Granted this is California, and the San Francisco Bay Area at that,
but
earlier last week "regular" was $3.999 (who has a $0.009 coin?).
by Thursday it was $4.039. Six days later (today) it's $4.249.
Once the $4 /gallon threshold was crossed the dam weakened
and now is collapsing - and we're still in May. Can't wait to see
what The Summer Driving Season is gonna do to prices.
A ray of hope - CAFE standards were FINALLY increased - after
only 30 years and "pre-owned" Hummers, Huged Sport Utes and
BIG Tire Monster Trucks are taking over what was formerly
known as Used Car Lots space - in abundance.
Attention: General Motors, Ford, Chrysler
NOW do you get IT!?
charlie b
who appreciates my little white Miata more and more
each day. Lot nicer looking than the Prius - and a hell
of a lot more fun to drive.
charlieb <[email protected]> wrote in news:483DA674.7BF0
@accesscom.com:
> Granted this is California, and the San Francisco Bay Area at that,
> but
> earlier last week "regular" was $3.999 (who has a $0.009 coin?).
> by Thursday it was $4.039. Six days later (today) it's $4.249.
>
> Once the $4 /gallon threshold was crossed the dam weakened
> and now is collapsing - and we're still in May. Can't wait to see
> what The Summer Driving Season is gonna do to prices.
>
> A ray of hope - CAFE standards were FINALLY increased - after
> only 30 years and "pre-owned" Hummers, Huged Sport Utes and
> BIG Tire Monster Trucks are taking over what was formerly
> known as Used Car Lots space - in abundance.
>
> Attention: General Motors, Ford, Chrysler
> NOW do you get IT!?
>
> charlie b
>
> who appreciates my little white Miata more and more
> each day. Lot nicer looking than the Prius - and a hell
> of a lot more fun to drive.
>
What I want is a more fuel efficient LAWN MOWER. I've got around 4 acres
to mow, and it takes 4-5 gallons a week to do it. I wonder if I can get
more grass mowed per gallon by putting the next size larger deck on it...
Probably not.
Puckdropper
--
If you're quiet, your teeth never touch your ankles.
To email me directly, send a message to puckdropper (at) fastmail.fm
On Wed, 28 May 2008 22:22:36 GMT, FrozenNorth
<[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>A buddy had one, but that was a pain in winter, in Canada, having to scrape
>the inside of the windshield while driving.
As much as I liked mine, that was also a pain in Connecticut. I can
only imagine that car in Canada! <G>
---------------------------------------------
** http://www.bburke.com/woodworking.html **
---------------------------------------------
On Wed, 28 May 2008 22:08:19 -0400, "Edwin Pawlowski" <[email protected]>
wrote:
>
>"charlieb" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> A ray of hope - CAFE standards were FINALLY increased - after
>> only 30 years and "pre-owned" Hummers, Huged Sport Utes and
>> BIG Tire Monster Trucks are taking over what was formerly
>> known as Used Car Lots space - in abundance.
>>
>> Attention: General Motors, Ford, Chrysler
>> NOW do you get IT!?
>>
>> charlie b
>
>Rather than blame US car makers, blame the people that insist they need
>those big vehicles and buy them so they can go to the grocery store for a
>loaf of bread. . Don't forget to add the Toyota V-8 5+ liter too. No one
>forces us to buy gas guzzlers.
>
I have a Tundra V8. It took $78 to fill up yesterday, but I plan on
making that last a few weeks. Actually I need a truck to move
furniture, wood, landscaping material, etc but have cut out
restaurants, vacation and visits to help offset the cost. We want big
vehicles, but 40 mpg too! I am seeing more bicycles lately, which is
a very good thing for keeping in shape.
John wrote:
> On Wed, 28 May 2008 20:22:20 GMT, FrozenNorth
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>Rod & Betty Jo wrote:
>>
>> I am 6'5" tall
>>and weigh about 215lbs, not a huge guy, but definitely tall, and I can't
>>get comfortable in most of the little shit boxes on the roads these days.
>>I *need* a larger car, only driving a Grand Prix with a 3.8l 6 banger
>>these days, but I at least am comfortable driving it, and the performance
>>for highway driving isn't bad either.
>
> A mid-60's VW bug would be fine - you're one of the few who could
> reach the pedals with the seat all the way back ;-)
>
A buddy had one, but that was a pain in winter, in Canada, having to scrape
the inside of the windshield while driving.
--
Froz...
Chris Friesen wrote:
> Rod & Betty Jo wrote:
>> Vehicles will be less
>> able for many tasks and there will be more vehicles that the tall, the
>> large and the elderly and infirm can not get in or can not sit
>> comfortably in.
>
> Have you ever tried a Toyota Matrix? Lots of head and leg room. My
> father-in-law recently had hip surgery and he figures the back seat of
> our Matrix is the easiest thing around for him to get in/out.
>
At least buy the Pontiac Vibe then, same thing but it has to help somehow.
--
Froz...
Rod & Betty Jo wrote:
> Vehicles will be less
> able for many tasks and there will be more vehicles that the tall, the large
> and the elderly and infirm can not get in or can not sit comfortably in.
Have you ever tried a Toyota Matrix? Lots of head and leg room. My
father-in-law recently had hip surgery and he figures the back seat of
our Matrix is the easiest thing around for him to get in/out.
Chris
On May 28, 6:58=A0pm, "Leon" <[email protected]> wrote:
> "B A R R Y" <[email protected]> wrote in messagenews:a5nr34lavk83djkd=
[email protected]...
>
>
>
> > On Wed, 28 May 2008 17:13:03 -0500, "Leon"
> > <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> >>Foreigh I have owned, Isuzu, Acura, VW, Honda, and Toyota. =A0The VW's w=
ere
> >>constantly in the shop.
>
> > I've *loved* my Toyotas, Subarus, and Hondas! =A0 All made in the USA,
> > too.
>
> > I've heard some VW horrors, as well. =A0However, no VW could possibly
> > compete with my Jeeps for shop time... =A0<G>
>
> > I think I have my wife headed towards a MINI Clubman in '09 or '10 to
> > replace the '99 Wrangler.
>
> My son has stepped in my shoes for car enthusiast. =A0He has read that the=
> MINI is one of the most economical to operate and maintain. =A0Pretty reli=
able
> IIRC.
I had, at one time, 5 (five) Minis ( parts for 8) My one Cooper S had
5 different colour doors/boot/fenders etc. I loved that car. I spent a
part of my student loan on Mini-Lite wheels. I always carried a spare
fuel pump, fan belt and tool kit. I knew that thing inside-out. Great
fun blowing people away at traffic lights. I got to know the look of
Camaro grilles by seeing them in my rear-view mirrors. Eventually,
they'd catch me, because they had the cubes, but what a laugh.
Great mileage too.
r
B A R R Y <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>The Lincoln was the only car I ever saw that could fit a 4x12 Marshall
>half-stack and a guitar in the trunk!
I had a '58 Cadillac that could carry 4x8 sheets of plywood in the
trunk. They stuck out a bit, but I did it many times. There was enough
room between the bumper and the radiator I could put a stool there to
sit on when I was working on the engine.
Man, those were the days.
On Thu, 29 May 2008 14:08:55 -0600
Chris Friesen <[email protected]> wrote:
> Douglas Johnson wrote:
> > "Leon" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> >>And what cracks me up is the oil companies are trying to say that this is
> >>the world market price. SA in the middle east is paying less than 40 cents
> >>per gallon.
> >
> >
> > The government subsidizes gasoline in Saudi. Without that, it would be the same
> > as anywhere else. -- Doug
>
> The situation is similar in Venezuela, where gas is subsidized heavily.
> Ostensibly it's to help out the poorer people, but most of them don't
> own a vehicle and it's mostly the middle and upper classes that benefit.
>
> Chris
There are two factors for gas prices:
First:In 2000 Bill Clinton signed a Bill the Commodities Futures Modernization Act (that exempted from regulation energy trading on electronic platforms) with the "Enron Loophole" enclosed by Phil Gramm. It allowed trading to shift from the regulated NYMEX to ICE (Intercontinental Exchange) and unregulated Exchange. As ENRON was now allowed to trade Utilities, Oil is now in play! As Energy prices went through the roof, the Bush Administration strongly supported and backed ENRON.
In reality futures trading in an unregulated exchange isn't the problem itself.
Second: President Bush decided to invade a large Oil rich nation for apparently no valid reason. This act created technically the "shortage", of the supply and demand mindest of economics. This in conjuction with the ENRON Loophole, allowed Speculators and Wall St. Hedge Funds to go hogwild. When Goldman Sachs speculates oil may reach $200 a barrel by December... only put's more money in their pockets and thus out of your pocket into Wall St's.
Please Note that the Current Farm Bill Vetoed by President Bush in May and also opposed by Sen. McCain, would have ended the ENRON Loophole. It's apparent that when you family business is the oil business, profit stands before the people!
BUT!
What's actually is far far worse is... Carbon Credits!
Now "Green" is a hot item and technically a good thing for the world overall. What no one wants you to know is that the Carbon Credits are traded unregulated.
Yup! This can raise the prices of EVERY CARBON BASED PRODUCT and tax even HUMANS themselves. Wood, food, fuels everything will be basically Carbon taxed and then speculated on credit pricing just as oil is!
Things are bad now will most certainly get FAR FAR Worse!
--
Vz <[email protected]>
On Thu, 29 May 2008 20:58:29 GMT, "Lew Hodgett"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>
>The Condo Nazis will have a s**t fit.
>
>Worth the price of admission just to see their reactions.
>
>Lew
>
How's David E's quote go?
"Every neighborhood has one..."
---------------------------------------------
** http://www.bburke.com/woodworking.html **
---------------------------------------------
"mac davis" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I feel your pain, Charlie...
> Though we're lucky enough to live in Mexico and complain about unleaded
> going up
> to $2.30 a Gal, we all make trips to the States..
> My neighbor just got back from Fresno, the land of $5.50 a gal diesel..
> He's
> been paying $2.10 here..
>
> We have to go to California on the July 4th weekend for our daughter's
> wedding
> and expect the fuel cost to be more than the room charge for 2 nights...
>
>
> mac
Hey Mac
Do you know if Mexico subsidizes the price of gas? A few of the oil
exporting countries sell gas locally well below world market prices (keeps
the natives happy). Rod
"FrozenNorth" wrote:
> I am 6'5" tall
> and weigh about 215lbs, not a huge guy, but definitely tall, and I
> can't
> get comfortable in most of the little shit boxes on the roads these
> days.
GM goes out of it's way to build IMHO, very difficult vehicles to
enter or exit.
FoMoCo seems to be getting the message, based on the last Ford I
rented.
The Europeans, especially Volkswagen build comfortable small vehicles.
Owned several for just that reason.
Today, I drive a 4 cyl, 5 spd stick "Tonka Toy".
Don't know why I waited so long to get one.
BTW, 6'-0" but long torso, and 250 lbs presents more than a few
challenges to Detroit.
IMHO, the last Detroit vehicle worth a hoot was my 65 Galaxy 500, 4 dr
hard top.
It's been all down hill since.
