Being forced out!

[Teach]

Looks like we're being forced out.

We just retired this past May and traded for a new MH, planning to do a 50/50 split on being home during summer and travelling the rest of the time. Now, with the price of fuel and the uncertainty of its supply, my wife refuses to start out on our planned trip the middle of Sept. She wants to sell MH and build a cabin on our lake property.

[jodann]

Camper1b,

Can't believe there are still people who think as Neanderthals, but then again, Hummer sales for the month of July are up from July of last year. Go figure!!

Have been driving 4 cyl. cars for about 35 years with no adverse effect. Foolishly decided to purchase an SUV (V6) in 2003 as at that time I lived outside of Albany, NY & was also looking to purchase a small t.t. Bad move on both counts.

The price of gas has curtailed my hopes of RV'ing & the SUV, for the most part, sits at the curb.

As far as visiting in the Albany area in the winter months, the vehicle of choice is a 4 cyl. Toyota which I have equipped w/ 4 extra rims & 4 'real' snowtires. A lovely, comfortable 30 mpg & if I need more traction, neither I or you should be on the roads.

Looking toward the future, my next car will also be a 4 cyl, probably w/stick shift (better mpg, & more fun to drive, just like the old days) & I'll not settle for under 35 mpg.

C'mon, trade in that gas guzzler of yours. I'll bet for the most part, (90% of the time) you are the lone passenger in that behemoth.

Your response, pls. Jodann

[jodann]

Sorry, camper 1b.

This message should have been addressed to A.C.

My apologies, Jodann

[George Miklas]

Agreed!


<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by A.C.:
Vegascpl, I should buy a more fuel economy car? Bah! Ha! Ha! Ha! Give me a break. Never will I take that step again. Through the 80's and 90's I heard the same BS over and over. We live in a nation of big people and big vehicles. For nearly 25 years I drove in discomfort because some other talking head told us to conserve fuel. For what? They raised the prices anyway. That's when I gave up, and bought a full sized PU. Then a fullsized SUV. Traded that on another full sized SUV. Until they outlaw BIG vehicles I will continue to drive them. If gas continues on it's way up. I will travel less in my SUV. Then pretty soon all forms of business will suffer because nobody wants to travel around and spend money. Then when the enviromentalists begin loosing their jobs because of a drop in business, maybe they will see that their ideas failed. I say drill in ANWR. I say build more refinerys. Then tell the so-called Saudi "friends" to take a flying leep off a high cliff. God Bless America, God Bless GWB!


A.C. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

[George Miklas]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by camper1b:
...I have a Ford E-350 van with a V-10 that gets 10 MPG... The difference is I only use that when I have to... </div></BLOCKQUOTE>I'm surprised with your milage. My former employer had a 1997, Ford E-350, 15-passenger with V-10. I took that van on a 700 mile trip and got 15 MPG, driving 70 MPH on the highway. Previously, I owned a 2000 Class A MH with the V-10. The MH weighed in at almost 18,000 and got 9½ MPG, driving 65+ highway (7½ MPG pulling 3500# minivan).

Even before my MH, I had a 1994 E-350 with 460 V-8. With the original exhaust system, it got 13 MPG highway. 14 MPG with 3", radius bend exhaust and low restriction towing muffler. 10 MPG towing 5000# TT.

So when I read that yours is getting 10 MPG, I have to wander if maybe your catalytic converter is getting plugged and causing you more restriction in air flow.

George

[Vegascpl]

I guess what bothers me the most these days is the Greed factor. We all know the oil companies are swimming in huge pools of money. Then, included in the recent Energy Bill were given Billions of dollars in tax breaks for the oil companies. Why do they need more money?

How much is enough? These people have literally billions of dollars and they want more. It seems like they use every excuse to take more of our money so that they can add it to the billions they already have.

These days our government officials are For Sale and we're all paying for it!

[camper1b]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by George Miklas:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by camper1b:
...I have a Ford E-350 van with a V-10 that gets 10 MPG... The difference is I only use that when I have to... </div></BLOCKQUOTE>I'm surprised with your milage. My former employer had a 1997, Ford E-350, 15-passenger with V-10. I took that van on a 700 mile trip and got 15 MPG, driving 70 MPH on the highway. Previously, I owned a 2000 Class A MH with the V-10. The MH weighed in at almost 18,000 and got 9½ MPG, driving 65+ highway (7½ MPG pulling 3500# minivan).

