10 cars you don't want during a gas crisis

By Alex Taylor III | CNNMoney.com – Mon, Feb 27, 2012 4:30 PM EST

Gas-guzzling offenders include SUVs and sports cars like the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1.Gas-guzzling offenders include SUVs and sports cars like the Chevrolet Corvette ZR1.

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Gas prices are spiking again -- $5 a gallon for regular in Los Angeles -- and drivers are predictably up in arms. The obligatory media frenzy is stoking their passions -- particularly on local news shows. An easy-to-understand camera-friendly story profiling angry citizens? There's a no-brainer for news directors.Politicians are certainly doing their part to fan the flames. Obama opponents are blaming the president, and some are even promising to bring back $2.50 a gallon gas. Maybe they'll bring back 15-cent McDonald's hamburgers, too. It won't be long before some public servant speaks up and urges the government to open the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to spare Americans from laying out more cash for a scarce and diminishing resource.

Meanwhile, drivers who confused themselves with Saudi princes and indulged their inner gas-guzzler when fuel was cheap are paying the price at the pump with their weighty rides. Here are some of their most notable offenders.

Chevrolet Corvette ZR1

The mighty ZR1, known as "America's Super Car," is powered by a 638-horsepower engine, gets to 60 miles per hour in the world-class time of 3.8 seconds, and is capable of a top speed of 205 miles per hour. Good luck finding someplace where you can test those numbers. As the old saw goes, the `Vette will pass everything on the road except for a gas station. Figure on 14 mpg city/21 mpg highway for $112,000 worth of "velocity unleashed."

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