20 percent Musicians gas discount !

Bob Hoffnar · From: Austin, Tx

I had a gig today that involved driving about 300 miles total. I did an experiment and drove between 55 and 60 mph. It took about the same amount of time (the big time problems around here are getting stuck in traffic and that happens no matter what) and I got a 20 percent increase in miles per gallon. From 25 to 30. I effectively lowered the price of gas by 75 cents a gallon.

It was a more relaxed and safe drive also. No looking out for cops.

Its worth a try and better than complaining !
_________________
Bob

Jody Sanders · From: Magnolia,Texas, R.I.P.

Hi Bob, That has been my policy for the last few months. It certainly helps. Jody.

Jeff Evans · From: Cowtown and The Bill Cox Outfit

Good call, and arguably a patriotic act: The less petroleum we burn, the lesser the need to be involved militarily in the Middle East, right?

Lem Smith · From: Long Beach, MS

Been cutting down to 50 - 55 for a while myself, and it really makes a big difference in my Explorer. Nobody else seems to be slowing down too much though, as everybody shoots around me like I'm sitting still!

Robert Harper · From: Alabama, USA

I started driving slower a long time ago. Now I have an excuse, less stress. However stress isn't big in my life. I don't remeber last week or worry about next week and try to remeber i am not promised my next breath.
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"Oh what a tangled web we weave when we first begin to deceive" Someone Famous

Charles Curtis · Posted 8 May 2008 4:08 am

Bob, IMO, that is an excellent way to phrase that. Just think of the savings over any given time. I'm hoping that Prius, or someone may put extra batteries in the spare wheel compt and we may get l00 miles to the gallon. I believe that Nissan is coming out with an electric car in one or two years.

Ben Lawson · From: Brooksville Florida

I've started driving an old Plymouth Sundance that I've had for a while. (my son was using it) I only checked once but it got 29+ mpg. We use it now for all the shopping and errands instead of using the van that I was driving. The van is used only for music jobs and home depot type stuff now. My wife's Chrysler 300C stays parked a lot more now too. She only uses it for work or when absolutely necessary.
The van gets 14mpg, the 300C gets about 19-20 local and the Sundance gets 29+. I drive slower because we live in N.J. the home of ROAD RAGE. We've saved a lot using the old clunker.

Robert Harper · From: Alabama, USA

Charles, there was a show on TV the othjer night a guy, inventor had a Pirus that got 150 mph with his new battery technology
_________________
"Oh what a tangled web we weave when we first begin to deceive" Someone Famous

Bob Hoffnar · From: Austin, Tx

The thing that impressed me was that driving 70 plus every chance I got didn't get me where I was going much faster and was so much more stressful. As a driving experience going around 55 is sorta pleasant. The need to win and beat the other guy is fulfilled by watching those guys in a big hurry throw 5 dollar bills out the window as they pass. I'll see them at the next traffic glut or pass them while they are filling there tanks anyway.
For those road trips out west where the road is straight and flat for 200 miles I may have a hard time keeping it slow. Out in New Mexico people drive about 100 on some stretches.

I am driving an old 4 cylinder Nissan pickup these days. Simple solid little car. I lost my tricked out Ford Ranger last year when my ex stole it (long story) and picked up a beater. Turns out that little Nissan has paid for itself already.
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Bob

Stephen Silver · From: Asheville, NC

Driving a big assed ole dodge PU has taken it's toll on the mileage, so i have been doing what Bob suggests and slowing it down. Makes a nice difference (seems I keep one eye on the trip computer looking at my gas mileage)

As I go to look for a new ride there are two primary things too consider.....the gas mileage and can I fit all my gear.

Seems a used Ford Focus Wagon, which rates at 35-37 mpg is what I am looking for and it will haul everything I need for either my country (steel/guitar) or rock (bass) gigs, though it is a little underpowered climbing hills.

The Prius mod involves adding another set of batteries in the hatchback space which is cool if you don't haul anything but passengers and it is rated at 100mpg. Don't know the cost though.

SS

David Wren · From: Placerville, California, USA

Lately I've been packing the NV 112, and leaving the Session 500s at home.

