How high will gas prices be this summer 2008?

[ghostdog]

Well with gas at $1.09 and not budging down and surprise! surprise! Spring is around the corner, how high will gas prices go this summer? Some 'experts' spew out the numbers hovering at ~$1.40. I think baring any refineries blowing up or a start of a new war, it will 'only' reach $1.30 because frankly when gas prices gets that high, people will just drive less (like me!)... unfortunately once we are used to the prices over time our driving habits return... shesh I remember when it reached $0.60 a liter and I was bitching and this wasn't that long ago! honestly! ... I also noticed that those greedy petro bastards have increased the prices of premium gas... first it was $0.10 more than regular and slowly but surely after the $0.11 increase it is now $0.12 more than regular... and that's only for 91 octane since I know some people like to use 94 octane... seriously if it hits $1.50+, I'm gonna sell my car and get a diesel to convert it to a greasecar and then run out and get contracts with all those restaurants to give me priority supply before the possible/probable mad rush! :chuckle

[Niteshade]

Sad truth is we've all been bitching about gas prices for decades and not a damn thing changes! I don't see much changing wrt most peoples' driving habits regardless of where the price goes.

I'm gonna date myself here, but back in the '70s there was this whole "energy crisis" bruhaha that was supposed to be a wake up call to everyone about the costs and shortages of fossil fuels etc. The experts of the day were calling for small more efficient vehicles, increased research into alternative fuels and warning of the dangers of our over-reliance on fossil fuels.

Fast forward to the new millenium and where are we? Until very recently, alternative fuels (hybrids, ethanol, hydrogen, etc) were pretty much an afterthought. Bigger was better and the SUVs reigned supreme. IMO, the only reason they are starting to fall out of favour isn't because the price of gas has increased, but because it's increased so fast!

I wouldn't be surprised to see gas hit $1.50 for regular this summer, especially around long weekends. And we'll pay it because, when push comes to shove, we all love our cars and the transportation freedom they bring. And as bad as that is it could be a hell of a lot worse. When my wife and I travelled to England a few years back I was surprised to see that gas was listed at 0.87/L, about 8-10 cents higher than back home. Then she reminded me that the price was actually in British pounds: 2.5 dollars to the pound!!!

[Skarbro]

Thank God my car only uses 87!

[Cardinal Fang]

As high as the prices are here and will be this summer. We in North America pay relatively little compared to other countries. Places like China subsidize the price of gas. If and when they remove them from their market they will be in for a rude awakening.

Ya....gas prices suck.

[mEtH]

In England their prices are the same as ours... but if you factor in that their money is worth double ours then it makes you shreeek.

[mogul_pro]

Don't even want to think about gas prices in the summer, its absolutely ridiculous that because people drive more in the summer 'they' crank up the prices, using any and every excuse under the sun. Regardless, I will still drive the exact same amount. Won't stop me from driving to work, gym, going out with friends or family, or anything else for that matter.

Sooner or later those hybrid cars will become powerful enough to make them attractive to the general market. Cruising in a smart car just doesn't do it for me right now... lol.. unless they allow you to drive them on the sidewalk. Hah

[vibrantdon]

Be prepared to see gas prices go to $1.50L

[CanadaGTO]

In England their prices are the same as ours... but if you factor in that their money is worth double ours then it makes you shreeek.

Prices in the town I used to live in when I was a kid:

The Average price in this area: Regular 106.2p Premium 112.5p

Exchange rate is almost exactly 1 GBP = 2 CDN

[zedtech]

I'd expect 1.30-1.50/L. Sucks for sure but Quebec and BC have had it worse than us for a long time now.

[mogul_pro]

How high was it last summer? (Can't remember...)

Whatever it was take that that number, add $0.20 to it, and thats probly where we will be. #$!#$%^#$^%^!!!

[rktsci]

While it sucks, I do hope that this will finally force people out of SUVs (and I only mean that for those that really don't need them). I'm really reconsidering keeping my 3 after the lease is up and looking at something more economical once my fiance and I get married later this year..that way we have one larger vehicle and one small vehicle.

[mogul_pro]

While it sucks, I do hope that this will finally force people out of SUVs (and I only mean that for those that really don't need them).

