gas prices.

[Congoman775]

the reason prices are up right now, is not because we use more gas now than we did last year at this time, when it was much lower. It is because of the increased use by other countries such as china who are using more and more. As a country the United States is not used to other global powers using the % of gas that we use, and im not saying china uses as much as the US now, but they are increasing their demand with the fastest growing economy in the world.

This is as simple as supply and demand (on a global and confusing scale). BUT like stocks, prices actually can move due to speculation.

[Scotsman]

Drum the drum of mute all you want; gas is a HUGE issue that will come to a head (I predict) sooner than later with the emerging markets ramping up their usage and refineries running at the max. Prices will go through the roof and many many Americans and others that live here (unless they're driving hybrid or better) won't even be able to afford to drive. Anywhere. Habits changing will only do so much because the lack of a major public transportation system, even in HUGE metropolitan areas like L.A. That would be a big help in setting up a PTS, but using millions of dollars government doesn't want to spend, if they even have it.

It doesn't help that muscle cars have the stigma of being big gas guzzlers with comparable fuel economy of even bigger S.U.V.'s (which many owners are now dropping like flies). So you can be in cool school and act like gas prices aren't a big deal, but remember they're not a big deal to you. Personally, I like to drive, and I'm not going to curtail my driving to be able to even afford to drive at all, I'll just buy a more fun and fuel efficient car if the Camaro doesn't cut it fuel economy wise (Mini Clubman S). Living in suburban L.A. it's a necessary evil that I be on the road 24/7, that's just the way everything is setup around here as is my life with freinds, family, etc. If I could have a fuel efficent V8 Camaro, trust me, I'd be gunning for that, but I have to be practical minded in regards to my choice of personal transportation with consideration to the current issues that effect fuel prices, etc.

We all know GM has the technology in the 5thgen that will win over many new buyers that would have otherwise assumed that this car would be a real gas hog, but that four-banger Camaro will have to come sooner than later with the aforementioned gas problem as well as CAFE.

[Chogan2200]

ok first off, if you personally know some of the reps for those oil companies...WHY DON'T YOU TELL THEM TO QUIT GOUGING THE PRICE! :P

2nd, I thought all models were supposed to have that Active Fuel Management technology???!???!!!

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by Chogan2200

2nd, I thought all models were supposed to have that Active Fuel Management technology???!???!!!

If it happens on the V6; I believe it'll be the first time, EVER, a manufacturer has been able to do it on an OHC/DOHC engine.

[Scotsman]

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

If it happens on the V6; I believe it'll be the first time, EVER, a manufacturer has been able to do it on an OHC/DOHC engine.

Don't know what the Accords V6 setup is but it also has AFM (Honda's version).

[chadrcr]

I have the old 1996 Honda 250 bike to ride to work and take care of local trips. It get 60 miles per gallon, cruises at 60 mph if there is no wind.
No cargo, no highway speeds, no weather protection...
( 18 degrees was too cold to ride to work, but it was only 8 miles ) but 60 mpg helps cut the fuel bill, some.

The S-10 ZR2 ( -16 city/ -19 hwy ) does a lot worse on gas than the Z71 Sierra 5.3 ( 18.5 city / 22 hwy -flat/ no wind)

The 86 Mustang was a 2.3 (88 hp) that is slowly being rebuilt with a 5.0 and 650 holley-- not a project I would ever do again , but I started it when gas was under $2 and before the Camaro was confirmed.

[Mr. Wyndham]

I just moved the thread...It's become much less "Camaro-Oriented" than I think was intended. No help from me, I'm sorry to say.


Scotsman, you're right. I don't keep up with those brands at all. So Honda has beat GM to the punch...aw well - at least we know it's possible.

It's called VCM on the Honda engine. Uses little 'pins' I guess that disconnect the rockers from the cam followers. It can switch from 6 to 4 to 3 cylinders depending on load. And on 3 cylinders, one full bank of the engine is shut down...

[camaro5]

Originally Posted by Scotsman

Don't know what the Accords V6 setup is but it also has AFM (Honda's version).

I think that's the first and only V6 with it (VCM -Variable Cylinder Management), and it's not available with manual transmission. It runs in 3, 4, and 6cyl mode. I read a user review somewhere and they said they hated it.

================================================== =====

Here's some: "good try with the VCM but it's terrible, this really brings down the performance of the car."

"Enjoy the way the car handles especially the power of the V-6. I think Honda made a big improvement in the design of the car. The Vcm systems totally ruins the car. What a big disappointment. I had rather not have it and sacrifice the mileage.... "

Get rid of cylinder deactivation on coupe, it actually slows down when try to accelerate.

VCM ruins a great car
Date Posted: 04/30/2008 By: Joe Collier

I am very disappointed in this car. I am disappointed in the ride. The VCM is very rough. It lunges when shifting

VCM feature makes it feel like the car is constantly hunting for gears at 60-70 mph. Fuel economy is horrendous -- 17 in the city at best, even despite the VCM. Honda says car is "operating normally" so if you think you're going to do better, it's not likely.

