Auto options due to rising gas prices

[Early B.]

My wife has a Jeep Grand Cherokee that drinks gasoline. It's paid for, and has over 100K in miles on it. Right now she spends $500 - $600/month in gas, and prices will continue to escalate. I know I'm not the only one who's been thinking about unloading a gas guzzler, so what have you guys thought about?

From a financial perspective, should we suck it up and drive this Jeep until it falls apart? Or do we assume another car note? Anyone have any mathematical formulas for this kind of thing?

I used to own a motorcycle and thought about getting one again, but I'm older now and more cautious (i.e., I've become wussified).

We live in a metro area, so scooters and such aren't practical. We also live in the suburbs where mass transit is not a viable option.

What to do?

[dragon1952]

Definitely not worth risking your life over (i.e. motorcycle). I would definitely get rid of the gas guzzler though. Plenty of fine autos that can average 25 or more. My little '98 BMW 3-series gets me there in style, is fun to drive, is one of the safer cars to drive and averages 25, although it does require premium. Just an example though.

[RuSsMaN]

http://www.smartusa.com/

[avguytx]

Those are cool little cars but that would scare the hell outta me driving that on I35 in DFW traffic back and forth to work! :D I feel the crunch...my Dodge Ram Quad Cab sucks for mileage but it's almost paid for and I'm not going to "take it in the brown" on trading it in. I'm just going to buy a basic econo-box car (i.e Honda Accord or something) to drive back and forth and keep the truck parked.

[Early B.]

My little '98 BMW 3-series gets me there in style, is fun to drive, is one of the safer cars to drive and averages 25, although it does require premium.

You should have gotten a Benz.:p

My little '98 MB gets me there in style and averages 25 MPG, too.

My wife is accident prone, so I really like the added safety of an SUV (I assume it's safer). What about a baby Volvo? Any other safe car options?

[dragon1952]

I pulled up next to one of those in Corvallis, OR one day. Wow....talk about tiny. I would NOT want to be in freeway traffic with that, or on ANY road in S. Cal.

EDIT: Not the Benz of course :D

[Jstas]

I was gonna park the Lightning and buy either a 4x4 F-150 or a Harley Davidson F-150 (4 door Lightning). Oh wait, I'm going backwards again, ain't I?

[shadowofnight]

Not giving my V8 up anytime soon, or the huge interior room. I had motorcycles for so many years , and ended going in friends trucks on hunting trips or basically anywhere a group of us was going together.

Even after getting my Toyota 4x4 , it wasnt large enough or powerful enough to carry more then 2 people with all the associated gear.

So basically I feel obliged now to be the driver now , when I wasnt all those other years. Even with a trailer full of quads and and motorcycles...I dont even notice it back there...the Toyota was wheezing in the steeper mountains.

I just drive a bit less now, and plan multiple destinations per single trip now.

[Rivrrat]

Rather than buy an econo box, I cut my commute. I now drive 9 miles a day. That's 3 gals a week in my F-150.

I'd start riding my mtn bike, but there's too many hills for my fat backside to handle.

As for the origional question, at 5-6 bills a month, it wouldn't ttake long to pay for a used economy car.

[rskarvan]

My wife has a Jeep Grand Cherokee that drinks gasoline. It's paid for, and has over 100K in miles on it. Right now she spends $500 - $600/month in gas, and prices will continue to escalate. I know I'm not the only one who's been thinking about unloading a gas guzzler, so what have you guys thought about?

From a financial perspective, should we suck it up and drive this Jeep until it falls apart? Or do we assume another car note? Anyone have any mathematical formulas for this kind of thing?


Ok... lets due the math....

A $30K vehicle will have a $500/month payment and will still use $200/month gas. Total cost = $700/month.

Your old JGC may use $500 of gas but it has no payment. Total cost = $500/month.

IT IS ALWAYS CHEAPER TO DRIVE YOUR OLD CAR THAN TO BUY NEW!!! (even considering gas prices)

[george daniel]

My wife has a Jeep Grand Cherokee that drinks gasoline. It's paid for, and has over 100K in miles on it. Right now she spends $500 - $600/month in gas, and prices will continue to escalate. I know I'm not the only one who's been thinking about unloading a gas guzzler, so what have you guys thought about?

From a financial perspective, should we suck it up and drive this Jeep until it falls apart? Or do we assume another car note? Anyone have any mathematical formulas for this kind of thing?

I used to own a motorcycle and thought about getting one again, but I'm older now and more cautious (i.e., I've become wussified).

We live in a metro area, so scooters and such aren't practical. We also live in the suburbs where mass transit is not a viable option.

What to do?


Brad,, I'm in a similar situation,,just located a little further south of the city,,my wife is resisting the idea that we swap cars for work,as mine is much closer,and she drives the "Pilot",which I bought for her, and she's 3 times the distance,hence increased fuel cost's. Our fuel costs are about 400-500 month combined. Hopefully the local politicos' wiil go ahead with the "rapid rail" for the metro/surbaban areas,,but we are still 2 years away. Alot of my staff members are now car-pooling with each other.I just try to keep both cars in tip-top shape,,oil changes-tune up/tweaks,tires etc,,last time I filled up it was 3.49/gallon :mad:

[TroyD]

Much as I hate to admit it, Templeton is right.

BDT

[bobman1235]

Ok... lets due the math....

A $30K vehicle will have a $500/month payment and will still use $200/month gas. Total cost = $700/month.

Your old JGC may use $500 of gas but it has no payment. Total cost = $500/month.

IT IS ALWAYS CHEAPER TO DRIVE YOUR OLD CAR THAN TO BUY NEW!!! (even considering gas prices)

That assumes the Jeep needs no work (being an American car with over 100k miles, I'm sure it does) and will last forever and not strand you somewhere when it breaks down.

[rskarvan]

That assumes the Jeep needs no work (being an American car with over 100k miles, I'm sure it does) and will last forever and not strand you somewhere when it breaks down.


Even if the JGC requires $2500 of repairs every year (highly unlikely)... it is still cheaper to drive the Jeep than to buy new.

[Early B.]

That assumes the Jeep needs no work (being an American car with over 100k miles, I'm sure it does) and will last forever and not strand you somewhere when it breaks down.

Yep. And by the summer my wife might be paying $700/mo. in gas or more.

I think we're screwed, either way. Now I'm back to re-visiting the motorcycle option. What about one of those three-wheeled cycles? They seem more stable than a typical bike. I fell off my motorcycle more than once when I owned one.:eek:

Good ideas about conserving fuel, though. It's inevitable.

[Early B.]

Something like this Harley.... maybe $150/mo. note plus about $25/mo. in gas.

[rskarvan]

I hear the trikes are incredibly boring to ride. I think you'd be far more happy with a Saturn Sky.

[rskarvan]

Other options to consider: "The Hydrogen Boosted Gasoline Engine"

http://consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com/the-hydrogen-boosted-gasoline-engine-cga.htm

www.Water4gas.com

[mule]

I had a similar issue, my work truck a dual wheel crew cab f 350 gets 15 mpg, I bought it when I had boats. The crew cab made it nice for pileing friends in and going places with the boat (we used to do wakeboard demos at private clubs)

I really don't need a crewcab any more so I thought about going to a smaller truck with better fuel economy. My trucks paid for but if I traded for a new one I would end up borrowing about 20,000.

Instead I bought a off lease volvo v70 xc for 20,000, it gets about 23 to 25mpg and I can throw my tool box in the back and use it for work when I don't need to carry a lot of stuff. It saves me a lot of money on fuel and keeps the wear and tear down on my truck which is a lot more expensive to replace than the car.

I figure in the long run it will pay for itself because of fuel savings and equity in 2 vehicals instead of one.

Ah... I forget what my point was... hell maybe I didn't have one... sorry

[Strong Bad]

I'm glad I got rid of my Explorer when i did. I love my '08 Honda Accord. I'm averaging about 12-13 miles per gallon more. I did the math and although I assumed 4 more years of payments (still had 1 year left on the Explorer), it just made sense for me to go this route.

I looked at it from a weekly cost perspective, monthly, yearly and over the life of the vehicle. Besides, when the tranny died in the Explorer and I got it repaired, it just didn't feel and drive right. It was a ticking time bomb in my mind.

[TroyD]

The only 'right' answer is the one that is right for you....

However, in my case, I have a 99 Dodge pickup that is in good shape. Lousy gas mileage but, it's paid for. Been paid for for 5 years. So for me, it's cheaper to keep her. YMMV

BDT

[ohskigod]

I'm there, 1991 GMC Sierra pick up, 17 mpg at best (with a 6 no less)
still, it runs like a champ, and its paid for so gas price be damned, its still cheap as hell.

[sucks2beme]

Of course the real answer is, if everyone downsized, gas would go down
(maybe). That's what happened in the 80's, then we all got comfortable
and bought SUV's in the 90's. Of course, the real answer is for more
office based jobs to go home based. I've been working from home for 10
years. I only go places when work is paying milage, or a bit of shopping on my time.
We screwed up when we didn't go alternate fuels after the first two
gas crunches.

[Fireman32]

I am so happy with my Toyota Yaris. I average between 38 to 41 a gallon. And my commute is 2 miles so a tank lasts forever. Last time i filled up it was 3.35 a gallon and now it's 3.60.

[Strong Bad]

The only 'right' answer is the one that is right for you....

BDT

Exactly!

[Phasearray]

Ok... lets due the math....

A $30K vehicle will have a $500/month payment and will still use $200/month gas. Total cost = $700/month.

Your old JGC may use $500 of gas but it has no payment. Total cost = $500/month.

IT IS ALWAYS CHEAPER TO DRIVE YOUR OLD CAR THAN TO BUY NEW!!! (even considering gas prices)

What if Gas prices continues to go up and he sales his old Jeep and buy an used sedan?

[rskarvan]

The only 'right' answer is the one that is right for you....

However, in my case, I have a 99 Dodge pickup that is in good shape. Lousy gas mileage but, it's paid for. Been paid for for 5 years. So for me, it's cheaper to keep her. YMMV

BDT

Thank you for purchasing a fine UAW built vehicle!!!

[edbert]

Early, I was in nearly the exact same situation you were. We were scheduled to payoff my wife's 2000 Grand this month. This past November we were looking at gas mileage, cost of upkeep, insurance and future depreciation. All things considered, we ended up buying a 2005 Altima 3.5 with low miles for a really good price. The overall payments were lower a couple hundred dollars lower, it will be paid off in less than three years, it is still under factory warranty, it gets a LOT better gas mileage, has overall lower upkeep costs and will last a lot longer all things considered. My wife had to sacrifice a few things like leather seats, heated seats and a few other things, but she still has plenty of power(it's actually faster), lots of room and it's a fun and sporty car to zip around town in. I would sell it, and get yourself a nice used import sedan. All of them are fairly similar when it comes to size, power and mileage but they all drive quite differently.

Good luck man and hopefully everything will work out in the end.

[Demiurge]

Kegger in Alaska, IMO.

[TroyD]

Thank you for purchasing a fine UAW built vehicle!!!

RTR , you just can't help yourself can you??

Lemme put it this way, it will be the LAST UAW built vehicle I'll buy. It is inferior in every way to any of the foreign vehicles that we have owned. In the past 13 years we've owned a Volvo, 2 Nissans, a Dodge and a Kia. The Dodge has been the worst.

All said and done, the Kia has been the best.

BDT

[rskarvan]

I'm right there with you Troy. I've got two Chevy's and a Jeep and they will be the last 3 UAW vehicles I will ever buy. Don't get me wrong... all three have been fabulous, problem-free vehicles.... but, by the time they need replacing, the BIG 3 will be Toyota, Honda, and Kia and the only thing left of UAW will the organized Casino workers in Vegas.

- RTR

[TroyD]

....one can only hope.

