[mikester]

When is the point where you do care how much it costs for a gallon.

That's the issue; If we allow it the oil companies will do exactly what a basic economics class teachs: Raise the price to what the market will bear.

Well, I won't bear it and I'm doing what I can to fill up less.

Granted; I own two very inefficient autos - a porsche and an SUV (Xterra). It isn't really cost effective to get rid of them in favor of more fuel economic autos because they are paid for. I don't want another used car that gets decent mileage I would want (and my wife would want) one of them new fangled hybrids. It's just not cost effective though. My Xterra would be lucky to get me a 10k trade in value and then for a hybrid escape I'd end up with a 20k loan/car payment. I would still be paying for gas AND I'd have a car payment.

If I sold the Porsche I might pull between 15 and 20k BUT I'd be out a porsche and again have a car payment (low interest rate though I'm sure).

In either case my insurance would also likely go up.

I'm stuck - I'm sure that's how a lot of people feel, it's either operate at a loss or take a huge loss.

The third option is public transport. Costs me the cost of a bus pass and I can keep the cars I have. No car payment, use less gas and all that jazz.