Posted by Susan Fischer on 4/27/08 2:17pm
Msg #245291

Tweaking the Fuel Budget - again

Looking again at another way to calculate the cost of driving, I return to Miles per Dollar.

First, as an example, here are the actual figures since Feb 29:

Mileage report.

Sea level, Hwy 101, Central Oregon Coast. Mostly two lane, some passing spaces. Lots of s l o w motorhoming tourists. Frequent long hills, curvy river roads. Small towns, few lights. About a hundred smiles to the mile.

Chevron Premium (highest octane here is 91)

99% auto, sometimes shifting because I get nervous when the tach is below 2000.

Picked her up on 02/29/08, and she came with a full belly, 28 miles on odo.

03/05/08 ..Trip......7.287 gals ...39.247 mpg.....286 mi..$3.599..$26.23 Cost to fill up
03/11/08 ..248.1 ...6.531 .........37.98 ..............534 .....3.659....23.90
03/13/08 ..266.9 ...6.791 .........39.30 ..............801 .....3.649....24.78
03/20/08 ..259.5 ...7.346 .........35.32 ............1061 .....3.679....27.03
03/24/08 ..284.0....7.185 .........39.52 ............1345 .....3.619....26.00
04/02/08 ..250.7 ...6.790 .........36.92 ............1596 .....3.679....24.98
04/10/08 ..272.6 ...7.037 .........38.73 ............1868 .....3.819....26.87
04/11/08 ..297.7 ...7.296 .........40.80 ............2166 .....3.699....26.99
04/18/08 ..241.2 ...6.635 .........37.00 ............2412 .....3.739....24.81
04/23/08 ..232.1 ...5.726 .........40.53 ............2644 .....3.799....21.75
04/25/08 ..224.6 ...5.643 .........39.80 ............2869 .....3.859....21.78

(If the spacing doesn't post right, I'll have a booboo face)

So, I can look and see that when I go up to Tillamook, down to Waldport, more mountains, worse mileage (36-38) and more local, fewer hills, better.

So, in DOLLARS per MILE: <drumroll>

At cost per gal: $3.86
MPG: 39.8
MP$ 10.31 MILES PER DOLLAR

( For MP$ calculator: http://www.unfocusedbrain.com/projec...es_per_dollar/ and
http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothrea...int&id=3675662 )


This formula, of course, calculates fuel only, and changes with the price per gallon, which, changes almost daily here. It's a great way to see exactly how many miles I can drive on a buck's worth of gas.

It's important to look at because when lowballers are driving, say, 60 miles RT for a meager fee, at 25 mpg at $3.50/gal, you get 7.14 miles per dollar, or $8.40 in gas alone.

As an aside, the last figure (some time ago) for the average all-inclusive actual cost per mile was 52 cents. If a notary drives 60 miles for $50, using that figure, the cost is just over $30 to drive that 60 miles. "Volune" be damned, that notary is going to go bust making $20 or less per signing.

Something to think about.

Reply by Susan Axelrod on 4/27/08 2:24pm
Msg #245292

Re: So are you biking it to the client's house?

Gas prices are crazy, no doubt. Gased up yesteday, 75 bucks to fillup the MOTHER LODE.....

Reply by Susan Fischer on 4/27/08 2:51pm
Msg #245296

Hi Susan! Did you calculate your MP$? How many mile

posts markers does it take to spend $1 in your rig?

Puts a whole new light on it, doesn't it?

My little smartcar holds 8.7 gallons. I can drive over 300 miles on a tank. At $3.90/gal, I go 10 miles for a buck with avg 38 mpg.

Me? On a bike? Oh, you kidder, you.

Reply by LkArrowhd/CA on 4/27/08 3:34pm
Msg #245300

Re: Hi Susan! Did you calculate your MP$? How many mile

Susan I'd be embarrassed to share with you what I drive.......so at this point I just suck it up and enjoy the ride, after all that's what I bought the MOTHER LODE for, a treat to myself. I knew gas prices would go up and down during the time I owned it.
Such is life.......

Reply by Susan Fischer on 4/27/08 3:54pm
Msg #245303

Didn't mean to put you on the spot...you certainly have

earned every single square inch of your Mother Lode, and that it brings you such joy is exactly the point. In today's world, joy is increasingly harder to find...may yours be many.

My original point was to clue the lowballers in on their folly. Yammering about 'volume' is so pointless, since the higher the volume, the more miles driven, which, obviously results in the opposite of diminishing driving costs.

Long may you ride, Susan, and in grand style to boot.

Reply by Susan Axelrod on 4/27/08 3:59pm
Msg #245304

Re: Didn't mean to put you on the spot...you certainly have

Susan I totally get your point....LOL
And it's a point will taken, I cry each time I gas up.

Reply by JanetK_CA on 4/27/08 6:29pm
Msg #245314

That's some pretty good mileage! Do you mind sharing what you drive?

Reply by LkArrowhd/CA on 4/27/08 6:33pm
Msg #245315

she did, the "SMARTCAR" n/m

Reply by JanetK_CA on 4/27/08 6:51pm
Msg #245317

Missed it. Thanks! n/m

Reply by Susan Fischer on 4/27/08 7:09pm
Msg #245318

It's a smart fortwo. New to US market, been in Europe and Canada for about 10-11 years. A product of Daimler Benz, it's a 3 cylinder, 70 HP, automatic and stick (with paddles on the steering wheel.) I got the passion cabrilolet (convertible), and it is soooo much fun, and pretty good on gas too. Plenty of zip, and tons of creature comforts. A lot roomier on the inside than it appears to have. And the top goes back with the touch of a button, on the fly, which, in Oregon, is handy for the intermittent rain/sun/rain/sun weather. Oil changes every 10,000 mi.

I tried to copy a pic of her first parking coup, but can't get it to work. Such a techno-dud. But, there are lots of pics around the 'net, if you're interested.

Reply by LkArrowhd/CA on 4/27/08 8:58pm
Msg #245321

Susan they are as cute as can be....enjoy n/m

Reply by LkArrowhd/CA on 4/27/08 9:04pm
Msg #245323

Re: Susan they are as cute as can be....enjoy

And I think I could fit inside MOTHER LODE, save you even more fuel....LOL

Reply by Susan Fischer on 4/28/08 2:23am
Msg #245334

<laughter> No doubt. A smart piggy back ride...

Thanks, Mother Lode, you saved the day...

My license plate says, "Hullo." 'Hello' was taken...

Reply by Becca_FL on 4/28/08 2:16pm
Msg #245404

My sweetie just bought me a Honda Helix with a trunk large enough to fit my briefcase. Hello 50 miles to the gallon!

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 4/28/08 4:57pm
Msg #245420

Not quite as good as you guys but we just bought a

2007 Honda Accord - hubby just did the mileage and we got 35 mpg the past ten days - that's a tremendous improvement over our 15mpg Tahoe and the 18mpg Grand Prix....