Bathing in Excess FTL

[Kill_em_All]

Gas in America is ballooning over the 4 dollar a gallon mark. The country is in a mad dash to try and fix this economic wound with increased sales of hybrid vehicles, flex fuel, and alternative fuel sources. People are buying smaller, more economically feasible modes of transportation in masses.

It's an economic catastrophe on a scale that Americans have no experience with, and the entire country is freaking out. Because of it, I sold my giant, gas-siphoning conversion van last year, and my mid-sized Mitsubishi SUV six months ago, and went directly to a fucking compact that makes me feel like a weenie.

We're all freaking out over this whole thing, and what do I do?

I buy a Cadillac.

I couldn't pass it up. I've been tooling around town in a fucking gas saver (a Saturn) that sits so close to the ground that I feel like I might as well be driving a goddamn go-kart.

My girlfriend has a large SUV, and she's been shopping around for something to supplement the fuel that it burns. We need the Explorer to pull the jet-ski and basically haul what we need to haul, but her commute has been killing her. So the plan was to buy her a newer hybrid and keep the Explorer as a recreational vehicle of sorts.

Well her new car fever rubbed off on me.

I'm browsing the local ads a couple of days ago when I ran across this beauty.

http://i37.tinypic.com/16k4ylk.jpg

A 1992 Cadillac ElDorado Touring Coupe. Immaculate. This thing looks like it rolled off the showroom floor. Low miles, everything functions, complete luxury, cherry wood accents, leather, heated seats, Bose audio, and not an ounce of rust or wear and tear. You could almost consider this car restored, except it's not. It's just been so well-maintained that it's like new.

So I offered the elderly guy HALF of what he wanted for it, and he took it.

I've been driving this thing for a few days and quite honestly, the 4.9 Liter V-8 isn't as much of a gas hog as I had expected.

I'm averaging about 20 miles per gallon, which isn't too bad, but it's still not a 35 mile per gallon Saturn.

And I SHOULD feel guilty, but I don't. I don't because if you've ever driven a Cadillac, you know why. There's nothing like it in the world. This isn't my first Caddi. I had a Fleetwood Brougham D'Elegance, but it was older and had many less amenities. This Caddi is like driving in a living room. Only not just any old backwards ass typical living room. It's like driving in Donald Trump's living room. And for a '92, this thing has like every possible amenity, and even has an on board computer monitoring system that displays information on the dash about everything from the level of windshield washer solution, to the fuel economy.

The bad thing is, my other car, my "weekend/going out" car, (a 2000 Trans Am WS6) gets about 9 miles per gallon, so I'm left with no economically feasible automobile as a daily commuter. (On a side note, after driving the Caddi like a race car for the last couple of days, it's obvious that this thing would give my T/A a run for it's money).

So I'm wondering (and this is primarily for the Americans here) what you are all driving now or if the crunch of price at the pump has had adverse effects on your life. Do you travel less? Did the crisis force you into a smaller vehicle and if so, do you feel like a fucking weenie driving it?

[dunamis]

I switched from a camaro to an '05 civic. It's a good car, and worth it just for the gas mileage.

[badutahboy]

I'm still pimpin' 13 mpg in my 06 dodge ram 1500... When my lease is up in march, I'll be getting a relative gas miser... a 2007 Infiniti M35... 22mpg but still 300 HP...

[Kill_em_All]

I switched from a camaro to an '05 civic. It's a good car, and worth it just for the gas mileage.

The plus side to a Civic is that there are more aftermarket parts for them out there than any other car on the globe. You can literally get more horsepower out of the 1.8 Liter Honda motor than that of the 5.7 LT-1 in your Camaro (assuming that's what you had. That's what my T/A has). And you can still get relatively high miles per gallon even after tuning them.

The downside to that is that they're so tiny.


I'm still pimpin' 13 mpg in my 06 dodge ram 1500... When my lease is up in march, I'll be getting a relative gas miser... a 2007 Infiniti M35... 22mpg but still 300 HP...

My uncle just got a 2005 Ram 1500 with the 5.7 Hemi. Quad cab FTL. I couldn't imagine getting anything worse than 18 miles per gallon right now. That's just a flagrant misuse of gas.

[Negativecool]

Gas in America is ballooning over the 4 dollar a gallon mark. The country is in a mad dash to try and fix this economic wound with increased sales of hybrid vehicles, flex fuel, and alternative fuel sources. People are buying smaller, more economically feasible modes of transportation in masses.

