With gas prices reaching ALL-TIME highs and yet another raise of the prices to a national average of about $3.40 over this weekend, you may wonder why and how some people ride around in gas guzzlers. Well, simply put, they can not only afford the car payment but they can actually afford to drive them (afford the gas).

Next time you see kids looking out of the window at an SUV barreling down the highway going about 90mph, just imaging him or her saying “daddy, they are rich”. You ask why the kid would say something like this? Well, if you can drive that fast in an SUV then you must have a good cash flow to pay for the $4-a-gallon gas that you are burning up ever-so-fast.

Here is a list of CARS to stay away from (for now while gas prices are high) because of the horrendous amount of gasoline that it consumes. But then-again, if you can afford some of these cars then you probably are not too worried about the price of gas YET.

Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8
Base Price: $28,520
Annual Fuel Cost: $4,186
Engine: 6.1-liter V8
MPG Rating: 11 city/ 14 highway

Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG
Base Price: $88,050
Annual Fuel Cost: $3,438
Engine: 6.2-liter V8
MPG Rating: 9 city/ 14 highway

Audi S4 Avant
Base Price: $48,610
Annual Fuel Cost: $3,352
Engine: 4.2-liter V8
MPG Rating: 13 city/ 20 highway

Aston Martin DB9
Base Price: $162,050
Annual Fuel Cost: $4,011
Engine: 5.9-liter V12
MPG Rating: 10 city/ 16 highway

Mercedes Benz ML 63 AMG
Base Price: $87,000
Annual Fuel Cost: $4,186
Engine: 6.2-liter V8
MPG Rating: 11 city/ 14 highway

Mercedes Benz G55 AMG
Base Price: $111,900
Annual Fuel Cost: $4,186
Engine: 5.4-liter V8
MPG Rating: 11 city/ 13 highway

Bentley Continental GTC
Base Price: $193,990
Annual Fuel Cost: $4,186
Engine: 6.0-liter V12
MPG Rating: 10 city/ 17 highway

Maybach 57/62
Base Price: $335,500
Annual Fuel Cost: $4,186
Engine: 6.0-liter V12
MPG Rating: 10 city/16 highway

Ferrari 612 Scaglietti
Base Price: $263,519
Estimated Annual Fuel Cost: $4,377
Engine: 4.7-liter V8
MPG Rating: 9 city/15 highway

Bentley Azure
Base Price: $329,000
Estimated Annual Fuel Cost: $4,568
Engine: 6.7-liter V8
MPG Rating: 9 city/15 highway

Bugatti Veyron
Base Price: $1.5 million
Estimated Annual Fuel Cost: $5,025
Engine: 8.0-liter V16
MPG Rating: 8 city/14 highway

Lamborghini Murcielago
Base Price: $313,600
Estimated Annual Fuel Cost: $5,025
Engine: 6.5-liter V12
MPG Rating: 8 city/13 highway

This is the fastest Bentley ever! With a 0-60 time of 4.3 seconds this big mammoth of an automobile gets it all done with its 600hp twin turbo W-12 engine. The all new W12 twin turbo has been optimized with lower-friction, lighter weight components to cut fuel consumption and C02 emissions. The new version of the engine gets a 9-percent increase in horsepower and a 15-percent increase in torque, to 553 foot-pounds.

Zero to 100 miles per hour comes up in 10.3 seconds and 50 mph to 70 mph takes 2.3 seconds, and I can say, that’s fast.

You can differentiate the Speed version from your everyday Bentley Continental GT by its wider, lower air intake and a more upright grille that provides even more airflow to the engine. The grille and the lower air intakes are in a dark-tinted chrome matrix, and the tailpipes are wider. Inside, there are drilled alloy pedals, a knurled chrome hide gearshift and diamond quilted seat facings, doors and rear quarter-panel. 

Bentley has reworked the chassis, too, with a lowered ride height, up-rated springs and damper settings and up-rated anti-roll bars, plus the stickier Pirelli P-Zeros on 9.5Jx20 wheels. The Servotronic steering has been improved for better response. 

Both the standard Conti GT and the Conti GT Speed have lost 77 pounds, mostly through suspension and cooling system improvements, and the standard car’s engine gets the same treatments that lower weight and friction for better fuel consumption and C02 emissions.

This one is strictly for enthusiasts alike while the mix of Bentley enthusiasts will just gloat and smile at the fact that they can also “come out and play” with the “fast big boys” of today’s automotive world.

Can you imagine driving a convertible at 195mph? You can when you are piloting the all-new 2007 Bentley Continental GTC. Not only that, you are surrounded by luxurious hand cut and sewn leathers, exotic wood veneers, real aluminum and chrome trim. There’s no doubt, the Bentley Continental GTC is the world’s greatest convertible.

