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Sunday, August 28, 2011

Real MPG, Even used SUV/Pickup Truck Drivers are Rich

Real cost of driving an SUV/Pickup Truck

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/
F-150 v8 4.6L has a real life 16MPG
Accord 2.4L has a real life - 28MPG

A typical F-150 XLT pickup truck runs over $30,000
A typical Accord EX sedan runs about $24,000

Assuming that both vehicles have same residual value, then
over a 180,000 miles lifetime and at an average fuel cost of $3.30 gallon
Ford Truck = fuel 37,125 + truck costs 30,000/tax = 69,000
Honda Car =  fuel 21,215 + car costs 24,000/tax  =   46,700
 
Assuming that both vehicles have same residual value, then
Even driving a used pickup truck with 100,000 miles/trade in @ 200,000, it is the real kicker

Ford Truck = fuel 20,625 + truck costs 12,000//tax-3,000 trade in =30,400Honda Car =  fuel 11,800 + car costs 24,000/tax - 7,700 trade in =  29,650

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What do you expect for your MPG?

On an average of 18,000 miles a year, a typical SUV will consume 900 gallons a year or more.  A typical bread-n-butter family sedans consume 600 gallons or less.  The difference of $500 10 years ago ($1.75 gallon) was worth the "fun, enjoyment".  At the current rate of $3.50 gallon, or $4.00 gallon, the difference become $1000, $1200 a year. That's $100 a month more on gas.

Getting more than 30 mpgs require some serious trade-off.  Want to give up the size? Want to give up the comforts?

At 40mpg, it saving translates to (18,000/30 - 18,000/40) 150 gallons or $500 a year.  It's kind of same questions, want fun/size for $1000 more or give up some comforts/size to save $500?