Price of gas is a SMALL FACTOR for the cost of driving.

patience · Expert Joined: Jan 04, 2008 Posts: 1408

I did the numbers for our old car, and was surprised at the relative cost of gas. I'm a cheapskate, and do all my own car maintenance, buy stuff as cheap as possible, including cars. We bought a 1983 VW Rabbit for $1600, with 100,000 miles on it, in pretty good shape. My wife drives it about 20,000 miles/yr. to work (this year only, then she retires). So, I amortized the costs by 100k mi. / 20k mi. per year to get a 5 year life. We will keep it till it's dead, and junk it for maybe $100 scrap.

That is $1500/5 yrs. = $300/yr. Insurance is $200. Oil and filter costs me$12/ change x 5/ year (4,000 mi interval) = $60 +$2 for a tube of grease, = $62/yr. for lube and oil. I put in $200/yr. for misc repairs, since it wanted a water pump, a temp switch, antifreeze, etc., which is generous. A set of 12" tires costs about $200 and lasts 40,000 mi. = $100/ year. This adds up to $862/ year, for all costs except fuel.

It's a gas engine and gets 32 mpg reliably. 20,000 miles/32 mpg = 625 gallons/ year x $3.79 current price = $2368.75/ year.

Next year, when my wife retires, that fuel cost will drop to about 1/4, at 5,000 miles/ year, and maintenance costs will drop also, to a rough estimate of $560/year for all costs except fuel, and the gas cost will drop to about $600, or roughly equal.

This trend will be reflected in any situation, that is, the comparative costs of fuel vs. fixed costs will change as mileage/ year changes. However, from my figures, gasoline is NOT a small part of the total, in any case. For me anyway, but then I won't spend a cent at Jiffy lube.
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Local fix-it guy..

ClassicSpiderman

DantesPeak

Even a large increase in the price of gasoline has hardly dented gasoline consumption. But the question is not whether one person on an individual level can afford to pay more - the question is whether the increase in the price of gasoline and diesel will reduce economic activity. The answer is - yes, very much so. Rising energy costs reduce economic activity - with a lag - to the extent alternatives and efficiencies can not be developed. The primary reason this did not happen earlier is that the US got more finished goods in exchange for dollars (increased trade deficit) - which can not increase forever to offset the continued rising price.

So yes, I am saying if the US doesn't become much more efficient or develop new ways of doing business we are going to have one long and deepening recession.

eastbay

$150 for an oil change. Wow.

Where I live (USA) it's $29.95 and other than an occasional set of tires that's all we ever do for our cars. The periodic servicing suggested by the car dealers and manufacturers is 99% a scam to get you to waste $$ at the dealership every so often. We have never done any of it thereby saving thousands of dollars over the decades. In fact, we've probably saved enough to buy a new car.

Change the oil often, replace filters, fix what's broke, that's all.

I can't believe people still fall for the 'service myth' and pay hundreds for periodic service on a perfect vehicle. PT Barnam comes to mind.
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Everything is Impermanent. Shakyamuni Buddha

drew

Classic Spidey, you should learn to do your own basic stuff. I do major repairs on my cars which is why I can afford to drive them. If your car is cheap and your maintenance costs are low, gas is a significant portion of your overall cost.

My '96 dodge cost me 4500 dollars 3 year ago and I'll very likely be driving it 3 years from now. So it costs 750 per year. My insurance is 1000 per annum. My registration is 70. My fuel is 1400. I spend 60/yr on oil changes. My car has been a POS so it has cost me 2000 in parts, or 666/year since '05.

The POS ate up a downpipe, four rotors, water pump, cam belt and idlers, two rebuilt calipers, 3 wheel bearings, two tires, and two lower control arms in the three years I've owned it.

Those parts/repairs would have been easily double the cost in overcharging and labour.

Luckily for me I'm very skilled and do all my own work!

Total cost 3946/yr

Fuel cost 35%

Drew

Cashmere · Light Sweet Crude Joined: Mar 27, 2008 Posts: 1485

timmac · Heavy Crude Joined: Mar 27, 2008 Posts: 136

ClassicSpiderman Wrote ;>>>>
Wah wah wah. I have little sympathy for those who live and do business in Las Vegas, the symbol of American gluttony and over-consumption.

My reply is that you must have been to Vegas once before and we cleaned out your bank account on the craps table......

3aidlillahi · Intermediate Crude Joined: Mar 25, 2008 Posts: 593

PeakOiler · Last edited by PeakOiler on Mon May 19, 2008 6:13 pm; edited 1 time in total

I bought my 2003 Honda Insight in July of that year and have kept up the spreadsheet on all the costs. Here is the pie chart:

The car was paid off about a year ago so the gasoline fraction will only become greater wrt the cost of the car and interest paid as time goes by.

Edit:
btw, the lifetime mpg is 56.6. It had 112,316 miles on May 17th.

I hate my commute.
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About my avatar: Guess.

Cashmere · Light Sweet Crude Joined: Mar 27, 2008 Posts: 1485

Wow Peak Oiler - that is some awesome record keeping.

Damn, I feel like a disorganized slob by comparison.
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Massive Human Dieoff must occur as a result of Peak Oil. Many more than half will die. It will occur everywhere, including where you live. If you fail to recognize this, then your odds of living move toward the "going to die" group.

ClassicSpiderman

ClassicSpiderman

AgentR

Roy

AgentR