C6 Corvette General Discussion General C6 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

'Top-tier' gas is nothing more than a marketing ploy...

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 06-28-2006, 04:42 PM
  #1  
Newton06
Drifting
Thread Starter
 
Newton06's Avatar
 
Member Since: May 2006
Location: Raleigh NC
Posts: 1,839
Received 319 Likes on 166 Posts

Default 'Top-tier' gas is nothing more than a marketing ploy...

I have almost 20k miles on my 05 C6 & have put in 'top-tier' gas less than a handful of times.

I primarily use Arco or Safeway gas, as they are usually at least 15 cents less a gallon.

While removing my intake, I fully inspected the intake track and valves.

Guess what- they are spotless.

The injectors are all spotless as well.

There is no benefit to paying more for 'top-tier' gas other than contributing to their manufacturer's enormous profit margins.

Last edited by Newton06; 06-28-2006 at 04:49 PM.
Newton06 is offline  
Old 06-28-2006, 04:45 PM
  #2  
baddasp
Instructor
 
baddasp's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jan 2005
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 6 Posts

Default

If you say so ...
baddasp is offline  
Old 06-28-2006, 04:47 PM
  #3  
rothchilds
Melting Slicks
 
rothchilds's Avatar
 
Member Since: Feb 2005
Location: Visalia CA
Posts: 3,298
Received 49 Likes on 37 Posts

Default so this is all a ploy?

http://www.toptiergas.com/

conspiracy you say!
rothchilds is offline  
Old 06-28-2006, 04:48 PM
  #4  
bobamick
TRIPLE RETIREE
Support Corvetteforum!
 
bobamick's Avatar
 
Member Since: Aug 2002
Location: Rockwall Texas
Posts: 362
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

That's good...

Bob Amick
bobamick is offline  
Old 06-28-2006, 04:51 PM
  #5  
Newton06
Drifting
Thread Starter
 
Newton06's Avatar
 
Member Since: May 2006
Location: Raleigh NC
Posts: 1,839
Received 319 Likes on 166 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by rothchilds
http://www.toptiergas.com/

conspiracy you say!
That website is a joke.
Newton06 is offline  
Old 06-28-2006, 04:54 PM
  #6  
LS WON
Team Owner
 
LS WON's Avatar
 
Member Since: Dec 2002
Location: San Francisco CA
Posts: 31,954
Received 271 Likes on 233 Posts

Default

ARCO! I used to go there never used it in C-6 but used it in another car and I won't go back because it is like the invasion of aliens just too many people, too crowded and of course have to wait in a dreaded line. Only Chevron and Union 76 used here.
LS WON is offline  
Old 06-28-2006, 04:56 PM
  #7  
DEagle
Racer
 
DEagle's Avatar
 
Member Since: Dec 2005
Location: Outer Suburbia SoCal
Posts: 346
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

I think the $.15 premium you're talking about is just the station owners getting greedy. The cheapest gas around me is at a 76 station (on the top tier list). However you are right that they are starting to heavily market this top tier thing...
DEagle is offline  
Old 06-28-2006, 04:59 PM
  #8  
BigJoe
Race Director

Support Corvetteforum!
 
BigJoe's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jun 2000
Location: Hurst, TX USA
Posts: 13,733
Received 64 Likes on 43 Posts

Default

I agree but I am definitely in the minority here. I pretty much only use Citgo (neighborhood 7-Eleven) 87 octane and have had no bad symptoms in roughly 3000 miles since I switched over.
BigJoe is offline  
Old 06-28-2006, 05:01 PM
  #9  
Zymurgy
Moderator

Support Corvetteforum!
 
Zymurgy's Avatar
 
Member Since: Feb 2006
Location: DFW Area TX
Posts: 35,610
Received 15,075 Likes on 6,173 Posts

Default

Cheapest gas around here is frequently QuikTrip which is a top-tier supplier.

Zymurgy is offline  
Old 06-28-2006, 05:08 PM
  #10  
calemasters
Le Mans Master
 
calemasters's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jan 2005
Location: Thousand Oaks California
Posts: 5,611
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts

Default

What about at 50,000 miles? What about other non top tier fuel brands? I would not make any conclusions, based on sample size of one enginge, at only 20,000 miles.

In my area, top tier fuel (Chevron, 76, Shell) is the same price as non top tier fuel, such as Mobile.
calemasters is offline  
Old 06-28-2006, 05:14 PM
  #11  
Jay13
Race Director
 
Jay13's Avatar
 
Member Since: May 2005
Location: . [Rotorhead] "You seem to be a douche. What I'm getting at is just STFU" [/Rotorhead]
Posts: 13,787
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
St. Jude Donor '06 & '09 & '11

Default

I buy what's closest and they all gouge. I rationalize it as part of the Corvette tax.
Jay13 is offline  
Old 06-28-2006, 05:20 PM
  #12  
rothchilds
Melting Slicks
 
rothchilds's Avatar
 
Member Since: Feb 2005
Location: Visalia CA
Posts: 3,298
Received 49 Likes on 37 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by Newton06
That website is a joke.

it may be but so is your assumption that bargain basement gas is the same as a "top tier" gas. Talk to someone who works in the gas industry on the science/analyzing side, I have and think your assumptions are incorrect sir.