Smile

.....but I have been an advocate of leaving early, and driving slower for a long time.... if you can avoid being run down by the rest of the traffic doing 85+
_________________
Dave Wren
'96 Carter U12,7X7; 1936 7 string National; Line 6 HX Stomp; Quilter TT-15/TB202; Quilter "Steelaire"; DV Mark "GH 250"with 15" 1501 BW; Boss "Katana" 100 Head w/Line 6 Cab; Telonics VP.

Dale Hansen · From: Hendersonville,Tennessee, (USA)

Ever since I've been living out here, the Nashville area drivers have had their own "20% off" program of sorts.

That is... about 1 out of every 5, would drive off from the pump without paying for it.
It's not nearly as bad now, since things have pretty much all gone to pre-pay. And, I'm all for it, and glad the owners finally drew the line. What used to be a $20 hit for a station owner, back in 97', is a lot closer to $60 nowadays.

Jim Walker · From: Headland, AL

I use the Cruise Control, I average 21 with it, 19 without on my 1998 Ford Windstar 3.8 V6.

JW
_________________
Show Pro D10, Session 400

David L. Donald · From: Koh Samui Island, Thailand

I remember the original national 55 mph speed limit
was directly in responce to the 70's gas crisis.
But after awhile we for got what expsnsive gas was like
and speeds crept back up.

Well guess what it's Smack Down time again.
And I suspect worse than before.

Cruise control is great.

I remember once I was told some young people
were challenged to drive using as LITTLE gas as possible,
per distance traveled. And the best / lowest average won a tank of gas.

I tried this myself and found in a month of driving
as low pedal as possible I actualy gained a tank
of gas without someone saying it was a prize.

Here there is no reason to go fast except to pass
the dozens of motor bikes careening along the sides
of the road, so I generally milk the diesel along
as possible. Works for me.
_________________
DLD, Chili farmer. Plus bananas and papaya too.

Real happiness has no strings attached.
But pedal steels have many!

Carroll Hale · From: EastTexas, USA

big oil ...big gov.....
they aint gonna help...
we gotta do it ourselves....
driving slower is safer and cheaper...
and you can enjoy the site along the way..
been doing most of mine at 60mph.....
mileage up from 21 ...26mpg.....not bad
an uphill battle....we can do it..
ch

Peter Freiberger · From: California, USA

The Prius mod is quite expensive and voids your warranty, but my (unmodded) Prius holds a lot of gear and I average about 45mpg. Over 50mpg on trips, driven sensibly. Better than my motorcycle!

Stephen, having owned a 2001 Focus wagon I can tell you it will not get the kind of mileage you're hoping for. Sadly the overall quality was disappointing as well (three window regulators died, an expensive repair, even doing it myself).

Darvin Willhoite · From: Roxton, Tx. USA

You nailed it Carroll, if the demand goes down, the oil prices will go down. The proposals from goofball politicians won't do anything but make the situation worse. Tax the Oil Companies? Yeah right. The consumer pays the taxes in the long run, the companies don't. The sad thing is, a lot of people fall for this rhetoric.
_________________
Darvin Willhoite
MSA Millennium, Legend, and Studio Pro, Reese's restored Universal Direction guitar, a restored MSA Classic SS, several amps, new and old, and a Kemper Powerhead that I am really liking. Also a Zum D10, a Mullen RP, and a restored Rose S10, named the "Blue Bird". Also, I have acquired and restored the plexiglass D10 MSA Classic that was built as a demo in the early '70s. I also have a '74 lacquer P/P, with wood necks, and a showroom condition Sho-Bud Super Pro.

chris ivey · From: california (deceased)

do what you will to save...but don't believe the lie about diminishing oil reserves.

it's all $$ into the pockets of the people who do not respect us, care about us....it's all about the power!

Brad Malone · From: Pennsylvania, USA

Hey Bob, If you get 20MPG a 300 mile trip costs about $52 on gas alone...question is: Do you set a limit on how far you will travel for a one night gig?