BDT

[exalted512]

I love my motorcycle. I got it for $3500, 2 years old and 2.3k miles when I got it, perfect condition. Insurance is less than $100/year(yes, thats correct) and it averages about 50mpg.

Plus, for me, its more enjoyable than any car, just the whole drawback of someone running a red light and you die instantly thing, but thats why you look both ways before crossing the street.
-Cody

[rskarvan]

"For the first time since WWII, UAW membership has dropped below half a million hardhats, reports the Kansas City Star . The news comes from a Labor Department filing, which shows that the union was down to just 464,910 members by the end of 2007, compared with 538,448 at the end of 2006. This continues a trend of decline for the union since membership peaked in 1979, at 1.5m dues-paying members. "

"Harbour Consulting, a firm based in Michigan that analyzes factory efficiency, in June reported
that the average Toyota vehicle built last year in North America needed about 19.5 hours of labor
for assembly, while each GM vehicle took about 23 hours and each Ford about 24.5 hours."

24 hrs x $85 / hr (bundled) = $600.... assembly labor cost in a vehicle.

Effeciency difference between Toyota and Ford: about 20%.

Granted, the UAW isn't as efficient as Toyota... but, it's 80% as efficient (which isn't terrible).

[Danny Tse]

About 3 weeks ago, I purchased a new 2008 Honda Civic LX for $16.5K ($18.2K out the door). The car it's replacing is a 4 cylinder 2001 Toyota Camry LE with over 120,000 trouble-free miles. Despite its mileage, it still averages about 26 mpg (but it takes over $50.00 to fill up the Camry gets tiring fast). Btw, my commute is about 50 miles roundtrip, but those 50 miles include getting through San Francisco Bay Bridge during commte hours :mad: Originally, I was going to drive the Camry until it dies, but I stumbled across its resale value several months ago and I was kinda surprised that it was that high. Thus, the idea of selling the Camry was born. I figured with the ever-rising gas prices and the added safety features of a newer car (the Camry has 2 airbags, daytime running lights and ABS brakes), it was worth it to get a newer car. Since I am still single (although I did get engaged at end of January), I really don't need a big car. After several months of visiting car dealers, the finalists were the 2008 Hyundai Elantra SE, the 2009 Toyota Corolla LE, the 2008 Honda Civic LX, and the 2008 Toyota Camry LE. The most expensive one amongst these was the Camry at $18K (street price) and it was easily the most comfortable car with the most power. However, in my case, the Civic has the best combination of low price, reliability, safety, overall design, gas mileage, and resale value. The Civic is currently still in its break-in period and I am averaging close to 35 mpg in combination city/freeway driving. I expect that average will drop once I am through with the break-in period as I can go faster on freeways.

Btw, the Hyundai Elantra SE was my second choice. I was offered a brand-new 2008 Elantra SE for $14.2K. This car has everything the Civic had, plus the 10 year powertrain warranty, alloy wheels, fog lamps, electronic stability control, 5 years of roadside assistance, etc. Unfortunately, it was in a color I don't like and the resale value of Hyundai kinda worried me. It was certainly much better than the 2009 Corolla, both in terms of overall design and features.

[devani]

do not keep the jeep...get a used car with higher MPG...
$500-$600 = 142.85 - 171.42 gal per month...at estimated 15 mpg...with $3.5 per gallon
2142-2571 miles per month...if you get 35 MPG civic...that's what I drive same as Danny
61.2-73.45 gal per month...
$214-$257 a month on gas...
I don't see why not, you are still paying for insurance and less chance of breakdown...so total cost should be very close

[steveinaz]

Got gas?

