I suck gas, therefore I am.

[rocknxj]

Yeah, I know. This is an old subject. We are all victims of gas prices, blah, blah, blah....

Like many of you, I feel like my lifestyle and freedom are being consumed as fast as a tank of low octane petrol in a lifted XJ. I can't afford to take my trailer out on weekend camping trips. I drive an hour each way to work and back, sucking more than my fair share of gasoline. Due to rising gas prices, I spent 22k on a commuter car and now my XJ sits, rotting on the street. I pass up weekend wheeling trips because of the price of fuel. My family is altering our lifestyle and giving up the things we held important, and that is having adverse impact on the local economy, perpetuating the doom and gloom we hear on the 5:00 news.

I believe we are being lied to about why we are paying more $$ at the pump. Our neighbors to the north claim they are paying 8 bucks a gallon. Our friends in Europe and Austrailia are even worse off.

I'm getting skeeered of the future and for the future my kids will see. I feel like selling my trailer and Jeep before it is too late, but that would mean caving in to The Man and giving up the things that make me who I am. Camping, NAXJA, sightseeing, NAXJA, wheeling, NAXJA, dinners out, and NAXJA. I have even stopped my frantic pace of upgrades because I question my ability to afford even the modest of trail rides.

Like many of you, I dont mind sacrificing a little to make room for the rest. However, we are all being forced to uproot our foundations based on a set of lies, popagated by people who want to control every aspect of our lives. Rising gas prices. The myth of global warming. Trail closures to protect the environment. Reusable grocery bags. Blah!

Are we to simply tolerate this overwhelming loss of freedom? Is this how our fathers felt during the revolution? Fight for your freedom, my global NAXJA brothers and sisters. Fight for your kids. Fight for the future.

[JNickel101]

The reason they pay so much is b/c of taxes. Their prices are anywhere between 60-80% taxes. Regardless, gas prices in most of the world are riduculous.

I was recently in a tiny oil-rich country (Bahrain) where we filled up our car with gas for less than $10. Yeah...a full tank of gas, for around 75 cents a gallon.

[Darky]

Here in CA, we pay I think the most out of the entire nation in gas tax at $0.455/gallon. NY was close at $0.41

[KarlVP]

Here in CA, we pay I think the most out of the entire nation in gas tax at $0.455/gallon. NY was close at $0.41


WA is highest.

And we are now joining the rest of the world in oil/gas prices.

Ask how much fuel is in England or all over Europe. They have been paying more than a dollar per LITRE of fuel.

We've had it coming for a while now.

[Del00XJ]

My ol' KTM 450 gets 60 to the gallon... Sucks when it rains though... Jeep has been sitting though.

[billyjp2]

when gas hits $7 a gallon i'll stop wheelin

[Ba-Riedo]

when gas hits $7 a gallon i'll get passengers and make them pay

Fixed.

-Alex

[GrimmJeeper]

Fixed.

-Alex you're dead on with that one, im sad to see the day when we need to carpool on the trail.

[beakie]

you're dead on with that one, im sad to see the day when we need to carpool on the trail.

but imagine how quick a trail fix would get taken care of.

ya, I'm not sure of the conversion litres to gallons or U$ to CD$ but I pay $115.7/litre here and thats been the norm for over a month. sometimes little more, sometime little less.
I snipped 1" off the snorkel in my 97's tank, so I can fit 78+L into the 73L tank... from empty (dead empty after fuel pump replacement) it took 76L (with few L in it to get to station) and cost about $85 at the time ($110~?) and I get about 450km to the tank.

I see a bike in my future, or a small commuter car if nothing else.

it is going to suck not driving the Jeep as much, but I also see it as a good thing. I se many people on here with full cages, crazy mods and such that would take me a while to complete. If I can take this off the road, and use that saved insurance/fuel/repair costs to make some mods than I would be a happy camper.

In reality, as much as we love driving these things, there aren't that many time I have really needed what it has to offer (cept for winter months, than its kick ash)
So if I can use less gas, which in turn hands over less money to the gov's than good for me. yes a new DD costs money, but such is life.

I look forward to getting a bike/car and having the truck as my weekend/winter toy to beused if/when I feel like it. Those weekends I stay up all night to finish a mod so i can drive it again Monday can end and I can worry less about it being ready to go when its needed.

But to each his own, stick it to them man, as a guy I know suggested, get a horse and reel in the savings.

[IslanderOffRoad]

I wouldn't mind it as much if my employer adjusted my earnings to cope with it.

But we all know employers wont do that either.

[TRNDRVR]

http://www.neonlite.ca/archives/gumby.jpg

http://www.clipartof.com/images/emoticons/xsmall2/1974_eating_popcorn.gif

Carry on!

