Gas for 99 cents a gallon: Those were the days

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Gas for 99 cents a gallon: Those were the days Sunday, October 12, 2008
Mercury News -- If drivers these days are thrilled that gas prices are slipping below $3.50 a gallon in the South Bay, imagine how they felt 10 years ago. Downright giddy doesn't begin to describe it. In October of 1998, you could buy gas for 99 cents a gallon. You read right: 99 cents a gallon. This was the last time gas was under a buck a gallon here. The two digit-figure was the result of a brief gas war — now, there's a phrase out of the past — between stations in South San Jose. "Wow, it's been 10 years," said Paul Moreno, then a spokesman for the state AAA. "Clearly, so much has changed. I think it will be a long time before I'm humming happy days again when filling up my gas tank like I did back then." But like any war, it got ugly. Eager drivers jammed into stations, lining up a dozen cars deep and spilling out onto busy streets such as Monterey Road, Capitol Expressway and Snell Avenue. Some ran red lights, made illegal U-turns and cut off other motorists in the race to the pum
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JT Moderator	Message Posted: 10/12/2008 9:51:42 AM	Ignore JT Report Abuse
	Sunday, October 12, 2008 Mercury News -- If drivers these days are thrilled that gas prices are slipping below $3.50 a gallon in the South Bay, imagine how they felt 10 years ago. Downright giddy doesn't begin to describe it. In October of 1998, you could buy gas for 99 cents a gallon. You read right: 99 cents a gallon. This was the last time gas was under a buck a gallon here. The two digit-figure was the result of a brief gas war — now, there's a phrase out of the past — between stations in South San Jose. "Wow, it's been 10 years," said Paul Moreno, then a spokesman for the state AAA. "Clearly, so much has changed. I think it will be a long time before I'm humming happy days again when filling up my gas tank like I did back then." But like any war, it got ugly. Eager drivers jammed into stations, lining up a dozen cars deep and spilling out onto busy streets such as Monterey Road, Capitol Expressway and Snell Avenue. Some ran red lights, made illegal U-turns and cut off other motorists in the race to the pump. We were outraged when prices climbed to $1.60 a gallon during the summer of 1998. Big oil is gouging us, roared many drivers. Price fixing, screamed outraged legislators holding hearings in Sacramento in a futile effort to explain such an incredible burden on motorists. A state commission was formed to investigate. But by early October, the state average stood at $1.15 a gallon, and it was about a dime higher in Silicon Valley. Then, for a few days that month, discount stations began lowering the price. When a number of them went below a buck a gallon, it was time to fill 'er up! Christmas had arrived early. Visit Mercury News for full article

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trucker090 Rookie Author Cleveland Posts:80 Points:61,030 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: 10/18/2008 8:10:36 AM	Ignore trucker090 Report Abuse
	Not only was gas .15 cents a gallon the checked you oil, checked your tires, pumped your gas, washed your windows and gave you green stamps!! THOSE WERE THE DAYS...
witchblade24 Rookie Author Florida Posts:52 Points:6,530 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: 10/18/2008 2:40:43 AM	Ignore witchblade24 Report Abuse
	I remember September 2002 (the month my twins were born) paying $1.48 a gallon and I was okay with that. I'm glad to see it sliding back below $3 and I'd be okay with $2 a gallon. I think gas was around 86cents a gallon in the mid-late 80's but not sure if that's right or not.
Betty10269 Rookie Author Cincinnati Posts:5 Points:7,350 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: 10/16/2008 9:16:11 AM	Ignore Betty10269 Report Abuse
	When I started driving in about 98 I thought it was normal to pay a buck a gallon for gas. Then when it rose to $1.50-$1.75 I was freaked out. I was living on about $60 a week for spending money and gas. I really wish we could go back to those days of $1.50 a gallon now!
Kowkisser Sophomore Author Albany Posts:249 Points:47,920 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: 10/16/2008 8:55:56 AM	Ignore Kowkisser Report Abuse
	I remember in 1983, before I started driving, gas was $1.30?/gal. I remember when I started driving in 1993, paying over $1/gal. I remember in 1998 paying under 0.80/gal. In 2003, gas was still less than 1983. Its the only thing (besides computers) that I can think of that was actually cheaper after those 18 years. Then they started rising. So the question is, do you want to campare the increase in the price of gas to the increase in wages and costs over the last 25 years, where it really isn't so bad, or the last 5 years, where the comparison is awful...
