An Inconvenient Truth: Car Enthusiasts are Experiencing a PERFECT STORM - And It SUCKS!!!

It really doesn't matter what your favorite car or make of car is, the fact is cars and trucks produced today are better than anything produced in the past.  Foreign or Domestic the choices are endless, and finding that perfect car to fit your personality and style is easier than ever.  There really is a car or truck perfect for just about every auto enthusiast out there, granted the "perfect" car may be one that you can't afford yet, but it is out there.

I was driving on the freeway today when a Yellow Lamborghini Gallardo went blasting by.  I joked to my wife that the Gallardo is going to be my next car.  Of course at the moment I can give you about 200,000 reasons why it won't be my next ride, but there is a car that certainly fits my personality and style.

And therein lies the problem.  It is almost as if a perfect storm is upon us.  Cars and trucks are better than ever, the options and choices are immense, but the ability to enjoy them is becoming harder and harder as gas goes higher and higher.

Lets suppose for a moment you are an avid Domestic fan, you have the just released Dodge Challenger SRT-8, Chevrolet Corvette Z06 and the upcoming ZR1, the Cadillac CTS-V and someday the elusive Camaro.




For the Japanese fans the Lexus IS-f, and with rumors of the Acura NSX and Lexus LF-A, anticipation runs high as new models are brought to market.



The Germans have been bringing more powerful cars to the US for years and this year is no exception.  Be it the Mercedes-Benz SL65 Black Series or any of the other AMG tuned Mercedes, or the M-Cars of BMW or the S-Cars of Audi.  Those wanting a fast car with a powerful engine need look no further, and if it is a V8 you want, both the 6.2 from Mercedes and the just released 4.0 from BMW are phenomenal engines.


And this is the problem.  A "Perfect Storm" of sorts.  Cars that make enthusiasts salivate, and yet with the price of gas going higher almost daily, the appeal of these elite cars may start to lose their appeal and more economical options are sought.

Or will they?  I for one have never really paid attention to either gas mileage or the price of gas, I saw it as a necessary evil needed to keep the car moving, but during the past few months I find myself seeking out the cheaper stations.  The truth is if you can afford to buy one of these cars, common sense says you can probably afford the gas for it as well, but with the price rising with no end in sight, will that affect your purchasing decision?

The Spies want to know, the cars are better than ever with some incredible choices available, but will gas prices keep you from purchasing one?

delan - 7/13/2008 12:48:27 AM

+9 Boost

If I had upwards of 100k to plop down on a depreciating entity, spending the extra $5-10 per fill up would be the least of my worries.

CLK63BlackSeries - 7/13/2008 12:50:13 AM

-1 Boost

When the gas required to keep your car on the road costs more than it does for you to have that car in your garage, then it's a problem. For example, there are many people that can afford a C63 from mercedes, but when you factor gas into the equation (which will cost 500+ dollars a month) that $1200 a month turns into 1700 and the car is close to, if not completely, out of reach. And for those that want to drive a Hummer, forget about the notion altogether unless you can afford to drive a car thats double that price, since that's what gas will raise your monthly fee for running the behemoth to.

enthusiastx11 - 7/13/2008 11:10:00 AM

+1 Boost

net/net: the people you're talking about can't really afford the car in the first place.

i drive a mere 335i right now and i have to be honest...i really don't care if gas goes up another $2. it won't change what i drive or my lead foot on the gas.

CLK63BlackSeries - 7/13/2008 2:24:28 PM

+1 Boost

Well there ARE people who stretch the dollar and drive the best and most expensive car that they possibly can. You dont have to be filthy rich to have a nice car. If a 335 really is chump change to you, then you are probably being extremely conservative when purchasing your cars. I mean yeah, these people can go out and get a c350 and not complain about gas, but then what would be the fun in that?

CLK63BlackSeries - 7/13/2008 2:25:17 PM

+1 Boost

...Some people dont want to settle for mediocrity, and they will do anything in their reach to escape it...

enthusiastx11 - 7/13/2008 4:53:04 PM

+2 Boost

i LOVE cars. but i won't spend an amount on a car that i can't easily pay. so, yes, i am conservative in my spending.

