Why aren't petrol prices falling???

Sully · 09-08-2008 02:11PM

121.9 is the cheapest, then we have 124.9 (Tesco!) and 125.9 (Topaz boy!) in the land of the Deise.

Boggles · 09-08-2008 02:12PM

|-*SxyDubGrrl93*-| wrote: »

because all the petrol they have in their tanks now, they bought at the expensive price so if they were to sell it at todays price they would lose a hell of a lot of money.

I would have sympathy towards that if it worked in reverse aswell, as soon as there is an increase in the cost of a barrel, the local garage man is up the ladder faster than you can say monoply!

Terry wrote: »

I will never understand why someone would need a car with an engine above 1 litre.
It's not like you can safely break the speed limit without getting penalty points.

I would say if you give it a bit more thought you might find some understanding in it.

Hint: When was the last time you saw a 1litre people carrier?

Wibbs · 09-08-2008 02:39PM

Terry wrote:

I will never understand why someone would need a car with an engine above 1 litre.
It's not like you can safely break the speed limit without getting penalty points.

For most of the reasons others have written. Few 1litre cars are well appointed in luxuries. I find them less safe, especially outside towns. They're smaller for a start so in an impact with a bigger car? Game over.

I had a loan of a 1litre yoke a while back when I was having a clutch changed(I've a 1.8) and christ it was a pain. No way would I have attempted overtaking anything other than a motorised wheelchair. It was a flimsy as fook too, with cheapo written all over it. The lack of power was truly scary and funny enough for such a rattlebox that weighed as much as a crisp packet it's brakes were crap too with little feel. The steering was massively uncommunicative and the suspension was downright wobbly. Most 1litre cars I've driven would be similar in at least two of those areas. I also got pretty much the same mileage outa the 1 litre as I did my 1.8.

Give me a highly tuned engine, with a dynamic lightweight chassis and big brakes any day of the week. The highly tuned engine makes for efficiency and overtaking power, the brakes stop you and the dynamic chassis helps if you end up skidding. No contest really.

Now you could build a one litre car that was a good un. Tune the bejaysus outa the engine, decent suspension, decent chassis etc. I'd buy that alright.

Macha · 09-08-2008 02:40PM

animaal wrote: »

I have a car big enough to carry me and my family down the country, along with:

travel cot
baby's buggy
bottle steriliser
bottles
toys to keep young 'uns occupied
luggage (clothes etc) for us all, including 2-3 daily changes for small one
etc.

I've never seen a 1L car with enough space to carry all that. And if I did see one, I doubt the engine would last long under the strain.

Different people have different needs.

That may most definitely & understandably be the case for a proportion of the population but not everyone. Plus the biggest group of commuters, according to the 2006 census, is single-occupier cars.

If you only go down the country every now and then, I wonder why people don't hire a car for that weekend? Buying, running & maintaining cars is really expensive if you add up:

VRT
motor tax
petrol/diesel
annual service
NCT
etc.

I'm sure with some people it would be cheaper to hire, if only driving occasionally

Wibbs · 09-08-2008 02:42PM

ON topic. The prices chaged by the oil companies at the pump have some relation to crude prices. Only some though. You will notice the price goes up very quickly following the crude price rise, yet takes much longer to drop when the crude drops. Yet it takes the same period of time to turn crude into petrol/diesel. Maximising profits basically.

Flamed Diving · 09-08-2008 04:19PM

Big_Mac wrote: »

Bigger cars are more comfortable, safer and have more penis for overtaking, and moving away at junctions quickly (if you need to)

Quite.

Sir Digby Chicken Caesar · 09-08-2008 04:20PM

Flamed Diving wrote: »

Vagina

Indeed.

THEHEDGEHOG · 09-08-2008 04:26PM

Wibbs wrote: »

ON topic. The prices chaged by the oil companies at the pump have some relation to crude prices. Only some though. You will notice the price goes up very quickly following the crude price rise, yet takes much longer to drop when the crude drops. Yet it takes the same period of time to turn crude into petrol/diesel. Maximising profits basically.

I cant believe it, a moderator who can see through the propaganda.

How did you slip through the net?????