[sucks2beme]

About 3 weeks ago, I purchased a new 2008 Honda Civic LX for $16.5K ($18.2K out the door). The car it's replacing is a 4 cylinder 2001 Toyota Camry LE with over 120,000 trouble-free miles. Despite its mileage, it still averages about 26 mpg (but it takes over $50.00 to fill up the Camry gets tiring fast). Btw, my commute is about 50 miles roundtrip, but those 50 miles include getting through San Francisco Bay Bridge during commte hours :mad: Originally, I was going to drive the Camry until it dies, but I stumbled across its resale value several months ago and I was kinda surprised that it was that high. Thus, the idea of selling the Camry was born. I figured with the ever-rising gas prices and the added safety features of a newer car (the Camry has 2 airbags, daytime running lights and ABS brakes), it was worth it to get a newer car. Since I am still single (although I did get engaged at end of January), I really don't need a big car. After several months of visiting car dealers, the finalists were the 2008 Hyundai Elantra SE, the 2009 Toyota Corolla LE, the 2008 Honda Civic LX, and the 2008 Toyota Camry LE. The most expensive one amongst these was the Camry at $18K (street price) and it was easily the most comfortable car with the most power. However, in my case, the Civic has the best combination of low price, reliability, safety, overall design, gas mileage, and resale value. The Civic is currently still in its break-in period and I am averaging close to 35 mpg in combination city/freeway driving. I expect that average will drop once I am through with the break-in period as I can go faster on freeways.

Btw, the Hyundai Elantra SE was my second choice. I was offered a brand-new 2008 Elantra SE for $14.2K. This car has everything the Civic had, plus the 10 year powertrain warranty, alloy wheels, fog lamps, electronic stability control, 5 years of roadside assistance, etc. Unfortunately, it was in a color I don't like and the resale value of Hyundai kinda worried me. It was certainly much better than the 2009 Corolla, both in terms of overall design and features.

And that's a solution that works. I'd like to downsize one vehicle.
Keep one big, and have a gas sipper. And drive the snot out of it.
The F150 is getting old and tired. I think the Hyundai sounds good.
I don't worry about resale much. They are pretty much junk after I'm
done with them. I plan to test Hyundai on that 10 year thing at some point.

That single thing does allow for an easy downsize of a car. I remember looking
at a 2 seater at a dealership with my girlfriend. She leaned over to tell me
we were gonna need room for a car seat. That kinda changed a few plans.
What a way to find out you're gonna be a dad.

[Danny Tse]

I think the Hyundai sounds good.
I don't worry about resale much. They are pretty much junk after I'm
done with them. I plan to test Hyundai on that 10 year thing at some point.

I strongly urge you to check out the Hyundai's. Both the Elantra and the bigger Sonata have great designs and looks to be extremely reliable, based on Consumer Reports.

[Early B.]

do not keep the jeep...get a used car with higher MPG...
$500-$600 = 142.85 - 171.42 gal per month...at estimated 15 mpg...with $3.5 per gallon
2142-2571 miles per month...if you get 35 MPG civic...that's what I drive same as Danny
61.2-73.45 gal per month...
$214-$257 a month on gas...
I don't see why not, you are still paying for insurance and less chance of breakdown...so total cost should be very close

Yeah, I think you're right.

Let's make it simple -- $600/mo. for gas on an old Jeep @ 15 MPG vs. a $300/mo. note on a "newer" used car plus $300/mo. in gas @ 30 MPG, and that doesn't include maintenance costs. Either way, it's $600 per month. However, if gas prices increase (which they will), then it is probably financially advantageous to get another vehicle.

[MillerLiteScott]

I get at best @ 13 miles per gallon, but I need a big old honking V8 to tow my tool trailer for work and what ever else I need to haul for work. I used to have a smaller displacement V8 but I had to run the s*&t out of it to haul the trailer which resulted in both bad gas mileage and more maintenance.

I think I am going to start sailing to work:rolleyes:

[TroyD]

You may wish to figure that on a new car your insurance/registration costs are going to be higher.

BDT

[Jstas]

You may wish to figure that on a new car your insurance/registration costs are going to be higher.

BDT

Not to mention that but unless you got a cool 20K burning a hole in your pocket, you're gonna likely have to finance with a suck-ass interest rate plus the added benefit of maximum insurance coverage so if you wreck the bank's car, they can recover their investment.