Not completely satisfied with VCM. Too much shifting especially when in cruise control

I am so disappointed in this car. The VCM system has basically ruined what would otherwise be an exceptional car. Contrary to what Honda says, the VCM transitions are NOT seamless, and IS noticeable to the passengers. I am not optimistic about Honda fixing this, and am ready to take a loss intrading the vehicle in on something different with only a few hundred miles on it.

If you are thinking of buying a 2008 Honda Accord 6 cylinder, I would suggest you think twice and drive it more than just a test drive. The VCM is terrible. I would not buy the car again because of this "feature". The service department told me there was nothing they could do and to go back to sales. The surging (even at times on cruise) is terribly annoying. Otherwise, the car is outstanding.

Well, after having the car for a month I have to say the experience so far is very disappointing. The VCM is so annoying - hunting between modes at highway speeds. The surging/lurching is noticeable and not seamless and makes my wife ill - she thinks I am doing something - I have it on cruise!! Fuel "economy" is not as good as on 2004 coupe we had - only 27-28 on the road.

They go on and on...

SOURCE:

http://www.edmunds.com/honda/accord/...C%7C486f6e6461

v

[stovt001]

Originally Posted by Chogan2200

ok first off, if you personally know some of the reps for those oil companies...WHY DON'T YOU TELL THEM TO QUIT GOUGING THE PRICE! :P

2nd, I thought all models were supposed to have that Active Fuel Management technology???!???!!!

Sigh, I hate it when people who haven't the slightest grasp of economics make mindless accusations like that. The price of oil right now reflects a number of things: the demand from consumers worldwide, which is ramping up steadily, the demand from investors, which is also ramping up, the value of the dollar, which is plummeting, and the supply of oil, which is pretty much maxed out (drilling new fields is insanely expensive and practically illegal now). Given all of those conditions, the price of oil is exactly what it should be. $130 accurately reflects the market rate for oil as the conditions exist right now. You may not like it, but that doesn't mean anyone is gouging you. Even the idiotic legislators that are holding these show trials of the oil execs for votes from people like you have openly admitted they have absolutely no evidence the oil companies are gouging. The fair price may not be the price we're used to, but fair is fair.

[camaro5]

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

I just moved the thread...It's become much less "Camaro-Oriented" than I think was intended. No help from me, I'm sorry to say.


Scotsman, you're right. I don't keep up with those brands at all. So Honda has beat GM to the punch...aw well - at least we know it's possible.

It's called VCM on the Honda engine. Uses little 'pins' I guess that disconnect the rockers from the cam followers. It can switch from 6 to 4 to 3 cylinders depending on load. And on 3 cylinders, one full bank of the engine is shut down...

Great minds think alike Check out those user reviews I posted

[stovt001]

Why I actually like $4 gas:

Yes, you read that right. No, it isn't some teaser to get you to read something unrelated. I really mean that. I kinda like $4 gas. First, I want to say I think it is a fair price to pay. We're paying far less than most of the rest of the world as it is. Given the ramp up in demand from developing countries and the weak dollar pitted against maxed out supplies, gas prices have rightfully increased. Actually, when you think of it in terms of spending $4 to ship two tons of metal and your precious human cargo 20-30 miles, it really isn't a bad deal at all. It is simple economics and no, no one is gouging you. You are not a victim. This is just the way the world works, and I actually think this one may be working in our favor. Here's why:

1) Less cars on the road. Yesterday I did my regular commute home from work during rush hour. Usually I loathe Friday evening commutes, as the 57 is usually jammed solid with cars going up to take the 210 to the 15 to get to Los Vegas. I expected it to be even worse this week as it was the beginning of the traditionally driving-intensive Memorial Day weekend. However, it seems gas prices put an end to many people's Holiday sin city trip plans, and it was smooth sailing nearly the entire way home. I hate sitting in traffic going nowhere, so it felt wonderful to just cruise on home. I'll pay $0.14 a mile for that privlege, thank you.

2) Less SUVs. I really don't know what the exact percentage is of people who buy SUVs and actually need its capacities. Statistics usually lie anyway. I do know though that the majority of SUVs on the road are bought for the sole purpose of transporing one single person to and from work each day (like my dad). As far as I know, there are three reasons this happened: people like the power, high, upright driving position, and other characteristics of SUV driving (my dad), because they were the popular driving fashion at the time, because they "need" room for 7 people and massive cargo as soon as they have their first kid (please, overreact much?), and, because everyone else has one, you need one because anything smaller is just a death sentence in the event of an accident with someone else's SUV. Yes, that's right, the SUV fad was partly a safety arms race, because bigger is safer. Well, now SUVs are not fashionable, there are plenty of other vehicle types that offer plenty of passenger and cargo room, and since no one else is driving them, you don't need to either to be safe. Now the only reason to get one is if you actually need something to tow, haul, or go offroading. Or if you're like my dad and just really like that SUV driving experience. Just as we no longer fear death by nuclear holocaust, we have less reason to fear death by SUV driven by cell-phone talking, cappuchino swilling driver. Yay!

