Dammit... it you can afford a giant SUV or Truck ... you can afford 5, 6, 7 dollars a gallon

[Peacetrain]

We sat here and watched people jump on all those big hog vehicles 2015 and 16 and onward.. The biggest excuse, as a single person drove off in a vehicle big enough to hold 10.. they felt safer.. As those vehicles spewed gasses out their backsides.. screw the future and the environment well, the gas man commeth.. and no tea and sympathy from me

If this is what it takes to make people burn less fossil based fuels.. so be it.. stupid on a stick honestly

[Celerity]

1. +10000000000000000

[jimfields33]

2. Perhaps no sympathy but they do vote

Hopefully they are only republicans and no independents are involved.

[oioioi]

3. US Gas is still too cheap

[Johnny2X2X]

4. Yup

Gas prices stink, but it's not like much can be done about them. Glad I drive something sensible, but even if I didn't, there are more important things to complain about than commodity prices.

[CrispyQ]

5. The amount of driving surprises me, too.

I have neighbors across the street who hop in their big SUV 5-7 times a day & are gone anywhere from five minutes to half an hour. I can hear the roar of their SUV when they start it. My neighbors behind me, Trumpers for sure, have two giant trucks & an RV & other assorted vehicles. They've been on a two week vacation towing their RV with their truck. I'm sure they're blaming Biden about how much gas is costing them every time they fill up.

[Novara]

6. I have that neighbor

Why he doesn't consolidate all those short trips is beyond me.

[Peacetrain]

8. We are in the same boat.. with those around us

I think what finally popped my cork was listening to the umpeenth journalist ask someone what are you going to do about the gas shortage.. If they want to drive the giant gas guzzling machine (and you do not have a work or health issue that demands a larger vehicle aka wheelchair etc) then pay a premium.. pay 5 dollars more a gallon, and that love affair would end quickly.. me thinks..

[Coventina]

7. Thank you!

[DURHAM D]

9. So my neighbor who drives a big fat F150 was complaining

about the cost of gas. I suggested he sell his AR-15 to get by.

[DBoon]

15. if you really want to piss him off

tell him he should drive a Prius

[MLAA]

43. Good for you. Damn glad he didn't shoot you!

[Thomas Hurt]

10. It isn't about the gas prices it is about taking shots at Biden.

I bought gas last weekend and people were lined up two three deep at each pump.

[treestar]

11. Hypocrisy as usual

Fling back at them : get a better job!

The price rise isn’t going to affect that much unless you are living paycheck to paycheck. Most Republicans think they are successful.

[LeftinOH]

12. Those gargantuan gas-hog vehicles are not meant to be daily drivers

...for trips to the supermarket, dentist, post office, etc. They are meant to be work vehicles, but for many people now they're merely used as a "lifestyle" ride. Many of us can recall a time when contractors of all types had a work truck or van, but also a regular "civilian" car for everything else. If someone can afford a giant pickup truck, they can also afford a Toyota Corolla to park next to it.

[Mariana]

28. The manufacturers/sellers are very happy for them to be used as daily rides.

They wear out faster, and have to be replaced sooner that way. Look at all of the ads for those giant trucks. Not a one of them shows the truck being used for work.

[mwooldri]

52. I have a Ram 2500.

NOT my daily rider. My daily rider is a Freightliner Cascadia - midroof sleeper bunk. So when my work is done it's crawl into the bunk. Does this count as "work from home"? Ehehehe....

The Ram truck was purchased with two jobs in mind : hauling junk n stuff and pulling a travel trailer. We got the truck first and not the travel trailer. In the end we ended up buying a much older class A motorhome (1997) as it was a deal that was too good to pass up on IMO. So job #2 it won't get to do, but #1 - hauling crap and stuff it does marvellously.

In terms of fuel economy there's little difference between gallons of diesel per mile in the big 37' motorhome versus the Ram 2500 pulling a "heavy" travel trailer. The Ram gets 14-15 mpg when not towing or loaded. The bus gets about 10 mpg. Yes the bus does have a diesel generator but we park at campsites with full hookup so that barely runs.

My eldest son "inherited" my wife's Kia as his first car, my wife "inherited" my Ford Fusion. Other than hauling stuff and for camping trips the Ram is used by me to run around town for when a car is not available. Incidentally, the Ram was a work truck - used by some construction company - before we got it. It still is, just a lot less work. My father in law will borrow it now and then for hauling stuff around - stuff his minivan can't accommodate.

Basically vehicles are tools. Tools to do a specific job.

Speaking of work vehicles, my earliest memories of being in a vehicle was being in my dad's work van - a Morris Minor. It was his only vehicle at the time, and I was on a cushion in the back. No seat, let alone a seat belt! Fuel economy wasn't bad 32 mpg (US gallon).