Bill313 Champion Author Kansas City Posts:5,363 Points:746,465 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: 10/15/2008 9:59:33 PM	Ignore Bill313 Report Abuse
	how much did milk cost in that year? that is a good earmark to see what the true price of an item is. The unfortunate thing is that wages have not kept up with the rise in cost of lliving
magnumCA Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:1,332 Points:260,275 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: 10/15/2008 6:31:01 PM	Ignore magnumCA Report Abuse
	excellent
kissmefla Veteran Author Orlando Posts:420 Points:111,205 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: 10/14/2008 9:36:05 AM	Ignore kissmefla Report Abuse
	Why is everyone complaining about how gas will never cost 99 cents again? Will cars ever cost 5K again? Will bread ever cost 75 cents? Fact is, gas was the one staple that stayed historically below inflation for a decade and people came to expect it. Now, the party is over.
NakedDriver Champion Author Des Moines Posts:8,429 Points:1,170,040 Joined:Oct 2004	Message Posted: 10/13/2008 10:11:02 PM	Ignore NakedDriver Report Abuse
	ə the cheapest i can remember seeing gas was a quarter per gallon. it was in princeton, mo, and they had a perpetual gas war and always seemed to be at that price: 24.9¢. yesterday, i saw an antique (gravity-fed) gas pump at the iowa historical building which showed a price of 17.9¢. ə
magnumCA Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:1,332 Points:260,275 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: 10/13/2008 5:55:38 PM	Ignore magnumCA Report Abuse
	Yes
tigeriz Veteran Author Maine Posts:302 Points:73,145 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: 10/13/2008 11:38:28 AM	Ignore tigeriz Report Abuse
	Yeah it would be nice to see that again, but let's be realistic: gas will rise again unfortunately. I remember when gas was around $0.89/gal in the late 80's.
duriarte All-Star Author Utah Posts:739 Points:155,015 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: 10/13/2008 11:19:52 AM	Ignore duriarte Report Abuse
	I remember as a kid walking to the gas station to get gas for the lawn mower and paying .25 cents a gallon. We no longer walk & we definitely don't pay .25 cents.
NissanGirl Veteran Author Oregon Posts:302 Points:166,740 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: 10/13/2008 10:35:40 AM	Ignore NissanGirl Report Abuse
	I remember $.99/gal. Granted, I wasn't old enough to drive and take advantage, but I remember it.
iluna All-Star Author Colorado Springs Posts:502 Points:86,575 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: 10/13/2008 10:32:05 AM	Ignore iluna Report Abuse
	In 1969 in the surrounding areas of Houston, Texas, I remember a "gas war" that actually brought gas down to $.09 a gallon. It only lasted a couple of days, but that station was running full throttle!! You're right, though. We'll never see that again.
walker1 Champion Author Ohio Posts:1,079 Points:772,890 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: 10/13/2008 10:29:24 AM	Ignore walker1 Report Abuse
	I remember at 18 cent a gal and that wasn't a gas war
Don20 Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:1,525 Points:1,013,770 Joined:Mar 2005	Message Posted: 10/13/2008 10:28:40 AM	Ignore Don20 Report Abuse
	Radar2004: How about (8) cents at the pump 1940. could fill up the model A ford for $1.10. We will never see them days again. We also had it delivered to the farm for (3) cents in 55gal drums..(no road tax)
brutus Champion Author Alberta Posts:1,757 Points:937,580 Joined:Feb 2003	Message Posted: 10/13/2008 10:27:56 AM	Ignore brutus Report Abuse
	Thats history nowadays.
eagleeye2008 All-Star Author Wisconsin Posts:516 Points:111,040 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: 10/13/2008 10:26:50 AM	Ignore eagleeye2008 Report Abuse
	I HATE TO "ADMIT", BUT I CAN REMEMBER "GAS"--NOT "FUEL" AT 29 CENTS GAL.!!!
cmcatena Sophomore Author South Carolina Posts:234 Points:49,400 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: 10/13/2008 10:26:47 AM	Ignore cmcatena Report Abuse
	in 99 $10 would get me a weeks worth of gas.
sailormon All-Star Author Michigan Posts:644 Points:205,105 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: 10/13/2008 10:23:54 AM	Ignore sailormon Report Abuse
	I remember paying .63 per gallon! At the time I was driving a Ford Pinto that got 30 mpg!! Man, the money I saved!! Oh wait, I was making $2.95 per hour busing tables! I guess it actually cost me MORE back then per every hour worked!
