When I purchased my previous Trans Am about two years ago, gas prices were beginning to climb. This particular Pontiac was powered by the venerable LS1, an all-aluminum engine which boasts an 10.25:1 compression ratio, meaning it enjoys sipping on premium. As fuel prices swelled, the idea of owning a heads, cam, bolt-on, daily driver lost some of its "zazz." Gas mileage hovered in the 16-17 average for combined city and highway, no matter how much the 'Bird was babied.
I eventually went on to replace it with my current daily, a 2005 GTO. Compression is up to 10.9:1. Not surprisingly, the fuel economy has jumped to an average of 18-19. Possibly because of the six-speed manual transmission, or because it was stone stock. Either way, it wasn't enough of an improvement to gloat about.
This year, gas prices hit their all-time high with a national average of over $4.00 a gallon starting in June. Thankfully, that trend did not continue. It was only here long enough to spoil plans for a summer road trips and going out and enjoying the summer in you Pontiac. We shouldn't have to worry about the cost of fuel like this.
Well, there is good news. Gas prices are on a steady decline, and that trend is expected to continue and then hover around a national average of a low two dollar figure. This is great news for all of us. I for one will be enjoying the dead dinosaur juice as much as I can during this time because it's inevitable that fuel costs will rise again. By how much? I don't know......I don't think any of us want to know.