Lew
"Greg Neill" <[email protected]> wrote in message
Bah! That's nothing. Here in Montreal the price is
at $1.42/L (142.4 cents) per liter. That translates
to $5.29 per US gal (ignoring the currently small
currency exchange rate).
Bah! That's nothing. Gasoline in the UK has reached $10.65 (US) a gallon and
that's certainly not the most expensive in Europe. Consider yourself lucky.
"Nova" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:bmE%j.15496$2C.12861@trndny08...
> Leon wrote:
>
>>
>> Actually the larger and more expensice the vehicle the more profit and
>> percent of profit. Most of the profit goes to the workers and their
>> benefits, thank you Labor Unions.
>
> And here all this time I thought "profit" was what was left after expenses
> were deducted.
Sorry Jack, ;~)
The profit you are talking about is "Net" Profit. I should have clarified
that I was talking "Gross" Profit on each vehicle.
Typically the higher the GP margin the more you have to pay the wages and
benefits. After all those expenses and operating costs are deducted you end
up with the Net profit.
On Thu, 29 May 2008 21:45:22 GMT, PCPaul <[email protected]> wrote:
>Not quite. *Everybody* with a TV in the UK has to pay the 'TV Licence'
>for £130ish ($250) a year, even if they never watch the BBC. That's what
>pays for the BBC...
I didn't know that...
I'm always impressed by the production value of the "Top Gear" film
segments. Now I know where the budget comes from.
---------------------------------------------
** http://www.bburke.com/woodworking.html **
---------------------------------------------
On May 28, 7:17=A0pm, B A R R Y <[email protected]> wrote:
> On Wed, 28 May 2008 17:58:30 -0500, "Leon"
>
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> >My son has stepped in my shoes for car enthusiast. =A0He has read that th=
e
> >MINI is one of the most economical to operate and maintain. =A0Pretty rel=
iable
> >IIRC.
>
> The Cooper is too small for my wife's teaching "work wagon" she carts
> back and forth every day, but the Clubman is about a foot longer, with
> all the cool features of the Cooper intact.
>
> Your son should see the Coopers whip around Lime Rock Park. =A0<G>
>
> <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DstYQYbH0Bdw&mode=3Drelated&search=3D>
>
> Check out the air he catches ~ 00:59, you'll hear it in the RPM's. =A0I
> also like the Porsche waving him by... =A0 <G>
>
> I've had the =A0good fortune to do some Skip Barber class days @ LRP,
> given as a gift, it's really fun!
>
Thems not 'real' Cooper S's. <EG> Fast and fun, no doubt, but
expensive FRAUDS!!!...LOL ( I paid $ 800.00 for a 1275 S engine with a
Weber on it)
Leon wrote:
>
> "Lew Hodgett" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:2Bj%j.3589$fk.2478@trnddc06...
>>
>>
>> BTW, 6'-0" but long torso, and 250 lbs presents more than a few
>> challenges to Detroit.
>>
>> IMHO, the last Detroit vehicle worth a hoot was my 65 Galaxy 500, 4 dr
>> hard top.
>
> IMHO the 70 & 71's were the last decent years.
I was 10 in 1970, so that generation of cars was getting a bit old before I
was driving age.
--
Froz...
On Wed, 28 May 2008 17:26:33 -0600, Chris Friesen
<[email protected]> wrote:
>Rod & Betty Jo wrote:
>> Vehicles will be less
>> able for many tasks and there will be more vehicles that the tall, the large
>> and the elderly and infirm can not get in or can not sit comfortably in.
>
>Have you ever tried a Toyota Matrix? Lots of head and leg room. My
>father-in-law recently had hip surgery and he figures the back seat of
>our Matrix is the easiest thing around for him to get in/out.
A buddy of mine has one, and it's been a great daily driving,
runaround car. He doesn't have the 4WD version, but he still likes
the way it goes in snow. This guy gets tired of cars fast, and he's
kept the Matrix longer than anything I remember.
The sister Pontiac Vibe can sometimes be purchased for less, and it's
made in the same building as my Toyota Tacoma in Fremont, CA. I
believe the Matrix is built in Canada.
---------------------------------------------
** http://www.bburke.com/woodworking.html **
---------------------------------------------
Rod & Betty Jo wrote:
>
> "charlieb" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> A ray of hope - CAFE standards were FINALLY increased - after
>> only 30 years and "pre-owned" Hummers, Huged Sport Utes and
>> BIG Tire Monster Trucks are taking over what was formerly
>> known as Used Car Lots space - in abundance.
>>
>> Attention: General Motors, Ford, Chrysler
>> NOW do you get IT!?
>> charlie b
>
>
> This "ray of hope" I do not understand.....Increased CAFE standards
> simply mean smaller and/or lighter vehicles...... There is no particular
> or secret high mileage trick out there just waiting for a Gov. CAFE
> mandate. Instead what we will get are fewer choices in the market place
> and most likely price incentives or penalties (as though gas prices aren't
> incentive enough) to force the market place where it may not wish to go.
> Vehicles will be less able for many tasks and there will be more vehicles
> that the tall, the large and the elderly and infirm can not get in or can
> not sit comfortably in. Certain things may require a forced mandate, as
> when not doing them provides a competitive advantage for those who don't
> but better vehicle efficiency
> can stand on its own merit without Gov. fiat or subsidy. Rod
$1.293/litre here in the Toronto Canada area, the dollar is close enough to
par to ignore, that works out to approx $4.88/US gallon. I am 6'5" tall
and weigh about 215lbs, not a huge guy, but definitely tall, and I can't
get comfortable in most of the little shit boxes on the roads these days.
I *need* a larger car, only driving a Grand Prix with a 3.8l 6 banger these
days, but I at least am comfortable driving it, and the performance for
highway driving isn't bad either.
--
Froz...
"charlieb" <[email protected]> wrote in message =
news:[email protected]...
> Granted this is California, and the San Francisco Bay Area at that,
> but=20
> earlier last week "regular" was $3.999 (who has a $0.009 coin?).
> by Thursday it was $4.039. Six days later (today) it's $4.249.
Bah! That's nothing. Here in Montreal the price is
at $1.42/L (142.4 cents) per liter. That translates=20
to $5.29 per US gal (ignoring the currently small=20
currency exchange rate).
Upscale coughed up some electrons that declared:
>
> "Greg Neill" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> Bah! That's nothing. Here in Montreal the price is
> at $1.42/L (142.4 cents) per liter. That translates
> to $5.29 per US gal (ignoring the currently small
> currency exchange rate).
>
> Bah! That's nothing. Gasoline in the UK has reached $10.65 (US) a gallon
> and that's certainly not the most expensive in Europe. Consider yourself
> lucky.
I make it US$8.64 based on 115.2 pence/litre in mid Kent, SE England.
Remember US gallon != Imperial gallon[1]
Now, diesel - that is expensive at 127 pence/litre - I nearly had a heart
attack today filling up for the first time in 2 months. Good job my vehicle
gets just over 50mpg...
Still, original point still stands... I remember my old man whining when
petrol topped one pound per imperial gallon... Feck, that was long time
ago...
Cheers
Tim
[1] I got half way to the bottom of this anomoly the other days. Seems our
respective fluid-ounces are more or less the same (within a few percent),
but USians have 16 fl oz/pint and we, for some reason have 20. Everything
else scales from there. If anyone knows why, I'd be interested to hear it.
PCPaul <[email protected]> wrote in news:XIi%j.10847$DZ6.7266
@text.news.virginmedia.com:
>
> Come back when your gas has *doubled* in price and then you can
> complain :-(
>
It *has* doubled in price. Two years ago, it was around $2.00 a gallon.
Puckdropper
--
If you're quiet, your teeth never touch your ankles.
To email me directly, send a message to puckdropper (at) fastmail.fm
Jerry coughed up some electrons that declared:
> Tim S <[email protected]> wrote in
> news:[email protected]:
>
>
>>
>> Tim
>>
>> [1] I got half way to the bottom of this anomoly the other days. Seems
>> our respective fluid-ounces are more or less the same (within a few
>> percent), but USians have 16 fl oz/pint and we, for some reason have
>> 20. Everything else scales from there. If anyone knows why, I'd be
>> interested to hear it.
>>
>
> Because back just prior to the upstarts going thier own way, George III
> parliment had to increase taxes to support the wars with France, holland
> and Prussia. They chose to increase tax on beer - but because that would
> go down too well they then decided to reduce the SIZE of the glass and so
> US pints are 16oz and UK remained the imperial 20oz. Quarts, gallons and
> so on are 20% smaller in the US..
>
> After living here of 15 yrs it still feels strange to pick up a small
> pint.
Fascinating, ta.
Just goes to show that our (British) current government doesn't own the
monopoly on devious tax fiddling scams.
:-O
Rod & Betty Jo wrote:
> This "ray of hope" I do not understand.....Increased CAFE standards simply
> mean smaller and/or lighter vehicles...... There is no particular or secret
> high mileage trick out there just waiting for a Gov. CAFE mandate. Instead
> what we will get are fewer choices in the market place and most likely price
> incentives or penalties (as though gas prices aren't incentive enough) to
> force the market place where it may not wish to go.
I don't think "The Market" should dictate EVERYTHING. "The Market"
is driven by MONEY - and has a very. very short term and very narrow
view of things. And money has no loyalty to anyone or anything.
Most
significant, it has no morals, no scruples, no ethics, no "human
values".
In the early 70s, when the first Arab Oil Embargo took place, and gas
lines formed and we had "Alternate Days" gas rationing - though it
was never called "gas rationing" - and "Detroit" kept insisting THEY
COULD NOT make energy efficient automobiles - AND make a profit,
and continue to insist they "just made was Americans wanted" - ven
though they spent hundreds of millions in advertising to persuade
US consumers they "needed and wanted" BIG, HEAVY, AMERICAN
(the Stars and Stripes waving in the back ground).
"Detroit" got it's ass kicked - by "little cheap Japanese" cars.
They HAD well over 95% of the US auto market - and they blew
it. Their response - the Chevy Nova, the Ford Pinto - neither
very good products and not competative in price or performance
with those "little cheap Japanese" cars.
Took them a while, but Lee Iacocca came up with the mini-van,
which let Chrysler, and then the other US Auto Makers cling to
their old ways - by slapping a new body style - on a TRUCK.
And while that slowed the slide, the slide continued - and while
"Detroit's" repackaging once again of what is basically a truck
- the Sport Utility Vehicle - the Hummer being the poster child
for "We STILL Don't Get It" - allowed them to continue to tread
water - they're going to go the way of the dinosaur - not because
US Auto Workers can't compete - if they have the products to
make - and the tooling to do it.
> Vehicles will be less
> able for many tasks
Let's get real here. An overwhelming majority of big powerful
vehicles - with four wheel drive - NEVER leave the road. And
IF 10% of the trucks sold EVER carry a load of wood, or rocks
or hay or manure, or tow a trailer on a semi regular basis I'd
be astounded. If you need to haul a bunch of stuff or a heavy
load - on those four or five occassions a year - RENT A PHREAKIN'
Stake Side - with a lift or ramp.
