$2 A Litre And Beyond

[Dagabond]

Cars Guide did a comparo this week on the difference of a tank of fuel over an average week for Australian motorists, about 385km's and a petrol price of $1.25 a litre (optomistic )

They used the manufacturers fuel consumption figures, the Holden Commodore V6 Exec Auto at $53.42 and the Falcon I6XT Auto at $52.46. Driving a smaller four cylinder Toyota Camry auto would save you $4.80-$5.80 depending on which car you traded in.

Not much of a difference if you enjoy the benifit of a large rear wheel drive car.

The far end of the scale dropping down to a Toyota Corolla you would expect to save $16.80 - $17.80 a week.

I said just prior to buying the Nado that I was thinking of buying a Pursuit and enjoying a last fling with a V8, I think I've now missed that oportunity but have saved on the hassle of trying to offload it in 3 years time...

Hybrids and Bio fuel are going to be the only way to go in the next few years as far as I can see.

That or a Vespa....can see it now 110 on the freeway, knees hangin out the side, back arched, little speed wobbles and bug's in the teeth....

[Ninka]

The simple answer - Just pay it!!

In several countries in Europe, I have seen $2 a litre 10 years ago, mainly due to government duties on energy.

One unfortunate side effect in some countries, where diesel is treated preferentially, is more small (read slow) diesel cars, with more air pollution as a result.

My 2c worth

←

The OIL giants and the government always raises this fact that in Europe they pay much much more than the rest of us. Well European countries have a different taxation system and different economies so it should never be compared, but it still does always come up in an attempt to make us all feel so much better about $1.40 a litre.

←

Yes, you are right, in Europe most people pay far more tax the we do here in Australia, either directly or indirectly

You will find that the cost of living is significantly higher in most European countries, as people pay a higher GST, higher consumption and energy taxes, and lastly, lots of environmental taxes, so even though I don't like high fuel costs, I don't think Australia have much to complain about

[Ninka]

The simple answer - Just pay it!!

In several countries in Europe, I have seen $2 a litre 10 years ago, mainly due to government duties on energy.

One unfortunate side effect in some countries, where diesel is treated preferentially, is more small (read slow) diesel cars, with more air pollution as a result.

My 2c worth

←

We should be paying less here for petrol then most europeans do... I have never understood why people say we have good because its cheaper here then in Europe... Is it really?? Having lived and driven here and in Europe I have noticed this.

Here: I have to drive longer distances to get anywhere, hence I have to buy more petrol... although the petrol is cheaper at the bowser, The money I end up spending weekly is not any less then I would in Finland where petrol is double to what we pay here.

If prices were to increase, we would, overall, be spending a lot more on fuel then Europeans

If we fall for the "yes but we pay less at the bowser then europeans do"... We will end up getting ripped blind

←

Well, blaim the politicians for the lack of planning in setting up a more de-centralised nation

We are being forced to travel further than many Europeans, due to the endless sprawl of our cities, forcing people to spend more time on the roads.

This is especially true here in Perth, where the developments north of the city just goes on and on, and more and more people are stuck in traffic on an over congested 'freeway' system

De-centralise the nation, make people travel less to go to work, and the cost of petrol would be less relevant Or is the media going to continue adding fuel to the collective hysteria about petrol prices

[jetute]

The simple answer - Just pay it!!

In several countries in Europe, I have seen $2 a litre 10 years ago, mainly due to government duties on energy.

One unfortunate side effect in some countries, where diesel is treated preferentially, is more small (read slow) diesel cars, with more air pollution as a result.

My 2c worth

←

The OIL giants and the government always raises this fact that in Europe they pay much much more than the rest of us. Well European countries have a different taxation system and different economies so it should never be compared, but it still does always come up in an attempt to make us all feel so much better about $1.40 a litre.

←

Yes, you are right, in Europe most people pay far more tax the we do here in Australia, either directly or indirectly

You will find that the cost of living is significantly higher in most European countries, as people pay a higher GST, higher consumption and energy taxes, and lastly, lots of environmental taxes, so even though I don't like high fuel costs, I don't think Australia have much to complain about

←

until you sstart looking at health, schooling, public transport etc... The higher taxes over there actually get used for these purposes... Schooling is paid for and funded by these taxes you mention... no need to pay bring your own lunch its supplied... books and materials etc... no need to pay for day care... its funded!!

lets look at maternity leave... 9 months on full pay, a furhter 6 months with minimla pay from the government... and that's for the mother.. The father... well he gets looked after too with minimal paid leave.