More companies that make AWD cars make owning an suv less attractive in my opinion.

[rktsci]

More companies that make AWD cars make owning an suv less attractive in my opinion.

Just try and convince the soccer moms of that!

[PlatMS6]

MazdaSpeed owners will be taking out their turbos :P

[mogul_pro]

lol.. that would make for an interesting FS section.. lol

[ghostdog]

Well England and the other European countries have it worse but considering their salaries are also in Euro or British pound I don't feel too sorry for them... of course when Canadians travel to Europe, that is when you really feel the price difference!

China and India do subsidize their oil prices and considering how much of a trade surplus that they have, I don't see it ending anytime soon... I really hope alternative fuels like radioactive nuclear waste (!) :chuckle take off because I'm tired of seeing those oil companies reporting billions of dollars in profit each quarter and then cry the oil prices are high because of government taxes, broken refineries, bad weather, low US dollar, too much sex, the sun rises in the east, etc. etc....

I wonder what happens to Saudi and the rest of those oil countries when oil is no longer in high demand? What will they do to make a living?

[mogul_pro]

Well 20 billion dollars at 5% interest per oil rich family on average gives them 1 billion a YEAR interest by doing nothing at all.. so its safe to say that when the oil "runs out" they are still good to go for many many many many generations... lol

[b3GS]

I don't know how people who drive these huge SUVs and hummers, etc. afford to drive as is. I make an above average income and after all my other bills are paid (basic living costs) I can barely afford to put gas in my little Mazda 3!!!
the fact remains that most of the cost of us buying gas goes to taxes!! We are overtaxed in this country, plain and simple.

I also watched The Hour last night, and they talked about the Tar Sands in Western Canada could soon make Canada the No.2 supplier in the world for oil. The problem is, the cost of getting oil out of the sand is about 1 barrel of oil, to every 2 barrels produced. Thats not a very profitable margin. And the environmental impact is HUGE. And as the U.S. continues to gobble up oil as it does.. all our oil will be pipelined directly down to them. Of course.. it will not really help us out as Canadians, cause like always, we get ****ed over by them all the time. It happens with our lumber and water already, and now our oil.
You would think being an oil rich country would benefit us, but that is not the case apparently.

here's the interview http://www.cbc.ca/thehour/video.php?id=2031
I strongly suggest you watch it

[RallyPlaya]

Wow that documentary is very interesting...... Makes me realize that Canada is still America's bit*h. Canada can make a huge profit by having the 2nd larges oil reserve but the oil goes straight to the US What??? Canada has the opportunity to become the next UAE and they screw it up.

[mogul_pro]

the fact remains that most of the cost of us buying gas goes to taxes!! We are overtaxed in this country, plain and simple.



Just like most typical Canadians... want to pay less taxes but keep the same (or extend) government funded services.

Try doing the math on that one. :loco

Don't get me wrong I am all for less tax, but on the same breath I'd also be prepared to pay for my own health care, schooling ect...
Fact is most tax paying Canadians USE more public services than there own personal tax dollars are paying for in the first place. Where does the extra money come from to cover the balance of everyone’s 'cheques, the people that earn high dollar incomes... as if its there problem to have to pay for everyone else right. (Seems like most Canadians think so these days...)

Anyways back on track before I derail the thread totally... gas prices suck! :flaming

[mazdachris]

More companies that make AWD cars make owning an suv less attractive in my opinion.


I have to disagree with you there. In my opinion (for what it's worth) People drive those SUV's (Stupid Useless Vehicles) to sit high up and feel safe. Some may justify the big ones by hauling a boat to the cottage twice a year.
(Could rent something for that)
Some like all the space. Feeling like they are invincable. (Which there not, ever see one take a corner too fast)

That's really why the gas prices have gone up.

Consider the "Supply and Damand" issue.

Suv's gobble about 12 to 14 litres per hundred on the highway (Hummer not included in this). Mazda 3's and cars alike use about 7 - 10 litres per hundred. You may say, that's not alot, but millions of suv's (GM banked their success on the sale of these. Look at them now. #2)
So, especially in the U.S. The minivans and suv's gobbled up most of our resources. And for what. Too sit high up and feel safe. :bang

I hope GM does bring in the Volt. Electric Car. Then we'll see if we need the arabs oil anymore.

