Re: OT- buying car to save on fuel costs...

Posted by Rod in Smiths Falls, ON, on September 13, 2005 at 17:11:37 from (209.71.222.78):

In Reply to: OT- buying car to save on fuel costs... posted by 26Red on September 12, 2005 at 12:41:32:

Do you have a good mechanic? If you do he/she can keep an older vehicle running as well as a new one, and at moderate cost. When my son's '97 Civic broke its crankshaft, a newer engine cost $700, with installation another $500.

The biggest cost for many drivers is the insurance, particularly collision and comprehensive. For those drivers it makes excellent sense to buy a car of low value. Liability insurance only? Major saving.

Did nobody ever think of fuel costs when buying cars? Who needs 265 hp in a midsize sedan? If you want to change something, try legislating a 100 hp cap for all non-commercial vehicles.

Wife cars: SUVs are great in winter, and nobody wants his wife or mother stranded somewhere because of a lack of traction. My wife's RAV4 is harder on gas than an econobox, but she loves it.

My friends laughed at me for selecting a 4 cylinder, 5 speed, SUV, with low range but without air. They say it's underpowered, but it delivers an honest 24 miles per gallon in winter, higher in summer, and performs strongly off-road. So in the last couple of weeks my cost of fuel has gone from 10 cents to 12 cents per kilometer. Big deal!

I can't tow a tractor with it so I hired a student with his father's truck. Cost me $100. My 4Runner tows lighter trailers just about every day of the week.

Summary: Fuel costs are just part of the picture. Insurance is probably more expensive. Major savings in insurance and interest can accrue if you drive a well-maintained beater, but think of fuel consumption even when the stuff is cheap, because it won't always be.

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