Bob Hoffnar · From: Austin, Tx

Brad,
I make sure I get paid well enough to make it worth my while. I charge a travel expense fee also. In this case I just wanted to see what the difference was if I drove slower because its a somewhat regular trip for me. I'm sold on the driving 55 thing now. Way less stressfull, way cheaper and I got there in just about the same amount of time. I am done with the off to the races type of driving. I have no control over the price of gas but I am able to use less and save some money if I choose to.
_________________
Bob

Brad Malone · From: Pennsylvania, USA

Hey Bob, Last Oct we bought a new 2008 Toyota Corolla and it gets around 35 miles a gallon..great car...don't know why people buy those "10 mile a gallon SUV's"...but to each his own

Eric West · From: Portland, Oregon, USA, R.I.P.

Just saw this AM where the "SUV" thing is crashing big time. I saw the writing on the wall at 1$/gal.

They say that resale is down more than 20%$ on the 'larger ones' nearly brand new.. NO thanks..

I've got a 4cyl 86 ranger that gets about 23, and I'm gonna keep it. 1000$ total, and I can rebuild it for 200$. Less than a month's insurance on one of those "Safari" type things.

I sure don't drive for "fun".

Today, I picked up a fill in jo driving a friend's dump truck hauling road asph/mix. HE made 80$/hr. I made 15 of that /hr, and in an 8 hr day, it cost him 100 bucks for fuel.

Another tip.

DON'T buy a diesel rig for economy. FOr one, you'll be bidding against people that HAVE to have fuel, and two, they can afford to sit for more than a day and night at a stop waiting in line for fuel if they have to. You'll be in line with them in your car, and cars aren't set up for it..

I really don't know why companies havent come up with toilets and mini showers for those giant SUVS. Maybe they have..

At any rate. I don't know what a guy'd want one for. Maybe a planter.. Or like the old days, bury it in the back yard for a septic tank...

Just a couple thoughts.

Off for a 50$ trip to the beach..

Smile

EJL

David L. Donald · From: Koh Samui Island, Thailand

Diesel is brought in here to satisfy the taxi mafia's desires,
so the prices aren't bad even for an island.
Regular gas is much worse.

Different market different methods.

I don't see as gas vehicles and diesel vehicles
have any LESS need vs the other need to get used by companies.

Fleets may get slight fleet reductions if the buy theirs in bulk and fill their own storage tanks.
_________________
DLD, Chili farmer. Plus bananas and papaya too.

Real happiness has no strings attached.
But pedal steels have many!

James Cann · From: Phoenix, AZ

Roger Rettig · From: Naples, FL

I've been driving more slowly for some time now, and the difference between mpg at 60 mph and 75 is quite marked.

I'm about to drive to ND from here - it's a 2400-mile drive, and the more-relaxed pace I move at (around 65 mph on the cruise-control) is good for me and my car. For the three-day-trip I doubt I could make much difference if I drove 10 mph faster, as I'd probably tire more quickly, anyway.

I've had my '99 Lincoln Town Car for a few years now - I only paid a four-figure sum for it, and its value today is negligible. It's solid and reliable, roomy and comfortable and, if last year's journey is anything to go by, I'll average 27.2 mpg. I don't think that a minivan can match that, and even a more-compact car won't beat it by much.

How much would I have to lay out for a modern and slightly more economical car - 15-20K? That'll buy a lot of gas. They'll never get me with a monthly car-payment - it doesn't make any sense.

In my case, I always negotiate the cost of my travel into the deal when I take a gig anywhere. The ND people pay me whatever it costs me - gas, food and hotels - for my 4800 return trip, and that is a typical arrangement.

When I'm unemployed and sitting still at home, I just drive to the golf-course and to Publix - a tank of gas lasts five or six weeks, so it's immaterial at present.
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The price of gas is determined at auction - the biggest bidders are the Chinese and the various major oil-companies. The price of a barrel will be driven by the demand at auction, and it's something that I don't believe that we, the insignificant consumers, can even hope to influence, even when we take action by just staying at home.
_________________
Roger Rettig: Emmons D10, B-bender Teles and Martins - and, at last, a Gibson Super 400!
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