[vetteboy]

Are we to simply tolerate this overwhelming loss of freedom? Is this how our fathers felt during the revolution? Fight for your freedom, my global NAXJA brothers and sisters. Fight for your kids. Fight for the future.

And we do this...how?

I fill up my truck once a week with normal driving (32 gallons of diesel x $4.20 = $135 per fill). Over the weekend I towed my XJ down to Virginia for a round trip of 630 miles, which was another $200 in fuel. I've got many more trips planned this summer that I fully intend on keeping. My truck does 19 MPG unloaded and 12 MPG towing, 14 if I'm easy on it. That and lack of space make it very hard to justify buying, insuring, and maintaining a commuter vehicle.

Say diesel goes up to $5/gallon. That's another $25 a week, big deal. A few less beers on the weekend and it's all the same.

I use a ton of fuel, I'll admit that. I also have a very basic cell phone plan (no mobile internet, fancy ringtones, games, chat, just simple calls and text), no cable or satellite TV, and the same medium-speed internet I've been using for the last few years. My jeep is pretty much as built as it's gonna get. I prioritize everything around being able to go wheeling, camping, and traveling as much as possible, and I make changes in other areas to keep that privilege.

What I won't do though, is bitch about inflation, point fingers at people that aren't really responsible for it, or sit around and blame others for the situation we're in. It IS entirely our fault as a whole society, and we're finally catching up to the rest of the world. Increased consumption and demand, worldwide, equals higher prices. Plain and simple. Free market economics.

If you want lower prices, use less fuel. If you want to continue with a petroleum-fueled lifestyle, then be prepared to pay for it, and be prepared to cut back on other things if needed.

Let me ask you this: why do you think we deserve to pay less for fuel than we're paying now, when the rest of the world is paying double? Just because it 'used to be cheaper'? Reality check: so did everything else, and gasoline is finally catching up.

[BRIANHO13]

Due to rising gas prices, I spent 22k on a commuter car and now my XJ sits, rotting on the street.

WTF you could have taken that monthly payment and filled your XJ many times over.....and over and over.

[IslanderOffRoad]

Let me ask you this: why do you think we deserve to pay less for fuel than we're paying now, when the rest of the world is paying double? Just because it 'used to be cheaper'? Reality check: so did everything else, and gasoline is finally catching up.

Yes. Look at the percentage that goes to the taxes overseas compared to here.

thats why theirs is so high.

[BRIANHO13]

If you don't like it buy stock in the oil and gas companys and get a rebate in the form of a divedend.....

Its all about supply and demand, as long as there are all the regulations that go into building new refineries none will be built. Thank the people you vote into office for that one......

[bigjeepman]

I am getting a motorcycle, and using what I would save to fill up my daily driver(a minivan, (HEY IT WAS FREE) which is usually 50 a week and putting it towards the jeep. I have also quit eating out on the weekends but one night and I have quit drinking but on one night a weekend. I have had the same case of beer for a week and a half.

I quit driving when I do not have to and just stay at home. My side jobs(some small boat repair stuff) are being charged a few dollars more. and they bring the boat to me, last year it was the other way around.

Overall US consumption is down! There may be a slight glimmer

[IslanderOffRoad]

I really want to get a bike to save some money.

[85xjproject]

well guys in quebec canada we are paying a buck 40 for 1 litre, wich adds up to 5.30 a gallon,and alot of people are starting to hurt cause of this.heard on the news yesterday that it might hit a buck 50 this summer...

[Darky]

Among my many plans and acquistions (I wish;)) I plan on getting an enduro to ride to work every day. The mosy likely candidate for me is looking like the Yamaha TW200(?). I think I got the model right, but its the little one with big, wide, fat tires designed to be a trail bike more than a fast dirt bike. Meant like a 2 wheeled utility quad, minus the utility :D. Salesman says those are good for around 80mpg, and I figure it'll go fast enough ride on any roads I'll be on, is small enough to be good for a first time rider, fat tires will float nicely on the sand I'll be in most of the time I'm not on pavement. Come to think of it, the thing looks almost like an off-road scooter...I'll try to find a pic
http://www.yamaha-motor.com/sport/products/modelimagelib/10/3/1/0/image.aspx

[GRIMUS99XJ]

I to have felt the spike in fuel prices in my pocket book both coming in and going out. First I have went from 25.00 a week to around 40.00 a week in my 02 avalanche. Second the market has died off as far as big lifts go and that is where the bulk of my commision used to come from, it seems that everyone now is buying budget boost and leveling kits for the p/u and not the 6" kits anymore. However the jeep market seems to still be getting better :dunno: why is that.