Yeah, my truck costs me about 350-400 a month in gas but since I own it, my insurance is about $250 a month (it's NJ, insurance is a dirty word here). Since it's 7 years old too, collision costs go down because parts are more plentiful so my premiums are lower. Does it get the best gas mileage? No but it sure is a hoot to drive! It also costs me about 1/3rd what it would cost me to buy, finance and insure a new vehicle. Yeah, the gas guzzler costs me money now but if I get another car, I'm gonna end up losing out in the whole deal and spending more than what I am now.

[Polkitup2]

I'm with you bro, my 2002 Dodge Dakota quad cab is a POS. From electronics constantly failing to the bottoms of the doors rusting out after 5 years, my next vehicle will be a Toyota or Honda.

[TroyD]

Agreed, I mean, if you want to get a new car and all that....by all means, g'frit.

The premise that you are going to ditch the old gas guzzler (that has been paid for) for something new and fuel efficient and actually SAVE money on the transaction just doesn't hold water.

BDT

[SKsolutions]

If your old car still has a high value, and you apply it towards a new purchase, you can save money with the difference in efficiency.

[Early B.]

The premise that you are going to ditch the old gas guzzler (that has been paid for) for something new and fuel efficient and actually SAVE money on the transaction just doesn't hold water.

From a cost/benefit standpoint, my wife is right at the threshold. She fills up the tank twice a week and it's costing her over $60/tankful (approx. $500/mo.). If prices go any higher (to beyond $4.40/gal.), it won't make sense to pay $600 - $700 per month or more in gas. We don't buy brand new cars because they're such a rip-off, so it may be best to buy her a small used car and pay less monthly for the note and gas than she's paying for gas alone with the Jeep. Our insurance won't really increase much at all, but maintenance costs should decrease.

[madmax]

Thank you for purchasing a fine UAW built vehicle!!!

That is what got him in this mess to start with. :rolleyes:

I wouldn't run out and buy something for the better mileage but it is worth considering when the time comes for a new vehicle. My current car is a box with an engine, a Scion xB. I love it. 33 to 37 mpg after modifications. Sometimes I forget what its like to stop for gas. :D
madmax

[devani]

From a cost/benefit standpoint, my wife is right at the threshold. She fills up the tank twice a week and it's costing her over $60/tankful (approx. $500/mo.). If prices go any higher (to beyond $4.40/gal.), it won't make sense to pay $600 - $700 per month or more in gas. We don't buy brand new cars because they're such a rip-off, so it may be best to buy her a small used car and pay less monthly for the note and gas than she's paying for gas alone with the Jeep. Our insurance won't really increase much at all, but maintenance costs should decrease.

My civic 2001 was bought brand new at 10 miles....the insurance is same as it was new and now 7 years later...the car is at 108K miles and going strong...I still get 35 MPG with 17 inch wheels and with OEM 15 inch wheels I usually get 37 MPG....
these numbers are solid since I bought the car....I only fill once a week and I can get 400 miles per full tank for only $38...

I am also in NJ and only pay $130 a month full coverage insurance 100/300/300...Jstas pays $250 a month for liability? who's saving money?? I pay ~$160 a month for gas totaling whopping $290 :D...Jstas pays what??:eek:

[Lasareath]

My 2003 Hyundai gets around 32MPG, You can get one for around 6K, that's one years worth of gas.

http://www.edmunds.com/hyundai/elantra/2003/index.html

Your gas bill should be around half then.

I like those smartusa cars, there's a mercedes dealer in NYC who has them. but I'd be scared driving something so small.

[Eriol]

Those (Smarts) are cool little cars but that would scare the hell outta me driving that on I35 in DFW traffic back and forth to work! :D

Actually, Smarts are quite safe, even at interstate speeds. They do well in crash tests, and Fifth Gear (I think) even went above and beyond standard tests by crashing one into a double-concrete barricade at interstate speeds. The Smart came out better than the barricade.

Not that I would recommend anyone buy one. I'll admit that's mainly because I'm bitter about Daimler (parent company) killing off Chrysler, though.