Oil is big business, you people are the hapless consumer. You exist to be fleeced at every turn, and 99% of you have yet to wake up to this reality.

mike65 · 09-08-2008 04:34PM

Wibbs is shexy and shmart.

Mike.

Flamed Diving · 09-08-2008 04:40PM

THEHEDGEHOG wrote: »

I cant believe it, a moderator who can see through the propaganda.

How did you slip through the net?????

Oil is big business, you people are the hapless consumer. You exist to be fleeced at every turn, and 99% of you have yet to wake up to this reality.

Oh tell us, great one! How do we escape the clutches of this dystopia?

Cometh!

Follow the great one to the promised land!

genericgoon · 09-08-2008 04:47PM

THEHEDGEHOG wrote: »

I cant believe it, a moderator who can see through the propaganda.

How did you slip through the net?????

Oil is big business, you people are the hapless consumer. You exist to be fleeced at every turn, and 99% of you have yet to wake up to this reality.

Tbh, most of the profits are flowing into the pockets of the major oil companies, not the retailers who actually make small margins on selling petrol/diesel. Of course, the government taxes also push it up.

Wibbs · 09-08-2008 05:31PM

THEHEDGEHOG wrote: »

I cant believe it, a moderator who can see through the propaganda.

How did you slip through the net?????

Bribery and pretence mostly.

mike65 wrote:

Wibbs is shexy and shmart.

Mike.

Yes I am. Big willy too.:)

genericgoon wrote:

Tbh, most of the profits are flowing into the pockets of the major oil companies, not the retailers who actually make small margins on selling petrol/diesel. Of course, the government taxes also push it up.

Pretty much. The retaliers usually rely on the attacehd shop for their profits. The taxes are fixed so that doesn't explain all the disparities. The oil companies are milking it. Of course any company will maximise profits if it can. Those things are hard to change.

The big issue is the part where stupid consumers don't shop around. I've seen garages opposite each other that are charging different prices, yet the more expensive one still has customers, sorry morons. If you pay over the odds for a product or service then I'm sorry, you're a moron. If you're too dumb or lazy to shop around or actively find out what the general rate is then you're a big part of the problem. Not the oil companies. Goes for a lot of areas too.

Beer is a classic one. Out of a night, get a few scoops into you, then the bar raises the price at 11, then may raise it again at 1. What do you do? Leave? Not in most cases. In most cases you don't even notice and then moan about it in the morning. If the government put tax on a pint up by 10 cent tomorrow in these dodgy times, it would be all over the news and people would be bitching about it. Yet a hell of a lot of pubs do it, yet they're still full.

Moan with your feet and leave and then you may have more money in your pocket.

snickerpuss · 09-08-2008 07:16PM

Do people honestly believe you can't overtake in a 1L? Or take off quickly at a junction?

I have a 01 Yaris and its really nippy. Sometimes I take off at a junction and wonder whether the lights really were green because the rest of the cars are still at the traffic lights. I can happily overtake on motorways as well. I use hardly any petrol, can get through any gap and park in the smallest spaces not to mention my tax and insurance being very cheap.

And my Yaris has the same safety rating as my dad's 1.6 Primera.
Anyway I'm glad to see the prices coming down a bit although a few places are charging scandelous prices. Somewhere near the airport was charging about 1.35 /L for unleaded.

Big_Mac · 09-08-2008 07:20PM

Flamed Diving wrote: »

Originally Posted by Big_Mac
Bigger cars are more comfortable, safer and have more penis for overtaking, and moving away at junctions quickly (if you need to)

Quite.

Hmm, your cleverness and wit astounds me Flamed Diving. It must have taken you a really long time to think that up. Hope it didn't hurt too much.

Duiske · 09-08-2008 07:28PM

genericgoon wrote: »

Tbh, most of the profits are flowing into the pockets of the major oil companies, not the retailers who actually make small margins on selling petrol/diesel. Of course, the government taxes also push it up.