I recently went to good ole Wal-Mart and bought a 80.00 dollar mountain bike to ride back and forth to work wich is saving me around 25.00 dollars a week so by the end of next week it will pay for itself.

One more thing on a side note but still on topic I went to Talledega to the race this past weekend and it seemed like the camp grounds werent near as full as in the past. I know that it took over 500.00 in full for the weekend for the three campers and the generators so I can see where it would affect some. The good thing is we had 13 people to split that up with

[IslanderOffRoad]

Thats another thing.

Last year I was thinking about buying a fullsize with a camper in it, then towing the Jeep. Gas went up, that idea went away.

Then I thought about buying a pop-up to tow behind my XJ. Better mileage, some comfort, still the risk of breaking on the trail. Gas went up again, thats postponed.

Now I'm thinking my already paid for dome tent and my mummy bag look really good for almost any trip; chipping in for my buddy to bring his toy hauler has even gotten a bit rich for me.

[rightseatsis]

Have I said yet that I luv my electric car? I save the gas cash for the toys: Camper and Jeep.

[Darky]

Among my many plans and acquistions (I wish;)) I plan on getting an enduro to ride to work every day. The mosy likely candidate for me is looking like the Yamaha TW200(?). I think I got the model right, but its the little one with big, wide, fat tires designed to be a trail bike more than a fast dirt bike. Meant like a 2 wheeled utility quad, minus the utility :D. Salesman says those are good for around 80mpg, and I figure it'll go fast enough ride on any roads I'll be on, is small enough to be good for a first time rider, fat tires will float nicely on the sand I'll be in most of the time I'm not on pavement. Come to think of it, the thing looks almost like an off-road scooter...I'll try to find a pic
http://www.yamaha-motor.com/sport/products/modelimagelib/10/3/1/0/image.aspx
Can't edit to add the pic of the bike so here it is
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii269/darkXJ/tw200.jpg

[Mudweiserjeep]

Can't edit to add the pic of the bike so here it is
http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii269/darkXJ/tw200.jpg
80 MPG? wow....how fast will it go?Hiway speed....? Just courious....Looks great ...I like it.

[Darky]

I'm o expert, but I think it'd probably get to around 65ish. A friend bought a scooter and was saying for someone my size, I'd probably need to get at least a 200 to hit 75, but that was for one of them little Vespa type scooters. 80mpg is the salesman's estimate. I was also loking at a Suzuki 400 (not the one with the street tires, the one that still actually would be meant for use as a dirt bike on weekends) and he said that'd get around 40-45 which seems like it should be higher though.

[Ivan]

Last time I sold a vehicle as a result of rising gas prices was in 1973. I had a J10 Jeep pickup back then, which got about 9 mpg avg. Gas had nearly doubled from $0.33 a gal to $0.51 a gallon in a matter of months; and with the $1.65/hr minimum wage I was earning while going to school, gas costs were killing me. Needless to say, I unloaded the J10 for economic reasons.

I wound up buying a mini truck instead for the better gas mileage.

At least today I use my XJ a good deal of the time for company related business, so at least I get the standard IRS reimbursement for mileage plus a flat monthly $100 to cover wear & tear and insurance. I actually come out a little ahead each month, so my own out of pocket gas and operating costs are minimal.

My wife's commute to work is less than 3 miles. She has a '98 Nissan Maxima, that was bought new in Nov '97. To date that car only has 37,000 miles on so far. I must fill the gas tank on it maybe 6 or 7 times a year.

I guess it's all relative....

[FlexdXJ]

man it is a Jeep we all know they suck gas. I don't know about you guys but i bought it knowing that. Now that i am not on a fast food salary anymore I don't really mind it. I mean at least its not a 78 ford or something like that. Man up and work some overtime if you wanna keep it. I am wanting to invest in a Vdub TDI after the XJ is paid off so i can get 45 mpg average. .

[matt6669]

man it is a Jeep we all know they suck gas. I don't know about you guys but i bought it knowing that. Now that i am not on a fast food salary anymore I don't really mind it. I mean at least its not a 78 ford or something like that. Man up and work some overtime if you wanna keep it. I am wanting to invest in a Vdub TDI after the XJ is paid off so i can get 45 mpg average. .

my friend decided to sell his lifted wrangler and got a vdub tdi. He gets like almost 700 miles to the gallon, he freaking SUCKS. Fills up like once a week but diesel is still pretty expensive though

[Steve_Moore]

Well I have a company vehicle, so I only fill the heep up twice a month...maybe. I use the van anytime I can so I don;'t have to pay for fuel. We just got the wife a new car that get's 30 MPG.

This truely sux...