Radar2004 Champion Author Wisconsin Posts:8,057 Points:1,673,725 Joined:Feb 2004	Message Posted: 10/13/2008 10:21:09 AM	Ignore Radar2004 Report Abuse
	The lowest fuel price I ever paid was $0.739 a gallon. I could fill the 23 gallon tank on my ol' 1972 Chrysler Newport up for about $17!!
SeerLV All-Star Author Las Vegas Posts:537 Points:132,015 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: 10/13/2008 10:20:22 AM	Ignore SeerLV Report Abuse
	Prices have stopped dropping here.
JPGKC Champion Author Tampa Posts:3,164 Points:572,050 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: 10/13/2008 10:19:31 AM	Ignore JPGKC Report Abuse
	The good ole days.
MajorSteve All-Star Author Oklahoma City Posts:500 Points:237,595 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: 10/13/2008 10:19:31 AM	Ignore MajorSteve Report Abuse
	down to 2.39 here this AM
mplato Champion Author Columbia Posts:1,292 Points:425,230 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: 10/13/2008 10:18:37 AM	Ignore mplato Report Abuse
	tbyee....me too i remember those days.....gas wars for $.30!
r651981 All-Star Author Columbus Posts:502 Points:424,975 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: 10/13/2008 10:16:03 AM	Ignore r651981 Report Abuse
	Buggy whips were less expensive as well. It must have been a slow news day in San Jose. We need to focus on swift development of non-fossil fuel sources and technologies
tbybee Veteran Author Omaha Posts:297 Points:108,600 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: 10/13/2008 10:14:21 AM	Ignore tbybee Report Abuse
	When I got my first car, premium was 57 cents a gallon.
SteelPenny Champion Author Dallas Posts:8,998 Points:1,072,700 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: 10/13/2008 10:13:15 AM	Ignore SteelPenny Report Abuse
	I remember 29.9 cents per gallon as late as September 1973 - and then there was the great oil hoax which doubled the price overnight (and it has been going UP ever since)
SE3.5 Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:7,925 Points:1,541,125 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: 10/13/2008 10:11:03 AM	Ignore SE3.5 Report Abuse
	burger & fries for 25 cents. those were the days.
mattf373 All-Star Author Atlanta Posts:561 Points:106,745 Joined:Mar 2003	Message Posted: 10/13/2008 10:11:02 AM	Ignore mattf373 Report Abuse
	drill baby drill
Kthyme Champion Author Fort Worth Posts:2,671 Points:876,390 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: 10/13/2008 10:11:01 AM	Ignore Kthyme Report Abuse
	Those days of $0.99 were not that long ago. We can get them back if people won't back down on this issue. Drill Here... Drill Now... Pay Less!!! ;)
w4kh Champion Author Riverside Posts:3,660 Points:640,945 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: 10/13/2008 10:09:18 AM	Ignore w4kh Report Abuse
	I remember being able to fill up my car with 10 gallons of Premium for about $3.70... it was frustrating to see gasoline double almost overnight in late December 1973, early 1974... From $3 to $4 is a shock, but it is only a 33% increase... in 1973-74 it was more than 100% We didn't learn from it then, and we better learn this time and kick our oil addiction!
Dennis783 Champion Author Wisconsin Posts:5,603 Points:1,122,945 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: 10/13/2008 10:08:52 AM	Ignore Dennis783 Report Abuse
	never see that again
cableman31 All-Star Author New York Posts:768 Points:429,775 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: 10/13/2008 10:08:16 AM	Ignore cableman31 Report Abuse
	No more, times have changed.
cloud23465 Rookie Author Virginia Beach Posts:79 Points:59,030 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: 10/13/2008 10:07:52 AM	Ignore cloud23465 Report Abuse
	I wasnt even driving when gas was that price.
bigwaverider Sophomore Author Orange County Posts:173 Points:52,205 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: 10/13/2008 10:06:51 AM	Ignore bigwaverider Report Abuse
	Relatively speaking gas is costing me alot more today than it did in 1998. I am now earning only twice my salary of 1998. Kind of sad.
cudatim All-Star Author San Antonio Posts:738 Points:371,695 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: 10/13/2008 10:06:05 AM	Ignore cudatim Report Abuse
	When I was in high school I saw gas for $.20 a gallon. That's a price we will never see again.
