Bigger SUVs fall out of favor with buyers (http://www.timesdispatch.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RTD%2FMGArticle%2FRTD_BasicArti cle&c=MGArticle&cid=1031783883300&path=!business&s=1045855934855)

by Matt Nauman, Richmond Times-Dispatch

Bigger SUVs fall out of favor with buyers (http://www.timesdispatch.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RTD%2FMGArticle%2FRTD_BasicArti cle&c=MGArticle&cid=1031783883300&path=!business&s=1045855934855)

by Matt Nauman, Richmond Times-Dispatch


Today I filled up my Nissan Altima and when I was pulling up to the pump a Chevy Suburban pulled away, I was nosey on how much they spent....


$67.00 to filler up..

mine was

$30.00

I was wondering how long it was going to take for the large SUV to go away.

Today I filled up my Nissan Altima and when I was pulling up to the pump a Chevy Suburban pulled away, I was nosey on how much they spent....


$67.00 to filler up..

mine was

$30.00

I was wondering how long it was going to take for the large SUV to go away.


not only that, that suburban MIGHT get 275-300 miles to the tank....

whereas you will probably get 375-425 out of the altima

I know this is a old post but just thought that I would put in my 2cents worth on it. The last time I filled up my 99 Ford F250 befor I sold it there was a $100.00 dollar bill on the counter and only cents coming for change. It had a 38 gal tank and it was only 2.53 a gallon I would hate to fill it now at over 3.14 a gal now it would be in the 12 range. No thanks my new eco box gets 35-40 to the gallon and looks good going down the road.
Mark

You all thougth that a E was a brick on wheels. This is 8 feet 6 inchs to the roof, with 40 super swampers and 12 inchs of lift. This was a cinder block on wheels 8 feet off of the ground

Any gas riots yet?

Any gas riots yet?

Uncle Larry, usually right after Thanksgiving meal.

I know this is a old post but just thought that I would put in my 2cents worth on it. The last time I filled up my 99 Ford F250 befor I sold it there was a $100.00 dollar bill on the counter and only cents coming for change. It had a 38 gal tank and it was only 2.53 a gallon I would hate to fill it now at over 3.14 a gal now it would be in the 12 range. No thanks my new eco box gets 35-40 to the gallon and looks good going down the road.
Mark

You all thougth that a E was a brick on wheels. This is 8 feet 6 inchs to the roof, with 40 super swampers and 12 inchs of lift. This was a cinder block on wheels 8 feet off of the grounddon't you feel bad if you'd ever hit anyone with such a lifted vehicle...you bumpers would go right through the window of a normal car or suv or just climp over top just killing those inside the other car...most importantly it negates the federal standards for crash safety (bumper height, crumple zones to absorb bumper to bumper impact, etc.)

Increasing fuel prices definitely suck, and they have the potential to be an economic disaster, but a few good things may come about from it in the long run:

1) people will (hopefully) think before they drive, maybe even considering Public Transportation, bicycles or walking. Good for the roads, good for the environment and good for your health.

2) Expect urban centers to become centers once again- less suburban sprawl as people move in closer to work. Fewer headwaters and watershed areas are developed- again, a win for the environment.

3) As people adapt to rising tansportation costs by consuming less, expect less reliance on petroleum from foreign economies. A bonus for the trade balance. Finally...

4) I cannot think of a more equitable "use tax" commodity than gasoline (cigarettes and booze are pretty good too). If you "use" more of a road/highway/pollute more, than if follows that you should pay more to clean up after yourself. Close to 50% of the price of gas is in Federal and State taxes (labeled on the pump- look for yourself). Taxing gas is a brilliant way to distribute these maintainence costs without slapping our income with yet more taxes. (And yes, I am a wacky proponent of the "spending tax" replacing our current federal tax codes...)

So, while I'm fully aware of the "negatives"- I think those are worthwhile "positives". If none of those do it for you, keep in mind that the best thing of ALL about high gas prices: WATCHING HUMMERS FILL UP! :grin:

>Close to 50% of the price of gas is in Federal and State taxes (labeled on the pump- look for yourself).

No, that is not correct. Follow this link for an authoritative tax table for the US:

http://www.sanfrangasprices.com/tax_info.aspx

Key phrase: "Together Federal and State excise taxes on fuel account for an average cost of approximately 62 cents per gallon."

All of the run-up in price is at the wholesale level. The refiners are kicking our butts - how does an increase of 10% in the price of crude become a 25% increase in the price of gasoline, especially when the crude cost is 35% of the constituent cost to manufacture?

