At What Point Does The Price Of Fuel Make Car Ownerships Unrealistic For The Masses?

[Bleach1]

Ok, i just wanted to see what people think about how the price of fuel is going to effect car ownership? Now the other day it cost me $110 here in Sydney to fill my GTR and i will be happy to see 360kms out of that tank. With the sky rocketing fuel prices unlikley to stop any time soon if at all when will all our cars pretty much become almost redundant?

Lets forcast fuel rising to $2.50L over the next 18 months or so. That would be $165 to fill say an average 65L tank and in any sort of sports or enthusiasts car and that tank wont always get you very far. I think for the average Australian that will simply become to much. This will also greatly effect the value of our cars and many other cars in the powerful and not always frugal engine mould. At a very high fuel price think of all the Commodores, Falcons, Skylines, Supras etc, that will flow onto the market. The price of fuel will generally effect the people who own these cars the most. The price of fuel will also raise living expenses as a whole so just filling the tank is only one factor that will make these cars harder to own and keep running.

Anyway i think for me the bullet will have to be bitten at $2L. That will be time to say good bye to my fourth and final skyline for the time been and get me an old 3cyl charade and a motorbike for my speed fix.. Than again at $2.50L it may be time to end my love affair with the inernal combustion engine for good and pick a hobbie like painting models or collecting juke boxes or something....

Edited June 21, 2008 by Bleach1

[dangerous_daveo]

Just to brag, I must have uncanny timing. I just got a new job, they gave me a fuel card, and I just today bought a VW TFSI Jetta. So I'm set.

BTW, anyone want to buy a cefiro that can get a combined milage of 10L/100kms?

[eddieneedsboost]

Already got rid of my TT Supra for a little corolla. Getting a bike soon though.

By the time I can afford a car I'm hoping electric sports cars like the Tesla roadster will be mainstream

[Flynnn]

Damn i love my Lpg Falcon, $35-39 for a full tank of gas (65litres) and takes me 400-450km's (depending on the driving)

[gel]

I've already bitten the bullet 1.5 years ago when I sold my 'line and bought a brand new Accord.

Definatelty a big difference at the pump not just in fuel consumption but difference in price using regular 91 RON compared to using 98 RON.

[342Four]

even atm it still sucks ass

$60 can just fill my 45L tank on my excel for crying out loud

for a uni student like me, having to fill up about once a week+half and then pay $60 is beyond a joke

im seriously thinking of getting a bike....motor that is

[GTR-32U]

well if thats what it takes to bring the nations spending (inflation down ) and maybe reduce interest rates then I have no problem driving at $2 a litre....long gone are the days of having a large family car to do the work trips/shopping etc....Need a 4 banger thats under 2 litres of capacity

[joeyjoejoejuniorshabadoo]

i need MORE fast cars...

[NYTSKY]

Ill never sell the skyline. Thats why i bought the Proton,returns 6.95L/100kms.

[colossus]

Keep the line and buy a bike - best of both worlds...

Its crap that petrol prices keep rising but its not a HUGE expense when you put it in perspective of ALL your daily life needs. How guys on here can complain about fuel then go spend $2000 on a power FC at the drop of a hat is beyond me...(thats about 5 months worth of fuel at $2 a litre).

Or put another way - most R32's, R33's and R34's cost under $20K to purchase initially and hold their value well. This gives you a good, fun, quick car on which to build. Your fuel expense at 65L a tank is $97 a tank at $1.50/L or $130 a tank at $2/L or $162.50 at $2.50/L. Looking at these figures over a year (52 weeks) and assuming you use one tank a week (which is probably more than most guys here would) then you get: $5,044 a year at $1.50; $6,760 per year at $2/L and $8,450 per year at $2.50/L. So you've still spent under $30K for the year for an R34; under $20K for the year on an R33/R32 on initial car purchase and a tank a week and with money left over for mods. Not bad considering people go out and buy $40K plus generic Toyota's/Mazda's/Commodores/Falcons all the time and trade them in at 50% of their value a year later...who's in front? This is the way I look at it anyway...to summarize - Skylines are expensive to fuel, but their initial bang for your buck purchase price eliminates this.

[MK2]

I'm lucky that I don't use the tank for daily-duties as around town its fuel consumption is 'awful', but on long trips which is what I bought it for, otherwise its a glorified shopping trolley (I'm too busy to make it to track days 99% of the time) it leans out to about 9.5L/100km which is quite fine if I stick to the speed limit.

A lot of it comes down to going easier with the right foot regardless of what you drive, which can be difficult...

As for the average motorist, I think at $2-$2.50 and its going to kick a lot of people in the balls who use a car a lot and actually come into par with our over-priced, overly shitty public transport in a lot of cases. Ultimately if it keeps heading this way (and lets face it, Arabs hating Jews and Yanks invading people is probably never going to end) for the forseable future I reckon at some people society as a whole is going to have to ditch the "rush! rush! Be there now!" lifestyle we've been used too and adopt a bit more of a "F*ck it, I'll do it when I get there" simply to curb energy usage, which would be just fine by me really.

[dangerous_daveo]

Daily drivers are a false economy as well. 2x everything, really doesnt equate. In most cases at least.

[br3ndan]

horray for the daily LPG ute.

But i get sick of driving that, and just end up driving the skyline.

lol!

Worth the money on petrol

[SHANE666]

not selling my skyline.

i just wont drive it all that much.

i use trains 5 days a week and sleep on weekends.

i probably go out to get lunch and to cruises.

hopefully by the time i get my full's i can buy a cheap 34 gt-r for my occasional weekend drive.

the price is fuel is bloody ridiculous, i agree. its flowing into every sector....what about the price of effing food!?!?!?! i dont want to get to the point where i cant afford to eat a carrot.

[GTR-N1]

Let's look on the bright side of life !!! Sounds like the name for a good song !!

When fuel reaches $2/litre, we'll strictly use the daily driver for what it was meant for - Mon to Fri driving only, which Shannons will be delighted with.

When fuel reaches $2.50/litre the Skyline will only come out on a Sunday with the legacy (or ego) that the local community will think you're very wealthy.

When gas is $3/litre a towbar will go onto the Prius and that will pull the Skyline on a trailer and use it as a caravan (despite Jeremy Clarkson's feelings about them).

And when gas is $3.50/litre, we'll sell the Prius, and with the $$ on sale, buy a full tank of petrol for the Skyline and fang it over the nearest cliff like Thelma and Louise.

Nup. Actually, I'll walk to church as I usually do and wait for Jesus to fix up this whole crazy world.

[eddieneedsboost]

Could a Prius even pull a Skyline on a trailer?? haha

[SHANE666]

lol @ Terry.

that reminds me...i should be getting cheaper premiums if i only drive my car on weekends....

[dangerous_daveo]

Could a Prius even pull a Skyline on a trailer?? haha

Given they cant even pull the skin off a custard, I doubt it.

[chrissyo]

The concept of it reaching $2.50 is pretty crazy!

Im already paying $1.85 for bp ultimate....hence why im getting my lil honda nsr150sp ready for riding Im with colossus Bike for daily Line for fun.

[riggaz]

I work for mobil but I just started so no discounts for me.

Boss drives a VE ute and gets free fuel.

in alice and the central australia area fuel is $2.50+ a litre.