There are SOOOO many new threads and topics, if I've missed this I'm sorry.

But with the highway rating only at 23 (for now, I hope GM is low balling it and it will really be more like 25-26) and it's probably pretty safe to say that the city will be from 14-16, it's likely it could apply to the SS???

Here's what I found on how it works.

What is the Gas Guzzler Tax?

The Gas Guzzler Tax is a Federal excise tax applied to the domestic sale of new vehicles that don't meet certain fuel economy standards. It was enacted as part of the Energy Tax Act of 1978, reaching current levels by 1988. On its surface, the Tax is simple. Behind that simplicity, though, lies a maze of formulas and numbers, some of which are of particular interest to SUV buyers.

Combined Fuel Economy

The Gas Guzzler Tax is based on combined fuel economy, which is based on a 55%/45% highway/city fuel economy estimate from the Environmental Protection Agency test.

How Much is the Gas Guzzler Tax?

Vehicles that get at least 22.5 mpg (combined) don't have to pay the Gas Guzzler Tax. The Tax rate goes from $1,000 for vehicles that get at least 21.5 mpg (combined), but less than 22.5 mpg (combined) all the way up to $7,700 for vehicles that get less than 12.5 mpg (combined).

Assuming a 16mpg city rating (which is probably too high) (16*0.45)+(23*0.55)=19.85mpg.

Now.... if the car had a 26 highway and 16 city rating, that would be exactly 21.5 and be the smaller $1,000 tax.

I guess that may be another reason to get one used?

 

The gas guzzler tax is confusing. With a Shelby GT rated 16/23 you have to pay the tax (1000) but with a Mustang GT rated 15/22 (auto) or 15/23 (manual) you don't.

 

GAS GUZZLER TAX
Unadjusted MPG (combined)*

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

 

So if the Challenger SRT-8 gets 15 mpg combined how is the tax only $2100 on it?

 

Didn't know that... I also didn't realized the GT's ratings were that low.

 

The Shelby GT is rated at 14/20

 

14/20 is the GT500. I'm talking about the the 319hp model.

 

What a bull**** tax, this is why I vote republican.

 

The reason GM went with the L99 and for the auto trans was specifically to avoid the gas guzzler tax. I guarentee this car will not have the tax. By the way the formula used for the gas guzzler tax is more complicated than just the average between the city and hwy mileage.

 

no gas guzzler tax on Camaro

 

All models?

 

Good Q, Z28 too?

 

If the Z28 ends up with a large displacement supercharged engine, I'd imagine it will get a guzzler tax.

 

One thing to remember about the 23 HWY number, if you re-rate the LS1 A4 cars using the new rating system, they only get rated 23 HWY too. So if the new car gets the same mileage as the LS1 cars, I would actually be happy w/ that, quite so.