Cost per mile

[pfarah]

Being the OCD person that I am, an Excel spreadsheet of each car in my household was created to illustrate a detailed account of all parts/labor expenses. Doing this permits me to compare operating costs between the vehicles. With 74,318 miles on the 2010 Prius, I've spent $2,080.00 since new resulting in an astonishing 2.8 cents/mile cost, including the mounting of four new tires this morning.

The beloved 84 N/A has traveled with me for 6,668 miles, with total parts and professional labor costs of $5,694.76. I have not included my personal labor time since she is my hobby (and that shouldn't count). Based on these figures, she takes 85.4 cents from my wallet for every (almost) blissful mile thus far, although this rate should go down since a substantial amount of work has been performed early in our relationship.

Just for fun (not so much), I calculated my 2002 Subaru Outback LL Bean operating costs. It's been in the family for over 11 years, traveled 166,000 miles and I've dumped $21,500.00 into maintenance. Costs are approximately 13 cents/mile.

Adding all this up, I guess I could have a small stable of 944's... or a decent 911 or ??, wishful thinking.

[ckelly78z]

I can see having no major expenses on a new car for awhile, but it kinda throws the curve when you compare it to all the expenses of getting a 30 year old car back in shape after years of neglect. Even with the 80 cent a mile cheaper cost, I wouldn't drive a Prius.

[mytrplseven]

You can spend 85 cents a mile on your 944 or spend it on a psychologist. At least this way you get to keep the car and there's a lot of therapy that comes from 30 mpg and the ability to out-corner a 911 and still go over 100 without a second thought.

[Tervuren]

I, like you, enjoy working on the cars. Otherwise I'd of thrown in the towel years ago...

[Bukowski]

You need time in the denominator along with cost. That will produce cents/(mile•year).

[pfarah]

Ckelly: You're absolutely correct! I've spent countless hours identifying and repairing a thousand little problems and a few bigger ones bringing her back from those horrible years. It's amazing how much better the situation gets when you replace some rusted hardware or get the electric antenna to operate, etc. As for the Pius, I do admit that I'm a bit of a tree hugger although European cars are one of my weaknesses. My wife uses it as a commuter and when we go on long road trips; it's great driving from New England to Florida on less than $100.00 for gas, averaging 55 mpg. The reliability is fantastic so I'm not worried about my wife driving out there but I do admit that the car is not very engaging...

Mytrplseven: Even when conducting errands, I do feel engaged with the road and mundane trips become more adventurous.

Tervuren: There's always something to repair, clean, dissect although the the last couple of weeks have been too bloody hot!

[pfarah]

Thanks, I do agree with the time factor.

[VirginiaF1]

Originally Posted by pfarah

Being the OCD person that I am, an Excel spreadsheet....

And I thought only I had the analytical bug...
Certainly unless the Prius and Putback were free
( eg: given to you, won in a lottery, etc..)
your most accurate Cost/Mile analysis must include acquisition costs.
( Purchase Price plus loan interest, monthly insurance, property taxes).

Including full expense accounting would surely show the Porsche to be far less per mile than the other two newer cars.

For How much and how long ago did you buy the 944?
A 29 year old car lacks the new production line stampings that the Toyota and Subaru enjoy but cost you in price and depreciation costs..

Let us know!
Cheers.
Mike

[pfarah]

I track only maintenance costs once in my ownership. If original purchase price was factored in, the Subaru would definitely be the most expensive as I paid a whopping 38k for it new. The Prius was 21.5k (new) and the 944 was 3.9k last year May. Understandably, the P-car is the most enjoyable to drive.

[Gawernator]

As much fun as Excel is, I stopped keeping track of the cost, for my own sanity...

[PorscheNut924]

Ignoring gas and insurance...so only counting the initial purchase price ($4,000) and all the maintenance done, two sets of new tires, a magnificent leather Recaro sport seat, 928 wheels, powdercoating the 928 wheels, and lots of other random stuff...

In the past five years my 924S has taken me 50,000 miles for 22 cents per mile. Add gas and insurance and it's more like 42 cents per mile.

Best part is that it still has "low miles".

I am also OCD and have spreadsheets for all the cars I've owned, sorted by current vehicles and archives of past ones.

[Jrboulder]

Well it's not a 944 but in all I've spent about $8,000 on my 912E and I just passed 500 miles.

$16/mile

[pfarah]

Ouch.

[GreenWater]

My 85.5 944 isn't bad at all. Just the price of the car and parts. Keeping in mind that I have replaced the engine and 2 timing belts breaking, plus so much more. I have also put 80,000 miles on the car. I have an average of 8.75 cents per mile. I do all the work myself which save me some money. She is running really good right now too. It's just expensive at first while you are figuring out all the problems. Once all the problems are figured out the car is a great car.

[pfarah]

I agree...

[VirginiaF1]

Originally Posted by pfarah

I track only maintenance costs once in my ownership. If original purchase price was factored in, the Subaru would definitely be the most expensive as I paid a whopping 38k for it new. The Prius was 21.5k (new) and the 944 was 3.9k last year May. Understandably, the P-car is the most enjoyable to drive.

Oooh... oohhh..
I know the answer Mr Kottaire... (man am i old)

Once the 944 goes another 23,332 miles, it will exceed the Prius' lowest cost per mile.

Ergo, ( and this doesn't even factor in loan interest costs)
Toy Prius: $21,500 + $2,800 / 74,318 miles = .32
Sub OutB: $38,000 + $21,500 / 166,000 miles = .36
Porsche 944 $3,900 + $5,695 / 30,172 miles = .3185

From here on out, for every dollar you pour into the 944, simply drive it another 3.1397 miles beyond the above noted 23,332.

I am running about $0.18 / mile all in.
Great cars..

[VirginiaF1]

^^^^^^^^^^^ SpamBot ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
8 nonsense posts in 4 minutes tonite..