OK - so lets trot out The Farmers and The Ranchers - they
NEED a Real Truck - which is the arguement "Detroit" made
to keep the CAFE Standards where they've been - for 30
phreakin' years. Well heads up folks - the family run farm
or ranch is becoming a fond memory, replaced by AgriBusiness
which doesn't use consumer "pick up trucks" because they're
to limited in capabilities and carrying capacity.
> and there will be more vehicles that the tall, the large
> and the elderly and infirm can not get in or can not sit comfortably in.
Tried getting UP into the SUVs out there today? Or into and
out of most of the cars out there - "Detroit" models or any of
the host of other passenger cars out there? This has nothing
to do with Energy Efficiency.
> Certain things may require a forced mandate, as when not doing them provides
> a competitive advantage for those who don't but better vehicle efficiency
> can stand on its own merit without Gov. fiat or subsidy.
When "The Cheap Imports" started kicking "Detroit's" ass - it was
"Detroit" that begged and pleaded - and got - Federal Excise Taxes
on "imports". There was no mention of "let the free market" decide
things.
The Japanese - and the Germans - didn't have ANY competative
advantage over US Auto Makers when they entered this market.
In fact they were at a significant disadvantage. BUT - they had
a better product - and US consumers confirmed THAT with their
auto purchases.
There is a HUGE "Green" market developing - and we are going
to be dragged kicking and screaming - into the 21st Century
- like it or not.
Those who do not study history are condemnd to relive it
- over and over and over again.
charlie b
"Richard Evans" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> "J. Clarke" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>>
>>> Attention: General Motors, Ford, Chrysler
>>> NOW do you get IT!?
>>
>>Yeah, they get it. They've always "gotten it". The trouble is that
>>what they've "gotten" has been what the market wanted and not what
>>professional do-gooders such as yourself _want_ the market to want.
>>
>>Now the gas prices are up to a point relative to incomes that many
>>people want smaller vehicles instead of or in addition to their large
>>ones, and they'll "get" that as long as it remains the case and when
>>incomes rise to adjust for inflation, if they ever do, and people want
>>large vehicles again, they'll "get" that as well.
>>
>
> Anyone remember the gas crisis of '72? We went through the same thing.
> For a brief period, you couldn't give away a gas hog, but it wasn't
> all that long until things levelled out (I can't say why) and big,
> high performace cars were in demand again.
The original gas lines were because of the price freeze on every thing that
Nixon imposed. Oil companies said they could not make a profit and quit
buying expensive foreign oil. That caused a shortage. Once the price
freeze was lifted, so were the shortages and lines. Gas hogs and high
performance vehicles got less than 10 mpg back then, and get about 50%
better now.
On Wed, 28 May 2008 22:34:34 GMT, PCPaul <[email protected]> wrote:
>The dear gubmint are still planning to put 2p/litre on in the Autumn to
>'discourage unnecessary use' though(!)
At least you get BBC without having to buy an expensive package...
I hate TV, but absolutely *love* "Top Gear", with Clarkson, May, and
Hamster!
---------------------------------------------
** http://www.bburke.com/woodworking.html **
---------------------------------------------
"J. Clarke" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> charlieb wrote:
>> Granted this is California, and the San Francisco Bay Area at that,
>> but
>> earlier last week "regular" was $3.999 (who has a $0.009 coin?).
>> by Thursday it was $4.039. Six days later (today) it's $4.249.
>>
>> Once the $4 /gallon threshold was crossed the dam weakened
>> and now is collapsing - and we're still in May. Can't wait to see
>> what The Summer Driving Season is gonna do to prices.
>>
>> A ray of hope - CAFE standards were FINALLY increased - after
>> only 30 years and "pre-owned" Hummers, Huged Sport Utes and
>> BIG Tire Monster Trucks are taking over what was formerly
>> known as Used Car Lots space - in abundance.
>>
>> Attention: General Motors, Ford, Chrysler
>> NOW do you get IT!?
>
> Yeah, they get it. They've always "gotten it". The trouble is that
> what they've "gotten" has been what the market wanted and not what
> professional do-gooders such as yourself _want_ the market to want.
>
> Now the gas prices are up to a point relative to incomes that many
> people want smaller vehicles instead of or in addition to their large
> ones, and they'll "get" that as long as it remains the case and when
> incomes rise to adjust for inflation, if they ever do, and people want
> large vehicles again, they'll "get" that as well.
>
> Auto manufacturers do not hold guns to peoples' heads and force them
> to buy specific models you know.
Actually the larger and more expensice the vehicle the more profit and
percent of profit. Most of the profit goes to the workers and their
benefits, thank you Labor Unions. If Detroit had been only building small
vehicles for the last 30 years Detroit would have been a ghost town long
ago.
>
>> charlie b
>>
>> who appreciates my little white Miata more and more
>> each day. Lot nicer looking than the Prius - and a hell
>> of a lot more fun to drive.
>
> And if everything you need to carry fits into one then Miatas are
> nice.
I currently drive an 07 Tundra and it gets almost 15 MPG in town, almost 20
on the highway. My wife drives an 04 Accord that gets 22 in town and 30 on
the highway. I'll give up the 5 and 10 mpg respectively for the comfort,
room, and ability to haul most anything that we want.
On Wed, 28 May 2008 17:58:30 -0500, "Leon"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>
>My son has stepped in my shoes for car enthusiast. He has read that the
>MINI is one of the most economical to operate and maintain. Pretty reliable
>IIRC.
>
The Cooper is too small for my wife's teaching "work wagon" she carts
back and forth every day, but the Clubman is about a foot longer, with
all the cool features of the Cooper intact.
Your son should see the Coopers whip around Lime Rock Park. <G>
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stYQYbH0Bdw&mode=related&search=>
Check out the air he catches ~ 00:59, you'll hear it in the RPM's. I
also like the Porsche waving him by... <G>
I've had the good fortune to do some Skip Barber class days @ LRP,
given as a gift, it's really fun!
---------------------------------------------
** http://www.bburke.com/woodworking.html **
---------------------------------------------
On Thu, 29 May 2008 04:21:21 GMT, "Lew Hodgett"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>
>"Puckdropper" wrote:
>
>
>> What I want is a more fuel efficient LAWN MOWER. I've got around 4
>> acres
>> to mow, and it takes 4-5 gallons a week to do it.
>
>Goats.
>
>They will even keep the shrubs under control.
>
>Better than sheep with less residue.
>
>Lew
>
Good idea Lew. Can't wait to see the look on the faces of the board
members of the Homeowners Assocication when I tether that goat in my
front yard. That'll give em something to fret about.
Frank
"Leon" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> And what cracks me up is the oil companies are trying to say that this is
> the world market price. SA in the middle east is paying less than 40
> cents per gallon. I guess if the American oil companies were not selling
> gasoline to other countries and also buying gasoline from other countries
> there would not be as many mark-ups.
>
Oil companies are only part of the equation though. Speculators are buying
and selling amongst themselves and driving up prices while making millions
at our expense. Same with de-regulated electricity.
Leon wrote:
> "Nova" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:bmE%j.15496$2C.12861@trndny08...
>
>>Leon wrote:
>>
>>
>>>Actually the larger and more expensice the vehicle the more profit and
>>>percent of profit. Most of the profit goes to the workers and their
>>>benefits, thank you Labor Unions.
>>
>>And here all this time I thought "profit" was what was left after expenses
>>were deducted.
>
>
>
> Sorry Jack, ;~)
>
> The profit you are talking about is "Net" Profit. I should have clarified
> that I was talking "Gross" Profit on each vehicle.
> Typically the higher the GP margin the more you have to pay the wages and
> benefits. After all those expenses and operating costs are deducted you end
> up with the Net profit.
>
>
"Gross profit is profit before Selling, General and Administrative costs
(SG&A), like depreciation and interest; it is the Sales less direct Cost
of Goods (or services) Sold (COGS),
Net profit after tax is after the deduction of either corporate tax (for
a company) or income tax (for an individual)."
Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Profit
Wages fall into the COGS category.
--
Jack Novak
Buffalo, NY - USA
[email protected]
"Edwin Pawlowski" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:9No%[email protected]...
>
> "Leon" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > And what cracks me up is the oil companies are trying to say that this
is
> > the world market price. SA in the middle east is paying less than 40
> > cents per gallon. I guess if the American oil companies were not
selling
> > gasoline to other countries and also buying gasoline from other
countries
> > there would not be as many mark-ups.
> >
>
> Oil companies are only part of the equation though. Speculators are
buying
> and selling amongst themselves and driving up prices while making millions
> at our expense.
It's a result of many factors, but "supply and demand" is indeed part of the
current scene just from the fact that global production levels have dropped
in the last few years.
That said, there is a _lot_ of crude sitting in tankers offshore in
"storage" (1980's deja vu?), so much so that tankers are in short supply as
storage containers, and Iran, whose oil is not the best refinery product, is
the leader of this pack. This, in my mind, _is_ the real reason why Bush was
blown off by the Saudi's recently, but not something you will see in the
media.
What is also notable is that you don't see the executives of big oil
companies scrambling to drill at these prices, which is strange as hell to
someone who has BTDT, albeit in a small domestic sense.
Whatever it is we'll sooner or later see. Because, if there is indeed a
speculative "index trader crude bubble, and it bursts as all bubbles are
wont and the price of crude _plummets_, that will be prima facie evidence of
the current record prices NOT being driven by "supply and demand".
In that event, it would be high time to inject some prudent, and possibly
global, regulatory restraints on the practice of commodities index trading
... providing you can find an un-buyable politician with the balls/will to
lead the charge, if there is such a beast.
IMO, and in any event, and at the very least, some 'transparency' needs to
be regulated into the current practice of 'commodities index trading'.
--
www.e-woodshop.net
Last update: 5/14/08
KarlC@ (the obvious)
"charlieb" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> A ray of hope - CAFE standards were FINALLY increased - after
> only 30 years and "pre-owned" Hummers, Huged Sport Utes and
> BIG Tire Monster Trucks are taking over what was formerly
> known as Used Car Lots space - in abundance.
>
> Attention: General Motors, Ford, Chrysler
> NOW do you get IT!?
>
> charlie b
Rather than blame US car makers, blame the people that insist they need
those big vehicles and buy them so they can go to the grocery store for a
loaf of bread. . Don't forget to add the Toyota V-8 5+ liter too. No one
forces us to buy gas guzzlers.
"Nova" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:r6I%j.4146$QW.3022@trndny04...
>
> I think you're confusing gross receipts with gross profits.
No, I'm not confused.
As far as you comments below, I have been filing quarterly tax returns and
filing Schedule C and Schedule SE anually since 1995. I know how all that
works.
Jack, with all due respect I think we both know what we are talking about,
it's just that some where along the line one or both of us have left out a
comment that may have deriled one or both of us. I have been dealing with
running businesses since 1976.
>
> From the IRS web site:
> http://www.irs.gov/publications/p334/ch07.html
>
>
> "7. Figuring Gross Profit
>
> Table of Contents
>
> * Introduction
> * Items To Check
> * Testing Gross Profit Accuracy
> o Example.
> * Additions to Gross Profit
>
> Introduction
>
> After you have figured the gross receipts from your business (chapter 5)
> and the cost of goods sold (chapter 6), you are ready to figure your gross
> profit. You must determine gross profit before you can deduct any business
> expenses. These expenses are discussed in chapter 8.