It's an economic catastrophe on a scale that Americans have no experience with, and the entire country is freaking out. Because of it, I sold my giant, gas-siphoning conversion van last year, and my mid-sized Mitsubishi SUV six months ago, and went directly to a fucking compact that makes me feel like a weenie.

I'm a little disappointed to learn of your new found sensibility.

I previously pictured you stopped at an intersection in your van next to some fag in an electric car running on a 9V battery sporting the license plate "PAN Z."
The tool in the electric car, with his thick rimmed yuppie glasses that aren't even prescription, clutching his moca late' in one hand and his monthly copy of "Hippie Tree Hugger Times" in the other, looking at you with utter contempt and disgust.
Meanwhile you look right back at the pindick tree hugger and yell "Because I can mother fucker" and proceed to drive over his car on your way to spend 100 meaningless dollars at the gas station.

We truly must be in dire economic times.

[funeeman]

I don't pay for my gas. My company does....so I don't really give a fuck. I still drive my 2007 Silverado 3/4 Ton every fucking place and even leave it running if I need to run inside a store for an hour. The only thing I dislike about it is the seats. I bought it because they had lots of room for the fat ass I was. Now they're just too fucking big and I feel like I'm a little kid sitting in an over-sized easy chair.

[Sex?]

I don't pay for my gas. My company does....so I don't really give a fuck. I still drive my 2007 Silverado 3/4 Ton every fucking place and even leave it running if I need to run inside a store for an hour. The only thing I dislike about it is the seats. I bought it because they had lots of room for the fat ass I was. Now they're just too fucking big and I feel like I'm a little kid sitting in an over-sized easy chair.

Give before and after pics.
Car seat included.
chop chop.

Edit: was not thinking. Slim chance of having a big-ass-car-seat-pic, right?

[Severina]

Drive Mercedes SLK, have had it for a while now and have no intention of changing it. Get about 27 mpg. Price of fuel here? ... $10 per gallon, your $4 a gallon seems v cheap compared to Europe.

[Sex?]

Drive Mercedes SLK, have had it for a while now and have no intention of changing it. Get about 27 mpg. Price of fuel here? ... $10 per gallon, your $4 a gallon seems v cheap compared to Europe.

10$?
Where in Europe are you?

[Kill_em_All]

I'm a little disappointed to learn of your new found sensibility.

I previously pictured you stopped at an intersection in your van next to some fag in an electric car running on a 9V battery sporting the license plate "PAN Z."
The tool in the electric car, with his thick rimmed yuppie glasses that aren't even prescription, clutching his moca late' in one hand and his monthly copy of "Hippie Tree Hugger Times" in the other, looking at you with utter contempt and disgust.
Meanwhile you look right back at the pindick tree hugger and yell "Because I can mother fucker" and proceed to drive over his car on your way to spend 100 meaningless dollars at the gas station.

We truly must be in dire economic times.

Um, hello. I bought a Cadillac.

[Scabman]

10$?
Where in Europe are you?

I would guess she's from England, but my memory is kinda fuzzy.
However, that price is actual in many places right now, like Norway, France, Denmark, Italy and Eritrea.

Good thing I drive a shitty Peugeot 106. Goddamn French fuckers made a bucket of shit with wheels but damn do that thing hate to spend gas.

[Severina]

10$?
Where in Europe are you?

Yorkshire, England but it's about the same all over EU as Scab says.

[Sex?]

Yorkshire, England but it's about the same all over EU as Scab says.

Around 7 here.

P.S. what does Severina mean?

[Severina]

Around 7 here.

P.S. what does Severina mean?

lt's a Bulgarian christian name ;-)

[Sex?]

lt's a Bulgarian christian name ;-)

Asked cous it's the name of a Croatian pop/porn star.

http://imgs.pravda.sk/sk_khudba/A060504_P20_SEVERINA1_V.JPG

Bitch.

[Severina]

Asked cous it's the name of a Croatian pop/porn star.

http://imgs.pravda.sk/sk_khudba/A060504_P20_SEVERINA1_V.JPG

Bitch.

Ahhh the infamous sex tapes! With the money she's got l doubt she cares what you or anybody else calls her ... nor would she care about fuel @ $7 a gallon.

[Amythist]

Lol I drive a 1999 Pontiac Sunfire..enough said.

[dunamis]

Isn't this forum work-safe?

[KommieKat]

Public transportation. Nothing like it.

