STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

It depends on the type of car and your driving record. My car is relatively cheap as far as insurance (I pay $800/year, but I also drive a car that's worth less than $500 and I have a perfect record).  When things were going wrong with it, I spent about $2000 in two months on the thing to get them replaced. As far as gas, I have a small car, so I only (only-ha!) spend about $200 on gas per month. This also depends on your commute.

My bf, on the other hand, pays almost $3000/year for car insurance (he does not have a perfect driving record), spends about $500 a month on gas (he has a really long commute and fills his tank at least 3 times a week).  He drives a newer, nicer, bigger car. However, it's had some little things wrong with it here and there that have probably cost him (overall, in the past year) about $1500-$2000. 

Of course, if you live in a state that requires yearly inspection (I do), you have that once a year. And if they find something wrong, you can end up paying $$$. My last inspection (October) cost me almost $400.  And then of course, there's tune up and oil changes, which you should do every three months or 3000 miles.  They usually cost about $40.

So, yeah, it can get expensive. 

I suppose I should add that both my car and my bf's car are paid off, so neither of us have car payments. 

-- Edited by NylaBelle at 15:58, 2005-08-16

-- Edited by NylaBelle at 16:07, 2005-08-16

its pretty expensive, but I would also factor in the convenience of being able to drive whenever you feel like it.  While i like public transportation- a few of my friends moving back from nyc said that while its great- it can get old after a while to squish in during rush hour and have to wait for trains/transfers, etc.  And when I was in NYC the other week, it was SO hot on the platforms, i thought I was going to pass out.  My car was paid in full (i got in an accident- insurance covered the car) and I plan on having it for a while (98 civic).  If you get a used honda for about $10,000, and make sure it gets good gas mileage (i get about 30 mpg- some get more, or you could get a hybrid.), you should be ok.  I think my insurance is about $1000 a year.  So if you pay your car in full and spread it over 10 years, thats about $2000 a year for insurance and car.  Then I spend about $100 a month on gas- entirely depends on commute.  And oil changes, maintenance- maybe avg. out to $500/600 a year (this might be an overestimate, not sure)?  I don't have a calculator, but thats a little over $300 a month?  So it doesn't have to be bad, as long as you find a reliable, non-gas guzzling car and have good standing for insurance.  The convenience is worth it to me, though i wish there were more efforts to car-pool/buy more fuel efficient cars. 

-- Edited by lynnie at 16:09, 2005-08-16

I guess it depends on the car and your driving record. 

I just bought a new car the other week (my new baby... 2003 Benz C320 coupe... lurve her) and my car payments are abt. $350 a month(with $8000 total tradein/downpayment and below-KBB pricing but plus HUGE DC taxes) .  Gas, not much as my commute is 5 miles each way - maybe $60/month.  Insurance, $900 every 6 mos (perfect record save one massive mistake/accident).  Garage space I own, 25K.  Parking at work, $40/month.   

Yeah to ditto what everyone else said..it depends

In my case I pay about $354 a month in car note

 my insurance is about $1000 a year

I buy about $60 in gas (my commute isn't too bad about 20 miles) and parking is about $77 a month..

My brand new Civic costs me...

Payment: $400/month

Insurance:$175/month

gas:$60/month

repairs: Honda estimates about $200/year. Oil changes are free as long as you get your maintance and repairs done at Honda.

I drive an Acura RSX.. 2004

Car payment $303/month

Car insurance $100/month

Gas $50/week

Repairs (still under warrenty..) but about $500 last year on Inspection, emisions test, and oil changes

My car is the least of my worries. I can not imagine not having it. It is worth every dime!

cc wrote:

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lynnie - I actually usually find cars to be really inconvenient and traffic drives me bananas.  I feel so much more in control when I can walk to most places and I don't mind waiting for public transportation once in a while because I can read while doing so and I don't feel like I'm wasting my time.   I hated it when I lived at home and when I was away at college because I could hardly do anything without getting in my car and driving.  So perhaps I am just meant to stay a NYer.  Because I'm obviously totally neurotic.   

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Hehehe cc I actually feel the same way as you. I feel far more productive when I'm walking and I use time on the bus/subway to listen to music, read, and do phone errands. This is one of the reasons why I'm so keen on moving back to New York (and not terribly eager to learn driving).

If I had a car, I would have to live with a roommate or BF and definitely would not be able to afford my neighborhood if I had to make car payments and insurance payments and gas payments and maintenence. I have a relatively high rent too, especially relative to my salary (it's about 50-60% of my salary) since I live alone. Plus I'm really a sissy and I'm frightened of what these drivers in LA do...

 

03 rav4

car payment - $350 ( i have gap insurance also)

insurance - $1200 a yr (pretty low considering i'm in NJ!)

gas - $25 - 30 a week

maintenance - FREEEEEEEEEE fh is a mechanic :)

-- Edited by Karina at 19:54, 2005-08-16

Escrime wrote:

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04 BMW Z4 Payment:  $600 (I pay over what my payment is supposed to be though.) Insurance:  a little less than $100 a month Gas:  $30 every two weeks (premium).  I work from home, and I really only drive to the gym and to go shopping.  That also lowers my insurance. Maintenance:  it's all covered by my warranty, so nothing. ETA my husband: 05 Nissan 350Z Car Payment:  $375/month Insurance:  About the same as mine Gas:  $30 a week Maintenance:  He's just had to worry about oil changes so far at about $40 every 2-3 months.-- Edited by Escrime at 20:02, 2005-08-16

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those are some hot cars! drool