>
> If you are filing Schedule C-EZ, your gross profit is your gross receipts
> plus certain other amounts, explained later under Additions to Gross
> Profit.
>
> Businesses that sell products. If you are filing Schedule C, figure your
> gross profit by first figuring your net receipts. Figure net receipts on
> Schedule C by subtracting any returns and allowances (line 2) from gross
> receipts (line 1). Returns and allowances include cash or credit refunds
> you make to customers, rebates, and other allowances off the actual sales
> price.
>
> Next, subtract the cost of goods sold (line 4) from net receipts (line
> 3). The result is the gross profit from your business."
>
>
>
> Note the cost of good sold is subtracted from the net receipts to
> determine the gross profit.
>
> And
> http://www.irs.gov/publications/p334/ch06.html
>
>
>
> "Figuring Cost of Goods Sold on Schedule C Lines 35 Through 42
>
> Figure your cost of goods sold by filling out lines 35 through 42 of
> Schedule C. These lines are reproduced below and are explained in the
> discussion that follows.
>
> 35 Inventory at beginning of year. If different from last year's closing
> inventory, attach explanation 36 Purchases less cost of items withdrawn
> for personal use 37 Cost of labor. Do not include any amounts paid to
> yourself 38 Materials and supplies 39 Other costs 40 Add lines 35 through
> 39 41 Inventory at end of year 42 Cost of goods sold. Subtract line 41
> from line 40.
> Enter the result here and on page 1, line 4"
>
> Note line #37
>
> --
> Jack Novak
> Buffalo, NY - USA
> [email protected]
"Lew Hodgett" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:2Bj%j.3589$fk.2478@trnddc06...
>
> "FrozenNorth" wrote:
>
>> I am 6'5" tall
>> and weigh about 215lbs, not a huge guy, but definitely tall, and I can't
>> get comfortable in most of the little shit boxes on the roads these days.
>
> GM goes out of it's way to build IMHO, very difficult vehicles to enter or
> exit.
>
> FoMoCo seems to be getting the message, based on the last Ford I rented.
>
> The Europeans, especially Volkswagen build comfortable small vehicles.
Comfortable yes, expensive and undependable, absolutely. At least that was
the way it was for our purchased new 1999 and 2000 VW's with less than 17K
and 40K respectively.
>
> Owned several for just that reason.
>
> Today, I drive a 4 cyl, 5 spd stick "Tonka Toy".
Foreigh I have owned, Isuzu, Acura, VW, Honda, and Toyota. The VW's were
constantly in the shop.
>
> Don't know why I waited so long to get one.
>
> BTW, 6'-0" but long torso, and 250 lbs presents more than a few challenges
> to Detroit.
>
> IMHO, the last Detroit vehicle worth a hoot was my 65 Galaxy 500, 4 dr
> hard top.
IMHO the 70 & 71's were the last decent years.
"B A R R Y" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Wed, 28 May 2008 17:13:03 -0500, "Leon"
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>
>>
>>Foreigh I have owned, Isuzu, Acura, VW, Honda, and Toyota. The VW's were
>>constantly in the shop.
>>
>
> I've *loved* my Toyotas, Subarus, and Hondas! All made in the USA,
> too.
>
> I've heard some VW horrors, as well. However, no VW could possibly
> compete with my Jeeps for shop time... <G>
>
> I think I have my wife headed towards a MINI Clubman in '09 or '10 to
> replace the '99 Wrangler.
My son has stepped in my shoes for car enthusiast. He has read that the
MINI is one of the most economical to operate and maintain. Pretty reliable
IIRC.
"Nova" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:DrG%j.3761$3f1.2480@trndny02...
>>
>>
>> Sorry Jack, ;~)
>>
>> The profit you are talking about is "Net" Profit. I should have
>> clarified that I was talking "Gross" Profit on each vehicle.
>> Typically the higher the GP margin the more you have to pay the wages and
>> benefits. After all those expenses and operating costs are deducted you
>> end up with the Net profit.
>
> "Gross profit is profit before Selling, General and Administrative costs
> (SG&A), like depreciation and interest; it is the Sales less direct Cost
> of Goods (or services) Sold (COGS),
No, I'm sorry to say, Gross profit is profit of the pieces sold less the
cost of the good. If you sell a part for $5 and your cost of the part is $4
your Gross Profit is $1. Untill you sell you have no profit. You may have
an increased value in inventory but that is added in later to increase the
Net Profit.
> Net profit after tax is after the deduction of either corporate tax (for a
> company) or income tax (for an individual)."
>
> Source:
>
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Profit
From you source above,
In accounting, Gross profit or sales profit or gross operating profit is the
difference between revenue and the cost of making a product or providing a
service, before deducting overheads, payroll, taxation, and interest
payments.
Net sales are calculated:
Net sales = Sales - Sales returns and allowances
Gross profit is found by deducting the cost of goods sold:
Gross profit = Net sales - Cost of goods sold
Gross profit should not be confused with net income:
Net income = Gross profit - Total operating expenses
In business and finance accounting, net profit is equal to the gross profit
minus overheads minus interest payable plus/minus one off items for a given
time period (usualy: accounting period).
"charlieb" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Granted this is California, and the San Francisco Bay Area at that,
> but
> earlier last week "regular" was $3.999 (who has a $0.009 coin?).
> by Thursday it was $4.039. Six days later (today) it's $4.249.
>
> Once the $4 /gallon threshold was crossed the dam weakened
> and now is collapsing - and we're still in May. Can't wait to see
> what The Summer Driving Season is gonna do to prices.
>
> A ray of hope - CAFE standards were FINALLY increased - after
> only 30 years and "pre-owned" Hummers, Huged Sport Utes and
> BIG Tire Monster Trucks are taking over what was formerly
> known as Used Car Lots space - in abundance.
>
> Attention: General Motors, Ford, Chrysler
> NOW do you get IT!?
>
> charlie b
>
> who appreciates my little white Miata more and more
> each day. Lot nicer looking than the Prius - and a hell
> of a lot more fun to drive.
And what cracks me up is the oil companies are trying to say that this is
the world market price. SA in the middle east is paying less than 40 cents
per gallon. I guess if the American oil companies were not selling gasoline
to other countries and also buying gasoline from other countries there would
not be as many mark-ups.
Charlie,
Arizona is right behind you.
I remember the first time I paid $2.00 a gallon was in Beverly Hills, CA. .
Jill and I were looking for a museum and got lost. We stopped at a little
gas station and while I was pumping my gas a Bentley pulled up and a very
attractive gal got out to fill her tank. She was wearing a see thru gauze
top with no bra. I'm lucky I didn't spill my gas all over. I think I did
drool on my shirt. Jill just sat in the car laughing at me.
Take care,
cm
"charlieb" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Granted this is California, and the San Francisco Bay Area at that,
> but
> earlier last week "regular" was $3.999 (who has a $0.009 coin?).
> by Thursday it was $4.039. Six days later (today) it's $4.249.
>
> Once the $4 /gallon threshold was crossed the dam weakened
> and now is collapsing - and we're still in May. Can't wait to see
> what The Summer Driving Season is gonna do to prices.
>
> A ray of hope - CAFE standards were FINALLY increased - after
> only 30 years and "pre-owned" Hummers, Huged Sport Utes and
> BIG Tire Monster Trucks are taking over what was formerly
> known as Used Car Lots space - in abundance.
>
> Attention: General Motors, Ford, Chrysler
> NOW do you get IT!?
>
> charlie b
>
> who appreciates my little white Miata more and more
> each day. Lot nicer looking than the Prius - and a hell
> of a lot more fun to drive.
On Wed, 28 May 2008 18:54:49 -0400, B A R R Y wrote:
> On Wed, 28 May 2008 22:34:34 GMT, PCPaul <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>The dear gubmint are still planning to put 2p/litre on in the Autumn to
>>'discourage unnecessary use' though(!)
>
>
> At least you get BBC without having to buy an expensive package...
Not quite. *Everybody* with a TV in the UK has to pay the 'TV Licence'
for £130ish ($250) a year, even if they never watch the BBC. That's what
pays for the BBC...
"Edwin Pawlowski" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:9No%[email protected]...
>
> "Leon" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> And what cracks me up is the oil companies are trying to say that this is
>> the world market price. SA in the middle east is paying less than 40
>> cents per gallon. I guess if the American oil companies were not selling
>> gasoline to other countries and also buying gasoline from other countries
>> there would not be as many mark-ups.
>>
>
> Oil companies are only part of the equation though. Speculators are
> buying and selling amongst themselves and driving up prices while making
> millions at our expense. Same with de-regulated electricity.
Exactly!
"Frank Boettcher" wrote:
>
> Good idea Lew. Can't wait to see the look on the faces of the board
> members of the Homeowners Assocication when I tether that goat in my
> front yard. That'll give em something to fret about.
The Condo Nazis will have a s**t fit.
Worth the price of admission just to see their reactions.
Lew
On Thu, 29 May 2008 20:37:33 -0400, B A R R Y wrote:
> On Thu, 29 May 2008 21:45:22 GMT, PCPaul <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>Not quite. *Everybody* with a TV in the UK has to pay the 'TV Licence'
>>for £130ish ($250) a year, even if they never watch the BBC. That's what
>>pays for the BBC...
>
>
> I didn't know that...
>
> I'm always impressed by the production value of the "Top Gear" film
> segments. Now I know where the budget comes from.
Yeah. Me. 8^(
On Wed, 28 May 2008 15:33:58 -0400, Greg Neill wrote:
> "charlieb" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> Granted this is California, and the San Francisco Bay Area at that, but
>> earlier last week "regular" was $3.999 (who has a $0.009 coin?). by
>> Thursday it was $4.039. Six days later (today) it's $4.249.
>
> Bah! That's nothing. Here in Montreal the price is at $1.42/L (142.4
> cents) per liter. That translates to $5.29 per US gal (ignoring the
> currently small currency exchange rate).
Ha. If you want a gassing contest ours is currently £1.25/litre (124.9p/
l) which is US$9.37/US gallon.
Come back when your gas has *doubled* in price and then you can
complain :-(
Tim S <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:
>
> Tim
>
> [1] I got half way to the bottom of this anomoly the other days. Seems
> our respective fluid-ounces are more or less the same (within a few
> percent), but USians have 16 fl oz/pint and we, for some reason have
> 20. Everything else scales from there. If anyone knows why, I'd be
> interested to hear it.
>
Because back just prior to the upstarts going thier own way, George III
parliment had to increase taxes to support the wars with France, holland
and Prussia. They chose to increase tax on beer - but because that would go
down too well they then decided to reduce the SIZE of the glass and so US
pints are 16oz and UK remained the imperial 20oz. Quarts, gallons and so on
are 20% smaller in the US..
After living here of 15 yrs it still feels strange to pick up a small pint.
On Wed, 28 May 2008 20:23:58 +0000, Puckdropper wrote:
> PCPaul <[email protected]> wrote in news:XIi%j.10847$DZ6.7266
> @text.news.virginmedia.com:
>
>
>> Come back when your gas has *doubled* in price and then you can
>> complain :-(
>>
>>
> It *has* doubled in price. Two years ago, it was around $2.00 a gallon.
