hinckley

I hate to admit it, but I can't recall whether I paid the GG tax or not. It's not on the original sticker, so I don't think I did. Are we sure there is a GG tax for the 08? How much?

aybeesea

I really appreciate your outward-looking post.

ABC

hinckley

From the US Dept of Energy site:

What is the Gas Guzzler Tax?

The Energy Tax Act of 1978 established a Gas Guzzler Tax on the sale of new model year vehicles whose fuel economy fails to meet certain statutory levels. The gas guzzler tax applies only to cars (not trucks) and is collected by the IRS.

The fuel economy figures used to determine the Gas Guzzler Tax are different from the fuel economy values provided on this web site and in the Fuel Economy Guide. The tax does not depend on your actual on-the-road mpg, which may be more or less than the EPA published value. The purpose of the Gas Guzzler Tax is to discourage the production and purchase of fuel inefficient vehicles. The amount of any applicable Gas Guzzler Tax paid by the manufacturer will be disclosed on the automobile's fuel economy label (the window sticker on new cars).

GAS GUZZLER TAX
Unadjusted MPG (combined)* Tax
at least 22.5 No tax
at least 21.5, but less than 22.5 $1000
at least 20.5, but less than 21.5 $1300
at least 19.5, but less than 20.5 $1700
at least 18.5, but less than 19.5 $2100
at least 17.5, but less than 18.5 $2600
at least 16.5, but less than 17.5 $3000
at least 15.5, but less than 16.5 $3700
at least 14.5, but less than 15.5 $4500
at least 13.5, but less than 14.5 $5400
at least 12.5, but less than 13.5 $6400
less than 12.5 $7700

* The combined fuel economy MPG value (55% city, 45% highway) is used to determine tax liability. The MPG value is also adjusted slightly to account for differences in test procedures made since the base year, but it is not adjusted for in-use short fall. The unadjusted combined MPG of a vehicle can be approximated from the city and highway values provided in the Fuel Economy Guide and on this website by the following equation:

(1/(.495/City MPG + .351/Highway MPG)) + .15

Since this is an approximate calculation, the actual gas guzzler tax may be off by one tax bracket.

Using that equation with the 550 manual's 17/24 mpg rating from the 08 brochure provides an "Unadjusted MPG" of 23.0, and therefore a GG tax of zero. Hope it's right.

ipp

A Ford GT should be pretty expensive in GG tax then...

aybeesea

WTF doesn't a STRONG government just increase the tax on fuel and then it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy as to who will pay the most tax?

It's not Rocket Science or complex.

But it would put the wind up the voters who, as in any country, think with their wallets.

Maybe there just has never been (in that sense) a strong government.

ABC

EBMCS03

I still complain why SUVs dont get taxed! thats BS and not fair.

jcflys

ABC It is just more of our out of control IRS dipping their hands where they dont belong. If you buy a car with poor mileage, you also buy more gas which means you pay more gas tax anyway. The GG tax is just another way for them to double dip like estate tax, luxury tax, capital gains tax and we the people get absolutely nothing in return for it.

On my purchase of an 08 550i there was no gas tax.

djjeffyen

LOL@ all the people compare 0-60.

Quarter mile man, quarter mile. Who the fuck cares about 0-60.
lol

BMWSTL

0-60 is a pretty standard measure of a car's quickness, and it's the one I look at first. I use others as well to measure a car's performance (such as skidpad, braking, etc.). Besides, this thread is comparing the '08 535i ZSP with the '08 550i ZSP. The only numbers out now from BMW are the 0-60 numbers, and no tests to see how the cars actually stack up are available as the 535 isn't out yet.

Lou

doug_999

I would be curious what kind of driving you do - I'm averaging 13.5 in the city (most of my driving) and 25 highway. Betcha the 535 does better in the city for sure.