But enjoy your $2.50 savings a tank in gas
rothchilds is offline  
Old 06-28-2006, 05:25 PM
  #13  
yell01
Team Owner
Support Corvetteforum!
 
yell01's Avatar
 
Member Since: Apr 2003
Location: Lemont IL
Posts: 30,783
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
CI 7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10

Default

I used to put premium in my last DD (Acura TL). Then I figured I'd see what happened if I put regular unleaded in. I could tell the performance was effected but what suprised me was how much better the milage was. I went from about 300-310 miles per tank to 340-350. I just put my first tank of mid grade in my new DD today (Lexus GS430). I'll see if my milage improves in this one too.
yell01 is offline  
Old 06-28-2006, 05:36 PM
  #14  
Dmeech
Instructor
 
Dmeech's Avatar
 
Member Since: Dec 2004
Posts: 142
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by rothchilds
it may be but so is your assumption that bargain basement gas is the same as a "top tier" gas. Talk to someone who works in the gas industry on the science/analyzing side, I have and think your assumptions are incorrect sir.

But enjoy your $2.50 savings a tank in gas
Where is the DATA? Where is the research?? Give me a statistical analysis with a sample size of at least 1000 cars, and then I will be able to judge what is better for the engine. Without that, just because 76, Shell, and Chevron paid some research scientist to state some crap about their gas being better because it has more additives in it, is just what it is, CRAP. And yes, I will enjoy my savings of $2.50 a tank. No Doubt top tier gas is chemically different from non-top tier but your car won’t even notice if regular maintenance is performed. You are getting the same outcome from the product and you are happy to pay MORE for it... wow, the advertising these days.....

Last edited by Dmeech; 06-28-2006 at 05:39 PM.
Dmeech is offline  
Old 06-28-2006, 05:38 PM
  #15  
bradb
Drifting
 
bradb's Avatar
 
Member Since: Nov 2005
Location: Hugetown Texas
Posts: 1,322
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
St. Jude Donor '06-'07

Default

Originally Posted by rothchilds
Talk to someone who works in the gas industry on the science/analyzing side, I have and think your assumptions are incorrect sir.

I have and "Top Tier" is MOSTLY marketing.
Key word: "mostly".

His advice, buy name brand gasoline, but not exclusively "top tier".
bradb is offline  
Old 06-28-2006, 05:39 PM
  #16  
JackBurton
Advanced
 
JackBurton's Avatar
 
Member Since: May 2006
Location: Fort Worth Texas
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Exxon is Mobil....
JackBurton is offline  
Old 06-28-2006, 05:51 PM
  #17  
warthog34
Pro
 
warthog34's Avatar
 
Member Since: Apr 2005
Location: Davie FL
Posts: 734
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

you mean the oil companies are marketing to us so they can charge us more for no reason?????

OMG, i'm shocked.
warthog34 is offline  

Get notified of new replies

To 'Top-tier' gas is nothing more than a marketing ploy...

Old 06-28-2006, 05:57 PM
  #18  
mlongo99
Le Mans Master
 
mlongo99's Avatar
 
Member Since: Nov 2004
Location: Goleta CA
Posts: 6,566
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Cruise-In VIII Veteran

Default

The top tier station I use is one of the cheaper gas stations around me. Usually 20-25 cents cheaper than the gougers that are right down the street from me.
mlongo99 is offline  
Old 06-28-2006, 07:23 PM
  #19  
RedC7AZ
Race Director
 
RedC7AZ's Avatar
 
Member Since: May 2006
Posts: 16,854
Received 534 Likes on 334 Posts

Default It's all the Same

Gasoline all comes from the same pipelines. It's all the same stuff. Arco gas is the same as Mobile, which is the same as Chevron.

If you filled up at Arco and experienced a lack of performance from that tank of gas, it's not because it was Arco gas. You could very well have gotten the same bad gasoline from Mobile, since it all comes from the same source to begin with.

I've gotten both good and bad gasoline from every station I've been to whether it was Mobile, Texaco, Chevron or whatever.
RedC7AZ is offline  
Old 06-28-2006, 07:48 PM
  #20  
beaversstonehaven
Melting Slicks
 
beaversstonehaven's Avatar
 
Member Since: Feb 2005
Location: San Marcos, Texas
Posts: 2,633
Received 129 Likes on 100 Posts

Default

Please buy Exxon/Mobil as I have a rather large holding in said company.
beaversstonehaven is offline  


Quick Reply: 'Top-tier' gas is nothing more than a marketing ploy...



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:45 PM.