The new Bentley Continental GTC is an open-top 2+2 in true Bentley tradition. Its convertible nature means that every sensation of driving is transmitted to you and your passengers. The new GTC blends clear Continental lineage with its own personality and character-a unique mix of sporting dynamism and the added elegance you would expect from a convertible.The GTC’s design team has also been influenced by the need to ensure perfect aerodynamic balance at speeds close to 200mph. The convertible spent many hours in the wind tunnel to ensure a low drag coefficient and like the coupe and four-door versions, it utilizes an underbody diffuser and specially sculpted rear bumper and trunklid spoiler to provide downforce and stability at high speed.The GTC’s exterior design looks like it was carved from a solid block of metal. Key exterior features include the traditional Bentley matrix grille and the famed ‘B’ badge on the radiator shell, trunk and wheel covers. The front fascia also contains twin bi-xenon headlamps with integrated washer jets. Just below the bumper are inlets to cool the massive front brake rotors.From the side you’ll notice the flared fenders stuffed with 19X9in. 5-spoke, painted alloy wheels and Pirelli P-Zero Rosso high-performance tires, chromed door handles, and tasteful chrome strips surrounding the top perimeter, and entire lower side. At the rear are large, high-intensity LED tail and brake lights; a discrete high-level LED brake light integrated at the base of the convertible top, and traditional Bentley twin oval stainless steel tail pipes.Under the skin of the GTC lies Bentley’s magnificent W12 twin-turbocharged engine that generates 552hp and 479lb.ft. of torque that propels you to 60mph in just 4.8sec. The V12 engine purrs like a big cat at idle, but lets out a mighty growl when you punch it hard. A high-tech, all-wheel-drive system with a Torsen differential for exceptional stability and grip in any condition is driven by an advanced six-speed automatic gearbox with manual mode, and paddle-shifters on the steering wheel. For a smooth and controlled ride, and to cater to the GTC’s sleek design, and convertible packaging, are a unique four-link setup up front and a trapezoidal multi-link rear, with computer-controlled air springs and electronically controlled shocks. You have four different types of pre-programmed suspension settings to choose-comfort to sport-that automatically adjusts the computer-controlled shock absorbers to ensure the car reacts in the right way to your driving inputs. At speeds above 152mph, the suspension automatically lowers the car to ensure that aerodynamic lift is kept to a minimum. The Continental GTC also incorporates traction control and electronic stability control, both of which can be turned off is desired. The new Bentley GTC stops as fast as it accelerates thanks to the largest diameter brakes of any series production passenger car on sale today, 15.8in. front vented rotors with calipers sporting cast aluminum ‘Bentley’ logos. The interior exhibits old English craftsmanship including Burr Walnut wood veneers to the fascia, upper door trim and front console. All wood veneers are cut using laser technology, then lacquered by hand before being machined and polished. The wood veneer is book matched to create perfect symmetry, with one side exactly reflecting the other. Thick, premium A-grade leather hides cover the seating, door panels, dashboard and rear tonneau cover. The hide-trimmed, multi-function, steering wheel is double-stitched by hand using two needles simultaneously, and takes about 8 hours to trim. Classic Bentley brightwork inside includes the bull-eye ventilation outlets with their organ stop controls, and unique chrome knurled switchgear. Driving features include fully adjustable front bucket seats with 3-position memory, lumbar control and optional massage, electronic four-zone climate control, DVD satellite navigation, 10-speaker premium audio system, Bluetooth, keyless entry, self-closing doors, console mounted start/stop button, Breitling clock, electronic park brake, instrument cluster with 210mph speedometer, front/rear parking assist, rain-sensing wipers, power windows/door locks, and stainless steel-faced pedals.. The convertible top takes just 25sec. to raise or lower, and utilizes a 7-bow design for strength and durability. The cloth roof has superb acoustic damping fabrics with a thicker, more padded outer layer than in any other convertible. The headliner layer is suede leather to finish the interior. To ensure your safety, an advanced rollover protection system is installed beneath the rear headrests. If the computer senses that the car is about to rollover, two reinforced steel hoops are deployed in a split second. The refinement and dynamics engineered into the GTC are amazing. The GTC has the dual character that every Bentley possesses. You can drive along in something that is better appointed than your living room, and you can give a supercar a run for its money whenever you want. When the roads are bumpy and wet who could challenge you with four-wheel-drive and incredible grip? ALL NEW 2007 BENTLEY CONTINENTAL GTC “THE WORLDS FASTEST CONVERTIBLE”   COPYRIGHT:2007:HARVEY SCHWARTZ – EDITOR, AUTOMOTIVE ADDICTS   Type: Midsize Convertible Where Built: England EPA Class: Subcompact Cars Price: MSPR $189.990 Dimensions Exterior Length: 189.1 in. Width: 75.4 in. Height: 55 in. Wheel Base: 108.1 in. Curb Weight: 5456 lbs. Gross Weight: 6393 lbs. Interior Front Leg Room: 42.3 in. Rear Leg Room: 29.3 in. Luggage Capacity: 8.3 cu. ft. Maximum Cargo Capacity: 8 cu. ft. Maximum Seating: 4 Performance Data Performance Base Number of Cylinders: 12 Base Engine Size: 6 liters Base Engine Type: W12 Horsepower: 552 hp Max Horsepower: 6100 rpm Torque: 479 ft-lbs. Max Torque: 1600 rpm Drive Type: AWD Turning Circle: 36.7 ft. Fuel Data Fuel Fuel Tank Capacity: 23.8 gal. EPA Mileage Estimates: (City/Highway) Automatic: : 11 mpg / 18 mpg Range in Miles: (City/Highway) Automatic: 261.8 mi. / 428.4 mi.