And as for the environment... Hmmm.... I suppose it is debatable whether or not it's better to keep these vehicles in service, keep them maintained and use them as intended (and sparingly) rather than scrapping them. Big diesel engines if well maintained will go on a long long time.

[Martin Eden]

56. A co-worker bought a full size pickup with off road capability

I asked him if he was going to use it for trips on rugged forest roads and to haul stuff, but nope -- he just likes trucks. The monster vehicle is for commuting.

He spent more than 3× as much on that beast as I did for my VW Golf purchased new in 2016. My Golf (5 speed manual) is refined, fun to drive, and average MPG is mid 30's.

[roamer65]

58. I almost have an orgasm when I see 40 plus mpg on my Cruze.

It happens frequently on freeway trips.

I feel like I am fucking over Putler and MBS simultaneously.

Same feeling happens when I fill my flex fuel Equinox with E50 or E85.

[NQAS]

13. Sorry, but that's nonsensical

We have a diesel cargo van for work. We’re not rich, and we’re not gun owners. We have a 3/4 ton gas pick up. Also for work. Yes, gas prices are taking a hit on our bottom line, as we can’t really recoup all of that additional expense. No, we don’t blame joe Biden because we’re not idiots and we know that he doesn’t set gas prices.

So why are you attacking people in my position?

[RussBLib]

17. I imagine you are in the minority

Most people are not operating a small business that requires lots of gas. And can't you deduct some of that gas cost if it is spent on your business?

Happens every time though. Gas prices rise, people buy fuel-efficient cars. Gas prices fall and people tend to buy gas hogs. It's human nature.

[womanofthehills]

49. Rural people need trucks and SUV's & retired Dems are moving to the country

I have an older RAV4 - I do not have trash pickup as many rural people. I need to dump my own garbage at the landfill and drive 4 miles down a dirt road to the-main paved road. Definitely need a 4 wheel drive vehicle to get out of here it it rains or snows. Also, during hard rains I might have to drive through a low running arroyo to get out.

I can only afford one vehicle so this is the vehicle I will drive - 90 miles each way if I want to stock up on stuff and groceries from Albuquerque. So I have to tack $50 onto my grocery list for gas. For $35-$40, I could go to Walmart and back which is what many in this area do.

My SUV is An 08 and I do not have money to just buy another vehicle as I’m on SS and still have to do photography to get by. In my rural community the divide is basically half dems and half republicans. Lots of people think all rural people are republicans but lots of city people have retired out to rural areas esp where I live - with fabulous views of the Monzano Mts and expansive vistas. In fact, the closest town to me has about 800 residents and a democratic mayor.

I don’t think the gas problem will make any dems I know not vote democratic- but I think we are losing the independents.

[questionseverything]

57. "Can't you deduct that?" Is one of my personal pet peeves

Sure we can, after we

Pay

For it

Which means either we make less profit or must raise prices

[Peacetrain]

40. See post 8

[Tadpole Raisin]

14. So right!!

I’ve had both landlords and bosses complain about how hard things are while they drive away a car that costs 2-3x what mine cost.

Note to rich idiots - this doesn’t bring you sympathy it brings you contempt! I’m talking a loaded Lexus or BMW. I even had a boss who spotted a corvette.

Nuff said

[sarisataka]

16. Let's do a little math

A person who makes $25k per year drives a Chev Malibu getting approximately 30 mpg. Based on an average driving of 12,000 miles per year they will buy 400 gallons of gas per year.
400g x $8/g= $3,200 per year or 12.8% of their gross income.

A person making $100k per year drives a Ram 2500 getting approximately 16 mpg. They will buy 750 gallons.
750g x $8/g= $6,000 per year or 6% of their gross income.

So yes, let's have really expensive gas to stick it to the rich...

[Scrivener7]

21. Let's have really expensive gas so we don't fry ourselves. How about that?

[sarisataka]

23. Gas prices are not going up

Because of climate change. It is about people who can afford large low mileage vehicles and what they want to pay gor gas.

Now if you want to discuss a $4 per gallon Federal environmental tax on gas you would have a point but not relevant to the OP.

[Scrivener7]

26. Among other things, the OP is about higher gas prices making people use less

fossil fuels.

But thanks so much for your critique of my point based on your incomplete reading of the OP. It's so helpful.

[sarisataka]

30. Rich people will use as much fossil fuel as they want

Because they can afford it.

Poor people will have to pass on some jobs because they cannot afford the travel costs or maybe wait until payday to go to the $1.25 store to buy food.

Your welcome and have yourself a very sanctimonious day.

