to afford them. I am constantly looking at trucks and
the first sign that demand was going down was the Chevy
employee discount on trucks. I am hoping that that trend
continues and that prices get back to reasonable levels.

--
Robert Allison
Rimshot, Inc.
Georgetown, TX

On Mon, 05 Sep 2005 15:13:07 +0000, Robert Allison wrote:

I have found one silver lining in this gas price surge. 35
years ago, cowboys, ranchers and construction workers drove
trucks. They were fairly reasonable back then. No frills,
but you could get a good truck without taking out a second
mortgage on the house. Since everyone and their mother wants
trucks and SUVs now, the price of those vehicles have
skyrocketed. Typical construction workers can barely afford
to buy what they NEED to do their job.

You can still buy "work trucks". They may not be sitting on the showroom
floor, but they can be ordered. OTOH, I see them all the time in the
Boston and NYC papers as bait.

Now that gas prices are shooting up, the demand will go down and perhaps
those of us who NEED those types of vehicles will be able to afford
them. I am constantly looking at trucks and the first sign that demand
was going down was the Chevy employee discount on trucks. I am hoping
that that trend continues and that prices get back to reasonable levels.

Do you NEED fancy interriors? Power windows/locks? AC? 4WD? Work
trucks are available for about 60% of what the weekend-warrior pays for a
car replacement. Though when my son grew up and I no longer needed two
"cars" (or minivans) I bought a small pickup. As a weekend warrior myself,
I like to be able to fetch a sheet of plywood (or snowblower , or take
stuff to the dump. I also like some of the creature comforts of a car.

--
Keith

--
Keith

"keith" wrote in message

You can still buy "work trucks". They may not be sitting on the showroom
floor, but they can be ordered. OTOH, I see them all the time in the
Boston and NYC papers as bait.

Last time we bought one for our shop it was difficult to find one. No
dealer had one, few were even interesting in ordering a low profit model but
one did when he realized it was that or nothing. It has no AC, standard
trans, no options at all, but does haul what we need and only put on 5,000
miles a year. Most trips are about a mile so we don't need the fancy
options that our cars have.

keith wrote:
On Mon, 05 Sep 2005 15:13:07 +0000, Robert Allison wrote:


I have found one silver lining in this gas price surge. 35
years ago, cowboys, ranchers and construction workers drove
trucks. They were fairly reasonable back then. No frills,
but you could get a good truck without taking out a second
mortgage on the house. Since everyone and their mother wants
trucks and SUVs now, the price of those vehicles have
skyrocketed. Typical construction workers can barely afford
to buy what they NEED to do their job.


You can still buy "work trucks". They may not be sitting on the showroom
floor, but they can be ordered. OTOH, I see them all the time in the
Boston and NYC papers as bait.

I bought one. All of my trucks are "work trucks". That is
what I buy them for.


Now that gas prices are shooting up, the demand will go down and perhaps
those of us who NEED those types of vehicles will be able to afford
them. I am constantly looking at trucks and the first sign that demand
was going down was the Chevy employee discount on trucks. I am hoping
that that trend continues and that prices get back to reasonable levels.


Do you NEED fancy interriors? Power windows/locks? AC? 4WD? Work
trucks are available for about 60% of what the weekend-warrior pays for a
car replacement. Though when my son grew up and I no longer needed two
"cars" (or minivans) I bought a small pickup. As a weekend warrior myself,
I like to be able to fetch a sheet of plywood (or snowblower , or take
stuff to the dump. I also like some of the creature comforts of a car.


Yes, I need AC and 4WD. I live in Texas. I spend about 40%
of my time in the truck going from job to job, estimate to
estimate, etc. I have to pull trailers with backhoes,
bobcats, materials, etc. I have a Chevy 2500 HD that is just
barely enough to handle what I need it to do. I don't care if
it gets scratched or dented, but I do care that the AC works.
At least until winter gets here in January. May have a few
days that I can run without it then.

--
Robert Allison
Rimshot, Inc.
Georgetown, TX

"Robert Allison" wrote in message
news:hq5Te.2925$AB4.66@trnddc03...
I don't care if it gets scratched or dented, but I do care that the AC
works. At least until winter gets here in January. May have a few
days that I can run without it then.

It is common knowledge to those of us who live in Texas that we do,
indeed, have two distinct seasons: 1) January/February and 2) Summer.
Or is it December/January and Summer?
William Tecumseh Sherman was once quoted, "If I owned Texas and
Hell, I'd rent out Texas and live in Hell." Or words to that effect.
--
"New Wave" Dave In Houston

On Tue, 06 Sep 2005 01:53:41 +0000, D. J. MCBRIDE wrote:


"Robert Allison" wrote in message
news:hq5Te.2925$AB4.66@trnddc03...
I don't care if it gets scratched or dented, but I do care that the AC
works. At least until winter gets here in January. May have a few
days that I can run without it then.

It is common knowledge to those of us who live in Texas that we do,
indeed, have two distinct seasons: 1) January/February and 2) Summer.
Or is it December/January and Summer?

It's no different in NE, though we have three seasons; Winter, Deep
Winter, and mud.

Q: What does a Vermonter do in the Summer?
A: If it falls on Sunday, they have a picnic.

William Tecumseh Sherman was once quoted, "If I owned Texas and
Hell, I'd rent out Texas and live in Hell." Or words to that effect.

I know those who rent out the better place. More money. ;-)

--
Keith

I have a 94 Ford Aspire that I am driving more and more. Besdes the
obvious fuel savings over the extended cab 3/4 ton Silverado, it is so
much easier to just zip right into parking spots rather than drive
around the parking lots trying to find a space the truck will fit. What
I can't figure out is not just the size of vehicles people are driving,
but the WAY they drive. I have a friend with a Lincoln Town Car, and I
am terrified to ride with him. He takes off from a light or stop sign
just short of burning rubber, goes one block to the next stop, and just
as you think he is not going to stop, slams on the brakes and stops in
about one car length. Besides the gas, he gets about 15K to a set of
brake pads. This isn't some dumb kid either. This guy is 66 y/o. His 30+
y/o son is even worse. I absolutely refuse to ride with him period. I
would bet that on average, people could get 3 more mpg if they tried. I
get about 13 on the Dodge van at work-- most of the others are getting
about 9-10. It has 70K on the original Michelins. Replaced the original
brake pads at 48K, back brakes original. The other's tires and brakes
are going just over half those mileages. Larry

You are a liar.

$9.00 worth of gas to fill a tank? No way.

That is probably about 3 gallons to a maximum of 3.5 gallons to fill
half a tank. There are no hatchbacks in this country that only have
a 6 to 7 gallon tank.







On Mon, 5 Sep 2005 03:15:13 -0700, "Bill"
wrote:

In the past, I would always use my pick-up truck for anything and
everything construction related. Even for going to the store and buying say
a 5 gallon can of something.

Yesterday I needed to go to the store and buy a bunch of construction
stuff....

I thought about it... I would not be buying anything long... hummm, maybe I
could fit it all in my 38 MPG hatchback car?

And I'll be darned if everything fit. Just barely made it, but I crammed it
all in there. So then I filled up with gas on way back (tank half full)...
$9.00, not bad!

I think I'll use the car whenever possible from now on....