Moaning About Petrol Prices Again

[numbnuts]

I think I'm the odd one out for I would like cheaper petrol

 

[Glover Fan]

If fuel duty and / or tax is reduced how do you suggest we make up the shortfall in revenue?

I'm not suggesting they reduce it, but at least have the balls to incorporate the progressive tax under one tax umbrella.

Fuel prices don't affect me as all my costs are covered by my business. So this isn't a selfish rant.

As for taxes, I personally think fatty indulgent foods should be taxed heavily to reflect the burden obese people put on the NHS and all other taxpayers. It worked for cigarettes, same principle. But that is another thread and most people disagree with me.

 

[sunnyjim]

I'm not suggesting they reduce it, but at least have the balls to incorporate the progressive tax under one tax umbrella.

Fuel prices don't affect me as all my costs are covered by my business. So this isn't a selfish rant.

As for taxes, I personally think fatty indulgent foods should be taxed heavily to reflect the burden obese people put on the NHS and all other taxpayers. It worked for cigarettes, same principle. But that is another thread and most people disagree with me.

Unless for private use, when you should be paying tax on the benfit.

 

[XmisterIS]

I've got a friend (in the loosest sense, as I frequently dislike him) who drives a ridiculous car. A Subaru of some sort.
He's spent a lot of money getting it to 300bhp!!

He also frequently moans about petrol prices.

Every time he does, I suggest getting a more economical car, or at least driving more economically rather than thrashing it like he's at Brands Hatch.

People whinge about the price of petrol, but do nothing to actually use less of it.

Or you could suggest to him that he gets a motorbike! I'm pretty sure that my bike will out-accelerate a 300bhp subaru (the bike has a greater power-to-weight ratio), and it will do it while consuming as much petrol as a toyota yaris, plus the bike slips nicely down the side of traffic jams (past the subaru). It's a no-brainer really ...

 

[Dan B]

According to the Evening Standard, "Millions of motorists are in "fuel poverty" because of huge taxes charged at the forecourt, the MP leading a rebellion in the Commons said today. Robert Halfon said families were being "crucified" by sky-high petrol prices."

I paid upwards of £40 to fill the tank of my wife's small car on Sunday. I'd be quite happy had it cost substantially less, but I am reasonably sure nonetheless that having nails driven through my wrists and then being suspended to die of eventual dehydration would still have been considerably more painful

 

[Glover Fan]

Unless for private use, when you should be paying tax on the benfit.

Which I do. The price of fuel does not influence private fuel benefit.

 

[Piemaster]

Or you could suggest to him that he gets a motorbike! I'm pretty sure that my bike will out-accelerate a 300bhp subaru (the bike has a greater power-to-weight ratio), and it will do it while consuming as much petrol as a toyota yaris, plus the bike slips nicely down the side of traffic jams (past the subaru). It's a no-brainer really ...

Having read something rcently about motorcycle economy, that modern sports bikes aren't actually much better than a 50's Norton Commando, I've just had a quick google and found this, which seems to bear it out. I'm not really that impressed with the figures quoted TBH and would expect something similar from a small car.
Now I know there are scooters and the like which barely use any fuel at all, but while manufacturers are more than happy to quote power/lightweight and performance figures for sportsbikes none of them seem to be very big on economy figures.

 

[007fair]

what people get annoyed about is the change in price As someone said to ferry 4 people about the country isn't too expensive in real terms But if you budget £30 for fuel a week and this goes to £35 then £40 .. you are going to be pissed off. Then you see the fuel companies making huge profits .. then you look at the amount of tax you pay on fuel and compare it to other countries... then you write to your MP !

I think people should walk / cycle more. But - dare I say it! - women (in general) just don't want to. Too many issues with shoes, hair, make up, showers etc This goes for some guys too of course!

 

[dellzeqq]

as the estimable Jonesy always says - the size of cars suggests that petrol is too cheap

 

[threebikesmcginty]

I'm gonna rev my Hummer like a mutha!

 

[mickle]

If fuel is so expensive why do so many muppets still insist on leaving their engines running?

 

[GrumpyGregry]

so many cars with three seats empty......

 

[XmisterIS]

Having read something rcently about motorcycle economy, that modern sports bikes aren't actually much better than a 50's Norton Commando, I've just had a quick google and found this, which seems to bear it out. I'm not really that impressed with the figures quoted TBH and would expect something similar from a small car.
Now I know there are scooters and the like which barely use any fuel at all, but while manufacturers are more than happy to quote power/lightweight and performance figures for sportsbikes none of them seem to be very big on economy figures.

Well, that's exactly my point!!!! I get the performance of a top-end sports car for the fuel economy of a granny car and I don't get stuck in traffic jams! And I don't have a sports bike ... they do just drink petrol.

 

[MrGrumpy]

The fundamental point is that fuel isn't expensive. I did a 400-mile round trip this weekend, which cost me a little over £40 in diesel. So that's £14 for each of the three of us to travel 400 miles. Obviously, if I had an uneconomical car it would cost more...maybe that's where the moaners are going wrong.

You must have a reasonable economical diesel to get that, my diesel would cost a bit more but then I need a bigger car due to larger family etc. However fuel prices are definitely having an effect on the economy in some small ways. Food prices have shot up, in fact most good have gone up and price. Also the number of people who have now ditched second cars has increased just in my area alone. Some will say that for the greater good thats a good thing and I'd agree to a point, however longer term I think its going to be detrimental unless the public transport becomes cheaper and more suited to a working population in the 21st century! I encourage cycling alot and would rather cycle than drive but the flip side is that without car transport we would struggle !

 

[Paulus]

Well, that's exactly my point!!!! I get the performance of a top-end sports car for the fuel economy of a granny car and I don't get stuck in traffic jams! And I don't have a sports bike ... they do just drink petrol.

Whilst my CB500 is not a sports bike by any stretch of anyones imagination, I get around 80 miles a gallon from my bike. I don't ride it hard but commute on it most days, cycling the others. One tank of petrol, 16 litres does me for 8 days commuting or 250 miles a tank.