[mogul_pro]

I have a cottage... if i took the mazda3 vs SUV I would hvae to make 4 trips in my mazda3.. and I go every weekend in the summer, and alot of weekends in the winter... so its really not useless to have an suv that u can fit 2 large coolers, 4 suitcases, a dog cage, all while not getting stuck on the sub-par cottage country roads... so if you need the space, can afford the vehicle, and the gas.. why the heck not...
...So to say "SUV's (Stupid Useless Vehicles)" .. isnt always the case.

[CanadaGTO]

Though I have no fondness for most SUV drivers, the issue of world Oil supply prices/problems has little to do with North America. The current situation is due to the rapidly expanding Chinese and Indian auto sector. ( http://www.busrep.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=565&fSetId=304&fArticleId=2211763 ).

This is gonna be a issue going forward, so get used to it. Domestic auto companies have made a big mistake in concentrating on Trucks and Minivans, but so have consumers. We'll all adapt though, no need to panic :)

[REZXPERT]

just like Liberal MP Dan McTeague, "Gas Watchdog", gas price theories are like *******s:
everyone has one & they all stink.

[mogul_pro]

lol.. nice..

[ghostdog]

India, China, Russia all have improving economies and everyone wants a car... India introducing the world's cheapest car certainly won't help... the US gov't needs to step up in the trade issues. The US should demand that subsidizing gas prices constitutes unfair trade practice (it does by allowing manufacturers to operate at a lower cost) and slap appropriate penalties... remember Obama and Clinton wanting to renegotiate NAFTA? well an article in the Star says they are looking at the wrong trade agreement. I agree. How long before China overtakes Canada as the largest trade partner with the US? (Currently China sits 2nd... apparently Canada imports a lot of cheap oil to the US...) The US bitches to Canada about softwood when China subsidizes gas prices??? They need to protect the American way of life! Guns! Girls! & SUVs!

Before I was poor from gambling and girls (they don't give any discounts to repeat customers! :chuckle), I was thinking of buying an SUV; statistics show that in car crashes, if you are in an SUV you are more likely to surivive (but kill the driver and passengers of a regular car ...)

Graph from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) and The Polk Company's National Vehicle Population Profile:

http://www.iihs.org/research/fatality_facts_2006/occupants.html

Passenger vehicle occupant deaths by vehicle type, 1975-2006
http://www.iihs.org/research/fatality_facts_2006/images/2006_occupants_1.gif

Now that the gas prices are climbing I still wish I had money for an SUV! I need to feel safe! :chuckle

BTW outside of being the 'killer' instead of 'killed', an SUV can easily be replaced by a... station wagon! - similar capacity and better on fuel! :chuckle

[nicker]

yup gas prices suck and they got us by the short and curleys! or do they ????

I often wonder if we followed one of those emails. You know the ones where not to buy gas a certain name locations etc etc. We really do have to try to do somthing, its just gougeing now !

[mazdachris]

India, China, Russia all have improving economies and everyone wants a car... India introducing the world's cheapest car certainly won't help... the US gov't needs to step up in the trade issues. The US should demand that subsidizing gas prices constitutes unfair trade practice (it does by allowing manufacturers to operate at a lower cost) and slap appropriate penalties... remember Obama and Clinton wanting to renegotiate NAFTA? well an article in the Star says they are looking at the wrong trade agreement. I agree. How long before China overtakes Canada as the largest trade partner with the US? (Currently China sits 2nd... apparently Canada imports a lot of cheap oil to the US...) The US bitches to Canada about softwood when China subsidizes gas prices??? They need to protect the American way of life! Guns! Girls! & SUVs!

Before I was poor from gambling and girls (they don't give any discounts to repeat customers! :chuckle), I was thinking of buying an SUV; statistics show that in car crashes, if you are in an SUV you are more likely to surivive (but kill the driver and passengers of a regular car ...)