Public transport... mothers with young children travel for free.... students get travel at a ridiculously low rate..

Pension... evryone is entitled to it.... its not means tested... just because you have a house worth x amount doesnt mean you have to sell it to get the pension... you paid your taxes so your entitled to the pension.

health care... all funded

I dont mind paying higher taxes, even on fuel... but lets not get led blind... We deserve all the benefits as well.

The two systems cant be compared... not even on the surface... both have advantages... BTW... our highest tax bracket (48%) is about the highest n the world

[jetute]

The simple answer - Just pay it!!

In several countries in Europe, I have seen $2 a litre 10 years ago, mainly due to government duties on energy.

One unfortunate side effect in some countries, where diesel is treated preferentially, is more small (read slow) diesel cars, with more air pollution as a result.

My 2c worth

←

We should be paying less here for petrol then most europeans do... I have never understood why people say we have good because its cheaper here then in Europe... Is it really?? Having lived and driven here and in Europe I have noticed this.

Here: I have to drive longer distances to get anywhere, hence I have to buy more petrol... although the petrol is cheaper at the bowser, The money I end up spending weekly is not any less then I would in Finland where petrol is double to what we pay here.

If prices were to increase, we would, overall, be spending a lot more on fuel then Europeans

If we fall for the "yes but we pay less at the bowser then europeans do"... We will end up getting ripped blind

←

Well, blaim the politicians for the lack of planning in setting up a more de-centralised nation

We are being forced to travel further than many Europeans, due to the endless sprawl of our cities, forcing people to spend more time on the roads.

This is especially true here in Perth, where the developments north of the city just goes on and on, and more and more people are stuck in traffic on an over congested 'freeway' system

De-centralise the nation, make people travel less to go to work, and the cost of petrol would be less relevant Or is the media going to continue adding fuel to the collective hysteria about petrol prices

←

True... our cities are 1000+km apart...in Europe you can drive 400km and pass through 4 major cities

[Ninka]

The simple answer - Just pay it!!

In several countries in Europe, I have seen $2 a litre 10 years ago, mainly due to government duties on energy.

One unfortunate side effect in some countries, where diesel is treated preferentially, is more small (read slow) diesel cars, with more air pollution as a result.

My 2c worth

←

The OIL giants and the government always raises this fact that in Europe they pay much much more than the rest of us. Well European countries have a different taxation system and different economies so it should never be compared, but it still does always come up in an attempt to make us all feel so much better about $1.40 a litre.

←

Yes, you are right, in Europe most people pay far more tax the we do here in Australia, either directly or indirectly

You will find that the cost of living is significantly higher in most European countries, as people pay a higher GST, higher consumption and energy taxes, and lastly, lots of environmental taxes, so even though I don't like high fuel costs, I don't think Australia have much to complain about

←

until you sstart looking at health, schooling, public transport etc... The higher taxes over there actually get used for these purposes... Schooling is paid for and funded by these taxes you mention... no need to pay bring your own lunch its supplied... books and materials etc... no need to pay for day care... its funded!!

lets look at maternity leave... 9 months on full pay, a furhter 6 months with minimla pay from the government... and that's for the mother.. The father... well he gets looked after too with minimal paid leave.

Public transport... mothers with young children travel for free.... students get travel at a ridiculously low rate..

Pension... evryone is entitled to it.... its not means tested... just because you have a house worth x amount doesnt mean you have to sell it to get the pension... you paid your taxes so your entitled to the pension.

health care... all funded

I dont mind paying higher taxes, even on fuel... but lets not get led blind... We deserve all the benefits as well.

The two systems cant be compared... not even on the surface... both have advantages... BTW... our highest tax bracket (48%) is about the highest n the world

←

Some of your points are definitely valid, and I don't really think an in-depth discussion on the various differences between Australia and the rest of the world will lead us anywhere, so let's finish that discussion here

I can tell you however, that 48% is nowhere near the highest tax rate in the world, as several scandinavian countries pay more than that, they just hide it by calling it something else, but it is income tax, no matter how you look at it.

