The Truth About the Big 6 U.S. Airlines?
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If you don't want an SUV, then don't buy one - its called freedom of choice. As for me, when the 5.7L V-8 gives up the ghost in my Yukon, I hope to drop in the new GM 8.1. Happy Trails!
You are right about mass transit, there is very little of it in the states with the exception of the big cities. You have to go by car, therefore, you want to keep the gas prices low.
You are right about mass transit, there is very little of it in the states with the exception of the big cities. You have to go by car, therefore, you want to keep the gas prices low.
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gas is cheap, drive fast....
46Driver,
Don't know about the 'new' 8.1 litre...the old one in the Eldorado was great, passed everything but the gas station.
Great ride...but tires only lasted 8000 miles, well the cheap ones anyway.
Don't know about the 'new' 8.1 litre...the old one in the Eldorado was great, passed everything but the gas station.
Great ride...but tires only lasted 8000 miles, well the cheap ones anyway.
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Bloody hell ... 8.1 litres ... and the boys are so nonchalant about it!
How convenient for your continued motoring pleasure, that your government has shown such single minded resolve in the face of world opinion, and single handedly set about liberating the Iraqi oilfields - er sorry, Iraqi people - from their terrible enslavement
How convenient for your continued motoring pleasure, that your government has shown such single minded resolve in the face of world opinion, and single handedly set about liberating the Iraqi oilfields - er sorry, Iraqi people - from their terrible enslavement
I'matightbastard
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I suspect your government needs these taxes for socialist programs, so if taxes rollback on gas they will increase elsewhere unless you reduce spending programs or increase businesses as to gain more tax revenue without raising taxes.
...or you could just run a huge defecit and let your national debt increase beyond all reason
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Onan the C. said:
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...or you could just run a huge defecit and let your national debt increase beyond all reason
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You don't think any major country would do that, do you?
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...or you could just run a huge defecit and let your national debt increase beyond all reason
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You don't think any major country would do that, do you?
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Taxes
All;
Taxes in the U.S (both Federal and State) amount to about 35% of any gallon of gas/ petrol you pump. Don't make me go to cigarettes ;-(... especially near a gas pump
Newark
Taxes in the U.S (both Federal and State) amount to about 35% of any gallon of gas/ petrol you pump. Don't make me go to cigarettes ;-(... especially near a gas pump
Newark
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Newarksmells tells us:
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Taxes in the U.S (both Federal and State) amount to about 35% of any gallon of gas/ petrol you pump.
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The taxes are a fixed amount per US gallon. The Fed tax is 18.4 cents per gallon. About 15.5 cents of this goes to the highway fund and the rest to mass transit. The state taxes vary from 7.5 cents (Georgia) to 31.1 cents (Wisconsin) - with most of them being in the low 20s.
So the total fuel tax in the USA varies from 25.9 cents/gallon to 49.5 cents per gallon.
I live in Maryland, which has a 23.5 cent tax (total 41.9). At the present price of about $1.83 for self-serve regular near me, the tax is about 23% of the total.
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Taxes in the U.S (both Federal and State) amount to about 35% of any gallon of gas/ petrol you pump.
-------------------------------
The taxes are a fixed amount per US gallon. The Fed tax is 18.4 cents per gallon. About 15.5 cents of this goes to the highway fund and the rest to mass transit. The state taxes vary from 7.5 cents (Georgia) to 31.1 cents (Wisconsin) - with most of them being in the low 20s.
So the total fuel tax in the USA varies from 25.9 cents/gallon to 49.5 cents per gallon.
I live in Maryland, which has a 23.5 cent tax (total 41.9). At the present price of about $1.83 for self-serve regular near me, the tax is about 23% of the total.
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Re fuel prices in U.S. compared to European countries.
As an ex pat, whenever I return to the UK I am always lambasted by my old countrymen about "Yank Tanks" and their propensity for drinking petrol. Personally I've always found it astonishing that I can drive at 80 mph on English motorways, (often in the slow lane) while being overtaken by long convoys of BMW's, Jaguars and Mercedes, most wearing badges describing engine displacement at 4 liters or larger, and exceeding 90 mph! The obvious truth here is that if you earn enough money in the UK to own a car with a large engine, then many do. The difference is, in the U.S. most people can afford to do so.
Another interesting observation is that the fuel consumption of a car with a small engine car at 80 mph is not that much less than a 4 liter engine at the same speed. The smaller unit has to work much harder, and at less volumetric efficiency. Lastly and perhaps most interesting is the fact that aside from the ridiculous SUV's and the rare Dodge Viper, the largest engines for sale "in cars" in the U.S. are of German or English manufacture!
The UK and most other European counties have always overtaxed their motorists. I remember well in during the Suez crisis, 1 shilling was added to petrol tax, to cover that extra voyage for the crude to go the long way round the Cape. It never came off. The French did something similar because following Suez, no Middle Eastern country would sell them oil, and they had to go to Venezuela to get it. (One reason perhaps for their current political position over Iraq!)
