Gas prices cross that imaginary line

[Courtesy Flush]

We've been told for years that gas is no more expensive now than it ever was... if you adjust for inflation. That was good news, since my pay is higher than the same job paid in 1975. It's easy to lose track of the adjusted prices.

But today I heard on NPR that the newest hikes have boosted the price to new highs, even after adjusting for inflation.

It's on its way to becoming an official problem.

[Left Is Write]

1. And it's been going up by 2 to 6 cents here nearly every day.

[NightWatcher]

2. Is it me, or does the price change everyday?

I thought that is used to change on Mon and Fri, but the stations near me change daily.

[Left Is Write]

7. It changes here every day or every other day.

When prices go up, they go up FAST - several cents every day or every other day for weeks. When they go down, they go down SLOWLY - one or two cents a week or less.

[AllegroRondo]

8. around here, they change daily

sometimes more than once a day.

the trend is usually that it will jump up by 10-15 cents, then slowly go down a penny or two a day. until the next jump up.

[hfojvt]

3. that's what I told Bartcop

that the lowest price gas I remember was 89.9 in 2000, which is lower than most other times, in real terms. But I lost an incredible amount of ground in 1986 when I quit my good paying job for the MIC.

[Reverend_Smitty]

6. I remember gas prices being under a dollar when I first got my license in early 2001

Bush was in office for less than 2 months and the world seemed like a better place than it is today. It's amazing how things can change in only 6 years

[carly denise pt deux]

4. 3.45 here in the northern plains

I only buy 20.00 at a time until the price goes back down, then I will fill up (if it ever happens again, that is)....I told the gas attendant I wanted 5.00 worth of gas....he said he would wash my windows first, then fart in my gas tank.
Carly

[Initech]

5. Gas prices are getting pretty fucking ridiculous.

I've spent $150 on gas in the last two weeks, and I have a small car that gets 30 MPG! What the fuck?

[Javaman]

9. Gas station price signs should be all digital now...

and have the total constantly counting up like the US deficit.

[catmandu57]

10. This is something even the densest can understand

Pain at the pump, I've been calling for a ________, but, everytime I mention it the thread gets deleted so I won't but I still think a ___________ is in order now delete this one.

[billyskank]

11. It's all fucked up

Like, the last time gas prices went sky-high, in the 70s, people reacted. The muscle cars and all the great big gas guzzlers disappeared, and people started driving smaller more economical cars. That was a rational response to the situation.

This time, people seem determined to pay no heed. Gas prices going through the roof? But cars keep on getting bigger and bigger. On this side of the Atlantic, too. The German car makers seem to be locked in an arms race to make the most powerful cars. What's going on?

[Rob H.]

12. I usually fill up on Thursday evenings where I live

because the price automatically jumps 10 cents a gallon by Friday morning. No reason that I can see, no warning, just BAM! up 10 cents. It stays there until the next Friday morning when it rises 10 cents higher still.

Edit: I agree with what billyskank said above, too. Gas prices are steadily rising, yet it seems that car manufacturers aren't responding to that at all. No shortage of shiny SUVs being released, though, that's for sure.