Trains, subways, mini-buses, trolley cars and double decker's.
Clean, smooth, comfy and on time. No hobos to sit next to.

I can go anywhere with public transport and pay US$1.00 or even less one-way.
Using the Octopus card (debit card) is not only convenient but can also be used at kiosk and 7-11, some restaurants and supermarkets.

No more insurance. No more road rage. No more vehicle maintenance.
For the first time since I was 16 yrs old, no more driving.
I have no problems with this.

Taxis are only about US$2.00 for the first 5 miles.

[mcsmc]

Right now, I'm driving military vehicles, filling up for free. It's going to suck when I get back home, although I have a small fuel efficient car (2004 Toyota Corolla) anyway. The fucker's a little too small, though... but I'm not rich, and it's paid off, so I'm content with it. On a good note, however, gas has gone down a little bit again lately. Who knows what the future holds.

[Gravy]

2005 Toyota Hilux SR 4x4.

V6 4.0L engine. 75L tank. About 11.7km per litre. Supercharging it to pump out 220kw at the rear wheels when in 2wd. It'll chew gas like any V8 my mates may have, but thank god I walk to work every day. I fill up maybe once a month these days, depending on if we go on any weekend trips.

[MoonChild69]

I use public transportation & do alot of walking. I live in the city, so I don't drive.

[Sex?]

Who knows what the future holds.


Raining gas.

[mcsmc]

Raining gas.

Dude... that would make an awesome news story, especially if there was lightning. :khi4b:

[KommieKat]

I'm a little disappointed to learn of your new found sensibility.

I previously pictured you stopped at an intersection in your van next to some fag in an electric car running on a 9V battery sporting the license plate "PAN Z."
The tool in the electric car, with his thick rimmed yuppie glasses that aren't even prescription, clutching his moca late' in one hand and his monthly copy of "Hippie Tree Hugger Times" in the other, looking at you with utter contempt and disgust.
Meanwhile you look right back at the pindick tree hugger and yell "Because I can mother fucker" and proceed to drive over his car on your way to spend 100 meaningless dollars at the gas station.

We truly must be in dire economic times.

I don't see the point in being so judgmental over folks (for the humour?) who most likely decide to buy these cars for their own personal reasons (save money?) with the environmental impact being second choice on the list.

These cars have proved themselves to be a good investment and do pay for themselves with a 3 to 5 year time. There is no reason with some time spent in R&D by car producers that they could not come up with nice car like shown in the movie "I, Robot".

Sure, I would miss the "Vroom vroom vroom" from the exhaust pipe, but I don't think performance will be sacrificed from changing over to electric in the years to come. Ever driven a golf cart? Those babies can go!

Certainly you've had yourself a good cup of Java a time or two while driving, haven't you? Nothing like a cup of coffee and a Bears claw donut when commuting on to work for 3rd shift.

[Negativecool]

I don't see the point in being so judgmental over folks (for the humour?) who most likely decide to buy these cars for their own personal reasons (save money?) with the environmental impact being second choice on the list.

These cars have proved themselves to be a good investment and do pay for themselves with a 3 to 5 year time. There is no reason with some time spent in R&D by car producers that they could not come up with nice car like shown in the movie "I, Robot".

Sure, I would miss the "Vroom vroom vroom" from the exhaust pipe, but I don't think performance will be sacrificed from changing over to electric in the years to come. Ever driven a golf cart? Those babies can go!

Certainly you've had yourself a good cup of Java a time or two while driving, haven't you? Nothing like a cup of coffee and a Bears claw donut when commuting on to work for 3rd shift.

I was merely referring to the condescending, self-important, and often hypocritical stereotype of the pseudo environmentalist electric car driver. My only hang up on electric cars is the gay hippie design they are always given.

If American car companies would've learned from their mistake from the 70's, and had a fucking ounce of foresight, I have no doubt at all that we would be driving cars that get 100+ miles a gallon without the gay looking design.

Instead, they rode the coattails of the F-150 sales all the way into the fucking ground.

I am disappointed in car companies the world over.
Give me a car that has a design as inspiring as the when the '05 Mustangs came out and takes money out of Arab nations' and any other bloated conglomerate oil company to keep the thing on the road.

And I don't drink coffee, it's not my 'cup of tea.' I prefer to get my caffeine from a dangerous cocktail of energy drinks and diet pills.:yociexp38:

[Linda]

God, I feel like I shloud be takin notes! Great work