Not quite that quickly here, but that's only because the tax (and the tax
on the tax) hasn't gone up as quickly as the underlying oil costs..
The dear gubmint are still planning to put 2p/litre on in the Autumn to
'discourage unnecessary use' though(!)
On Wed, 28 May 2008 17:13:03 -0500, "Leon"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>
>Foreigh I have owned, Isuzu, Acura, VW, Honda, and Toyota. The VW's were
>constantly in the shop.
>
I've *loved* my Toyotas, Subarus, and Hondas! All made in the USA,
too.
I've heard some VW horrors, as well. However, no VW could possibly
compete with my Jeeps for shop time... <G>
I think I have my wife headed towards a MINI Clubman in '09 or '10 to
replace the '99 Wrangler.
---------------------------------------------
** http://www.bburke.com/woodworking.html **
---------------------------------------------
Richard Evans <[email protected]> wrote:
>"Leon" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>
>>"Richard Evans" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>>news:[email protected]...
>>>
>>> Not necessarily. My '69 Mercury Cyclone Cobra Jet 428 got 12mpg around
>>> town and 16mpg on the highway. And I eventually traded it because
>>> hi-test gas was too expensive at $.429 per gallon.
>>>
>>> Damn, I miss that car.
>>
>>That engine was a real sleeper. I had a friend that had a Torino with the
>>CobraJet 428 ? 9?. Sounded pathetic, as I recall the AIR pump was the
>>loudest thing under the hood, but blew away 396 Malibu's.
>
>It was rated at 325 HP, but I read years later that it was
>intentionally underrated to get it by the insurance companies. Actual
>output was something over 400 HP. Mine was the only one I've ever
>seen. I read on the Web that there were only something like 126 made.
>
>Good set of pictures here.
>
>http://www.streetrodshack.com/images/1969Cylcone/1969Cyclone_07.JPG
>
Sorry, that's only one picture. The collection is here:
http://www.streetrodshack.com/details_1969Cyclone.htm
On May 29, 12:01=A0am, Puckdropper <puckdropper(at)yahoo(dot)com> wrote:
> charlieb <[email protected]> wrote in news:483DA674.7BF0
> @accesscom.com:
>
>
>
> > Granted this is California, and the San Francisco Bay Area at that,
> > but
> > earlier last week "regular" was $3.999 (who has a $0.009 coin?).
> > by Thursday it was $4.039. =A0Six days later (today) it's $4.249.
>
> > Once the $4 /gallon threshold was crossed the dam weakened
> > and now is collapsing - and we're still in May. =A0Can't wait to see
> > what The Summer Driving Season is gonna do to prices.
>
> > A ray of hope - CAFE standards were FINALLY increased - after
> > only 30 years and "pre-owned" Hummers, Huged Sport Utes and
> > BIG Tire Monster Trucks are taking over what was formerly
> > known as Used Car Lots space - in abundance.
>
> > Attention: General Motors, Ford, Chrysler
> > =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0 =A0NOW do you get IT!?
>
> > charlie b
>
> > who appreciates my little white Miata more and more
> > each day. =A0Lot nicer looking than the Prius - and a hell
> > of a lot more fun to drive.
>
> What I want is a more fuel efficient LAWN MOWER. =A0I've got around 4 acre=
s
> to mow, and it takes 4-5 gallons a week to do it. =A0I wonder if I can get=
> more grass mowed per gallon by putting the next size larger deck on it...
> Probably not.
>
> Puckdropper
> --
> If you're quiet, your teeth never touch your ankles.
>
> To email me directly, send a message to puckdropper (at) fastmail.fm
=2E..and *I* have to learn NOT TO PUT FERTILISER on my lawn!!!!!!!!
WTF is next? A sprinkler system?? Would I be THAT stupid?
"Leon" <[email protected]> wrote:
>And what cracks me up is the oil companies are trying to say that this is
>the world market price. SA in the middle east is paying less than 40 cents
>per gallon.
The government subsidizes gasoline in Saudi. Without that, it would be the same
as anywhere else. -- Doug
On 29 May 2008 04:01:37 GMT, Puckdropper
<puckdropper(at)yahoo(dot)com> wrote:
>
>What I want is a more fuel efficient LAWN MOWER. I've got around 4 acres
>to mow, and it takes 4-5 gallons a week to do it.
Goats!
---------------------------------------------
** http://www.bburke.com/woodworking.html **
---------------------------------------------
"Richard Evans" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> Not necessarily. My '69 Mercury Cyclone Cobra Jet 428 got 12mpg around
> town and 16mpg on the highway. And I eventually traded it because
> hi-test gas was too expensive at $.429 per gallon.
>
> Damn, I miss that car.
That engine was a real sleeper. I had a friend that had a Torino with the
CobraJet 428 ? 9?. Sounded pathetic, as I recall the AIR pump was the
loudest thing under the hood, but blew away 396 Malibu's.
Leon wrote:
>
> Actually the larger and more expensice the vehicle the more profit and
> percent of profit. Most of the profit goes to the workers and their
> benefits, thank you Labor Unions.
And here all this time I thought "profit" was what was left after
expenses were deducted.
--
Jack Novak
Buffalo, NY - USA
[email protected]
"Leon" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>"Richard Evans" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>>
>> Not necessarily. My '69 Mercury Cyclone Cobra Jet 428 got 12mpg around
>> town and 16mpg on the highway. And I eventually traded it because
>> hi-test gas was too expensive at $.429 per gallon.
>>
>> Damn, I miss that car.
>
>That engine was a real sleeper. I had a friend that had a Torino with the
>CobraJet 428 ? 9?. Sounded pathetic, as I recall the AIR pump was the
>loudest thing under the hood, but blew away 396 Malibu's.
It was rated at 325 HP, but I read years later that it was
intentionally underrated to get it by the insurance companies. Actual
output was something over 400 HP. Mine was the only one I've ever
seen. I read on the Web that there were only something like 126 made.
Good set of pictures here.
http://www.streetrodshack.com/images/1969Cylcone/1969Cyclone_07.JPG
Mine was flame orange.
On May 28, 4:15 pm, Tim S <[email protected]> wrote:
> Upscale coughed up some electrons that declared:
>
>
>
> > "Greg Neill" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> > Bah! That's nothing. Here in Montreal the price is
> > at $1.42/L (142.4 cents) per liter. That translates
> > to $5.29 per US gal (ignoring the currently small
> > currency exchange rate).
>
> > Bah! That's nothing. Gasoline in the UK has reached $10.65 (US) a gallon
> > and that's certainly not the most expensive in Europe. Consider yourself
> > lucky.
>
> I make it US$8.64 based on 115.2 pence/litre in mid Kent, SE England.
> Remember US gallon != Imperial gallon[1]
>
> Now, diesel - that is expensive at 127 pence/litre - I nearly had a heart
> attack today filling up for the first time in 2 months. Good job my vehicle
> gets just over 50mpg...
>
> Still, original point still stands... I remember my old man whining when
> petrol topped one pound per imperial gallon... Feck, that was long time
> ago...
>
> Cheers
>
> Tim
>
> [1] I got half way to the bottom of this anomoly the other days. Seems our
> respective fluid-ounces are more or less the same (within a few percent),
> but USians have 16 fl oz/pint and we, for some reason have 20. Everything
> else scales from there. If anyone knows why, I'd be interested to hear it.
Back when I was a little younger, my old man flipped when he got five
gallons (US) and the attendant asked for $1.05. The week before, five
gallons had been a buck, and you still got the same service--oil
check, belt check, windshield and rear window washed. We're in one of
the cheapest areas in the U.S., and this morning, I paid $3.78.9, down
11 cents since the driving holiday. It's astonishing how that happens.
There's some excuse for a run-up before EVERY major driving holiday in
this country. Of course, it goes up a quarter and comes down a dime,
but, hey, that's bidness fer you. Someone has to get screwed, while
being told he's what's wrong with the world. AKA, Joe Consumer.
"J. Clarke" <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>> Attention: General Motors, Ford, Chrysler
>> NOW do you get IT!?
>
>Yeah, they get it. They've always "gotten it". The trouble is that
>what they've "gotten" has been what the market wanted and not what
>professional do-gooders such as yourself _want_ the market to want.
>
>Now the gas prices are up to a point relative to incomes that many
>people want smaller vehicles instead of or in addition to their large
>ones, and they'll "get" that as long as it remains the case and when
>incomes rise to adjust for inflation, if they ever do, and people want
>large vehicles again, they'll "get" that as well.
>
Anyone remember the gas crisis of '72? We went through the same thing.
For a brief period, you couldn't give away a gas hog, but it wasn't
all that long until things levelled out (I can't say why) and big,
high performace cars were in demand again.
"Lew Hodgett" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:5bq%j.9428$nx6.4143@trnddc03...
>
> "Puckdropper" wrote:
> > What I want is a more fuel efficient LAWN MOWER. I've got around 4
> > acres to mow, and it takes 4-5 gallons a week to do it.
>
> Goats.
> They will even keep the shrubs under control.
> Better than sheep with less residue.
>
> Lew
Residue? Do you mean manure?... AKA- fertilizer? Sheep manure is the best
fertilize on earth (tied with rabbit poop) but it makes grass grow very
fast.
Goats taste good on a barbeque, but they prefer rough forage (the shrubs,
trees, vines, flowers, etc)... not very good for mowing grass.
Buy short-legged cows to keep grass in check. Shetland ponies are fairly
good grass eaters too (and they will pull a home shop built wooden hay
wagon, a traction driven sickel bar mower, hay rake, etc.)... but not good
to eat, unless you like tough dog food.
Axel
On Wed, 28 May 2008 18:56:29 -0700 (PDT), Robatoy
<[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>
>Thems not 'real' Cooper S's. <EG> Fast and fun, no doubt, but
>expensive FRAUDS!!!...LOL ( I paid $ 800.00 for a 1275 S engine with a
>Weber on it)
They run THOSE on Vintage Weekend in September!
---------------------------------------------
** http://www.bburke.com/woodworking.html **
---------------------------------------------
"Leon" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:4_k%[email protected]...
> The original gas lines were because of the price freeze on every thing
> that Nixon imposed. Oil companies said they could not make a profit and
> quit buying expensive foreign oil. That caused a shortage. Once the
> price freeze was lifted, so were the shortages and lines. Gas hogs and
> high performance vehicles got less than 10 mpg back then, and get about
> 50% better now.
Actually it was more of OPEC flexing its new found power.....the first oil
embargo doubled gas from approx. 30 cents to 60 cents in 1973. The second
embargo in 1979 took it from 60 cents to approx. $1.20. Nixon's ill fated
inflation inspired price controls did raise havoc with beef and a wide
assortment of other products. Nonetheless oil price controls did interfere
with the market place since "old oil" was controlled, with new oil exempt
.....it did make the lines longer as "well owners" withheld their old oil
from the market place.......Thus the 1973 lines were worse than the 1979
lines...both sucked. Rod
On Wed, 28 May 2008 20:22:20 GMT, FrozenNorth
<[email protected]> wrote:
>Rod & Betty Jo wrote:
>
> I am 6'5" tall
>and weigh about 215lbs, not a huge guy, but definitely tall, and I can't
>get comfortable in most of the little shit boxes on the roads these days.
