May 2013
2010 Honda CR-V EX-L 18KD / 36KM
24KM * 7 + 36KM = 200KM / 20KD (4HD/repairs) = 10YR @ $1,000 per 10KM
2008 MB E350 22KD/36KM
24KM * 5 + 36KM = 156KM / 18KD (5HD/repairs) = 10YR @ $1,200 per 10KM
Best value for new (new used) cars
Really! 99 (1999) - 2005 Buick Park Avenue
Great highway mileage - 30 mpg / fairly reliable
Big and comfortable ride, large rear seat legroom
Used Sport Cars - 4 years / 50K miles
(Last update 2012, June)
Used Sport Cars - 4 years / 50K miles
2007/2008 Porsche Cayman
Edmunds.com (T25; P27.8; R30.5)
aol auto 5.8s
Newer Near/Luxury Sedans - 2/3 years / 30K miles
2010 Genesis 4.6 (with sunroof)
Edmunds.com (T26,P28; R29.5)
aol auto 5.8s CR 13/31/20 mpg
Brand New,
2012 Nissan Altima 3.5S (technology, sunroof, leather)
Cars Direct - last year model (M=33.5, TMV=27.0)
aol auto 5.8s CR 17/32/24 mpg
The costs of owning a car go way beyond the initial acquisition expenses.
One would argue how much money do you really need to spend on transportation, and how much of that translates into real meaningful benefits. A reliable CRV 2WD, LX runs about $20K and a luxury Q5 runs over $40K.
A typical vehicles, or cost of ownership, is composed with the following expenses
1. acquisition cost - (interests, payments)
2. Insurance, title, inspections - Some states assess taxes base on the value of vehicle, where as some states treat them all the same.
3. Operating cost - fuel, repairs
4. Depreciation - when it comes to trade-in, or upgrades, some vehicle depreciates at an alarming rate in the early years and tapered off over time. Holding on to cars like these a bit longer may lessen the depreciation cost, but it also translate into higher repair costs.
For example:
2 CRV LX, and 2 Q5 for 5 years, 75K miles
1 & 4 (net costs)
CRV = $42K new, trade-in $22K, interests = 5K = $25K / 5K a year
Q5 = $86K new, trade-in $32K, interests = 10K = $64K / 13K a year
2 (tax, basis)
The difference is minimal, unless you're in the states where tax, fees are based on the value of vehicles
3 (operation cost)
Fuel costs - premium fuel costs more, but it also relates higher performance engine and lower fuel economy.
CRV = 26 mpg
Q5 = 23 mpg
@ 3.30 gallon/regular fuel, The CRV translates 2200 / 400 a year
Repairs? It's a very subjective measurement. Honda has been a reliable brand, German cars tends to have many small mechanical problems and expensive maintenance costs.
# # # #
The bottom line = if you have $10K extra of disposable income then having finer things in life is for you.
MID SIZE FAMILY SEDANS
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FORD FUSION
CHEVROLET MALIBU
CHRYSLER (200?)
HONDA ACCORD
TOYOTA CAMRY
MAZDA MAZDA6
SUBARU LEGACY
HYUNDAI SONNATA
KIA OPTIMA
VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT
