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Drivers Revved Up Over Gas Prices

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By LAURA FRAZIER, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 17, 2007

Updated: 11/15/2007 05:46 pm

BRANDON - Gas prices hit an all-time high Monday, when AAA Auto Club South reported regular, unleaded fuel in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater area climbed to $3.10 a gallon, up from $2.75 a month ago and $2.17 last year. Drivers fueling up this week at Brandon area gas stations were eager to vent about the record-breaking price increase and its effect on their driving habits and wallets.

'I Can Make My Own ... Fuel'

John Lesure fueled his Ford Explorer at the Mobile gas station at Lumsden Road and Kings Avenue. The Lithia resident said he spends $40 a week on gas to travel about 200 miles between Brandon and Lithia. Lesure hasn't changed his driving habits in response to the price jump but said he is considering a creative, long-term solution: purchasing a vehicle that runs on diesel and building a still to make fuel.

"I can make my own bio-diesel fuel with clean, used cooking oil. It's the new big deal. There are all kinds of videos about it on YouTube," Lesure said.

'I Only Got 6.2 Gallons'

Michelle Nedley pulled into Mobil to gas up her seldom-used 1985 Corvette. Clear skies and mild weather inspired the Brandon resident to take the convertible for a spin. She was shocked by the amount of gas she got for $20.

"I only got 6.2 gallons. Wow," Nedley said.

During the past year, she has seen the fuel bill for her husband's landscaping business triple.

"It is eating away into his profit," she said.

'I Don't Run The Air Conditioner'

Ollis Hughes of Brandon fueled his Ford Explorer at the Mobil station. He said he spends an average of $50 a week on gas to travel about 200 miles around town and is trying to drive less to cope with climbing costs.

"I don't run the air conditioner, and I try to consolidate trips," Hughes said. "I don't just run out to the store now without thinking 'OK, what else can I do while I'm out."'

'It's Killing Me'

At the Hess station on Causeway Boulevard east of Brandon Town Center Drive, Joe Lombardo and Tom Castelli gassed up the Ford F-150 they use for Lombardo's home-improvement business. The colleagues figured they spend about $70 a week for gas, but Lombardo said he's not concerned about the price increase.

"I was just in Europe, where gas is up to $5 a liter. It's much cheaper in America," he said.

Castelli, however, is worried about the price spike. He said he's forced to consolidate trips in his personal vehicle, a Ford Taurus.

"I put $20 in it every two days. It's killing me," he said.

'I Use My Golf Cart'

Lou Saldarini stopped at Hess to fill up his Toyota Sienna minivan. When the pump clicked off, the Sun City Center resident checked the readout, shaking his head.

"That cost $42, and it wasn't even empty," he said.

To keep fuel costs down when he drives to Brandon, he makes a day of it.

"I do it all at once - doctors appointments, shopping and errands. And when I go home, I use my golf cart to get around."

'We Need To Cut Back'

John Harris was a happy pumper at Hess on Monday, where he filled his Toyota Highlander, a hybrid, with enough fuel to drive 200 miles a week for up to three weeks for a grand total of $10.

Before he bought the hybrid three months ago, the Tampa resident drove a Lexus SUV.

"I bought the hybrid principally for the fuel issue, but also because I think we need to cut back on what we're burning," Harris said.

'We All Take Turns Driving'

Luis Castro of Valrico pulled his Honda Accord up to the pumps at Mobil and said he spends about $80 a week on gas to travel in the area and commute to his job at Tampa General Hospital. To cope with the higher prices, Castro said he and his friends take turns driving to one another's homes to socialize.

In addition, he said, "We all take turns driving whenever we go out together."

'I'm Stuck. It's Awful.'

Joe Joiner has not changed his driving habits to offset the price increase, but it's not because he doesn't want to. The Brandon resident said he spends up to $200 a week to fuel his Ford F150.

"I have to spend the money because all the driving I do is for work," said Joiner, who owns an exterior home improvement company. "I'm stuck. It's awful."

Reporter Laura Frazier can be reached at (813) 657-4523 or lfrazier@tampatrib.com.

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