>I *need* a larger car, only driving a Grand Prix with a 3.8l 6 banger these
>days, but I at least am comfortable driving it, and the performance for
>highway driving isn't bad either.
A mid-60's VW bug would be fine - you're one of the few who could
reach the pedals with the seat all the way back ;-)
John
On Wed, 28 May 2008 11:37:43 -0700, charlieb <[email protected]> wrote:
>Granted this is California, and the San Francisco Bay Area at that,
>but
>earlier last week "regular" was $3.999 (who has a $0.009 coin?).
>by Thursday it was $4.039. Six days later (today) it's $4.249.
>
>Once the $4 /gallon threshold was crossed the dam weakened
>and now is collapsing - and we're still in May. Can't wait to see
>what The Summer Driving Season is gonna do to prices.
>
I feel your pain, Charlie...
Though we're lucky enough to live in Mexico and complain about unleaded going up
to $2.30 a Gal, we all make trips to the States..
My neighbor just got back from Fresno, the land of $5.50 a gal diesel.. He's
been paying $2.10 here..
We have to go to California on the July 4th weekend for our daughter's wedding
and expect the fuel cost to be more than the room charge for 2 nights...
mac
Please remove splinters before emailing
charlieb wrote:
> Granted this is California, and the San Francisco Bay Area at that,
> but
> earlier last week "regular" was $3.999 (who has a $0.009 coin?).
> by Thursday it was $4.039. Six days later (today) it's $4.249.
>
> Once the $4 /gallon threshold was crossed the dam weakened
> and now is collapsing - and we're still in May. Can't wait to see
> what The Summer Driving Season is gonna do to prices.
>
> A ray of hope - CAFE standards were FINALLY increased - after
> only 30 years and "pre-owned" Hummers, Huged Sport Utes and
> BIG Tire Monster Trucks are taking over what was formerly
> known as Used Car Lots space - in abundance.
>
> Attention: General Motors, Ford, Chrysler
> NOW do you get IT!?
Yeah, they get it. They've always "gotten it". The trouble is that
what they've "gotten" has been what the market wanted and not what
professional do-gooders such as yourself _want_ the market to want.
Now the gas prices are up to a point relative to incomes that many
people want smaller vehicles instead of or in addition to their large
ones, and they'll "get" that as long as it remains the case and when
incomes rise to adjust for inflation, if they ever do, and people want
large vehicles again, they'll "get" that as well.
Auto manufacturers do not hold guns to peoples' heads and force them
to buy specific models you know.
> charlie b
>
> who appreciates my little white Miata more and more
> each day. Lot nicer looking than the Prius - and a hell
> of a lot more fun to drive.
And if everything you need to carry fits into one then Miatas are
nice.
--
--
--John
to email, dial "usenet" and validate
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)
Rod & Betty Jo wrote:
> "charlieb" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> A ray of hope - CAFE standards were FINALLY increased - after
>> only 30 years and "pre-owned" Hummers, Huged Sport Utes and
>> BIG Tire Monster Trucks are taking over what was formerly
>> known as Used Car Lots space - in abundance.
>>
>> Attention: General Motors, Ford, Chrysler
>> NOW do you get IT!?
>> charlie b
>
>
> This "ray of hope" I do not understand.....Increased CAFE standards
> simply mean smaller and/or lighter vehicles...... There is no
> particular or secret high mileage trick out there just waiting for a
> Gov. CAFE mandate. Instead what we will get are fewer choices in the
> market place and most likely price incentives or penalties (as
> though
> gas prices aren't incentive enough) to force the market place where
> it may not wish to go. Vehicles will be less able for many tasks and
> there will be more vehicles that the tall, the large and the elderly
> and infirm can not get in or can not sit comfortably in. Certain
> things may require a forced mandate, as when not doing them provides
> a competitive advantage for those who don't but better vehicle
> efficiency can stand on its own merit without Gov. fiat or subsidy.
CAFE has been the law since 1975. All that is changing is the mileage
target, which was frozen at 27.5 MPG in 1990, up from 18 mpg in 1978.
Light trucks, which includes most SUVs, also have a CAFE standard but
it is different from the one for passenger cars.
If you are opposed to CAFE, well, that ship has sailed.
--
--
--John
to email, dial "usenet" and validate
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)
Richard Evans wrote:
> "Leon" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>
>> "Richard Evans" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> news:[email protected]...
>>> "J. Clarke" <[email protected]> wrote:
>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Attention: General Motors, Ford, Chrysler
>>>>> NOW do you get IT!?
>>>>
>>>> Yeah, they get it. They've always "gotten it". The trouble is
>>>> that what they've "gotten" has been what the market wanted and
>>>> not
>>>> what professional do-gooders such as yourself _want_ the market
>>>> to
>>>> want.
>>>>
>>>> Now the gas prices are up to a point relative to incomes that
>>>> many
>>>> people want smaller vehicles instead of or in addition to their
>>>> large ones, and they'll "get" that as long as it remains the case
>>>> and when incomes rise to adjust for inflation, if they ever do,
>>>> and people want large vehicles again, they'll "get" that as well.
>>>>
>>>
>>> Anyone remember the gas crisis of '72? We went through the same
>>> thing. For a brief period, you couldn't give away a gas hog, but
>>> it
>>> wasn't all that long until things levelled out (I can't say why)
>>> and big, high performace cars were in demand again.
>>
>> The original gas lines were because of the price freeze on every
>> thing that Nixon imposed. Oil companies said they could not make a
>> profit and quit buying expensive foreign oil. That caused a
>> shortage. Once the price freeze was lifted, so were the shortages
>> and lines. Gas hogs and high performance vehicles got less than 10
>> mpg back then,
>
> Not necessarily. My '69 Mercury Cyclone Cobra Jet 428 got 12mpg
> around
> town and 16mpg on the highway. And I eventually traded it because
> hi-test gas was too expensive at $.429 per gallon.
>
> Damn, I miss that car.
The '76 460 Lincoln that's slowly rusting away in my driveway (sooner
or later I hope to restore it--it was my mother's car and has
sentimental value) usually did about the same.
--
--
--John
to email, dial "usenet" and validate
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)
B A R R Y wrote:
> On Wed, 28 May 2008 17:59:35 -0400, Richard Evans
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>> Anyone remember the gas crisis of '72? We went through the same
>> thing. For a brief period, you couldn't give away a gas hog, but it
>> wasn't all that long until things levelled out (I can't say why)
>> and
>> big, high performace cars were in demand again.
>
>
> The Saudis started selling us oil again, that's why prices dropped.
>
> There isn't a singular reason right now why oil is climbing in the
> US,
> so I'd think twice about jumping on that "great" deal on a gas
> guzzler. Nowadays, we beg for oil on a world market with a weak
> dollar, in full competition with other buyers, like India and China,
> we are now in the genuine world market. India and China weren't
> there
> in '72.
>
> On the other hand, for those folks who really genuinely NEED a
> powerful tow or hauling vehicle... Personally, I would have to
> incorporate the lack of resale value into any gas guzzler purchased
> today when analyzing a prospective purchase, but there are some
> real
> "must sells" out there!
>
> I bicycle to work ~ 150 days a year, and I'm amazed at the
> difference
> in driving "spirit" I see this spring vs. last fall during my
> commute
> displayed by "style trucks". Folks are driving with an egg under
> the
> accelerator foot! Last year, these folks never missed an
> opportunity
> to smoke it from traffic light to traffic light. I'm enjoying the
> lack of noise. <G>
>
> By "style truck", I'm describing the loaded to the gills, 4x4 w/ 20"
> rims and low profile tires, leather quad-cab, short-bed, 3/4+ ton,
> and
> Hemi trucks, usually with Harley stickers and fiberglass tonneau
> covers with spoilers, used as commuter vehicles, as opposed to the
> typical trades-rig with a long bed, racks and boxes and dirt on it.x
Well, the ones with the Harley stickers are forgivable--they need the
truck to haul the bike to and from the bar.
--
--
--John
to email, dial "usenet" and validate
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)
Lew Hodgett wrote:
> "charlieb" wrote:
>
>> You got gas in that purse - supreme or even just regular?
>
> Actually, it's an old sow's ear<G>.
Speaking of gas and silk purses and sows ears and the like I felt like
Elliot Ness for a while today--I had occasion to chase down a '30s
16-cylinder Cadillac. Guy had left his gas cap off and every time he
went around a corner it spilled several bucks worth of gas on the
road. I figured he'd want to know.
Incidentally, the pictures don't do that car justice, and neither do
museum displays.
--
--
--John
to email, dial "usenet" and validate
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)
charlieb wrote:
> Rod & Betty Jo wrote:
>
>> This "ray of hope" I do not understand.....Increased CAFE
>> standards
>> simply mean smaller and/or lighter vehicles...... There is no
>> particular or secret high mileage trick out there just waiting for
>> a
>> Gov. CAFE mandate. Instead what we will get are fewer choices in
>> the
>> market place and most likely price incentives or penalties (as
>> though gas prices aren't incentive enough) to force the market
>> place
>> where it may not wish to go.
>
> I don't think "The Market" should dictate EVERYTHING. "The
> Market"
> is driven by MONEY - and has a very. very short term and very
> narrow view of things. And money has no loyalty to anyone or
> anything.
> Most
> significant, it has no morals, no scruples, no ethics, no "human
> values".
>
> In the early 70s, when the first Arab Oil Embargo took place, and
> gas lines formed and we had "Alternate Days" gas rationing -
> though it was never called "gas rationing" - and "Detroit" kept
> insisting THEY COULD NOT make energy efficient automobiles - AND
> make a profit, and continue to insist they "just made was
> Americans wanted" - ven though they spent hundreds of millions in
> advertising to persuade US consumers they "needed and wanted"
> BIG, HEAVY, AMERICAN (the Stars and Stripes waving in the back
> ground).
And still want them. If you don't like it that doesn't alter the
fact.
>
> "Detroit" got it's ass kicked - by "little cheap Japanese" cars.
> They HAD well over 95% of the US auto market - and they blew
> it. Their response - the Chevy Nova, the Ford Pinto - neither
> very good products and not competative in price or performance
> with those "little cheap Japanese" cars.
And the "little cheap Japanese" cars didn't do well in the market.
Eventually the Japanese figured out what the market wanted and started
selling it. But it wasn't particularly little or particularly cheap.
> Took them a while, but Lee Iacocca came up with the mini-van,
> which let Chrysler, and then the other US Auto Makers cling to
> their old ways - by slapping a new body style - on a TRUCK.
Thus moving the station wagon (remember them) outside of the CAFE
standards. Very clever move. And soccer moms need station wagons.
> And while that slowed the slide, the slide continued - and
> while
> "Detroit's" repackaging once again of what is basically a truck
> - the Sport Utility Vehicle - the Hummer being the poster child
> for "We STILL Don't Get It" - allowed them to continue to tread
> water - they're going to go the way of the dinosaur - not
> because
> US Auto Workers can't compete - if they have the products to
> make - and the tooling to do it.
