Why do we still sell gas-hog vehicles in a time of declining fuel availability?

Question

There is nowhere in America right now where a person can purchase a gallon of gasoline for less than 2.50, some places well over 3.00 and most places at roughly 2.79.

No matter what kind of car you drive, everyone pays the same for gasoline. That doesn't seem fair when fuel is such a pricey thing. It's a luxury to drive a fuel inefficient vehicle and it deserves a luxury tax (not the one-time fee when purchasing the vehicle).

Who is with me in thinking gas-inefficient vehicles need a yearly tax to cover their higher consumption? And would this be a good idea to pose to a politician?

In response to a few of the answers

It would encourage the sale of more gas efficient cars. This would in turn reduce the horrible effect on the environment.

People making ends meet are not driving SUV's. Poor people don't drive them. It is a luxury to drive one no matter how you look at it.

How does gas availablility and high gas prices not coincide? Conserving gas would reduce our dependency on the very shaky Middle East.

Sure it's an American right to own any car you choose, but to me, and to alot of other folks, it's a selfish and very typically an American way of thinking and living. To drive a gas hog and damn the consequences.

I loved the answer about sounding like a communist. If behaving in a manner where you're aware and actually care about the consequences of your behavior on others is a communist idea, then it's certainly not a bad idea. Another said I was being self-righteous. Yep. I drive a 35 mile per gallon car because I give a ****.

Answer 1

It is only partly the sellers of the gas-hogs that is to blame - they are making "deals of a lifetime" on some of the giant SUVs. The other part of the picture is those who actually buy them. Every time I see one pull up next to me I just shake my head. I cannot imagine spending so much on fuel. I drive a mid-size fuel efficient car. As long as fuel is plentiful, the big cars and trucks will stay on the road. Should there be a shortage and gas is rationed...my car will still be on the road. Will the gas-hogs?

..and I didn't mention auto manufacturers...when folks stop buying the big ones, the companies will stop making them and put even more effort into developing fuel efficient vehicles. So, it still comes down to the buyers...

Answer 2

Free enterprise. People buy what they want to buy. Where do you get off trying to tell others how to live their life. If they want to buy a car that gets 10 miles to a gallon, it is their right.

Any of your proposals violate free enterprise. What we need to do as a society is remove the 50 different blend requirements, lower gas taxes (which go up as the price goes up), drill for oil in America, and build new refineries (which a new one has not been built in 30 years). Doing this will allow free markets to take over. If you want to buy a hybrid, go ahead. All you do by adding taxes is make everything more expensive.

Did you know the government gets a lot more than the gas compaines for a gallon? Did you know that a gas station only makes a few cents a gallon on gas?

Answer 3

Even though we are paying high prices for gas, we are the lowest in the world.
The Big Three, I mean Two, Ford and GM, can't move fast. When Bill Ford took over Ford, they were $62 billion (not a misprint) in debt!! He couldn't believe it! The banks don't know what to do, so they carry Ford's loans. A very big bank can fail, check Donald Trump and Manufacturer's Hanover!
GM has billions in savings, but that is eroding fast. In a panic, they brought back 70 something Bob Lutz, a
big engine man from the 60-70 GTO school, and he wants big engines to make vehicles sexy, but no one can afford the gas at $60. a fillup and more.
Last year I saw an ordinary Ford 1/2 ton PU for $34,000, and I knew things had to fold, people can't afford that, and the trucks aren't worth that, and here we are.
I have been in the automobile business. It just is not working on the American side, and it does not look good.

Answer 4

First of, its kind of unconstitutional, dont you think?

Second, there is already a tax out there that taxes those with the more expensive, less efficient vehicles. It's called personal property tax.

Third, no where have I read has the high consumption of gas caused our feul prices to rise. Gas prices have been FAR behind inflation rates for many years, and was bound to happen at some point in time. Gas prices would be the same if we all drove around in Honda Civic's as they would Hummer's.


Oh and burrgump? If thats the way you feel, try moving to China...thats how they do things there. Freakin communist thinking there

Answer 5

What counts as "inefficient"? Less than 20 mpg? Less than 30? 40? Why should people be taxed on driving a good car? To put more into the government's wallet?

Answer 6

You are dead wrong. I drive an SUV and choose to live close to my center of activity (work, social circle, etc). I drive less than 800 miles a month and already pay premium real estate prices to live close to where I work.

I save on the miles, not on the mileage. If you want to get self-righteous and judgmental about it, you have to look at both sides of the issue.

And don't you think there's enough penalty in the base price of fuel? In California, we pay plenty of tax on it already.

Bottom line: your idea SUCKS!!!

Answer 7

Bad idea. We are never going to significantly reduce our fuel consumption and maintain a viable economy. Why not pressure our politicians to push legislation to fast track gasoline alternatives, rather than harassing the end consumers. Don't we pay enough taxes?

Answer 8

That is about as funny as trying to have obese people pay a luxury tax for food when they are millions of people starving in the world.

Answer 9

purely have been given pronounced as quickly as for a stupid reason, i grow to be going to attraction it, yet different solutions pronounced they only enable acceptable to sound honest. I propose perhaps it befell some situations, yet i think of they have been kidding. in simple terms circulate alongside with it, study the guiellines and words of provider in simple terms IN CASE, then delete your email speaking approximately it. all human beings gets pronounced each and every so often, and it;'s generally for stupid motives, if any.

Answer 10

I think the govermnment should step in and stop producing these gas hoggs my elf. They are a waste of space. Have fewer kids and you wouldn't need the big vehicles. Plus, most kids are brats anyway and most people don't know how to raise them so I say put a limit on how many kids a family has too other wise punish them with taxes out the wazzU!