$5.00 per gallon gas strategy

[Ghost Rider]

I'm seeing enough news stories to believe that $5.00 per gallon of gas will happen this year. So here is the thread to share some strategy...

1) when gas gets "expensive" I go on the hunt for a new truck. The price temporarily takes a big hit on less efficient vehicles.

2 The used bike market has been at a steady simmerl. $5.00 gas might bring top dollar on the used market, so I'm prepared to sell .

These strategies are geared towards going for an upgrade or replacement. There are plenty of ideas about what $5.00 per gallon will mean and how to cope, let's her 'em....

[sharkey]

Well not trying to be a smart a** but my strategy is to vote someone out of office in Nov.

This summer, I plan to ride either the 919 -45mpg or the Sprint -48mpg as much as possible and work from home as much as I can.

Someone very important told me to keep my tires properly inflated and that would give us a big enough oil surplus.

[poser]

I said the same thing today to a customer. We were making small talk and he mentioned the pending high gas prices. I told him, "It'll be a good time to buy a new truck them"
I bought my current truck last time gas prices got above $4 per gallon and the Tundra plant was temporarily shut down.

I Think once this summer hits and I don't have to take the little dude to the sitter, I may ride my bike. More for getting in shape, but the saved gas would be nice too.

[gixxerjasen]

Started the strategy at the end of fall. With my 60 mile round trip commute, I traded the gas guzzling truck for a super duper fun MINI that gets 30 mpg and puts almost as big of a grin on my face as my bike. And that's my fair weather vehicle, I've been riding the bike all week long and loving it.

[JTM]

If Gas spikes up that high, I'll be looking for a good inexpensive tow rig.

[primate]

New walking shoes.

[TwoSmokeDS]

I hope to sell my subcompact car at a huge profit. And buy a new truck for cheap. So higher the gas price this summer, happier I'll be.

[Dave.TX]

I'm fortunate enough to have a take home car for work. The truck and the motorcycle are for my own time so I can choose to go somewhere or not. More often than not I'm choosing to combine trips into one. I used to drive my own vehicles about 20,000 miles per year, last year my truck got 12,000 miles and this year will get even less. It sits in the garage 5 or 6 days out of the week. The motorcycle = 45mpg, the truck = 17mpg (0.07 cents a mile vs 0.19 cents a mile, something like that).

Oh, and vote the P out of office. Socialism only works for those in office and the very rich who donate to them.

[DaveAlvarado]

Not to get too soap-boxy, but you guys blaming the POTUS are cracking me up.

High gas prices are capitalism, pure and simple. Why do you think the price suddenly drops $0.50/gal every time Congress makes noises about looking into it?

My strategy will probably be to ride the DR350 even more. It's my best mileage vehicle at around 50mpg.

[gixxerjasen]

Originally Posted by DaveAlvarado

High gas prices are capitalism, pure and simple. Why do you think the price suddenly drops $0.50/gal every time Congress makes noises about looking into it?

Maybe they should do more than make noise?

[NPHLYT]

getting rid of the electoral college would make people take notice....

I will be buying a new(er), FI, bike and getting rid of 2 carbureted models to make room. Luckily I take a plane to work, so my commute does not hurt when the price of gas goes up.

[shadow247]

Gas prices are high because China can afford to pay more than us. We are coming close to the day when we will have to outbid the Chinese and Asian countries. I give it 3 years and Asia will be the largest consumer of gasoline.

My strategy, buy oil stocks, a cheap commuter car, and ride your bike as much as you can. I ride 2 miles to work and may even think about riding my bicycle to eliminate gas entirely. Right now I can ride to work for 10 days and use 15 in gas. My truck uses 20 a week right now, so I just bought a 4 runner and plan to drive that as little as possible.

[Tracker]

do the math before assuming anything.
My nice, used, paid for F150 v6 that gets crappy mileage.
12,000 miles a yr @ 16 mpg = 750 gallons x $5 = $3750
replacement 30 mpg wondercar econobox
12,000 miles a yr @ 30 mpg = 400 gallons x $5 = $2000

net $1750/yr gain
new car payment to get 30 mpg @ $300 x 12 = $3600/yr loss

I'll keep my old truck, thanks.

[Dave.TX]

Yeah, I'm making payments on both my truck and motorcycle. It ain't cheap. Also paying a mortgage by myself and all the associated monthly bills. Can't afford much else.

It's not just the president alone, I agree. But I'll hold my tongue and stay away from a big political debate because we're old and stuck in our ways. As for the OP's intention for this thread he did not mention politics but your strategies for staying financially ahead. Rising fuel prices also means rising food, clothing and everything-that-is-shipped prices.

[M38A1]

Originally Posted by Tracker

do the math before assuming anything.
My nice, used, paid for F150 v6 that gets crappy mileage.
12,000 miles a yr @ 16 mpg = 750 gallons x $5 = $3750
replacement 30 mpg wondercar econobox
12,000 miles a yr @ 30 mpg = 400 gallons x $5 = $2000

net $1750/yr gain
new car payment to get 30 mpg @ $300 x 12 = $3600/yr loss

I'll keep my old truck, thanks.

I was wondering when someone would chime in on the economics of a new purchase vs driving what you have. I can drive my truck a lot of miles for what I'd pay in increased vehicle expense above my paid-for truck.

But the scoot will be a big factor when diesel goes over $4 which isn't too far off.

.

[YoDoc]

Originally Posted by shadow247

Gas prices are high because China can afford to pay more than us.

Gas prices are high because of speculation by commodities traders.

[FJRMike]

there is no shortage of gasoline production or refinery capacity in the USA at this point.

Matter of fact, many of the refineries are not running anywhere near capacity.

Gas prices are high....because the oil companies have it.....and we need it..

Pure Capitalism at work.

[kojack06]

Wait until a gallon of obamaline hits $7.00 to $9.00...

[wanabeguru]

Originally Posted by kojack06

Wait until a gallon of obamaline hits $7.00 to $9.00...

Are you refering to the President? Au contraire, I beg to differ. Read those posts that state it is capitalism.....at its worse. My bride and I commute 60 miles per day. I haven't had a raise in 4 years. The outfit I work for doesn't pay a basic living wage. I will probably quit to go to greener pastures and work outside my chosen field

[thencamedonson]

I am getting groceries on My FLH with Tour Pack. Between the TP and the saddlebags, I can get a lot of groceries in there, and leave the F-150 at home. Also, time to dig out that expensive bicycle and start ACTUALLY riding it!