The Hummber? Developed by AM General in South Bend Indiana to a US
Army requirment? And later sold to the public because the public
demanded it? Waht exactly does it have to do with "Detroit" "getting
it"? If anybody doesn't "get it" with the Hummer it's the Department
of Defense--if you don't like Hummers take it up with _them_. Aside
from lacking armor though, they seem to be doing just fine at what the
Army bought them for.
>> Vehicles will be less
>> able for many tasks
>
> Let's get real here. An overwhelming majority of big powerful
> vehicles - with four wheel drive - NEVER leave the road.
So what?
> And
> IF 10% of the trucks sold EVER carry a load of wood, or rocks
> or hay or manure, or tow a trailer on a semi regular basis I'd
> be astounded. If you need to haul a bunch of stuff or a heavy
> load - on those four or five occassions a year - RENT A
> PHREAKIN'
> Stake Side - with a lift or ramp.
I'm not sure I understand your point here. Seems to me that you want
"Detroit" to keep making trucks, you just don't want anybody but
rental companies to buy them. Well, I'm sorry, but the manufacturers
don't have that kind of control. Are you suggesting that legislation
be enacted forbidding individuals from buying trucks or something?
> OK - so lets trot out The Farmers and The Ranchers - they
> NEED a Real Truck - which is the arguement "Detroit" made
> to keep the CAFE Standards where they've been - for 30
> phreakin' years.
The CAFE standards that apply to the cheap little cars that you seem
to favor are different from the ones that apply to trucks. The CAFE
standards could be changed to require that cars get ten million miles
per gallon and that would have no effect whatsoever on trucks.
> Well heads up folks - the family run farm
> or ranch is becoming a fond memory, replaced by AgriBusiness
> which doesn't use consumer "pick up trucks" because they're
> to limited in capabilities and carrying capacity.
You don't live in Connecticut, do you?
>> and there will be more vehicles that the tall, the large
>> and the elderly and infirm can not get in or can not sit
>> comfortably
>> in.
>
> Tried getting UP into the SUVs out there today? Or into and
> out of most of the cars out there - "Detroit" models or any of
> the host of other passenger cars out there? This has nothing
> to do with Energy Efficiency.
Well, actually it does. You need a certain amount of volume in order
to fit a certain sized person. Volume requires structure and affects
frontal area. Structure adds weight. Frontal area adds drag.
>> Certain things may require a forced mandate, as when not doing them
>> provides a competitive advantage for those who don't but better
>> vehicle efficiency can stand on its own merit without Gov. fiat or
>> subsidy.
>
> When "The Cheap Imports" started kicking "Detroit's" ass - it
> was
> "Detroit" that begged and pleaded - and got - Federal Excise
> Taxes
> on "imports". There was no mention of "let the free market"
> decide things.
Well, actually I think that that had more to do with a level playing
field--Japanese labor costs then were very low compared to the US.
>
> The Japanese - and the Germans - didn't have ANY competative
> advantage over US Auto Makers when they entered this market.
> In fact they were at a significant disadvantage. BUT - they had
> a better product - and US consumers confirmed THAT with their
> auto purchases.
And unlike Detroit, the Germans cannot meet the US CAFE standards and
pay a tax every year on their gas guzzlers.
> There is a HUGE "Green" market developing - and we are going
> to be dragged kicking and screaming - into the 21st Century
> - like it or not.
>
> Those who do not study history are condemnd to relive it
> - over and over and over again.
So where does one read this history of automobile manufacture?
Charlie, quite frankly between this and your Adobe problems most of
which result from your refusal to make an online purchase you're
coming across as nuts.
--
--
--John
to email, dial "usenet" and validate
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)
On Wed, 28 May 2008 17:59:35 -0400, Richard Evans
<[email protected]> wrote:
>
>Anyone remember the gas crisis of '72? We went through the same thing.
>For a brief period, you couldn't give away a gas hog, but it wasn't
>all that long until things levelled out (I can't say why) and big,
>high performace cars were in demand again.
The Saudis started selling us oil again, that's why prices dropped.
There isn't a singular reason right now why oil is climbing in the US,
so I'd think twice about jumping on that "great" deal on a gas
guzzler. Nowadays, we beg for oil on a world market with a weak
dollar, in full competition with other buyers, like India and China,
we are now in the genuine world market. India and China weren't there
in '72.
On the other hand, for those folks who really genuinely NEED a
powerful tow or hauling vehicle... Personally, I would have to
incorporate the lack of resale value into any gas guzzler purchased
today when analyzing a prospective purchase, but there are some real
"must sells" out there!
I bicycle to work ~ 150 days a year, and I'm amazed at the difference
in driving "spirit" I see this spring vs. last fall during my commute
displayed by "style trucks". Folks are driving with an egg under the
accelerator foot! Last year, these folks never missed an opportunity
to smoke it from traffic light to traffic light. I'm enjoying the
lack of noise. <G>
By "style truck", I'm describing the loaded to the gills, 4x4 w/ 20"
rims and low profile tires, leather quad-cab, short-bed, 3/4+ ton, and
Hemi trucks, usually with Harley stickers and fiberglass tonneau
covers with spoilers, used as commuter vehicles, as opposed to the
typical trades-rig with a long bed, racks and boxes and dirt on it.
---------------------------------------------
** http://www.bburke.com/woodworking.html **
---------------------------------------------
On Wed, 28 May 2008 19:57:48 -0400, "J. Clarke"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>
>Well, the ones with the Harley stickers are forgivable--they need the
>truck to haul the bike to and from the bar.
>
There you have it! <G>
---------------------------------------------
** http://www.bburke.com/woodworking.html **
---------------------------------------------
"Leon" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>"Richard Evans" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>> "J. Clarke" <[email protected]> wrote:
>>
>>>>
>>>> Attention: General Motors, Ford, Chrysler
>>>> NOW do you get IT!?
>>>
>>>Yeah, they get it. They've always "gotten it". The trouble is that
>>>what they've "gotten" has been what the market wanted and not what
>>>professional do-gooders such as yourself _want_ the market to want.
>>>
>>>Now the gas prices are up to a point relative to incomes that many
>>>people want smaller vehicles instead of or in addition to their large
>>>ones, and they'll "get" that as long as it remains the case and when
>>>incomes rise to adjust for inflation, if they ever do, and people want
>>>large vehicles again, they'll "get" that as well.
>>>
>>
>> Anyone remember the gas crisis of '72? We went through the same thing.
>> For a brief period, you couldn't give away a gas hog, but it wasn't
>> all that long until things levelled out (I can't say why) and big,
>> high performace cars were in demand again.
>
>The original gas lines were because of the price freeze on every thing that
>Nixon imposed. Oil companies said they could not make a profit and quit
>buying expensive foreign oil. That caused a shortage. Once the price
>freeze was lifted, so were the shortages and lines. Gas hogs and high
>performance vehicles got less than 10 mpg back then,
Not necessarily. My '69 Mercury Cyclone Cobra Jet 428 got 12mpg around
town and 16mpg on the highway. And I eventually traded it because
hi-test gas was too expensive at $.429 per gallon.
Damn, I miss that car.
On Wed, 28 May 2008 13:05:50 -0700, "Rod & Betty Jo"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>
>"charlieb" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>> A ray of hope - CAFE standards were FINALLY increased - after
>> only 30 years and "pre-owned" Hummers, Huged Sport Utes and
>> BIG Tire Monster Trucks are taking over what was formerly
>> known as Used Car Lots space - in abundance.
>>
>> Attention: General Motors, Ford, Chrysler
>> NOW do you get IT!?
>> charlie b
>
>
>This "ray of hope" I do not understand.....Increased CAFE standards simply
>mean smaller and/or lighter vehicles...... There is no particular or secret
>high mileage trick out there just waiting for a Gov. CAFE mandate. Instead
>what we will get are fewer choices in the market place and most likely price
>incentives or penalties (as though gas prices aren't incentive enough) to
>force the market place where it may not wish to go. Vehicles will be less
>able for many tasks and there will be more vehicles that the tall, the large
>and the elderly and infirm can not get in or can not sit comfortably in.
>Certain things may require a forced mandate, as when not doing them provides
>a competitive advantage for those who don't but better vehicle efficiency
>can stand on its own merit without Gov. fiat or subsidy. Rod
>
My new truck is much easier on my herniated disk than my wife's Camry
- and the grab handles are better located. The mileage isn't
record-breaking at 21 city, 24+ highway with an automatic, but not bad
for a vehicle that can carry a 1300lb payload or pull a 3500lb
trailer.
Gas prices in the suburbs on the west side of Atlanta are about
$3.88/gallon today, with downtown Atlanta prices about $4.09/gallon.
For possible alternative near-future vehicles, look at some of the
contenders for the Automotive X-Prize, a $10 million competition for
fuel efficient vehicles:
http://www.popularmechanics.com/automotive/new_cars/4261425.html?series=19
John
On Wed, 28 May 2008 18:59:20 -0400, Richard Evans <[email protected]>
wrote:
>Not necessarily. My '69 Mercury Cyclone Cobra Jet 428 got 12mpg around
>town and 16mpg on the highway. And I eventually traded it because
>hi-test gas was too expensive at $.429 per gallon.
>
>Damn, I miss that car.
I miss my 62 Vette AND those gas prices..
mac
Please remove splinters before emailing
Larry Blanchard wrote:
> On Tue, 10 Jun 2008 03:28:59 +0000, Vz wrote:
>
>
>> First:In 2000 Bill Clinton signed a Bill the Commodities Futures
>> Modernization Act (that exempted from regulation energy trading on
>> electronic platforms) with the "Enron Loophole" enclosed by Phil
>> Gramm. It allowed trading to shift from the regulated NYMEX to ICE
>> (Intercontinental Exchange) and unregulated Exchange. As ENRON was
>> now allowed to trade Utilities, Oil is now in play! As Energy
>> prices went through the roof, the Bush Administration strongly
>> supported and backed ENRON.
>
>
> I don't know if it's my news reader or your writer, but the above
> line comes out as one long, long line when I read it. If others have
> the same problem you might want to check your settings.
It looked fine when I read it initially, but when I went to write this
reply his statement became one single line without wrapping. I had to
tell my reader to rewrap the message.
I'm guessing it's a combination of both his writer and your reader.
Chris
On Tue, 10 Jun 2008 03:28:59 +0000, Vz wrote:
> First:In 2000 Bill Clinton signed a Bill the Commodities Futures Modernization Act (that exempted from regulation energy trading on electronic platforms) with the "Enron Loophole" enclosed by Phil Gramm. It allowed trading to shift from the regulated NYMEX to ICE (Intercontinental Exchange) and unregulated Exchange. As ENRON was now allowed to trade Utilities, Oil is now in play! As Energy prices went through the roof, the Bush Administration strongly supported and backed ENRON.
I don't know if it's my news reader or your writer, but the above line
comes out as one long, long line when I read it. If others have the same
problem you might want to check your settings.
On Wed, 28 May 2008 19:59:35 -0400, "J. Clarke"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>
>The '76 460 Lincoln that's slowly rusting away in my driveway (sooner
>or later I hope to restore it--it was my mother's car and has
>sentimental value) usually did about the same.
>
Cool car!
I had a '78 2 door with a 460, in the early 1990's. Somebody gave it
to me.
It would pass anything but a gas station! I think it had a 38 gallon
tank...
