I think that the faster the gas prices rise the faster people will change their minds about suvs and driving?

Question

as well as the amount they drive and how far.

because nothing changes people's minds faster than this. so the more gas goes up (upto $10 they say by next year) the more people will get the message.

Answer 1

If gas hits $10 anytime soon it will be the end of our society as we know it.  Say Good-Bye to flying anywhere, unless you are super rich, say Good-Bye to unemployment benefits, because too many people will be unemployed, say Good-Bye to McDonald's Dollar Menu, because the cost to get the food to the store will be too expensive.

People are already trading in their SUVs and trucks for smaller fuel efficient cars.  If your car doesn't get 30 mpg now, it is a great time to buy a car, with dealerships doing anything to get customers in cars.

Some people can't help where they drive, I drive 80 miles a day for work.  Can't take a bus that far, can't bike that far, so I wish I could do something.  Many people are the same way, and all live 10 miles or more from other people they work with so carpooling is not an option.

But something is going to happen.  At $4/gallon now, something is gonna break.  People are already using their credit cards now to pay for gas, soon the bills will be due and the money won't be there to pay.

Just like the housing market, the bubble is going to break somehow.  The price of gas is reflecting the stock price, which doesn't make sense.  If someone invests into Mcdonald's and the stock price goes up do they raise the price of a double-cheeseburger to $1.10?  Or $2?  No they just build more stores.

We have to drill here in the states until we find an alternate fuel source.  Even if we found a miracle fuel source and built a car tomorrow that runs on cheap fuel, hundreds of millions of people won't be able to buy a new car and will still be running on gasoline.  Therefore the only solution is to invest in BOTH alternate fuels, and drilling in more places to bring the price of fuel down to a normal affordable level.  $4 is NOT affordable.  I drive a 30-35 mpg car and I can barely afford it now.

Answer 2

It's already happening. People are already trading in their SUV's for small cars like Civics and Corollas. Many people are not driving as much anymore, instead they try and take the bus or walk or bike. Many are carpooling to work, i see a lot less cars on the freeway in the regular lanes and more cars in the carpool lane(s) packed full of 5 people going to work all dressed up.

Dealers are already feeling it, SUV's aren't selling anywhere close to how they used to sell. I believe the F150 was actually knocked off the top of "best selling" list this year too. Consumers are feeling the expensive gas prices and SUV's and large trucks are just not in demand anymore. I see dealers trynna clear them out already.

$10 a gallon though, that wont happen. Not by next year at least. The difference between this years gas prices and last years at the same time is bout $1-1.50, gas isn't gonna jump another $4-5 in the next year. There will be a ridiculous decrease in the demand of gas before it ever hits $10 a gallon, when gas officially hits $5 nationwide, people are gonna definitely start looking for other ways or at least more efficient ways to get around.

I'm good until gas hits $6, thats the point where i will no longer drive to places i don't have to drive too. If it hits $6 a gallon i'll take the bus or walk around and use the car only when i absolutely have too. At that point I'm sure i'd be sitting with many others on the bus who feel the same way too.

Answer 3

Some people can care less about gas and some people need bigger vechicle weather they have lot of kids or they need it for work .  Me personally I don't care about gas prices  I like have a big v8 with lots of power so I'm willing to pay what ever cause I love my car> If gas was $30 a gallon I still wouldn't drive a g*y *** small car.