4 ms·

Why is this so important to you? I, living in Europe and not owning a car, would be happy about higher gas prices (they are way higher in Europe than in the US

Why is this so important to you? I, living in Europe and not owning a car, would be happy about higher gas prices (they are way higher in Europe than in the US already). Because I hope this would help to reduce CO2 emissions.

whatshisface 8y ago
In the US, your office is 20 miles away from the nearest grocery store, and both are 20 miles away from your house. Driving is like walking and buying gas is a non-negotiable cost of living.
burfog 8y ago
Well, my van gets 11 MPG. I need this for a large family. (still fuel efficient due to number of people) BTW, some conversions for you: My van needs about 21.38 liters per 100 km. The fuel price is about 0.46 Euro/L, in some cases as low as 0.44 Euro/L. Low fuel cost is hugely important for the economy. High prices create a recession or depression. Fuel affects everything, and recently the price of oil dropped by 25%. Farm goods are affected by tractor fuel prices. Most plastic comes from oil. Our trains mostly run on diesel, so this can affect ticket prices. Normal planes require jet fuel, which is more of the same. Both exports and imports need bunker fuel for ships. Oil is even used to make roads and steel. So the prices show up everywhere. You might not personally buy any fuel, but the cost of it is in the price of everything you buy. I guess I can add: I'm thankful that I don't have to depend on non-redundant rail and unionized government workers for my transportation needs.
- Faaak 8y ago
  11 MPG ??? How old is your van ?
  - burfog 8y ago
    It's the 2011 model year. It's a real van, with 15 seats, so 11 MPG is pretty good. The engine: 5.4 L (330 cu in) SOHC 2V V8 It looks like this: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ford_E-Series_wagon.jpg https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ford_E-Series_wagon.jpg Oh, also: I'm thankful I got a chance to buy a 15-passenger van before they were all legislated out of production. I'm thankful mine hasn't failed yet.
    - ComputerGuru 8y ago
      I personally prefer the diesel models, they are more reliable. I've heard horror stories about the gasoline-powered E-series and Chevy Express models. I wasn't aware they're no longer in production? I just passed on a 2019 Chevy Express 15 passenger (see above). Also, loads of companies buy the base models from Ford and Chevy then outfit them with up to 15 seats and other amenities for use as passenger transport vans.
      - burfog 8y ago
        Oh maybe. Dodge ended production in June 2002. From the 2015 model year on, Ford won't do a passenger configuration. I thought the Chevy one was the Astro, which is discontinued. So yes, the 2019 Chevy Express 15 passenger van is at least theoretically available. The dealer locator can't find such a vehicle within 250 miles of me, which includes almost the entire state of Florida. It's unsurprising, because that would be a $250,000 liability for the seller if any subsequent buyer were to use the van for transporting school or daycare children. Nobody is crazy enough to sell these vans new in Florida. The liability can be avoided by leasing the van and then selling it used. Sure enough, used vans are available. They are white (or rarely black) with gasoline engines and cloth seats. They are all the 2017 model (coming off 2-year leases) with about 40,000 miles of usage. I dislike Chevy/GMC/Dodge/Chrysler vehicle controls, particularly the parking brake and the windshield wiper controls. Ford engines seem to work fine, gasoline included. I consider the Ford transmissions to be consumable parts like brake rotors, although so far mine is doing fine. The Chevy Express diesel engine is weak compared to the better gasoline engine, even for torque. Well, thank you for the info. So now: I'm thankful that these vehicles haven't gone entirely extinct.
        ComputerGuru 8y ago
        Oh, your comment makes me think that this might be a regional thing. Here in Illinois we have a special vehicle licensing program where non-commercial drivers (i.e. coaches, parents, teachers) may bus students (up to the 15-passenger limit) in these vans if the van is inspected at special safety inspection facilities every 6 months and displays that sticker on the windshield, so they're extremely popular with churches and small schools.

whatshisface 8y ago

In the US, your office is 20 miles away from the nearest grocery store, and both are 20 miles away from your house. Driving is like walking and buying gas is a non-negotiable cost of living.

burfog 8y ago

Well, my van gets 11 MPG. I need this for a large family. (still fuel efficient due to number of people) BTW, some conversions for you: My van needs about 21.38 liters per 100 km. The fuel price is about 0.46 Euro/L, in some cases as low as 0.44 Euro/L. Low fuel cost is hugely important for the economy. High prices create a recession or depression. Fuel affects everything, and recently the price of oil dropped by 25%. Farm goods are affected by tractor fuel prices. Most plastic comes from oil. Our trains mostly run on diesel, so this can affect ticket prices. Normal planes require jet fuel, which is more of the same. Both exports and imports need bunker fuel for ships. Oil is even used to make roads and steel. So the prices show up everywhere. You might not personally buy any fuel, but the cost of it is in the price of everything you buy. I guess I can add: I'm thankful that I don't have to depend on non-redundant rail and unionized government workers for my transportation needs.

Faaak 8y ago
11 MPG ??? How old is your van ?
- burfog 8y ago
  It's the 2011 model year. It's a real van, with 15 seats, so 11 MPG is pretty good. The engine: 5.4 L (330 cu in) SOHC 2V V8 It looks like this: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ford_E-Series_wagon.jpg https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ford_E-Series_wagon.jpg Oh, also: I'm thankful I got a chance to buy a 15-passenger van before they were all legislated out of production. I'm thankful mine hasn't failed yet.
  - ComputerGuru 8y ago
    I personally prefer the diesel models, they are more reliable. I've heard horror stories about the gasoline-powered E-series and Chevy Express models. I wasn't aware they're no longer in production? I just passed on a 2019 Chevy Express 15 passenger (see above). Also, loads of companies buy the base models from Ford and Chevy then outfit them with up to 15 seats and other amenities for use as passenger transport vans.
    - burfog 8y ago
      Oh maybe. Dodge ended production in June 2002. From the 2015 model year on, Ford won't do a passenger configuration. I thought the Chevy one was the Astro, which is discontinued. So yes, the 2019 Chevy Express 15 passenger van is at least theoretically available. The dealer locator can't find such a vehicle within 250 miles of me, which includes almost the entire state of Florida. It's unsurprising, because that would be a $250,000 liability for the seller if any subsequent buyer were to use the van for transporting school or daycare children. Nobody is crazy enough to sell these vans new in Florida. The liability can be avoided by leasing the van and then selling it used. Sure enough, used vans are available. They are white (or rarely black) with gasoline engines and cloth seats. They are all the 2017 model (coming off 2-year leases) with about 40,000 miles of usage. I dislike Chevy/GMC/Dodge/Chrysler vehicle controls, particularly the parking brake and the windshield wiper controls. Ford engines seem to work fine, gasoline included. I consider the Ford transmissions to be consumable parts like brake rotors, although so far mine is doing fine. The Chevy Express diesel engine is weak compared to the better gasoline engine, even for torque. Well, thank you for the info. So now: I'm thankful that these vehicles haven't gone entirely extinct.
      - ComputerGuru 8y ago
        Oh, your comment makes me think that this might be a regional thing. Here in Illinois we have a special vehicle licensing program where non-commercial drivers (i.e. coaches, parents, teachers) may bus students (up to the 15-passenger limit) in these vans if the van is inspected at special safety inspection facilities every 6 months and displays that sticker on the windshield, so they're extremely popular with churches and small schools.