New SUV Tax

It's not quite the gas tax some folks prefer as a way to tackle global warming, but good old supply-and-demand is combining with high gas prices to make it less and less attractive to own a gas-guzzling sport utility vehicle:

This holiday season has seen an explosion in thefts of expensive, platinum-laced catalytic converters from parked cars, and authorities report that high-clearance sport utility vehicles are the targets of choice for thieves. With a common socket wrench and 90 seconds, they leave drivers stuck with cars that sound like Harley-Davidson motorcycles, and facing repair bills topping $1,000.

Read more in the LA Times.