amacquarrie Veteran Author Nevada Posts:333 Points:77,235 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: 10/13/2008 10:04:03 AM	Ignore amacquarrie Report Abuse
	i remember .99 hmmm
andyrew Sophomore Author Baltimore Posts:230 Points:73,200 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: 10/13/2008 10:03:54 AM	Ignore andyrew Report Abuse
	i remember gas being cheaper, but i think the cheapest gas i ever actually pumped for myself was 97 cents. but then again, at the time, i could barely afford even THAT. so its all relative. at some point, milk used to be a nickel a gallon :)
Mark75 Sophomore Author Atlanta Posts:146 Points:71,325 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: 10/13/2008 10:03:41 AM	Ignore Mark75 Report Abuse
	The summer of 1998 I filled up a Dodge truck at a local QT for $.66 a gallon here in Atlanta.
fastfreddy38 All-Star Author Ontario Posts:855 Points:909,900 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: 10/13/2008 10:02:04 AM	Ignore fastfreddy38 Report Abuse
	Feep going down!
CHICOS Sophomore Author Salt Lake City Posts:211 Points:32,510 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: 10/13/2008 10:01:56 AM	Ignore CHICOS Report Abuse
	That was good... long time ago.
fastTC Veteran Author Illinois Posts:434 Points:267,330 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: 10/13/2008 9:59:09 AM	Ignore fastTC Report Abuse
	with the market prices should stabilize in the $1.50 to $2 range nationwide. If it takes us cutting all imported OPEC oil to do this, then so be it. Americans drill and refine oil for America!
Oldman60 Champion Author Little Rock Posts:2,417 Points:962,980 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: 10/13/2008 9:58:04 AM	Ignore Oldman60 Report Abuse
	In 1966 in Amarillo TX They had a gas war and gas was going for 12.9 a gallon. The price was normaly 19.9. Now that was nice.
PokerAce Champion Author Louisiana Posts:1,461 Points:295,405 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: 10/13/2008 9:57:39 AM	Ignore PokerAce Report Abuse
	as a kid I remember the "gas war" days when one station was 9-cents/gallon and the station across the street was 11-cents/gallon with a line at one and no cars at the other ..... of course this is ancient history ....
tomok Champion Author Portland Posts:9,625 Points:719,110 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: 10/13/2008 9:57:14 AM	Ignore tomok Report Abuse
	25 cents a gallon - regular, 1964, Shell, SW Oregon, in a back water remote town And my farther really bitched at me for going to such an expensive gas station. I think I was getting $1.35 an hour, working at Safeway and got my first car – a 1955 Mercury Monterey. -------------------- Hey! Just like Shell is now....... it’s still expensive. ------------------------------------------- And, later the stations were giving away green stamps or gold bond stamps, glasses, mugs, and all kinds of stuff to get you to return (even toys for the kids too). ***Current gasoline prices, approx. $3 a gallon/regular, is way too high, drop the price more...... make it reasonable!
az26 Sophomore Author Miami Posts:138 Points:66,605 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: 10/13/2008 9:56:05 AM	Ignore az26 Report Abuse
	i dont think i was around in those days
Chazzer Champion Author Nevada Posts:8,086 Points:1,730,660 Joined:May 2002	Message Posted: 10/13/2008 9:55:32 AM	Ignore Chazzer Report Abuse
	Those days are gone forever! We'll be lucky if pump prices go below $2.99 a gallon.
gascan11 Rookie Author Minnesota Posts:24 Points:73,645 Joined:Aug 2007	Message Posted: 10/13/2008 9:53:57 AM	Ignore gascan11 Report Abuse
	I was watching a show on TV last night and a guy filled up his truck for $4.99. I just thought to myself wow those were the days.
rjoeh Champion Author Michigan Posts:1,156 Points:1,025,445 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: 10/13/2008 9:51:21 AM	Ignore rjoeh Report Abuse
	I still remember when I stopped going to one station when their price went to 32 cents per gallon in 1972
ChiefDrake Sophomore Author Dallas Posts:102 Points:37,340 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: 10/13/2008 9:51:03 AM	Ignore ChiefDrake Report Abuse
	I betcha' that gas prices will fall to around $2.00 sometime in the next....oh... say.... 10 yrs from now?