Sean at Pol:Spy compares gasoline prices to HP printer ink costs. I’m sort of on the same page as he is.
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I get around 12 mpg in my 86 Dodge pickup. As inefficient as that is, I cannot justify replacing it with a newer, fuel efficient car. And I’ve looked into it. |
Why not? It’s paid for, and costs 41$ a month to insure. Occassional repairs are part of the deal, but they are inexpensive as repairs go, and used parts are available if need be. The original cost in buying it used ($5K) 5 years ago, and then replacing the engine ($3K) – far less than buying a new or newer car or truck would have been. I don’t think twice about its reliability before taking it to Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Chicago.
The actual cost of a newer vehicle in payments, depreciation and insurance more than eat up any fuel savings, and when you live on a budget in which you have no idea from month to month what your income is going to be – that’s an issue.
And then there’s this: if you think that paying $90 to drive a full size pickup the 6 hours from Saskatoon to Calgary is expensive – try mailing it instead.
Oh boy. I had only half-written the item and then posted it by accident on my way out to meet some relatives for breakfast. I could have sworn I had selected “save as draft”.
Ooooopsie.
We drive a 2002 Hyundai, but it will be our last new car. The money we’re pumping into a car that maybe gets driven 15,000 km a year just isn’t justified. I’m farther ahead to buy a boat and pay for more gas the next time around.
You think a gallon of gas is bad?
A Gallon of Starbucks coffee is $33.
I think that is a much worse indicator of society. Then again, if here in the States people are willing to pay more than $16 a gallon for WATER!
Don’t forget about security. Secureroot.org