It was a fun car to drive, but I would have killed for 12/16. Mine
got more like 10 overall. I was able to replace the Mark with a
brand new 1992 Mazda Protege for my wife's commute between Meriden and
East Hartford, CT. The Protege's monthly payment, fuel, taxes, and
full insurance coverage were less than the monthly gas bill on the
Lincoln. <G>
Every time I backed the Lincoln up for first time of the day, I got a
shower from the sunroof!
I always got a kick out of the fact that my Ex-Ryder '86 Ford E350
dualie 14' hi-cube, one of my PA trucks, was lighter than the Lincoln
when empty (5800 vs. 6000). The 10,000+ GVW hi-cube only had a
351...
The Lincoln was the only car I ever saw that could fit a 4x12 Marshall
half-stack and a guitar in the trunk!
---------------------------------------------
** http://www.bburke.com/woodworking.html **
---------------------------------------------
On Fri, 30 May 2008 14:11:02 GMT, PCPaul <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>Yeah. Me. 8^(
>
If it makes you feel any better, THANKS! <G>
---------------------------------------------
** http://www.bburke.com/woodworking.html **
---------------------------------------------
On Wed, 28 May 2008 11:37:43 -0700, charlieb <[email protected]>
wrote:
>who appreciates my little white Miata more and more
>each day.
As Stacey David says, "...but it's a GIRL's car..."
--
LRod
Master Woodbutcher and seasoned termite
Shamelessly whoring my website since 1999
http://www.woodbutcher.net
http://www.normstools.com
Proud participant of rec.woodworking since February, 1997
email addy de-spam-ified due to 1,000 spams per month.
If you can't figure out how to use it, I probably wouldn't
care to correspond with you anyway.
Leon wrote:
>
>>Source:
>>
>>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Profit
>
>
> From you source above,
>
> In accounting, Gross profit or sales profit or gross operating profit is the
> difference between revenue and the cost of making a product or providing a
> service, before deducting overheads, payroll, taxation, and interest
> payments.
>
> Net sales are calculated:
>
> Net sales = Sales - Sales returns and allowances
> Gross profit is found by deducting the cost of goods sold:
>
> Gross profit = Net sales - Cost of goods sold
> Gross profit should not be confused with net income:
>
> Net income = Gross profit - Total operating expenses
>
>
> In business and finance accounting, net profit is equal to the gross profit
> minus overheads minus interest payable plus/minus one off items for a given
> time period (usualy: accounting period).
I think you're confusing gross receipts with gross profits.
From the IRS web site:
http://www.irs.gov/publications/p334/ch07.html
"7. Figuring Gross Profit
Table of Contents
* Introduction
* Items To Check
* Testing Gross Profit Accuracy
o Example.
* Additions to Gross Profit
Introduction
After you have figured the gross receipts from your business (chapter 5)
and the cost of goods sold (chapter 6), you are ready to figure your
gross profit. You must determine gross profit before you can deduct any
business expenses. These expenses are discussed in chapter 8.
If you are filing Schedule C-EZ, your gross profit is your gross
receipts plus certain other amounts, explained later under Additions to
Gross Profit.
Businesses that sell products. If you are filing Schedule C, figure
your gross profit by first figuring your net receipts. Figure net
receipts on Schedule C by subtracting any returns and allowances (line
2) from gross receipts (line 1). Returns and allowances include cash or
credit refunds you make to customers, rebates, and other allowances off
the actual sales price.
Next, subtract the cost of goods sold (line 4) from net receipts (line
3). The result is the gross profit from your business."
Note the cost of good sold is subtracted from the net receipts to
determine the gross profit.
And
http://www.irs.gov/publications/p334/ch06.html
"Figuring Cost of Goods Sold on Schedule C Lines 35 Through 42
Figure your cost of goods sold by filling out lines 35 through 42 of
Schedule C. These lines are reproduced below and are explained in the
discussion that follows.
35 Inventory at beginning of year. If different from last year's
closing inventory, attach explanation
36 Purchases less cost of items withdrawn for personal use
37 Cost of labor. Do not include any amounts paid to yourself
38 Materials and supplies
39 Other costs
40 Add lines 35 through 39
41 Inventory at end of year
42 Cost of goods sold. Subtract line 41 from line 40.
Enter the result here and on page 1, line 4"
Note line #37
--
Jack Novak
Buffalo, NY - USA
[email protected]
On Wed, 28 May 2008 18:59:20 -0400, Richard Evans
<[email protected]> wrote:
>"Leon" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>>
>>"Richard Evans" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>>news:[email protected]...
>>> "J. Clarke" <[email protected]> wrote:
>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Attention: General Motors, Ford, Chrysler
>>>>> NOW do you get IT!?
>>>>
>>>>Yeah, they get it. They've always "gotten it". The trouble is that
>>>>what they've "gotten" has been what the market wanted and not what
>>>>professional do-gooders such as yourself _want_ the market to want.
>>>>
>>>>Now the gas prices are up to a point relative to incomes that many
>>>>people want smaller vehicles instead of or in addition to their large
>>>>ones, and they'll "get" that as long as it remains the case and when
>>>>incomes rise to adjust for inflation, if they ever do, and people want
>>>>large vehicles again, they'll "get" that as well.
>>>>
>>>
>>> Anyone remember the gas crisis of '72? We went through the same thing.
>>> For a brief period, you couldn't give away a gas hog, but it wasn't
>>> all that long until things levelled out (I can't say why) and big,
>>> high performace cars were in demand again.
>>
>>The original gas lines were because of the price freeze on every thing that
>>Nixon imposed. Oil companies said they could not make a profit and quit
>>buying expensive foreign oil. That caused a shortage. Once the price
>>freeze was lifted, so were the shortages and lines. Gas hogs and high
>>performance vehicles got less than 10 mpg back then,
>
>Not necessarily. My '69 Mercury Cyclone Cobra Jet 428 got 12mpg around
>town and 16mpg on the highway. And I eventually traded it because
>hi-test gas was too expensive at $.429 per gallon.
>
>Damn, I miss that car.
Sold my '73 Chevy Monte Carlo with the 454 for the same reason. 10/14
was the best it would do if babied. Sure did like that car though.
Frank
Douglas Johnson wrote:
> "Leon" <[email protected]> wrote:
>>And what cracks me up is the oil companies are trying to say that this is
>>the world market price. SA in the middle east is paying less than 40 cents
>>per gallon.
>
>
> The government subsidizes gasoline in Saudi. Without that, it would be the same
> as anywhere else. -- Doug
The situation is similar in Venezuela, where gas is subsidized heavily.
Ostensibly it's to help out the poorer people, but most of them don't
own a vehicle and it's mostly the middle and upper classes that benefit.
Chris
On 29 May 2008 04:01:37 GMT, Puckdropper
<puckdropper(at)yahoo(dot)com> wrote:
>charlieb <[email protected]> wrote in news:483DA674.7BF0
>@accesscom.com:
>
>> Granted this is California, and the San Francisco Bay Area at that,
>> but
>> earlier last week "regular" was $3.999 (who has a $0.009 coin?).
>> by Thursday it was $4.039. Six days later (today) it's $4.249.
>>
>> Once the $4 /gallon threshold was crossed the dam weakened
>> and now is collapsing - and we're still in May. Can't wait to see
>> what The Summer Driving Season is gonna do to prices.
>>
>> A ray of hope - CAFE standards were FINALLY increased - after
>> only 30 years and "pre-owned" Hummers, Huged Sport Utes and
>> BIG Tire Monster Trucks are taking over what was formerly
>> known as Used Car Lots space - in abundance.
>>
>> Attention: General Motors, Ford, Chrysler
>> NOW do you get IT!?
>>
>> charlie b
>>
>> who appreciates my little white Miata more and more
>> each day. Lot nicer looking than the Prius - and a hell
>> of a lot more fun to drive.
>>
>
>What I want is a more fuel efficient LAWN MOWER. I've got around 4 acres
>to mow, and it takes 4-5 gallons a week to do it. I wonder if I can get
>more grass mowed per gallon by putting the next size larger deck on it...
>Probably not.
>
>Puckdropper
I borrowed a friend's bigger chainsaw when I was putting in fence
posts. About 600 fence posts that I was putting points on before
hammering them in to the ground. My little Craftsman/Poulan with a 16"
blade and a small engine got a lot better hours per gallon than his
bigger saw. I keep wanting to replace the saw but it is so cheap to
run and it refuses to break. Stupid 25 year old saw.
I bought a 5' used Befco finish mower for behind my John Deere 870. It
mowed fast but made an awful racket. I took it apart to figure where
all the noise was from. Worn bearings cracked deck, loose sheet metal
and some broken welds on the blade shield sheet metal. It may take me
weeks to finish welding, patching and replacing bearings but it should
be quieter when I am done. I guess since I paid a third of new and I
do not pay myself any wages for hours of cleanup and welding time,
parts at $200 I am ahead? I really undervalue my free time labor as
rebuilding a mower deck is really not fun. It might be more fun if I
had bought a 60 gallon air compressor instead of 20 gallon compressor.
Sandblasting when you have 2 minutes of good air is pretty slow.
"Edwin Pawlowski" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:HDo%[email protected]...
>
> "charlieb" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> A ray of hope - CAFE standards were FINALLY increased - after
>> only 30 years and "pre-owned" Hummers, Huged Sport Utes and
>> BIG Tire Monster Trucks are taking over what was formerly
>> known as Used Car Lots space - in abundance.
>>
>> Attention: General Motors, Ford, Chrysler
>> NOW do you get IT!?
>>
>> charlie b
>
> Rather than blame US car makers, blame the people that insist they need
> those big vehicles and buy them so they can go to the grocery store for a
> loaf of bread. . Don't forget to add the Toyota V-8 5+ liter too. No one
> forces us to buy gas guzzlers.
>
In defense of my 5.7 Toyota. ;~) I traded my 5.0 Chevrolet that got worse
gas mileage with 150 less hp. The V6 version of my Toyota got 2 mpg better
in town and no better on the highway. The V8 had a much bigger rebate than
the V6 did and will take about 100 fill ups before the V6 starts to be
cheaper to operate. I fill up about 17 times a year.
"charlieb" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> A ray of hope - CAFE standards were FINALLY increased - after
> only 30 years and "pre-owned" Hummers, Huged Sport Utes and
> BIG Tire Monster Trucks are taking over what was formerly
> known as Used Car Lots space - in abundance.
>
> Attention: General Motors, Ford, Chrysler
> NOW do you get IT!?
> charlie b
This "ray of hope" I do not understand.....Increased CAFE standards simply
mean smaller and/or lighter vehicles...... There is no particular or secret
high mileage trick out there just waiting for a Gov. CAFE mandate. Instead
what we will get are fewer choices in the market place and most likely price
incentives or penalties (as though gas prices aren't incentive enough) to
force the market place where it may not wish to go. Vehicles will be less
able for many tasks and there will be more vehicles that the tall, the large
and the elderly and infirm can not get in or can not sit comfortably in.
Certain things may require a forced mandate, as when not doing them provides
a competitive advantage for those who don't but better vehicle efficiency
can stand on its own merit without Gov. fiat or subsidy. Rod