The Survey Says

[Lazarus]

People don't care how high gas goes.

We're paying record prices for fuel here. Did a informal survey by driving around the block and counting the cars that were parked outside.

63 vehicle
28 SUVs or trucks

44%
That does not include all the other cars that get around 20 mpg.

Which begs the question. How come nobody parks in the garage.

[SVOboy]

Well, you've got to give people time to adjust, mehbe in five years it'll be a lot different,

[Red]

Probably. Only a year ago when gas would spike 20 cents you'd see a noticeable drop in commuter traffic. Now with gas topping 3.50-3.60 for regular it seems like no one cares anymore. Its as if people have become immune to the cost of gas. Or according to my dad, they have given up paying their credit card bills and mortgage payments and simply don't give a damn since they can't pay for it anyway.

[Lazarus]

Originally Posted by SVOboy

Well, you've got to give people time to adjust, mehbe in five years it'll be a lot different,

It just really surprised me that almost 50% of the people drive large cars.

[LostCause]

Originally Posted by Red

Or according to my dad, they have given up paying their credit card bills and mortgage payments and simply don't give a damn since they can't pay for it anyway.

I smell recession. Compared to past energy crises, people don't care because they are flush with money. The devaluing of the dollar, increased job cuts, and the non-stop rise of oil will make even the most stubborn notice, either by choice or force.

The big questions are how high will gas get and how bad is the recession going to be? I say take these moments to enjoy the excess consumption around you, it's the end of an era.

- LostCause

[Red]

Well gas is easily going to hit 4 bucks here in CA come summer. All the money people have to spend anyway is whatever credit remains on the house they over payed for. Somethings got to crash.

[RH77]

I just got back from my second visit to the KC Auto Show (Once with friends, once with the Fam).

I was completely underwhelmed at the lack of fuel-efficient choices.

A guy gets in the new Corolla, "This thing's too small, my knees hit the steering wheel". After he exited the car, I said to my friend, "This car's too big, let's go look at the Yaris..."

Move the seat down and/or the adjustable column upward! ARGH!!!

That's the sentiment BIG cars, crossovers, and Hybrid SUVs. I had to yell BOO at the guy pimping the Hybrid Escalade. I left the show, again peaved.

I really liked the Fit, HCH or HC-NGV, Prius, etc. Nothing that blew me away. There's always next year.

RH77

[Peakster]

I guess it's what people can afford really.

For instance, my dad says that even if gas hit $20 a gallon, he'd still pay it. He'd just charge his company more per unit distance travelled and thus his customers that he gives the bill to.

A quick look around my cul-de-sac and you'll see WV Tuaregs, Honda Pilots, and Lexus RX-300s (all of them probably leased). That's because these people make six figure incomes and are becoming less and less in tune with the struggles of normal working classes.

However, looking around the more 'rustic' parts of town, you'll see lots of 4 cylinder 80s cars that have obviously have been handed down from generation to generation and fixed with duct tape and chicken wire. These are the people that can't afford excessive spending or consumption.

I've always wondered why people that make a lot of money don't take advantage of the inexpensive things that poorer classes function with everyday.

[oldschool]

Well one of the engineers where I work bought a Honda CRX new probably 10 yrs ago, it now has over 285k on the odometer and has duct tape body work over the rusted out body sections; says he has no plans to retire it cause it still gets 30 mpg, and this guy is like 6'5" tall.

[DifferentPointofView]

It just really surprised me that almost 50% of the people drive large cars.

Why? over 50% of the US auto sales are SUV's. I'm not surprised a bit. And it's mostly because of this
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A guy gets in the new Corolla, "This thing's too small, my knees hit the steering wheel".