[Scrivener7]

31. LOL! Project much?

[sinkingfeeling]

18. Yep. And they should see what gas costs in the rest of the world.

[Tadpole Raisin]

19. Joke for entitled massively ridiculous SUV owners:

What’s the difference between a cactus and a Hummer?

With a cactus the pricks are on the outside.

Oh, yah!

[Torchlight]

20. Very little sympathy for the guy who buys a full size pick up

just to commute to work and home everyday, and then complains about gas prices- as is the case with our fella in HR downstairs who likes to pretend he's a big, outdoorsy kinda cowboy. I think his pretense is becoming unaffordable.

When g/f and I bought our little fuel-efficient car, it wasn't a statement, a style, or a fashion; it was a decision regarding our obligation to the environment and its future.

[liberal_mama]

22. We have a 2004 Nissan Titan. We bought it as a brand new truck and gas was about $2 a gallon at

the time. We can't afford another vehicle, especially with the higher food prices, higher utility prices, and higher property taxes. Everything has gone up. I know Joe Biden doesn't set the gas prices, but this really sucks. My husband has been on a certain medication for 10 years and the past few months, we haven't been able to get it because we can't afford the $450 a month it costs. My husband's employer changed his insurance coverage (not for the better, of course) and now we have no prescription coverage.

[Mr.Bill]

24. Not only that,

but right now they can sell those vehicles for more than they paid for them in most cases, so there's a profitable way out for many of them.

[pecosbob]

25. Newsflash...if you're unnecessarily driving a truck or suv you're part of the reason gas is so high

*Unnecessarily...you do not need a truck or SUV specifically for your trade or work.

[gratuitous]

27. Also, if you're upset about pump prices

Be sure you're mad at the right people:

These Top 5 Oil Companies Just Raked In $35 Billion While Americans Pay More at the Pump

[Rebl2]

32. Exactly

They could lower their prices and still make a nice profit.

[MichMan]

29. I have sympathy for anyone struggling with high gas prices these days.

I live in rural Michigan. Full size pickups are ubiquitous around here


Same as I sympathize with people that have 4 kids complaining about the cost of groceries, even though I am childless.

[homegirl]

33. FORTY YEARS AGO

I paid $5.00 a gallon for gas in Western Europe.

Boo hoo, buy a bike!

[kimbutgar]

34. I see people driving these gas guzzlers with TFG bumpstickers and always think they are fools

I have no sympathy for them!

[calimary]

36. Agreed!

[rebe303]

37. Exactly

Thanks for summing it up so well😐

[Novara]

39. I'd bike to work if ...

... I didn't need a hip replacement (injured it falling on the ice).

I don't have a long commute at all and I don't drive much and I have a small car. It still hurts to fill up. Some of my co-workers who have the option have switched from their gas guzzlers to smaller cars (I can't imagine owning two vehicles for myself but some do).

I'm buying a new car and it is another small car with good mileage. I filled up my old car yesterday and I am hoping it's the last time I'll need to fill up this car. It's getting traded in when my new car arrives from the factory later this month.

[Amishman]

41. Quiet! I need to replace my truck and want to get one cheap

Current truck is ancient and rusting, need a replacement.

Hoping to get another truck with low miles for cheap this summer or fall

I want to see used car lots packed with full size V8 pickups that aren't selling - so I can get a good deal

[wryter2000]

42. I feel sorry for folks who need a big truck

For business. The rest of them can stew in their own stupidity.

[flashman13]

44. Back up the pickup

Hey Dude - Everyone that drives a heavy duty pick up is not a wannabe. I live in a rural western state where there are lots of farmers, ranchers and people like myself that have to go off road into fields, and rough country in all kinds of weather to get our daily work done. We don't have a choice. We need our heavy duty four wheel drives or we don't go. Watch out who you dis.

[Initech]

45. I see people with giant trucks, boats, motorcycles, and giant trailers complaining.

Like really? You have that many vehicles - a lot of them for recreational purposes - and you’re complaining about the high gas prices?

Shit, it costs me nearly $90 to fill up my Subaru and it’s eating into how much I make a month. I can complain.

[llmart]

46. My daughter and her husband have two SUV's.

They have one small child and are not having any more. They also feel the need to ride around in ATV's in the northern woods and he likes to jet ski/boat and owns both. He's a keep-up-with-the-Joneses kind of GOPer. Now, they can afford it but just because you can afford something doesn't mean you shouldn't think of the damage being done to the environment. I will guarantee you that he'll be the first one to blame Biden and moan about how much it costs him in gas a month.

[Cuthbert Allgood]

47. Nice cool entitled rant there.

And then there will be posts on DU wondering why the "regular guy" doesn't see the Dems as their party.

My son is a teacher in Alaska. He has a pickup. Because he needs one. Gas prices are hurting him, but that's his fault, I guess.

