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Author Topic: The real costs of owning a car Post a Reply Back to Topics
ziyulu

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Oklahoma City

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Message Posted: May 3, 2012 3:14:19 AM

When buying a car, think beyond the purchase price. To understand a car's real cost, take into account how much you'll be spending on it over time.

For example, a new Honda CR-V EX and Kia Sorento LX both cost about $25,000, but the numbers look very different after five years of ownership.

Depreciation: Use the comparison tool at Intellichoice.com to get an estimate for what you'll pay now versus what the car will be worth by the time you trade it in.

"Look carefully at how well the car holds its value, especially if you're taking out a long loan," says Kris de la Cuesta of Intellichoice.

Value lost after 5 years: Honda CR-V: $13,143; Kia Sorento: $16,590.
Visit CNN for full article
REPLIES (newest first)
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kenji554
Champion Author Charlotte

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Message Posted: May 4, 2012 3:15:11 AM

I told my kids the same thing when they bought their first cars which were used. Dont just budget on the monthly payment, expect additional maintenance and running cost.
Thats just part of owning something like a car, house, boat, etc.
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Rich1430
All-Star Author Indiana

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Message Posted: May 3, 2012 11:14:58 PM

This being reported by CNN make me wonder if the price statisticsthe give are either a little bit to somewhat inflated. I do not trust CNN for anything they report to be truth and/or accurate.
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blupupher
Champion Author Houston

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Message Posted: May 3, 2012 8:21:39 PM

make sure you know what your getting.
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ExplorerWA
Champion Author Washington

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Message Posted: May 3, 2012 7:39:58 PM

Cars are expensive.......Wow!
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me2002
All-Star Author Toledo

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Message Posted: May 3, 2012 4:07:29 PM

Resale value. My only consideration when I'm selling my car is how much it weighs and the current value per ton of scrap!

[Edited by: me2002 at 5/3/2012 7:07:05 PM EST]
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md11capt
Champion Author Denver

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Message Posted: May 3, 2012 11:44:51 AM

Shocking.
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Hamish
Champion Author Ontario

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Message Posted: May 3, 2012 11:04:23 AM

Who keeps a car for 5 years?
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schatzila
Champion Author Los Angeles

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Message Posted: May 3, 2012 10:34:16 AM

Thought this would be an in depth article with actual facts for more than a few cars.
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CapriceWagon
Champion Author Washington

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Message Posted: May 3, 2012 8:36:48 AM

I buy cars that are old enough they can't depreciate anymore, then I fix them up, drive them, and sell them for more than what I paid for them. I do all my own maintenance, keep an Excel spreadsheet for each vehicle, and know exactly what needs what and when.
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BlueLesPaul2006
Veteran Author Delaware

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Message Posted: May 3, 2012 8:09:51 AM

All transportation cost are way to high.
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AlfaAirbeds
Rookie Author Trenton

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Message Posted: May 3, 2012 7:56:51 AM

Mustang is the best performance car to own in the way of cost of ownership...
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Cothrom
Champion Author South Carolina

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Message Posted: May 3, 2012 7:33:34 AM

And some, are just noticing this now! :)
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Dr Gas
Champion Author Twin Cities

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Message Posted: May 3, 2012 7:07:55 AM

I don't, and all my relatives and frineds DO NOT think about or care about what the value of the car is after I want to get rid of it.

Who cares?

You buy it and then you sell or trade it.
Unless you buy new and then get rid of it in LESS THEN 7 years, you can't relly be thinking - Gee I wonder if I'll get a good price for this after I want to trade it in!