CLK63BlackSeries - 7/13/2008 10:30:01 PM

+2 Boost

Fair enough. I am just saying that these gas prices are crushing the automotive dreams of too many people.

gooch - 7/14/2008 9:17:57 AM

0 Boost

I'm with enthusiastx11. I know gas is more expensive now, but is it expensive enough to make me not dip into the throttle to hear that sweet straight six snarl as it runs the 325i up to 105 or 110? Errr... no.
Let's let that baby rip once more! And again! Again!

SHOWTIME - 7/14/2008 11:07:30 AM

+2 Boost

CLK63, what you're saying is 100% true! I dunno why you're even geting any negative boosts.

CLK63BlackSeries - 7/14/2008 11:46:05 AM

+1 Boost

Thank you. At least someone sees that there is a problem here. It's people like this that are part of the reason why gas is so high.

wedouglas - 7/13/2008 2:03:37 AM

+6 Boost

If you are driving a six figure car, gas doesn't even matter. I fill up the R8 weekly for about $100 each time. $400 a month in gas v.s. $200 that it would have cost me a year or two ago. Big deal.

If you are really feeling the pain at the pump with $4/gal as opposed to $2/gal, you have overextended your finances in the first place. An extra $200/month should not break the bank. If it does, you really need to a financial planner.

PrancingHorse - 7/13/2008 3:14:02 AM

-1 Boost

Even if gas goes to $10 a gallon i would still buy the performance car i wanted rather than a beater because driving has allways been a stress reliever and a journey rather than getting from point A to B.Having lived in England and now Cali gas is allways peoples excuse for not driving what they want.
Currently my 08 M3 has to be filled up every 2 days because of a lead foot and small gas tank.

truckmen - 7/13/2008 4:11:54 AM

+3 Boost

If you can afford a car worth that much I think the price of gas is of no concern. Although the 1968 Ford 427 Shelby Super Cobra jet is still better than most contemporary super cars. Of course the crash standards are better and the interior is more refined. And the old trucks you could take them hunting without worrying about damaging it.

PrancingHorse - 7/13/2008 6:36:54 AM

+4 Boost

And exactly how are you going to power the plants that provide the electricity for your electric car to recharge.Cost per use of gasoline vs electric is 4 to 1,do understand what its going to cost to recharge your car overnight.Look at your PG&E bill tell me you can plug in 2-3 cars everynight and not go broke.
And until fuel cell tech cannot provide a better return dream on.

lewishamiltonpimp - 7/13/2008 10:00:13 AM

+3 Boost

Absolutely. This is NEVER discussed by the plug-in electric car gang. 80% of the US electricity generation is by coal and oil. Fossil fuels. I have an average 3000 sq ft house with a pool and a hot tub and my gas and electric bill is north of $500 per month in the summer. Imagine plugging in a few hundred KWh of batteries every evening. Nice carbon footprint there.

Fuel cells!

jackson63 - 7/13/2008 10:04:37 AM

+3 Boost

I think Americans have a clue on what quality of life is.The problem is our government takes care of other countries and foreigners in the USA before they take care of own.

t_bone - 7/13/2008 10:41:51 AM

+3 Boost

The electricity cost is $.01-.03/mile for the Tesla. The one-penny rate assumes a special subsidized PG&E nighttime rate; the 3-cent rate is at $0.12/kW-h.

For comparison, a 30 MPG gas car @ $4/gallon would be $.13/mile.

Back to the Tesla’s monthly cost, let’s look at a 25-mile (each way) distance for the commute. 25 x 10 = 250 miles/week. Add 100 miles for the weekend, we are at 350 miles/week. 350 x 4 = 1,400 miles/month.

1,400 x $.03 = $42.00/month added to your electricity bill. Or $14/month if you charge overnight with PG&E subsidized rate.

lewishamiltonpimp - 7/13/2008 11:42:05 AM

+1 Boost

So what is to stop me plugging in my washer/dryer, running my AC at full whack during the night time hours? Is PGE going to install a separate meter? Does the plug in car have a special receptacle with a power company seal? There is no way any power company is going to sell a KWh of power for three cents (likely below cost) without some kind of costly security. As an electrical engineer, I can't see how that will work. Explain it to me.

truckmen - 7/13/2008 1:16:54 PM

+1 Boost

Bimmerfan I am with you, although I will miss the growl from my 2007 civic when I accelerate! LOL There is a eco guy in California that is off grid that powers his electric car from his solar panels, so we don't need the electric companies at all! He drives almost free!