Graph from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) and The Polk Company's National Vehicle Population Profile:

http://www.iihs.org/research/fatality_facts_2006/occupants.html

Passenger vehicle occupant deaths by vehicle type, 1975-2006
http://www.iihs.org/research/fatality_facts_2006/images/2006_occupants_1.gif

Now that the gas prices are climbing I still wish I had money for an SUV! I need to feel safe! :chuckle

BTW outside of being the 'killer' instead of 'killed', an SUV can easily be replaced by a... station wagon! - similar capacity and better on fuel! :chuckle


Boy, what a thread or tangled web I started. Anyways. Kudos on the wagon. My other car is a wagon with a 1.8. I don't need to haul a boat, but I can surly fit my family and suitcases and if a I had a dog, a cage too. And all for 30 litres of gas to drive 600 kms. People only think they need an SUV.
Why is there no hybrid minivan. I understand the battery bulk size, but think of all the sales. There will be a better way.

I never bitch about the price of gas. I have always purchased a vehicle according to the price of gase and the anual kilometres I put on. It's not that I can't afford it. I am just very anal about throwing my money out the tailpipe.

Take the Dodge Ram p/up. Seriously. Aside from contractors, who would need that to drive around in. I can understand if your 6'8 and 280lbs. But, most are not.

I guess what I am really trying to say is, the government won't help with the gas prices. Neither will the Arabs. The f'in little emails that circulate to boycott gas stations are stupid. The only person who can really change anything about gas is you. Everyone. Don't like the price of gas, by a diesal. In a few years, by an electric. The car makers will follow suit.

Look at how well Toyota is doing.

Anyways. No offence intended to anyone. Just my 1.09 worth.

[mazdachris]

Those were good statistics.

Just remember though. It's not the SUV's fault the car driver dies. It's the person behind the wheel of the SUV. My theory is to not be in that same accident. Kind of like when I drove a semi truck. I was so high up and so heavy, I could squash an escalade like an 80's chevette. So, size matters, but accident avoidence and a good sense of what's going on around you works better.
Better to avoid the accident all together.

Kind of like when most of the commuters wreck their cars when it snows. They blame the weather, they need to blame themselves.

[DingBat]

The recent surge in gas prices doesn't really have anything to do with supply or demand. It's all about the soft american dollar.

Oil is universally traded in barrels per US dollar. When the yankee-buck goes soft, the money you get for your barrel is worth less. Therefore, you want to charge more for it.

Not that it makes any difference to us at the moment. :)

[RX9]

not matter what, i just filled up 1.19/L last night.:complain

[mazdachris]

The recent surge in gas prices doesn't really have anything to do with supply or demand. It's all about the soft american dollar.

Oil is universally traded in barrels per US dollar. When the yankee-buck goes soft, the money you get for your barrel is worth less. Therefore, you want to charge more for it.

Not that it makes any difference to us at the moment. :)

Your somewhat right about the dollar. However, because the U.S reserves are not as high as expected, they blame that on the sudden surge.
Who cares really. We just suck it up and pay..................or walk:gone

1.19? you using premium?

[3GFX]

I'm looking into small street bikes at the moment, time to save on gas!

[Malcolm991]

Even though our dollar is at par we pay almost $2 a gallon more then the U.S for gas. What kind of country is this when have to drive over to the states to save money on basically everything

[PlatMS6]

C'mooooon $2/L, why not 3, 5... wonderful things will happen :)
(I'm not talking about cleaner cars and all that hippie junk)

[mazdachris]

Even though our dollar is at par we pay almost $2 a gallon more then the U.S for gas. What kind of country is this when have to drive over to the states to save money on basically everything

A country with free healthcare and high taxes. We are amunst the highest taxed countries in the world.:chuckle

[RX9]

1.19? you using premium?

ya, i hate it, but i have to.:complain

[ghostdog]

Damn it! Got ripepd off by Petro! Those damn save $0.02 card got me to fill up at $107.3 today and then as I leave and drive by Sunoco, it's $103.x! :( So I lost about a ~$1 difference in price... those Petro guys sure are slow to adjust to lower prices... gotta be more aware next time, that's for sure...:complain

[Tokic_o]

lol i just filled up, Petro is 103.2 right now :) yay