Comments on: $100 for a Tank of Gas

By: Freber

Freber — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 04:49:20 +0000

As a Canadian from that 'semi-socialist' country now living in the US, I can say that people in those socialist countries are more heavily taxed in every respect, including fuel. Alcohol, cigarettes, income tax, state (Provincial taxes) and federal taxes are very high. So fuel is just a tiny piece of the pie.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that the take home pay of an average person in a socialist country is tiny compared to the US, plus you're paying 15 to 20% tax on goods and services at the cash register - so don't delude yourself that fuel taxes in other countries are all that is paying for 'free' healthcare and social programs...

By: DT

DT — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 16:10:38 +0000

You know, I constantly see comparisons between US and EU/UK fuel prices, but this comparison is flawed. While quite a few EU countries and the UK pay more overall in an equal volume comparison noone seems to take into account the amount of taxes and tarriffs that have been applied to fuel costs in the UK and EU to pay for the free social services that are given out in those countries. In the US virtually the only thing that the fuel taxes are used for are road maintenance and building. And even those taxes don’t cover the total costs. If we were to impose the same type of taxes to our fuel as those in the UK and EU, our fuel costs would be astronomical!!

By: C4

C4 — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 14:55:47 +0000

This site has become very politically charged lately….

By: john mcilroy

john mcilroy — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 12:21:21 +0000

Wait till Bush bombs Iran then fuel will treble in price.

By: Slay

Slay — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 04:22:34 +0000

No… no underwriting. The advantage is that we don’t have to pay all the taxes at the on base stations as we do if we fill up off base. Where I’m stationed the price difference has almost disappeared though. :(

By: Robb

Robb — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 02:51:36 +0000

The price of fuel at the Military Exchange is generally the same as the local stations off base. Recently, they have been several cents higher, so there is no advantage or “Govt Underwriting”. I am a retired military member and Govt employee and choose to purchase my fuel at stations that have the discount cards. Even we Govt types have to pay the same for fuel in our GSA vehicles, so your tax dollars are being spent well. I drive my MINI mostly for the mileage nowadsys, averaging 36 MPG, still have my 4X4 PU and 4X4 SUV. I really don’t get worked up over the price of gas anymore, but do try to limit trips outside of going to work. When the snow starts falling here in CO, the MINI stays in the garage and I put the miles on the PU. I’d rather keep the miles and the rock chips off the MINI during winter.

By: Anthony

Anthony — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 01:27:45 +0000

I’ve done $57 or so for ~13.4 gallons. But only twice. I start thinking about filling up when the needle moves below 1/2 tank (which is, of course, less than that in actuality).

By: Nelson

Nelson — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 00:57:03 +0000

I’m in Toronto, Canada and for my R56 MCS to fill has been costing about $70 using 93 octane. Less than a year ago it was only costing about $55 max. I’m getting about 600 km (372 miles) on a tank depending on how heavy my foot is. :)

By: charlie

charlie — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 22:21:37 +0000

up here in the north I spend 50$ on a full tank R56 and Iam still laughing at the suv drivers that laughed 3 years ago at me now there buying them from me and there suv is worth sh*t ! haha whos smiling now !

By: mlg2ca

mlg2ca — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 21:51:50 +0000

Over 71$ earlier this week in Canada at 1.43/litre.

By: DS

DS — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 20:56:16 +0000

My just filled up my mini last night $68 and my touareg $118. The prices are crazy here in los angeles

By: Ernie Oporto

Ernie Oporto — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 20:09:03 +0000

I’ve done $55 a tank in my R56 yesterday when I let it go to 17 estimated miles remaining.

By: Bruce

Bruce — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 20:00:23 +0000

I don’t feel so bad I think the highest I have had to pay is around $55 for my ’05. The shocker was when I filled up the classic yesterday and the bill was over $20! All things in perspective.

By: Charlie

Charlie — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 19:46:11 +0000

Seeing all of us civilians feeling the “pain at the pump” I’d like to know what military dependents and retirees are paying per gallon at the Base Exchanges. I imagine the US Govt is significantly underwriting the cost of their gas.

By: DB

DB — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 19:37:29 +0000

Once I got my OBC to read -3 miles to empty. Only once. I think I was driving on the fuel left in the lines. Scary stuff.

Now, I don't let it get lower than 40, and try to fill up at 1/4 tank.

By: Jimskater

Jimskater — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 19:29:10 +0000

@C4 Don’t worry about the fuel pump, the OBC said the range was 30 miles… roughly a gallon left. For me, that’s bone dry

By: barice

barice — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 19:25:49 +0000

Hey J.D.: If I ever need to spend $100+ to fill up my MINI (not impossible), your “mama” will then have to chug up about $300 to fill up her Suburban…yikes!!! Now, the question is if she REALLY needs a Suburban. The majority of those who own a 2.5-ton behemoth do it for the status. Fortunately, this is changing thanks to a wake up call that stings through the pockets of those who have to satiate their thirsty vehicles…. I guess even status has a price. I hope Americans realize that crude oil is a finite commodity and that there is no reason to foolishly “burn” it prematurely in vehicles they don’t need. In the meantime, I’ll keep on motoring happily either in my MINI or in my Vespa GTS. Cheers!!

By: Eric

Eric — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 19:08:35 +0000

I've been averaging $50-60 for my tank. Depends if I choose 89 or 91 oct. In either case, I love having an SUV/Minivan owner next to me when I yell out... OMG I just put $50 of gas in my MINI. This is insane!!! I quietly get into my MINI and drive away laughing. :-D

By: C4

C4 — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 18:40:18 +0000

Don’t let the gas dry up because that can damage the fuel pump. The lowest I have gone is like half a gallon left in the tank of my R53.

By: Jimskater

Jimskater — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 18:33:04 +0000

$65 to fill up 2 weeks ago, tank was bone dry (almost).

I haven't let it get that low since. Still paid $52 for circa 11 gals last week.