I have noticed that there is a growing concern on gas prices right now. With all the hype the media is throwing out, you would think prices are going to fly through the roof and never come back. While they are right about the risk of prices going up this spring and summer, they arent telling us everything. With the current prediction, prices will be high over the summer, they are going to peak and prices at the pump will be horrible for disco owners. But what we all need to understand before we park or sell the disco, is the current outlook for the future. From what I can tell, if we can make it through this tough time and get to the end of summer 2008, and everything will start to come down again. The economy is slowly recovering (beleive it or not) and (once again beleive it or not), the war conditions are settling down. All this will benefit us in the near future at the pumps. LETS GET THROUGH THIS DISCO OWNERS!!!!!! Here is the outlook:[*]The outlook over the next 2 years points to an easing of the oil market balance in 2008. Higher production outside of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and planned additions to OPEC capacity should more than offset expected moderate world oil demand growth and relieve some of the tightness in the market. [ul][*] Surplus production capacity is projected to grow from its current level of less than 2 million barrels per day (bbl/d) to more than 4 million bbl/d by the end of 2009. This balance suggests some price softening, although delays or downward revisions in capacity additions in both OPEC and non-OPEC nations could alter the outlook, as could OPEC production decisions.[*] The spot price of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil averaged $93 per barrel in January 2008 and is expected to average $87 in February. The WTI price, which averaged $72 per barrel in 2007, is expected to average about $86 per barrel in 2008 and $82 in 2009. [/ul] [ul][*] Retail prices for petroleum products are expected to be higher in 2008 than last year, due to higher average crude oil prices. Both motor gasoline and diesel prices are projected to average more than $3 per gallon in 2008. The monthly average gasoline price is projected to peak near $3.40 per gallon this spring.[*] Total U.S. petroleum consumption is expected to increase by 140,000 bbl/d, or 0.7 percent, in 2008, while real gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to grow by 1.6 percent. If economic growth in 2008 is less than expected, petroleum consumption would also likely be lower than projected.[/ul]
Hope that helps a little with easing your thoughts on gas prices. Trust me, I know they suck. But hey, if you're in the market for a cheap disco, now is the time to buy! When it comes to SUV's right now its like taking candy from a baby.

 

From what I read the supplies are up but Wallstreet keeps driving it up. Demand is actually low right now and supplies are growing, fear is driving this up, and the greedy oil companies and countries.

 

Its the commodity trading everyones is trying to make
the big bucks running up the price.

 

Once prices go up and they see that people will pay that high price it will stay up.
I was watching a episode of CHiPs the other day and in the background was a gas station, $.60 per gallon, I wanted to cry.

 

OK Cameron! Thanks for the outlook[sm=smiley20.gif]

Think I need to go fill-up now [sm=smiley24.gif]

 

I have two theories on high gas prices.


Since the housing market has taken a dump, speculation is now going into commodities (i.e. oil, gold, etc)
The oil producers and oil suppliers have figured out a psychological advantage in steadily raising oil and gas prices. Remember when everyone hit the roof, including congress, when gas hit $2.00 a gallon? Then it dropped back to $1.50. Next it went to $2.50, followed by a drop to $2.25 and everyone was relieved. They raise the price till it hurts, drop it back by 50% and you feel like you’re getting a good deal. This summer I hear it’s going up to $4.00 and $3.50 is going to sound real good. $3.50 will become the steady price for a while. [/ol]
We’re all just sheep to them.

 

Comsumers are paying record high prices for fuel. Oil companies are currently taking in winfall profits by the truck load. What's the incentive to build new refineries?

Automakers just need to get it together. The technology is there! They need to quite *****-foot'n around this hybrid junk and produce something that works!

In America we drive gas powerd Discoveries that get 10MPG. In the rest of the world they have the option of Diesel powered Discoverie that gets 40MPG.

Even our best Prius' and other hybrid cars hardly get 40MPH. Shouldn't we be asking ourselves what's wrong with this picture?

Check out this link and tell me why we put up with these darn automakers?
http://editorial.autos.msn.com/artic...umentid=457882

 

LOL @ CHiPs! I have a picture from 1998 (when gas slumped to $18 a barrel)of a Mobil near where I live with 78¢ per gallon for regular. I have a friend who is ~40ish and has never worked a day in his life because his dad was in the oil business. When oil was $18 per/bbl he was sweating that he'd have to get a job. Now he's thinking of buying an Aston Martin!

 

The idea behind the hybrid isint so much fuel economy as it is reducing emissions, if the engine isint running it isint polluting.
There are plug in kits for Prius' that allow you to charge the car at home/work by plugging it into a 110volt wall outlet and a adaptor switch thingy that allows you to drive at low speeds without the gas engine.
Here is Grand Rapids they are buying new city buses as the old ones wear out and they are diesel hybrids.
A VW Jetta with a 5-speed gets 45+ mpg on the highway, so I do agree that we need diesels.