Not so sure about the oil companies milking extra profits from crude oil price hikes. Sure, they make vast amounts of money anyway, but you only have to look at what happened last year, when RTE announced on the news that, within weeks, fuel prices could "possibly" rise to a certain amount (can't remember exact figure).
What happened ? Within days, and in some cases by the next morning, certain retailers had increased their prices to that amount.
Lets see how quick RTE are to announce now that fuel prices should drop by roughly 20% over the next 5/6 weeks.

gurramok · 09-08-2008 09:24PM

Oil prices might go up again on Monday due to the Georgia war as a vital oil pipeline lies in that country.
So fill up that tank before the markets open as the petrol stations will make any excuse to hike it again!!

Fulton Crown · 09-08-2008 09:58PM

Can't help thinkin there is just a slightelement of greed in this petrol price issue.

Sure it takes some time for price reductions to work through...but in our rip off little country the temptation to squeeze a few extra cent from the customer is hard to resist.

Petrol stations (and pubs) make no effort to attract and retain customers by good friendly service and aare generall staffed by surly minimum wagees.

The you will hear gimps like Fielding of the ISME organisation banging on about people shopping in the States and Customs not forensically going through their luggage.

Extra value..better service..special offers....???? No Sir ...just get customs to harass the poor bastids at the Airport.

Let's face it ..we live in a rip off community...the bastids will do us every way they can to pay for their big SUV'S and extravagent lifestyles.

Krieg · 10-08-2008 12:29AM

Just saw this and thought of this thread

FOGOFUNK · 10-08-2008 02:00AM

snickerpuss wrote: »

I can happily overtake on motorways as well. I use hardly any petrol, can get through any gap and park in the smallest spaces not to mention my tax and insurance being very cheap.

Overtaking on a motorway is a completely different ball game to overtaking on a single carriageway, you cant even really compare the two.

And Terry that was really stupid thing to say that people who drive big cars must be inadequate, I consider myself a car enthusiast, I love engineering and mechanics, so if I want to spend my money on a highly engineered engine I dont see why I shouldnt.

I currently drive an A4, Im young and have no need for the back seats, but this still doesnt mean I should be content with a 1litre rattlebox.

I hope to own an RS4 someday, 4.2 V8 with AWD, the amount of engineering that went into this car is astounding. Just because I want to own a technical masterpiece doesnt mean I have a small penis.

I wonder what your hobbies are so I can make presumtions about you.

Rant over.

workaccount · 10-08-2008 12:51PM

1L litre cars are slow, small and have little power.
There a dog to drive because of the lack of power and I can't even fit into one properly.

Even my mums 1.2 is rubbish for overtaking. Heck I couldn't even overtake a ford transit before in a mates 1.4 focus!

Used to know a fella that has a 1L corsa and used to refularily drive a long trip up to Dublin in it. He said it was painful as you can't overtake anyone. It was just too slow....only if you had a good long stretch in front of you could you overtake.

And IMO it's paramount that you are able to overtake in this country due to the amount of people you will find drving at 50mph for absolutely no reason and that won't pull into the hard shoulder to let you by.

1L cars are far from a pleasure to drive and i'd imagine most people want comfort. (me anyway)

Terry · 10-08-2008 02:19PM

FOGOFUNK wrote: »

And Terry that was really stupid thing to say that people who drive big cars must be inadequate, I consider myself a car enthusiast, I love engineering and mechanics, so if I want to spend my money on a highly engineered engine I dont see why I shouldnt.
Sore spot?

I wonder what your hobbies are so I can make presumtions about you.

Scrabble, sudoku and tinkering about with computers.
Off you go.

So people are buying bigger cars in case they are hit by a bigger car?
Let's all get monster trucks. Yay.

Nevyn · 10-08-2008 02:34PM

Having seen most of the idiots who are driving 1L coke cans, I'd happily drive an armoured personal carrier least I know my kids would be safer.

workaccount · 10-08-2008 02:44PM

terry wrote:

Off you go.

So people are buying bigger cars in case they are hit by a bigger car?
Let's all get monster trucks. Yay.

I beginning to think you are taking the p*ss here now.

Do you actually drive a car? If so have you compared a 1L to a bigger engine?

I could understand your argument if you were comparing somebody buying an SUV when an Audi A4 or Avensis would do....but comparing a A4 or an Avensis to a 1L Yaris is ridiculous.

