Future of the PT

[fritz_t_coyote]

quote:Originally posted by PTrich

I know of people on other auto forums who run home made biodiesel and have for some time with no ill effects. It's not something you can realisitically brew up in an apartment, but if you've got the room and inclination...quite doable.

I like the 'Plymouth's Tombstone' line BTW

http://richweb.allpar.net/ThePlymouthCenter.htm

Those folks driving on cooking oil, or plug-in electricity, are also avoiding paying the road fuel excise taxes that pay for the highway system. So when they come across 'holier than thou' call them tax evaders.

[strangelove]

Tax evaders that's funny Fritz. Guess there was no tax in purchasing their vehicle, no tax in the electricity they purchased, or no tax for the oil they purchase either. With record gasoline usage consumption, and a cigerette tax that also goes to road repair and infrustructure, I think the US Government gets plenty of money for road work. Bio Diesel sold at the pump is taxed just like regular gasoline. The smart people get their bio diesel from fast food joints, who would have just thrown it in the dumps anyways. Reused as a fuel at least the used oil gets a second use, oh yeah and it burns cleaner then regular diesel. Whats really funny is that we are still paying $30 bucks to fill our tanks, now that's funny.

[PTrich]

If I had a diesel I'd have no qualms using Mikkey D's used cooking oil. I live in Jersey, I pay enough taxes.

[bobs turbo pt]

ah the smell of french fries !!

[fritz_t_coyote]

quote:Originally posted by PTrich

If I had a diesel I'd have no qualms using Mikkey D's used cooking oil. I live in Jersey, I pay enough taxes.

Yes, but NJ has, oddly enough, the lowest Road Fuel taxes in the northeast.

My point on the electric or veggie-oil-from-mickeyDs tax evasion is not that the general sales taxes were evaded, but that both Federal and State Fuel Excise Taxes are not paid, which is the money that funds road construction and maintenance. (this money also subsidizes mass transit and in many states just goes into the general fund where it quickly and quietly disappears.)

Current FEDERAL tax rates:
Fuel Type
Gasoline 18.4
Diesel 24.4
Gasohol 18.4
Source: http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/safetealu/factsheets/htft.htm

State taxes vary.
http://www.taxadmin.org/FTA/rate/motor_fl.html
As is what they are used for.

Bottom line is that 10 gallons of used McFryOil Used as a Motor Fuel is avoiding $4.19 in combined federal and state (NJ as an example) excise taxes.

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If, on the other hand, you buy your biodiesel at the pump, you pay the diesel fuel tax.

I have no problem with folks who are burning McFryOil, or even CostcoCookingOil, but when they are calculating net costs of the 'free fuel' they should be aware that the are driving on roads subsidized by us fools buying our fuel at the pump.

For that matter, I generally am sympathetic to anyone who has found a loophole to avoid paying taxes (Perhaps my favorite Lazurus Long quote is: "Beware of strong drink, for it will cause you to shoot at tax collectors, and miss.") HOWEVER an important thing to remember is that the federal highway programs are Funded by fuel and other road-use excise taxes. Unlike Railroads, or Canals, or Bicycle Trails the Highways are paid for by the folks who use them.

[Hotrod]

Well atleast something makes sense in who pays what. On the subject I think it would be easy to change the look of the PT and still keep it's retro look. Just look at all the hotrods that are at shows but my question is why. The look isn't dated nor warn out in my opinion. I believe a few upgrades in quality and some added features would be better money spent by chrysler.

[bobs turbo pt]

"few upgrades in quality and some added features would be better money spent by chrysler"

that is very true !!

[SteelBlueGT]

Ahmen