Oil & The Economy

[Fernando]

I am guessing that $50 smog test is easily offset by the almost $800 registration fee as well as the higher insurance rates

I don't know if fees are cheaper for other EV cars.
US essentially banned more competitive EV cars from being imported here. Tesla has the EV market in US.

 

[Dublin ohio]

I don't know if fees are cheaper for other EV cars.
US essentially banned more competitive EV cars from being imported here. Tesla has the EV market in US.

Who knows in the land of fruit and nuts. But in my state their is no difference in make when it comes to registering an ev. They are charging more because they don't get any gas tax from evs. They also charge more for hybrids for the same reason

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

I have a '15 VW Jetta diesel stick that I routinely get 45-50 mpg in. Of course, they had to quit importing them because of dieselgate, so I guess I'll have to drive this one till my kids take my keys away.

They really did get great mileage - My Escape gets 33 mpg on highway 29plus on just driving around. My Terrain is pretty consistent at 27-28 with a trip often beating the 30 mark. My 3/4 T truck -... don't ask, but I don't drive many miles. It is 24 years old and has only 110k on it. But when I need to tow, I need to tow.

 

[Dublin ohio]

They really did get great mileage - My Escape gets 33 mpg on highway 29plus on just driving around. My Terrain is pretty consistent at 27-28 with a trip often beating the 30 mark. My 3/4 T truck -... don't ask, but I don't drive many miles. It is 24 years old and has only 110k on it. But when I need to tow, I need to tow.

My 2021 Rav4 averages around 27 mpg. I have gotten over 38 mpg on the highway going about 75 mph

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

All the major benchmark crudes are above $70 despite the weakening economy. China is slow. Europe is slow, Germany on the brink of depression, and everyone believing the economy will continue to decline at a measured pace. I don't see Trump easily turning that ship around quickly if elected and I wonder if it accelerates under Kamala. I hope I don't find out the latter.

 

[Fernando]

All the major benchmark crudes are above $70 despite the weakening economy. China is slow. Europe is slow, Germany on the brink of depression, and everyone believing the economy will continue to decline at a measured pace. I don't see Trump easily turning that ship around quickly if elected and I wonder if it accelerates under Kamala. I hope I don't find out the latter.

OIl was at $70/barrel which is not bad. China is anticipated to throw in $1 trillion dollar in government stimulus. Inflation is heading down to stable 2%.
And today I bought some 10 year Treasuries at 4.3% or was that 4.4%. Should beat future 2% inflation.

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

Should beat future 2% inflation.

Financial distress is not going to depend upon who is in office. But we've pretty much shot our last shell. The debt is rapidly approaching the point that all the tax money taken in will have to be used to service the debt or we default. If we default, then we go into a tailspin. 35 trillion and counting? We'll hit 36 trillion soon, probably before the inauguration. It is totally unsustainable. So, can we grow the economy fast enough to slow and reverse debt? I doubt it muchly. The US will default, or your grandchildren will be burdened with a debt load that hurts them bigly. And, worse, the nation turns to Marxism as an answer blaming capitalism for the sins of the government.

Went back and checked. My home insurance in 2020 was $890. Just got my bill for 2025 - $1,450. That's the inflation that hurts.

 

[Fernando]

Before Trump bashing China with tariffs, China whether you like it or not bought a lot of our Treasuries.
China kept our rates low.
Are rates high now because of lack of bond purchases from China?

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

Hey Ferd - where does electricity come from? Better keep the old Tesla charged up.

 

[Fernando]

While waiting to charge my Tesla at the supercharger station, I saw an EV Ford 150. I didn't know American cars had such large EV vehicles. Good trend to go EV.