In Denmark where I am originally from, we paid 67% effective top tax rate when I left 10 years ago, so talk about dis-incentive to making an effort

One final note here - Australians have access to relatively cheap locally produced large cars, providing safe and comfortable vehicles for us to traverse this huge nation of ours, so at least that softens the impact of high fuel prices a bit, when we don't need to spend huge $$ on our new cars. Look at the XR6T, where else do you get this performance and quality for $46k

[jetute]

The simple answer - Just pay it!!

In several countries in Europe, I have seen $2 a litre 10 years ago, mainly due to government duties on energy.

One unfortunate side effect in some countries, where diesel is treated preferentially, is more small (read slow) diesel cars, with more air pollution as a result.

My 2c worth

←

The OIL giants and the government always raises this fact that in Europe they pay much much more than the rest of us. Well European countries have a different taxation system and different economies so it should never be compared, but it still does always come up in an attempt to make us all feel so much better about $1.40 a litre.

←

Yes, you are right, in Europe most people pay far more tax the we do here in Australia, either directly or indirectly

You will find that the cost of living is significantly higher in most European countries, as people pay a higher GST, higher consumption and energy taxes, and lastly, lots of environmental taxes, so even though I don't like high fuel costs, I don't think Australia have much to complain about

←

until you sstart looking at health, schooling, public transport etc... The higher taxes over there actually get used for these purposes... Schooling is paid for and funded by these taxes you mention... no need to pay bring your own lunch its supplied... books and materials etc... no need to pay for day care... its funded!!

lets look at maternity leave... 9 months on full pay, a furhter 6 months with minimla pay from the government... and that's for the mother.. The father... well he gets looked after too with minimal paid leave.

Public transport... mothers with young children travel for free.... students get travel at a ridiculously low rate..

Pension... evryone is entitled to it.... its not means tested... just because you have a house worth x amount doesnt mean you have to sell it to get the pension... you paid your taxes so your entitled to the pension.

health care... all funded

I dont mind paying higher taxes, even on fuel... but lets not get led blind... We deserve all the benefits as well.

The two systems cant be compared... not even on the surface... both have advantages... BTW... our highest tax bracket (48%) is about the highest n the world

←

discussion on the various differences between Australia and the rest of the world will lead us anywhere, so let's finish that discussion here

One final note here - Australians have access to relatively cheap locally produced large cars, providing safe and comfortable vehicles for us to traverse this huge nation of ours, so at least that softens the impact of high fuel prices a bit, when we don't need to spend huge $$ on our new cars. Look at the XR6T, where else do you get this performance and quality for $46k

←

Agreed, coming from Finland I have a lot of Danish and Swedish friends and I understand where your coming from.

On a final note, yes cars here are cheaper.... but when the EU came about, importing cars from germany is not out of the question. making cars cheaper again This was not an option 10 years ago when you left

I personally believe that $2 would be ludicrous, but that's just my personal belief... If some are happy to pay that, so be it.

[PozzE]

I'm not saying the following applies to anyone here...

But I'm so sick of hearing about people b**ch about the price of petrol. Think about it, an 8c rise in petrol for a 60L tank is less than 5 bucks.

If you can't afford a $5 extra rise in your living expenes then you are living way too close to the line, and clearly you've got bigger problems.

I just laugh now when the guy in front of me paying at the servo has a whinge about how little pertol he gets now for $20 and how its soo bloody hard for battlers, then buys a carton of smokes as well. Priorities.

I've probably stirred up some by saying that, but its what I think.

[cobrav8]

I kind of agree - $5 here and there - who cares?

But - when it comes to say $2.50 a litre - and it was half that a year ago - if you are using a tank a week (like me) - then say an extra $70 per week is definately noticeable.

Also - you must consider that everything you buy includes a cost of transportation, and things like airfares will shoot up as well, so your cornflakes will cost more, your toilet paper, your trip to Fiji.

Kind of pointless to winge about it though.

[PozzE]

Also - you must consider that everything you buy includes a cost of transportation, and things like airfares will shoot up as well, so your cornflakes will cost more, your toilet paper, your trip to Fiji.

←

Good point...