Say you get a Neon 40 mpg...vs. Duster 20 mpg
Duster:
Already paid for
Insurance (based on what I pay for having 2 at age 35...) $600/year
Gas at $40 a week (that's what I go through in a given work week commute, estimated at $2.15/gal for regular) x52 weeks $2080
Parts: 3000 mile oil changes $100
Tune up items for one year $120 (this estimates that you get one set of plugs and wires, rotor, cap, and your cheap rebuilt starter and alternator take a dive, oh and lets add two ballast resistors, and some misc. light bulbs...next year lets spend the $$$ on a carb rebuild instead of a remanf. starter...)
So $2900/year
Neon (newer):
Insurance (my company says:) $1000/year (hey, it's a new car they have to pay off when you wreck it...)
Payments $150/year if paying long and hard with $2500 down
Gas: 52 weeks x $20 = $1040
Maintenance:
Oil changes $100 unless you get a 'deal' where they 'up the price' pf your vehicle and give you free oil changes as long as you own the vehicle...
Head Gasket: $$$ replacement and labor, plus you're out your car until it's replaced
Tune-up and emissions equipment check: last time I had this happen on a newer Dodge it came to $400 (worse if you get a clogged injector or some odd eprom warning code....)
So $2500 initially...and $2190/year if you go without having anything 'checked up' most of it is labor and diagnostic costs, unless you have to get something not on the warranty....you'll get your $2500 worth after 5 years, but then you'll be faced with everything in the itemization below...
Old Neon (early 90's)
Insurance: still $1000/year (hey it's still a newer car if only 10 years old to most places)
Gas: 52 weeks x $25 (engine's a bit used, and doesn't get 38 mpg any more...try 32-35 at best)= $1300/year
You might get lucky and pay for one with $2500 but then:
Maintenance:
Mandatory Head Gasket failure.... $60+tax for the gasket then 6-8 hours of labor at $60/hr call it $420 (hope it lasts for a year or two)...you might also have to have the head milled to flatten things out again due to warpage...
Routine oil change $100...if she's a 'leaker' add another $50 because you have to 'add a quart every so often'
Routine Tune up and emissions check up :probably close to $400 depending on how much labor it takes to keep it smog worthy...
So $2300/year + another $800 for replacing broken parts, head gasket problems, and keeping the thing smog worthy...
any mechanics want to comment on how much it really costs 'flat rate' to fix the head gasket?
-D.Idiot
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Holy snickies!! I drive a V-8 Dakota and don't run through that much gas. Either you put on a boatload of miles, or somebody's stealing your gas every night.