Even before my MH, I had a 1994 E-350 with 460 V-8. With the original exhaust system, it got 13 MPG highway. 14 MPG with 3", radius bend exhaust and low restriction towing muffler. 10 MPG towing 5000# TT.

So when I read that yours is getting 10 MPG, I have to wander if maybe your catalytic converter is getting plugged and causing you more restriction in air flow.

George </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Hmmm. When I got the vehicle it had 25000 miles on it and it was 1 year old. I have consitently got between 10 and 13 whether I'm towing or not. I'd be interested in what other people are getting with the same vehicle. Thanks.

[Two Bit]

Report gas price gouging here to the energy dept.
http://gaswatch.energy.gov/

[brad03ca]

Be nice to have something like that in Canada. Problem here is Government is making as much as the oil companies,in fuel taxes. Who's Zoom'in who....

[Vegascpl]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Report gas price gouging here to the energy dept.
http://gaswatch.energy.gov/ </div></BLOCKQUOTE>


LOL, I guess we all know how much good that will do.

It makes one wonder if there is any difference between the gas companies charging $3.00 to $6.50 per gallon and the looters in New Orleans who have no food or water and are despirate for help that is promised but never never seems to arrive?

I wonder what would happen in this country when we experience another terrorist attack especially if our president, senators, and congressmen are all on month long vacations.

[camper1b]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by A.C.:
jodann,.....good for you. If you what to drive around in a four banger, the more power to you. I did it for 16+ years....
cut the rest of the blah, blah, blah

A.C. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

I am also a conservative like you. (Voted for W both times). But, the difference between us is that I am beginning to awaken from my conservative stupor as far as this country's energy usage is concerned. You might think you're a good American for driving around that big American-made bohemoth. But let me point out that every mile you drive, you are weakening this country that much more. Whether you like it or not, we are dependent on the mullahs in the middle east for our energy and no pipeline or additional refineries or arctic tundra drilling is going to change that. The only thing that will change things in our favor is for the US to get pi**ed enough that we respond to this crisis, not with chest pounding "Look at me still driving this guzzler" but with creative solutions to our energy crisis.

Your cabin in the woods analogy has no relevance to this argumant. The Earth is not going to create more oil. You are playing right into the terrorists hands. A portion of every gallon of gasoline you buy goes directly to Osama. Enjoy your drive!

Now, having said that, I have a V10 that gets 10 MPG. I will not give up camping or towing my trailer with this van. However, I will be very proud of every mile I drive with my Saturn at 33 MPG because I am helping my country to break its energy dependence.

[jodann]

A.C.

You seem to have me labeled as a tree-hugging liberal. I am probably as much a conservative as you are. It only happens that after the Arab oil embargo in '73 I came to the realization that they had us by the 'short ones' & I would personally do something about it.

I did take some detours along the way, in that I had some 'toy' cars; 3 mid - sixties Corvettes, a big block Nova, a 5.0 Mustang, etc. but my primary transportation is & will continue to be a 4 banger.

Oh, and BTW, my present Toyota is a '94 station wagon (7 passenger!! w/no car payments) that I bought last year w/ only 22K miles on it. And 'yes' I do car pool whenever possible. Just doin' my part, that's all.

[Vegascpl]

AC, I don't get it! I guess that must make me a dumb, tree hugging, liberal! I don't understand why there is any shame in being a liberal or an environmentalist.

After five years of a conservative administration we pay double for gas. We pay double for electricity and natural gas. We are the world's biggest polluters and its getting worse. We are destroying our land, water, and air, and that not only affect us but the rest of the world. We pay double for prescription drugs. We have the highest deficit spending in history. We are generally hated around the world for because we act like bullies. Our education system is in a shambles. Our medical system is a total failure. The middle class now pays the highest proportion of the taxes. Terrorism is a bigger threat today than it has ever been in history due to our actions around the world. The single biggest reason for doubling the price of a barrel of oil is the War in Iraq. Just think what our country would have been like if we had not gone to war in Iraq.

From my point of view that's what conservative values have brought to our country. So tell me why are things so much better for you than they were five years ago?

The comment about Fat and Lazy reflects our country in general, conservative and liberal not you personally. You might run marathons for all I know.

When I fill up at these high prices I say Thank You to Bush. He may not control the price you pay at the pump but his actions have made it possible, and his friends here and in Saudi Arabia have profited nicely as a result.

[TXiceman]

Gentlemen, let's not revert to name calling.

Ken