3) Less smog. OK global warming is complete crap. Just accept that you've all been duped by some chubby washed up politician and move on with your lives. But you know what is real? Smog darn it. Smog you can actually see. It sucks, but its actually getting better. When I was in elementary school the sky was definitely more brown than it is now, and there were even days when we couldn't play outside because the air wasn't safe. Things have gotten a lot better as technology has improved our smog control systems, and if gas prices keep reducing how much people drive their cars, we'll see even more improvement.

4) More mass transit. OK maybe this is just a hope, but if gas prices keep climbing maybe we'll get more serious about public transportation. I liked public transit even before gas prices climbed. Taking the metro in to LA or Pasadena is way better than dealing with the crazy drivers, insane traffic, and sky high parking rates. If I can take light rail somewhere, I usually will. Sadly, LA's light rail system is pretty pathetic. I'm hoping gas prices will give it a nice shot in the arm and I can take it even more places. My fingers are crossed.

5) More innovation. Necessity is the mother of all invention, and invention has slacked off a bit lately. I mean 100 years ago a day didn't go by when some random guy invented something that revolutionized your life. Today, innovation is about limited to fitting another blade on your razor. (Now introducing the Mach 16, by Gillette. 16 blades means you can shave your entire face in just one swipe. Only $55 for a replacement set of blades....). Maybe not anymore. I see a revolution on the horizon, and perhaps it has started already. Sure we had duds. Yes corn based ethanol kinda did very bad things to our food commodities market. But those are just awkward first steps. Edison's proverbial first 99 failed light bulbs. Screw hybrids with their piddly 40 mpg. We're talking exciting stuff here. Purely electric cars going a full day's commute on a simple electrical charge. Ethanol made from garbage and some type of grass you don't eat. Hydrogen fuel cells? There's stuff on the horizon we haven't even heard of yet I'm sure. Mark my words, $4+ gas is going to start a tidal wave of great inventions, and it is going to be a very exciting time to be alive. Mankind has always been able to rise above the challenges that face us, and this will be no different.

Everybody sing it with me:

There's a great big beautiful tomorrow
Shining at the end of every day
There's a great big beautiful tomorrow
And it's just a dream away

[chadrcr]

Originally Posted by stovt001

Sigh, I hate it when people who haven't the slightest grasp of economics make mindless accusations like that. The price of oil right now reflects a number of things: the demand from consumers worldwide, which is ramping up steadily, the demand from investors, which is also ramping up, the value of the dollar, which is plummeting, and the supply of oil, which is pretty much maxed out (drilling new fields is insanely expensive and practically illegal now). Given all of those conditions, the price of oil is exactly what it should be. $130 accurately reflects the market rate for oil as the conditions exist right now. You may not like it, but that doesn't mean anyone is gouging you. Even the idiotic legislators that are holding these show trials of the oil execs for votes from people like you have openly admitted they have absolutely no evidence the oil companies are gouging. The fair price may not be the price we're used to, but fair is fair.

Record prices, record profits -- The largest profits ever by any company---
= no gouging? not even a little?

[GTAHVIT]

Misconception: There is no "Supply" problem with crude oil. There is a supply problem with refined gasoline. We can't refine the crude oil fast enough to warrant an increase in production. But there is plenty of crude oil to be supplied. Not a problem there.

U.S. Oil Companies Gouging: Partially true and partially false. The gouging that happens is by the individual gas station owners. This weekend is a perfect example. Gas in Jacksonville was pretty steady at $3.80 a gallon. On Friday before memorial day the price at some gas stations jumped to $4.05. That is gouging. The price of a barrel of oil has been pretty flat for this week in fact it went down a little. This gouging gets wrongly blamed on the oil companies, it's the station owners that want to make some extra cash because we will increase demand by travelling over the weekend.

The oil companies are making profits largely by investing in oil over the last 50 years and it has paid off. Also, 4% of the cost of a gallon of gas is profit for the oil company, 16-20% goes to taxes depending on what state you live in. The best way to decrease the price of gasoline, is to increase supply, not in our power. Or, to decrease demand by introducing competition into the fuel market. Whether it be electric, Hydrogen, or ethanol, or something else. I still believe the best option is to drill for oil ourselves, and build nuclear plants to replace fossil fuel energy. If I could have it my way we'd build new refineries, drill for oil within the U.S. and build nuclear power plants. Then we'd be good to go and would need to rely on foreign oil. Oh yeah, and keep researching and developing ethanol.

[6 Camaros and counting]

Im planning on a weekend driver for my Camaro so Bigger motor the better. told the wife Im getting it I have 150.000 in Home equity and I aint afraid to use it