Those that buy new every 5 years - to bad you have all that money to waste!
I'll take some of that extra cash you have!
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Skunk63
Champion Author Phoenix

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Message Posted: May 3, 2012 7:00:04 AM

Pretty elementary.
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Nancy&Len
Champion Author Cleveland

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Message Posted: May 3, 2012 5:45:46 AM

Most people really have no idea.
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mamaontheroad
Veteran Author Columbus

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Message Posted: May 3, 2012 5:42:28 AM

good analysis ....... not just for the kids.
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MetroSexual
Champion Author New Hampshire

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Message Posted: May 3, 2012 5:36:49 AM

This should be mandatory education in high schools. It would actually be a useful tool instead of the usual garbage that public schools disseminate.
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BEGTWO
Champion Author Maryland

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Message Posted: May 3, 2012 5:14:16 AM

DANG!!!!
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Evilmaddog
Champion Author British Columbia

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Message Posted: May 3, 2012 5:12:26 AM

money pit
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GingoutMD
Champion Author Maryland

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Message Posted: May 3, 2012 5:05:47 AM

TCO, or total cost of ownership, is very important when buying a car. The sticker price is just the most obvious cost.
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badbonita
Champion Author Syracuse

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Message Posted: May 3, 2012 5:03:18 AM

All very important things to take into consideration.
Also, location of where you live - if you live in a high crime area, your insurance may be higher than if you lived in a low crime area.
I moved 2 miles, unknowingly shifted from medium to low and my insurance was cut by nearly a third.

[Edited by: badbonita at 5/3/2012 8:03:25 AM EST]
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gs7101
Champion Author San Antonio

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Message Posted: May 3, 2012 5:01:44 AM

There's always a downside to anything -- most vehicles start to lose value when they are driven off its lot.
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doeslayersr
Champion Author Illinois

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Message Posted: May 3, 2012 4:56:42 AM

Actually, AFTER the car is out of warranty, you need to be prepared to spend about $120 a month in repairs and maintenance over the remaining time you have the vehicle. You may go a year, without a big repair or maintenance item,, but then be prepared for a $800-$900 or more repair item or just a regular maintenance item, like new tires. Or to get the transmission fluid changed, a brake job, A/C work, new alternator, battery, water pump, etc.

[Edited by: doeslayersr at 5/3/2012 7:57:35 AM EST]
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gandalfthegrey1
Champion Author Houston

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Message Posted: May 3, 2012 4:54:56 AM

There's a saying here that no matter what you buy, it depreciates $10,000 soon as you drive it off the lot. Like others here, I keep a car until it flips over and kicks off the tires.
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TerrySawchuk
All-Star Author British Columbia

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Message Posted: May 3, 2012 4:49:27 AM

Imports are the way to go.
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bluestang96
Veteran Author Ohio

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Message Posted: May 3, 2012 4:38:09 AM

I like having a car but the thought of never having to worry about insurance, gas, and maintenance but the idea of living in a city with efficient mass trans does sound appealing.
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dave27johnson
Champion Author Chicago

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Message Posted: May 3, 2012 4:35:20 AM

Maintenance costs and reliability matter.
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cmptrmush
Champion Author Detroit

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Message Posted: May 3, 2012 4:34:09 AM

Personnally I don't need to worry too much about depreciation costs since I usually buy a car and drive it until it dies. But I do look at dependability, since I don't want to be taking the car to the shop every other week to get something fixed.
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Rockinrobby
Veteran Author Tallahassee

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Message Posted: May 3, 2012 4:17:57 AM

Sometimes depreciation can be surprising. We were very surprised when we went from Harley's to BMW. BMW depreciation much higher, but it makes it nice to pick up a used one.
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amoshins
Champion Author Trenton

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Message Posted: May 3, 2012 4:07:44 AM

I never look at Depreciation, since I will keep it until it is nearly dead - and fully depreciated
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335d1
Champion Author Virginia

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Message Posted: May 3, 2012 3:59:26 AM

Worth a look when buying a new car.
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bullet226
Champion Author Toronto

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Message Posted: May 3, 2012 3:55:42 AM

A lot
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farmboyTN
Champion Author Tennessee

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Message Posted: May 3, 2012 3:36:12 AM

OK
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daequitz
Champion Author New Jersey

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Message Posted: May 3, 2012 3:22:22 AM

All good points.
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pscamp
Champion Author Ottawa

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Message Posted: May 3, 2012 3:19:26 AM

And colour, don't forget. Red=tickets
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yardslave
Champion Author Oklahoma City

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Message Posted: May 3, 2012 3:17:27 AM

That cost will vary with how you use it, and for how long you use it.
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