In truth this bleating about the environment is relatively new, and to argue that high fuel prices somehow make Europeans better people is patent rubbish. Low Lead, then No Lead fuels, were pioneered in the US, as was the mass production of closed loop computerised electronic fuel injection, catalytic converters, and high pressure/low hysterisis tires. I'm not saying that American cars are better in any way, it's matter of 'horses for course's'. The mass transit system in the U.S. is call a "Freeway". American cars are for the most part, still too heavy, (although my 4.6 liter Lincoln weighs 3800 lbs, my 4.2 liter Audi A6 is over 4000 lbs) they ride too softly, and most only have automatic transmissions, but they are quiet, comfortable and extremely reliable, (especially when the climate is concidered) and compared to what European's pay for their cars, cheap.
I am sick and tired of ill informed Europeans belly aching about the low relative price of petrol in the U.S. Yes Americans use twice the energy per day of Europeans, but like so many other things, that's because we can. Most Europeans can't afford the choice, and therein perhaps lies my answer!
Ian.
As an ex pat, whenever I return to the UK I am always lambasted by my old countrymen about "Yank Tanks" and their propensity for drinking petrol. Personally I've always found it astonishing that I can drive at 80 mph on English motorways, (often in the slow lane) while being overtaken by long convoys of BMW's, Jaguars and Mercedes, most wearing badges describing engine displacement at 4 liters or larger, and exceeding 90 mph! The obvious truth here is that if you earn enough money in the UK to own a car with a large engine, then many do. The difference is, in the U.S. most people can afford to do so.
Another interesting observation is that the fuel consumption of a car with a small engine car at 80 mph is not that much less than a 4 liter engine at the same speed. The smaller unit has to work much harder, and at less volumetric efficiency. Lastly and perhaps most interesting is the fact that aside from the ridiculous SUV's and the rare Dodge Viper, the largest engines for sale "in cars" in the U.S. are of German or English manufacture!
The UK and most other European counties have always overtaxed their motorists. I remember well in during the Suez crisis, 1 shilling was added to petrol tax, to cover that extra voyage for the crude to go the long way round the Cape. It never came off. The French did something similar because following Suez, no Middle Eastern country would sell them oil, and they had to go to Venezuela to get it. (One reason perhaps for their current political position over Iraq!)
In truth this bleating about the environment is relatively new, and to argue that high fuel prices somehow make Europeans better people is patent rubbish. Low Lead, then No Lead fuels, were pioneered in the US, as was the mass production of closed loop computerised electronic fuel injection, catalytic converters, and high pressure/low hysterisis tires. I'm not saying that American cars are better in any way, it's matter of 'horses for course's'. The mass transit system in the U.S. is call a "Freeway". American cars are for the most part, still too heavy, (although my 4.6 liter Lincoln weighs 3800 lbs, my 4.2 liter Audi A6 is over 4000 lbs) they ride too softly, and most only have automatic transmissions, but they are quiet, comfortable and extremely reliable, (especially when the climate is concidered) and compared to what European's pay for their cars, cheap.
I am sick and tired of ill informed Europeans belly aching about the low relative price of petrol in the U.S. Yes Americans use twice the energy per day of Europeans, but like so many other things, that's because we can. Most Europeans can't afford the choice, and therein perhaps lies my answer!
Ian.
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"The obvious truth here is that if you earn enough money in the UK to own a car with a large engine, then many do. The difference is, in the U.S. most people can afford to do so. "
You’ve hit the nail on the head with that comment. Although we hate the exorbitant price of petrol, it keeps all but the few overpaid individuals (a touch of jealousy, perhaps?) from owning ridiculously overpowered and thirsty vehicles. Given infinite resources I’m sure most of us would love to drive to work in having our chests numbed by the rumble of a large displacement V8. But thanks to many governments world-wide these vehicles have been relegated to the ranks of the weekend warrior.
Until our dependence on oil is quenched, we will continue to see the kind of action being waged in the middle east by successive (and dare I say it…American… regimes). Was it not the oil crisis of the ‘70’s that thrust Datsun (now Nissan) into the lime-light? America (and it’s thirst for oil) started the Japanese car market. It’ll take a similar crisis to kill off these stupid SUV’s.
Unfortunately hitting the average Joe in the pocket is the only way to make them see sense. Sadly (as a by-product) we are now seeing a proliferation of Diesel powered cars, simply because Diesel is cheaper. So instead of dying from Cancer caused from the inhalation of Benzine from unleaded gas, we’ll die from sulphur and particulate matter inhaled from under regulated (and under refined) high sulphur diesel. And what’s more, as diesel has a lower calorific value, we’re seeing even larger displacement engines in a feeble attempt to recreate the horsepower of petrol.
Money rules all. I love a powerful car, I even own one. But I’m realistic enough to realise that nobody needs to drive to work in a car that only gets 8mpg. I save it for the weekends.
As pilots were reminded every day of the need to save fuel. Not only for the cost to the company, but for the cost to the environment in which we all live. To burn fuel “Because we can” is a very short sighted view and worthy of a few extra cents of government tax on your fuel to make you think about it.