If you think (I know you haven't suggested this btw) this is the solution to emissions problems and reducing oil usage then your wrong. The solution to this is alternative fuels not forcing people to use cars that will blow off the road in a crosswind.

_Kaiser_ · 10-08-2008 02:44PM

Thaedydal wrote: »

Having seen most of the idiots who are driving 1L coke cans, I'd happily drive an armoured personal carrier least I know my kids would be safer.

Actually, although that's why a lot of women buy SUV's, tests have shown that they're no safer at all/less safe in a lot of cases.

Nevyn · 10-08-2008 03:02PM

I woudn't drive one, they are not worth it and they are not safer.

Macha · 10-08-2008 03:06PM

Kaiser2000 wrote: »

Actually, although that's why a lot of women buy SUV's, tests have shown that they're no safer at all/less safe in a lot of cases.

True, plus the chances of survival for cyclists & pedestrians gets pretty close to zero when you're hit with one of them.

workaccount · 10-08-2008 03:06PM

Kaiser2000 wrote: »

Actually, although that's why a lot of women buy SUV's, tests have shown that they're no safer at all/less safe in a lot of cases.

Maybe the drivers in them are not any safer - this would make sense. There's alot out there who should not driving range rovers, freelanders, discos and they probably would be safer in a Yaris.

Terry · 10-08-2008 04:27PM

workaccount wrote: »

I beginning to think you are taking the p*ss here now.

Do you actually drive a car? If so have you compared a 1L to a bigger engine?

I could understand your argument if you were comparing somebody buying an SUV when an Audi A4 or Avensis would do....but comparing a A4 or an Avensis to a 1L Yaris is ridiculous.

If you think (I know you haven't suggested this btw) this is the solution to emissions problems and reducing oil usage then your wrong. The solution to this is alternative fuels not forcing people to use cars that will blow off the road in a crosswind.

I'm not taking the piss.
I really do not see the need for a big car unless you really need it, like if you have lots of kids or arew a sales rep and carry lots of crap around with you.

If you are just going from A to B, then why drive a tank?

As for me driving, I don't. I have no need for a car.

Also, our roads are not made for big, fast cars.
Why drive a car that can do 200 k/ph when the maximum speed limit is 120?

Marcus.Aurelius · 10-08-2008 05:07PM

Terry wrote: »

Also, our roads are not made for big, fast cars.
Why drive a car that can do 200 k/ph when the maximum speed limit is 120?

Our roads and lanes are a lot wider than australian roads with their bigger cars. A vehicle that can accelerate quickly (i.e. not a 1 litre) is much safer as your overtaking manoeuvres are much quicker and you can minimise your time in danger (being across the broken line).

You have the edge at roundabouts, traffic lights and the increased safety specifications of bigger cars means better brakes, steering, tyres, airbags, stability and the increased weight/size minimises strain force in impacts.

As for the OP's question, sheer greed by the market buyers will ensure the higher oil price is maintained for as long as possible so they maximise profit as their actual costs decrease with the renewed decrease of the oil price. If oil reaches 85 -100 USD per barrel, it should pnly cost 95-100 c per litre of petrol and 90-95 c per litre of diesel, but Topaz and co. probably won't let it happen.

The forecourt lads will continue to make a few cents for each fill, but the greedy wholesalers will continue to rake it in.

workaccount · 10-08-2008 05:19PM

Terry wrote: »

I'm not taking the piss.
I really do not see the need for a big car unless you really need it, like if you have lots of kids or arew a sales rep and carry lots of crap around with you.

If you are just going from A to B, then why drive a tank?

As for me driving, I don't. I have no need for a car.

Also, our roads are not made for big, fast cars.
Why drive a car that can do 200 k/ph when the maximum speed limit is 120?

You could do 130kmh and more in a Yaris.

You say you don't drive. Fair enough. If you did drive though you would soon realise how much of a pig a litre car is to drive. Also Marcus comments below are all very true regards brakes, steering, stability etc.

Marcus.Aurelius wrote: »

You have the edge at roundabouts, traffic lights and the increased safety specifications of bigger cars means better brakes, steering, tyres, airbags, stability and the increased weight/size minimises strain force in impacts.
(

Why aren't petrol prices falling???

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