Well, that is true. But you have to take into consideration that the average persons income 10 years ago was much less than todays income too. I think they were more focused on practicality than efficiency...

 

The thing about fuel economy and NEWER trucks is this:

The engines won't last as long. WHy? because the engine has to run HOTTER to burn fuel more efficiently.

My wife has a 2007 YUKON. And that thing runs at 210* normal operating temp (5.3L). it only gets 14 MPG. And I bet that engine doesn't last more than 175K.

The Magnum will outlive everything around that engine.

 

Income has nothing to do with it. Inflation takes care of that:

40K yearly income in 2001 has the buying power just shy of 50K nowadays (3.5% inflation every year). For GAS, 1.25 per gallon would be 1.55 per gallon, however, oil is a resource that is not recyclable like metal and plastic. Supply and demand. Blame CHINA for the increase in oil. They are rivaling the US in oil consumption, when they only were at about half the US consumption in 2001.

Also, blame the Arabs in Dubai. They make the prices.

 

Its the guys on wall street speculating in petroleum futures that make the price of gas so........ (tongue in cheek) volatile...... Not to mention that there are so many places that we WON'T buy petroleum from, but, china does..... so while their demand HAS gone up, they are sourcing from different places than we are. Yes, there is some overlap, but, china isn't the sole cause of our outrageous gas prices. India, South Korea, and a few other "developing nations" contribute as well. Not to mention the petroleum companies posting record profits........ Why did the price of gas go down a few years back? (hear, it actually went below two bucks a gallon again, I about had a heart attack) Demand went into the toilet. 4.50 a gallon was more than the market would bear. The petrol companies will run the price just as high as they can, as long as we keep buying it, prices will continue to go up. Expect 5 bucks a gallon this summer.

 

It... is.... a.... TRUCK.

 

BINGO! Thanks for saying it.

It must be nice to be an oil company, huh? I'd love to be able to sell my product without ever surrendering physical control of it, charge fees for storing it, buy it back later at a higher price, and then legally mark that higher price up before passing it on to the consumer. But if I did it I'd end up on 60 Minutes on my way to jail.

 

Haha! Is it 8-9 city? or 8-9 highway? cuz if its that(highway), it may not just be plenum. Might be tranny. which isnt good.

But! you gots some good ideas for your truck and I would highly go through with those. I plan on doing some, if not most, of those on mine and then some. Its just taken me some time. But Im just glad I get 13 highway and 9-10 city.

 

Take that money your gonna spend on upgrades and buy a used Honda/ Import for a DD .

 

lol

 

lol yea i know it is kinda funny. And i mostly drive in the city and theres nothing wrong with the tranny at all. its just such a pain because im putting most of my money each month in my gas tank. Thing is, if i can get my moneys worth over the next few years then it was definately worth buying upgrades. I plan on having the truck for a while, its only got 75k on it.. ohhh yeea