DRW1974 - 7/13/2008 9:10:44 AM

+1 Boost

In my opinion and granted it's my opinion, it all comes down to what you can afford these days as it always has in the past. that 20 to 30 percent that live in the upper financial area of $250,000.00+ a year probably don't feel the pain at the pump like so many others do including myself. I have an explorer and a 05 G35 coup, and let me say that because one requires premium fuel it doesn't get driven as of much lately, here in Houston gas in some areas has not reached $4 dollars yet but its only a matter of time, now I'm not near $250,000 but I'm not hurting much either but I've had to make changes in my driving habits to conserve fuel no more joy rides on the weekend. I think if everyone made that kind of money ten everyone would buy what they really wanted regardless of gas price but reality dictates that in these day you buy or drive what you can afford to fill up.

bitschaser - 7/13/2008 9:38:19 AM

0 Boost

Even at $4.50 a gallon, gas is so much less expensive in the U.S. compared to Europe and I don't really give too much thought to fuel consumption when choosing a new car. However, yesterday I found myself leaning towards the Lexus IS-F as opposed to the M3 or C63 for my next car because it doesn't have a gas guzzler tax (and the horribly cheap interior of the C63). It's not the extra few mpg advantage, but the $2,100 tax cost that sways me.

Bill - 7/13/2008 11:28:51 AM

+1 Boost

If you think the C63 AMG interior is "cheap", then what are you doing looking at the Lexus IS-F? All cars here literally use the same quality plastics, with the big difference in this case being that the IS-F center console is colored in silver and not matt black like that of the C63 AMG.

bitschaser - 7/13/2008 2:06:07 PM

0 Boost

I agree the center console of both leaves something to be desired, but I sat in the C63 and thought the entire dashboard looked like the same materials I had in my 1995 Honda Civic ten years ago. That does explain, though, why a 451hp Mercedes 'only' costs $60k. I just wish they cost $65 and had better interiors. For similar performance and quality interior you're looking at $90k worth of Carerra S.

Bill - 7/13/2008 3:00:33 PM

-1 Boost

The interior of the current C-Class is perfectly fine. My wife drives an '08 C350 Sport and I find the interior to be perfectly acceptable for an expensive premium sedan. It's well built and the material alignment all look top notch.

There's a big difference between a cheap interior and a spartan / boring interior. The C-Class interior is far from cheap, but design wise it might be a bit on the boring side.

85bmw745i - 7/15/2008 4:57:25 AM

+1 Boost

What I don't get is the gas guzzler tax, yet you can go get a 9mpg hummer h2 and not pay any tax. these SUV's should be taxed unless their capabilities are being put to use. I admit I drive a gas guzzler, and I get about 15-16 mpg in my land rover, but I need its capabilities, especially it's offroad capabilities when I have to rescue those American trucks with lifts and mud tires, getting stuck spinning one front tire and one back tire, and here comes the rover all stock on street tires pulling them out. So I use my SUV.

enthusiastx11 - 7/13/2008 11:08:04 AM

+2 Boost

rather silly thread here.

if you're spending $75,000, $150,000 or even more on a car, why would an extra couple thousand dollars a year on gas matter? seriously...

the only reason i can think of is that you're driving a car you really can't afford in the first place.

SteedPub - 7/13/2008 1:27:57 PM

+4 Boost

Things are all relative.

I only became disenchanted with my Hummer H2 when the monthly gas expense of $1000 exceeded the monthly payment of $900. The novelty wore off - and that was when gas was still $3.00 a gallon.

I could still afford it no problem, that wasn't it. It was the principle of the thing.

That said, most of the cars listed in this article are second cars. That is, cars that are not likely to be daily drivers. Thus, their gas costs relative to their owners is not likely any more an issue than it is for a ski-boat.

truckmen - 7/14/2008 4:11:13 AM

+1 Boost

My 2007 civic costs me $550. a month approximately the same as my monthly gas bill.

MercedesBenz00Z - 7/13/2008 4:26:36 PM

-2 Boost

me too.