Have gas prices affected you?

[F18Guy]

Wow, very good comments.

As of right now, the increase in fuel has not affected my latte habit However, with the dollar sinking; China / India's demand increasing; and our politicians loafing on the job and being slaves to the EPA; I really think that the average cost of fuel is going to explode over the next few years. Note: I am not an economist, but I do read the journal..LOL.

I did some more reading about the 08 Jetta yesterday and called a local dealer. They said to expect them in my area around April / May. Looking forward to checking them out. If I get one of those; I'll have to acquire a Series Project from my friends out east...the ECP.

In reference to the Hybrid vs. the Diesel...when the Hybrid is scrapped; can the batteries be recycled or are they sent to a hazmat type landfill? I understand that batteries are used in almost everything; but these hybrid batteries are large and quantify that with the 10s of thousands of Hybrids sold, that is an impact....

 

[RoverDisco98]

Being independently wealthy the cost of fuel is of no concern. However I did pick up a 91 Old Ceria wagon for a daily driver. The reason being I did not want to insult my D1 by forcing it to have to stay on the pavement.

 

[garrett]

if i got caught driving anything but a Rover to work, i'd be in deep shit. tomorrow the boss is making me drive Rausch Creek in PA.

 

[Pablo Jose]

4 years ago when my Uncle passed away I flew to Dallas for his funeral. He ran Alyeska (Alskan Pipeline) and then went on to be Pres. and CEO of ARCO until he retired in '83. I was talking to a couple of his "Oil Buddies" at the reception afterwards and one of the phrases that stuck out in my mind was; "Within 5 years oil is going to hit $100 a barrel and we will be looking at $5.00 a gallon gas."

Looks like it is going to come true after all.

Paul

 

[F18Guy]

In reference to the Hybrid vs. the Diesel...when the Hybrid is scrapped; can the batteries be recycled or are they sent to a hazmat type landfill? I understand that batteries are used in almost everything; but these hybrid batteries are large and quantify that with the 10s of thousands of Hybrids sold, that is an impact....

It appears that further research into the internets provided me an answer...well at least from Toyota.

"Toyota has a comprehensive battery recycling program in place and has been recycling nickel-metal hydride batteries since the RAV4 Electric Vehicle was introduced in 1998. Every part of the battery, from the precious metals to the plastic, plates, steel case and the wiring, is recycled. To ensure that batteries come back to Toyota, each battery has a phone number on it to call for recycling information and dealers are paid a $200 "bounty" for each battery."

So you peeps that hang out in Junk Yards, you might have an income source from wrecked Hybrids.

 

[rover4x4]

I have a geologist friend and he did some work for Shell, he was into carbonates. He said 4 years ago that <2$ a gallon is something for the history books. I can remember when it was 1.50 for high test and when 2$ a gallon seemed like a lot of money. Now as it climbs towards 3 and 4 I just dont know. All this said now I feel old....

 

[Rover Puppy]

I am definitely noticing it when checking out at the grocery store. I am not buying any differently and our grocery bills have almost doubled.

Also, the produce selections don't seem as bountiful and fresh. I am seeing much less specialty fruits and vegetables in the stores. I'm guessing that is because prices have already risen so much on the standard (boring) fruits and vegetables... these days it may not be profitable for stores to stock the higher end selections.

 

[garrett]

try buying local produce. buying produce that is grown in another country or Cali is going to affect the price tag.
you should be able to do this year round without an issue.

 

[Buddy]

I can remember when it was 1.50 for high test and when 2$ a gallon seemed like a lot of money.

Damn son you sure is young ain't ya? Lowest I can remember it at was $.70 and I'm not even that old.

 

[sven]

I remember when you could still buy Regular (Leaded) gas!

 

[Pablo Jose]

If you are going to buy fresh produce year round there is no way not to import it, shipping from south America, Guam or werever is going to be more expensive even if it's grown by the same company here in the states.

You know you can tell the difference between the flash frozen crap from last year and something that is fresh off the boat. Which would you prefer?

 

[garrett]

If you are going to buy fresh produce year round there is no way not to import it, shipping from south America, Guam or werever is going to be more expensive even if it's grown by the same company here in the states.

You know you can tell the difference between the flash frozen crap from last year and something that is fresh off the boat. Which would you prefer?

not always true. as far north as Northern VA we grow hardy greens year round. and not in green houses, but hoop houses. it's not a big deal to do this and very inexpensive on a small commercial scale. check around your area.
but being the cheap asses we are, we want crappy (cheap) fruits and vegtables that are picked green and sent across the country or world to our "fresh" local grocery store. haha
we've been growing veggies and raising cattle, lamb and poultry and harvesting honey for the past 4 years in the mid-atlantic area.
in the end most of us want quantity not quality. one big reason the family farm in the US has disappeared.

flash froven vs fresh? sure i will take fresh anyday. that's why we mostly fruits veggies that is in season. do i really want to buy a tomato that was picked green and shipped 4K miles?

shit.........now you got me ramblin' again.

 

[Rover Puppy]

try buying local produce. buying produce that is grown in another country or Cali is going to affect the price tag.
you should be able to do this year round without an issue.

I have not found any here... at least, not yet.

We are spoiled. I think the area we came from must have an abundance of fresh items due to all of the higher end restaurants.

I'm not too far from the Georgia State line, perhaps I'll head that way and check it out.

What I am most bummed out about is mangos. I eat them year round and my dogs love them too. We've always been able to get them quite fresh year round in the grocery store. Prices have risen on them... but, I'm willing to pay the extra cost. The problem is that they have been terrible! I leave them on the kitchen counter to ripen and they ripen into a consistency of unripened tasteless pears (yuck!) - then they rot. I gave up and quit buying them a month ago.

Also, we have yet to find a good organic market. I went searching for one when the grocery store selections took a dive. We came from an area where there were lots of them. Fresh items as well as dried fruit and vegetable snacks. Again, my favorite is dried mangos. On the dried vegetable side, we like dried green beans the best (don't knock until you've tried them ) for on the road snacks.

Does anyone know of any good online markets where you can buy dried fruits and vegetables?

 

[garrett]

check here: www.localharvest.org for farms, etc.