>... the best thing of ALL about high gas prices: WATCHING HUMMERS FILL UP!

I've said it elsewhere: Hummer owners couldn't give a rat's ass. They've spent $50,000 to placate their egos with a demonstration of their own grotesque excess - conspicous, in-your-face consumption. $3-400/month for gas is chicken feed.

I stand corrected: taxes make up 27%, while 15% are distribution, marketing and retailer costs. Regardless, the priciple still applies: use more and pay more!

Regarding Hummers being "in your face" consumerism, I only agree to a point- For a while there were HUGE tax incentives for buying vehicles over a certain GVW and used for "business purposes". How big? Well here's a quote: "Under the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004, businesses cannot take a first-year deduction of more than $25,000 for an SUV. The business would depreciate the remaining cost. (The limit for vehicles placed in service before Oct. 23 was $100,000.)" I won't compare this to the $2000 tax credit for a hybrid vehicle, since the advantage of a credit vs. a writeoff will depend heavily on an individual financial situation.

Nevertheless, depending on your tax bracket, it could amost pay for itself. I don't disagree for a second that it's consumerism at it's best. However, when you can buy a 50K vehicle and get a 25K deduction and THEN write off the total value as depreciation in subsequent years, it almost makes financial sense to do exactly that!

I know many "overpriced gas guzzing SUV drivers" who are now crying over the price of fuel... and I laugh and laugh... :)

Ah, yes... you are absolutely right... the former Section 179 deduction for "commercial trucks" used in your business. Fortunately that little loophole for the heavy SUVs was closed starting with the 2005 tax year. I never really think much about "the average Joe" in business for him/herself using that as a dodge to reduce the real price... but OTOH I have an acquaintance who did exactly that - he bought a yellow H2 that way.

Since he uses that H2 to get attention at the regional tradeshows in his industry (driving it to each show), I'll bet you he is really singing the blues at the moment.

Bigger SUVs fall out of favor with buyers (http://www.timesdispatch.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RTD%2FMGArticle%2FRTD_BasicArti cle&c=MGArticle&cid=1031783883300&path=!business&s=1045855934855)

by Matt Nauman, Richmond Times-Dispatch

Yea well...there's a new article in the Washington Times Auto Weekend section right now about Lincoln's huge new pickup. Gee...and it's cheaper than the previous model...just 40 grand.

Gets something like 13 mph. Great idea, Ford...another winner there, eh?

The problem with gas in this country is that it is, and has been for far too long, too inexpensive. We have grown used to cheap gas, and so we think we have a right to it. I say, drop $1.00 gas tax on gas right now, and then add 25 cents a gallon on top of that for four years. We WILL eventually pay what Europe and Japan pay, the differenc being that in those places, the gas IS actually 50% or more taxes. That's a good thing, because it discourages waste, and it accurately and sufficiently pays for the roads on which we drive. Billions and billions of our INCOME TAX pay for road construction and maintenance, which means that those who live in the City and drive fuel efficient cars are subsidizing those of us who do neither (I drive an E and live in the Country and have no problem with the extra tax). Besides, Saudi Arabia will think twice about raising gas prices if prices here are already encouraging serious research into oil alternatives (which we are not doing, and probably will not do until we are paying $5.00 or more per gallon). I say, the first $1.00 per gallon tax should go toward road building, another 50 cents can subsidize mass transit costs, and then spend another dollar (phased in over time) purely on research and development of alternative sources of fuel. I would bet that if you add $1.50 to $2.00 per gallon gas tax, wholesale oil prices will nearly drop enough to make up the difference (remember, no one was talking about the oil industry losing money at $13.00 per barrel and we are at $70 per barrel now.

I agree- income tax sucks... hooray for The Spending Tax (progressive consumption tax)! :grin: I'm just playing around- I don't really want to be flamed for my weird economic views. IMHO I think it would be great if they put some of that gas tax into urban renovation. Nobody wants to live in Downtown Urban Decay, and I believe this contributes to suburban sprawl (and long commutes). Come to think of it, this would probably be a great time to purchase cheap downtown property... then I can fulfill my dream of becoming a SlumLord! :evil:

Lately in my neighborhood I’ve seen an increase of gas-powered scooters. I thought to myself, wow … the gas prices are starting to affect peoples’ transportation choices, and they are getting out of cars & SUVs, and onto scooters.
Nope, I was wrong. As it turns out, they are riding them instead of bicycles.