Gas Crisis

     It was October 1973 when the oil producing nations of the world enacted a reduction in oil production. This action shook the confidence of the west and prompted immediate changes in the consumption of fuel in the US. Odd and even days, (according to your plate) controlled gas purchases. No gas sales on Sunday. A reduction in the speed limit to 55 mph. The most serious result was a drastic change in the buying habits of the public.
     Big was out, small fuel efficient was in. With the drastic increase in fuel costs we find ourselves in much the same position as we did back in the mid-seventies. Last year most of us were happy motoring around in our SUV’s oblivious to the fact that we were floating on the bubble of cheap gas. This summer the proverbial sh*&t hit the fan. So now, like then, everyone is scrambling to dump the gas guzzler for a fuel efficient econo box.
     Some are willing to lose 10’s of thousands just to get out from under. Under what? How much gas can you buy for 10,000 dollars? Well approximately 7600 litres. The average driver travels 25,000 kms annually. The average SUV gets 12 litres per 100 km. I’ll do the math for you. 7600 litres will buy you over 60,000 kms of motoring down life’s highway. That’s over 2 years worth of driving. SUV’s have lost so much value that some manufactures have refused to lease them. In fact on a wholesale level their value has depreciated to the point, “it’s worth what someone is willing to pay” has become an industry catch phrase. Hang on. People still need to tow trailers. Families haven’t shrunk in size. Contractors still need to work. These vehicles are bargains. The average 2007 Cadillac escalade is selling for well under 40k. That’s the price of a well equipped Honda Accord. Now remember the Cadillac is an 80,000 dollar truck.
     The bottom; line don’t fall into the trap of rushing out and dump your ride. Keep it tuned and enjoy it. Fuel prices are relative to wages and the other costs of living in the big smoke and things have a way of evening out. In our shop the guy’s have cut down on their coffee intake. The average coffee run here is 15 dollars and we used to send out several times a day.