[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.