[Warpy]

48. I was driving a Ford Ranger when prices went way up in the 00s

It was a really old truck, so I rarely let it get below half a tank, didn't want any of the crap in the bottom to block the fuel line, so $20 generally filled it up.

I loved being next to somebody with a monster (my dad called them rolling billboards) ticking over to eighty, ninety bucks.

I wasn't tacky enough to laugh or even smile, but I did both inwardly.

That Ranger was underpowered at 4 cylinders, but it was cheap to feed.

ETA: Gas Buddy is still out there if you're looking for the cheapest place in town. https://www.gasbuddy.com/gaspricemap?lat=38.822395&lng=-96.591588&z=4

[robertpaulsen]

51. I'd happily pay $8 a gallon if it ensured the death of Putin & the freedom of Ukraine.

JMHO

[former9thward]

53. I have one and I am safer.

The IIHS issued a status report newsletter in May of 2020 revealing that driver deaths are still the highest among small cars.


https://www.motortrend.com/news/are-bigger-cars-safer/

I don't care what the gas price is and I certainly don't ask or want your sympathy.

[wysimdnwyg]

54. You can hate on people all you want, but for many, a truck is a necessity

Between jobs, home situations (I'm a firm believer that everyone with a house should own or have easy access to a truck), and safety issues, many people consider it a need, not a want or ego trip. For me, I've owned a truck for almost 30 years. I've had a car for a total of five of those 30, but my old truck was going out and I needed a new one. The best way to get that was to consolidate. Now I have just a truck. I filled up a couple of weeks ago to the tune of $98. Yes, that hurt. I make good money, so I can't complain a whole lot, as I know there are people hurting a lot worse, who need their trucks more than I do. Thankfully I also have a motorcycle I can drive when the weather permits, and I have a job that allows me to work from home. Again, most aren't so lucky.

Now, don't get me wrong. You can hate on those nut-jobs in the "Freedom Convoy" all you want. Or the people with more money than sense (yes, I've been accused of this) who just want to feel more manly. Or even the jackasses going around "coal-rolling" (is that still a thing?). Just don't lump the majority in with those groups and condemn us all.

[Sympthsical]

55. A lot of people need those trucks for their livelihoods

I just had a contractor over this morning. Nice guy. We have him do most of our stuff. He drives a truck to carry all his tools. Whenever I fill up at Costco, I see various pick ups and SUVs. Not too far from here are vineyards, fields, and farmland. Go into Home Depot, and you'll see a parking lot full of trucks with people getting various materials they need for projects.

Ironically and deeply amusing enough, do you know where I see tons of unwarranted SUVs by entitled people?

Berkeley.

Yep. Of all the places. Go there early in the morning when parents are lining up to drop their kids at school (because walking is too dangerous for the dear ones and bussing is for little people). Just a long train of expensive SUVs as the darlings get bounced out. Every morning and afternoon like clockwork, the side streets get jammed up with exhaust.

But, thank god. They have that "no nuclear" sign at city limits. Whew. Could've done some environmental damage there.

The big, superfluous SUV is mostly a people with money thing, particularly in the suburbs (which is a part of our coalition, cough). And as people with money, they can generally afford an increase in gas prices. People who use trucks for their livelihoods - i.e. lots of rural and semi-rural folk - do not.

The hate hose should be a bit more narrowly directed than this, because to a lot of people this just sounds like city folk yelling. It's a look that screws with us electorally.

[Model35mech]

59. It's just my opinion, but I don't care about what other people think of my PU.

I find it quite necessary to do the running for farm supplies rather than our other vehicle... a Toyota iM that' currently is getting 39.7 miles to the gallon. And I find it useful to work my fence lines, and clear the farm lane in winter, it's hard to get the midget car to haul fenceposts and rolls of wire, and it's impossible to get it to push a snowplow.

Mostly I think a majority of people REALLY don't hate people with PUs. I believe that is actually a minority view but pushed by zealots, and those who want to signal their political sympathies with 'the mainstream' of their imagination.

I think folks could make an effort to remember, PU owners pay the price for their fuel consumption, there is not a free lunch. And in their auto use there is in addition to a fuel cost, a gasoline tax, and the tire tax that the self-righteous E-vehicle advocates don't pay and hate as a threat to their 'economic advantage'. But all those taxes are socially responsible and help give paved roads and bridges to everyone so they can drive to a rave.

I find this angsty signalling mostly something you get from people who think everyone should live in a high-carbon input concrete jungle of a city, pushing the mining of rare earth metals, and having them refined with fossil energy to be turned into batteries; while they eat soybean curd, and suggest rural people should be using the light-rail, subway, or city bus service that doesn't come within 60 miles of those people being righteously abused.