You’ve hit the nail on the head with that comment. Although we hate the exorbitant price of petrol, it keeps all but the few overpaid individuals (a touch of jealousy, perhaps?) from owning ridiculously overpowered and thirsty vehicles. Given infinite resources I’m sure most of us would love to drive to work in having our chests numbed by the rumble of a large displacement V8. But thanks to many governments world-wide these vehicles have been relegated to the ranks of the weekend warrior.
Until our dependence on oil is quenched, we will continue to see the kind of action being waged in the middle east by successive (and dare I say it…American… regimes). Was it not the oil crisis of the ‘70’s that thrust Datsun (now Nissan) into the lime-light? America (and it’s thirst for oil) started the Japanese car market. It’ll take a similar crisis to kill off these stupid SUV’s.
Unfortunately hitting the average Joe in the pocket is the only way to make them see sense. Sadly (as a by-product) we are now seeing a proliferation of Diesel powered cars, simply because Diesel is cheaper. So instead of dying from Cancer caused from the inhalation of Benzine from unleaded gas, we’ll die from sulphur and particulate matter inhaled from under regulated (and under refined) high sulphur diesel. And what’s more, as diesel has a lower calorific value, we’re seeing even larger displacement engines in a feeble attempt to recreate the horsepower of petrol.
Money rules all. I love a powerful car, I even own one. But I’m realistic enough to realise that nobody needs to drive to work in a car that only gets 8mpg. I save it for the weekends.
As pilots were reminded every day of the need to save fuel. Not only for the cost to the company, but for the cost to the environment in which we all live. To burn fuel “Because we can” is a very short sighted view and worthy of a few extra cents of government tax on your fuel to make you think about it.
Trash du Blanc
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It's all marketing, folks. Go read "The Overspent American."
If someone had offered my Grand-dad in his prime a 7 seat 300 horse behemoth to drive to work, he would have told them to shove it.
Not for the gas consumption, but for the cost of purchase!
My brother-in-law just purchased a $38,000 Expidition for himself and his two small children. Yeah, it gets 14 mpg, but look at that price again! That's two Honda Accords and a Hyundai backup!
I got an SUV - a 1994 Explorer 2-door with 180,000 miles. Cost was ~18,000. Gets 20 mpg. 4 seats. I'll replace it with an Escape Hybrid when they come out.
If someone had offered my Grand-dad in his prime a 7 seat 300 horse behemoth to drive to work, he would have told them to shove it.
Not for the gas consumption, but for the cost of purchase!
My brother-in-law just purchased a $38,000 Expidition for himself and his two small children. Yeah, it gets 14 mpg, but look at that price again! That's two Honda Accords and a Hyundai backup!
I got an SUV - a 1994 Explorer 2-door with 180,000 miles. Cost was ~18,000. Gets 20 mpg. 4 seats. I'll replace it with an Escape Hybrid when they come out.
I'matightbastard
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Ian Fleming said...
Whilst I'm sure there are plenty of people who do own fancy cars in the UK, my understanding (and, having ben gone for so long, I could be mistaken) is that most of those high end motors you see zipping up the M1 are company cars and that it's a common part of the benefits package of a white collar job.
However the point about unleaded gas is well made. I used to get a sore throat something awful when I went back to visit and walked through the streets of London. Taxis were by far the worse...and busses.
It would have been a lot worse without the mass transit systems too.
The obvious truth here is that if you earn enough money in the UK to own a car with a large engine, then many do.
However the point about unleaded gas is well made. I used to get a sore throat something awful when I went back to visit and walked through the streets of London. Taxis were by far the worse...and busses.
It would have been a lot worse without the mass transit systems too.
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You’ve hit the nail on the head with that comment. Although we hate the exorbitant price of petrol, it keeps all but the few overpaid individuals (a touch of jealousy, perhaps?) from owning ridiculously overpowered and thirsty vehicles.
I wasn't aware that it was possible to have a "ridiculously overpowered vehicle!"
My airport car weighs 3300 lbs, has 310+ hp (from a normally aspirated 5.7 litre v-8) at the rear wheels, and gets almost 30mpg. Is it overpowered? I think it's just about right........for a daily driver!
My weekend cruiser weighs 3700 lbs, has 7.6 litres (462 cid. 455 +.030"), 3 carbs and puts out well over 400 HP. It is overpowered, but not ridiculously so...........
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Getting back to the original subject of this thread, I've travelled as SLF on United a number of times since November 2002, between LHR - IAD and LHR - ORD. All the flights were in economy apart from one business class upgrade.
On each flight, I couldn't fault the service or food. I'm not exaggerating to say that both were virtually on a par with service and food I've received on EK, TG and SIA, and better than BA.
If United are trying this hard to look after their customers, they deserve to win through Chapter 11.
On each flight, I couldn't fault the service or food. I'm not exaggerating to say that both were virtually on a par with service and food I've received on EK, TG and SIA, and better than BA.
If United are trying this hard to look after their customers, they deserve to win through Chapter 11.
