Cost/mile

[gfh77665]

Originally Posted By: doitmyself

:


Depreciation is the biggest chunk of the pie chart by far, so attack that and you have the greastes potential for savings. Be patient and you CAN find low milage well cared for vehicles at rock bottom prices from individuals. Stay off the lots!

 

[javacontour]

Like I suggested, look into liability only for the Jetta and see if you get an insurance discount for more cars than drivers. We did until the number of teen drivers equaled the number of unused cars.

It may be closer to a wash than you think, if not a money saver. Especially if consider what you would save on owning a cheaper used car compared to two newer models for peace of mind.

Sounds like you are thinking this out and will make any choice work.

Originally Posted By: supton
Problem with a car rental is getting to it--30 mile drive. Not huge distance, but not something I can just pick up from the way back from the mechanic (he's in the wrong direction no less). Negotiating rides with the wife to pick me up is possible, but with kids starting after-school stuff that is getting dodgey.

I do have to look into this oiling the car business. We got rid of our Civic after 10 years for multiple reasons; one was rust fears. I was worried about it blowing a brake line. 10 years of NH rust and all. Perhaps I'll have the Camry oil coated this year. [The VW has rust issues, but oiling would not have prevented all the locations.]

Another reason the Civic went away was size. It really was a small car, and my VW is the same size. Yes the kids fit in the back. But it's really about the lower limit. And if the Jetta is in the shop, then I still need four doors for when I pick the kids up after work--so no two door beaters for me.

I am migrating towards some beater spare 3rd vehicle, not sure what, but it does seem to make some sense. I think I got the most problematic issues dealt with on my car, so it should be reasonably good to go-for now. Really no good reason to get rid of it, unless if I rule out owning a spare vehicle. Which is the issue: do I give in and own three vehicles, with the attendant increased insurance/registration/rotating three vehicles to the garage; or do I limit myself to two? Two vehicles means very high reliability, and thus more depreciation costs, while three means lower reliability allowed, but more shop time.

I think we're keeping the Camry for at least 5 years (too much money lost on depreciation) if not 10; plus, we've taken to the vehicle for our long trips. As much as I love my Jetta, the Camry is more quiet, and simply has more space.

 

[supton]

Huh, interesting thought: I should ask my insurance rep what replacement cost on my Jetta is. If it's less than what I think it's worth, well, might as well start collecting that difference. Only kept it this long due to the replacement aspect of "what if".

 

[Cujet]

I do these calculations all the time. Be aware that fuel costs can easily be the number 1 expense over a 10 year period with even a slightly above average number of miles. Unless the vehicle in question is quite efficient. My f150, for example, does not achieve its rated MPG and it regularly consumes $600 of fuel per month.

If that rate of consumption continues, I'll spend over $60,000 in fuel over 10 years in my $33K, 2009 F150. Big difference in real world costs than projected by "the experts".

 

[Cujet]

Oh, always, always, include every fixed expense in your calculations. Any other method skews the real world cost per mile. It's my opinion that cost per mile is the only cost that matters. And it's incredibly misunderstood.