How about a Miata? They're terrific cars, they get great mileage, and they're always cool for chicks to drive. Sure it doesn't have anywhere near the cargo room of a JGC, but if most of the hauling she does isn't anything more than her self, then that makes sense. Keep the Jeep as a third for when you do need to haul something.

[Danny Tse]

Actually, Smarts are quite safe, even at interstate speeds. They do well in crash tests, and Fifth Gear (I think) even went above and beyond standard tests by crashing one into a double-concrete barricade at interstate speeds. The Smart came out better than the barricade.

I see the Smart around San Francisco quite often but I am wary of how it will survive in an accident. And I am talking about driving it within the City. I am scared for those people who are driving one simply because this is a city where people talk on their cell phone and then drive their SUVs into the back of a parked police cruiser (with 2 policer officiers inside). It's entirely conceivable that some guy running a red light in a SUV will plow into one of these Smart cars and crushing it again a street lamp post.

[TroyD]

Jeeze, that's ridiculous for insurance. You guys are paying a month what I pay a year.

BDT

[sucks2beme]

Jeeze, that's ridiculous for insurance. You guys are paying a month what I pay a year.

BDT


Tell me about it. Insurance in Texa is high. And 30-40% of everyone else
is not insured. Many not even registered. Seems we Americans are just
plain mean. Not only do we want our workers documented, we want them
to have a drivers license, insurance, ETC. Nothing worse than a cop pulling
over someone, and finding they are just winging it. That is just plain wrong
for the police to expect that. Heaven forbid they impound the car, detain
the undocumented worker(or whatever the hell they are calling them this month)
and call INS. The rest of us should pay for their mistakes and
accidents. After all, they are here to help us poor lazy Americans that can't mow
our own grass. And they can sue me if there's an accident.
But try to sue them? Poof! gone. It's up to me to cover that in my premium.

Between gas and insurance, the car payment isn't crap.

[SKsolutions]

Hope there's no line:

http://thelastchancetexaco.com/wp-content/uploads/texaco/Market%20StreetHawthorneAveSalemOregon1978.jpg

[Airplay355]

I pay $60 a month for insurance. No collision on my '99 Mazda protege but $60 a month is still pretty low for a 20 year old male driver...

[Danny Tse]

I pay $60 a month for insurance. No collision on my '99 Mazda protege but $60 a month is still pretty low for a 20 year old male driver...

I have no moving violations within the last 5 years, but I still have to pay almost $100.00/month for insurance on my '08 Civic. :mad: On top of that, and it pains me to say this, I've been recently been "promoted" to the next age group.

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

Mines 40 a month :) and thats with collision

[RutgersFTW]

I pay $110 a month for comprehensive on a 2001 Sentra and a 2006 Scion xB... not too bad, I guess.

[Danny Tse]

I had to fill up the new car this morning. Damnit, $3.85/gallon for 87 regular unleaded was the cheapest I found locally. :mad: Despite having to drive 3 people up/down San Francisco hills with the A/C on this past Sunday, the new car ('08 Civic LX sedan) still averaged under 31 mpg. That's a 10% drop in mpg from before, but it's still very impressive.

[Early B.]

Now I'm back to re-visiting the motorcycle option. What about one of those three-wheeled cycles? They seem more stable than a typical bike.


Still thinking about it...

[Ricardo]

If you're going to ride, do it the right way. What's fun about those things? Cars will go faster than you on the twisties ;)

[markmarc]

I pay $70 a month for full coverage on a 95 Accord and a 2000 Galant, but the wife and I are 45, empty nesters, and neither of us have had a ticket since Reagan was in office.

Maybe we are looking at smart cars the wrong way. Put two of those in a garage instead of our standard cars, and each of us could have a room for a MAN CAVE!

[Early B.]

If you're going to ride, do it the right way. What's fun about those things? Cars will go faster than you on the twisties ;)

Fun? I could care less about that. I'm just trying to get to work and back, and run errands. How can a trike be less "fun" than driving a sedan?

Seriously though, I ain't really serious about buying one. Yet. Not sure where those gas prices are gonna top out at. Used two-wheeled motorcycles are much cheaper anyway.