What would you do? Change cars?
09-12-2010, 08:34 PM
#1
What would you do? Change cars?
I started a new business and I will not bore you with the details but here is my car dilemma:
My TSX has 19,700 miles on it in two years, I did not drive a lot. I now need to drive all day long from palce to place in city traffic. I was thinking that I could really use better mileage out of my gas tank, in the last few weeks I put in a full tank twice a week. The only car I can see myself in is the Altima Hybrid. It's the only Hybrid that can almost compete with our cars. I will not be able to load it up like I did in the TSX so it will be a bit stripped.
Am I going to hate myself? I can use the savings on gas but I love my TSX, also I never really liked the alitma but it does seem to make a lot of sense and gets 35 MPG city.
My TSX has 19,700 miles on it in two years, I did not drive a lot. I now need to drive all day long from palce to place in city traffic. I was thinking that I could really use better mileage out of my gas tank, in the last few weeks I put in a full tank twice a week. The only car I can see myself in is the Altima Hybrid. It's the only Hybrid that can almost compete with our cars. I will not be able to load it up like I did in the TSX so it will be a bit stripped.
Am I going to hate myself? I can use the savings on gas but I love my TSX, also I never really liked the alitma but it does seem to make a lot of sense and gets 35 MPG city.
09-12-2010, 08:41 PM
#2
Your Friendly Canadian
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If you do go the hybrid route, I'd go for a Fusion Hybrid or Camry before the Altima. Fusion gets 41 city. If it's of any help, there are also tons of rebates
That being said, I'd just keep the TSX. From what I've heard, it's got a better interior, and if you're spending all day in it, I think you'll find that of importance.
That being said, I'd just keep the TSX. From what I've heard, it's got a better interior, and if you're spending all day in it, I think you'll find that of importance.
09-12-2010, 08:59 PM
#3
If you do go the hybrid route, I'd go for a Fusion Hybrid or Camry before the Altima. Fusion gets 41 city. If it's of any help, there are also tons of rebates
That being said, I'd just keep the TSX. From what I've heard, it's got a better interior, and if you're spending all day in it, I think you'll find that of importance.
That being said, I'd just keep the TSX. From what I've heard, it's got a better interior, and if you're spending all day in it, I think you'll find that of importance.
I here you but I hate the Fusion's look and I'm not big on buying from Detroit, especially a hybrid. Camry, gas milage is not that good vs. HP.
09-12-2010, 09:04 PM
#6
Wow I thought everyone much love nissan altimas they are so common, maybe that is why they have 4,500 in rebates right now. I really dont like them all that much. I would love a TSX Hybrid
Last edited by cyberbro; 09-12-2010 at 09:06 PM.
09-12-2010, 09:05 PM
#7
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09-12-2010, 10:08 PM
#8
From my quick calculations, the cost of depreciation on your TSX and having to buy a new hybrid for 30k, itwill probably end up costing the same in a 5 year period. If you want good gas mileage just easy up on the petal, though that is very hard to do in the TSX. lol
09-12-2010, 10:22 PM
#9
Racer
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What about something simple as a Honda Fit. I just can't see the cost advantage over the long run to buy into a new car to "save gas" unless its cheap...especially since your car is already 2 years old.
09-12-2010, 10:49 PM
#10
Three Wheelin'
If you don't want the Fusion Hybrid, take a look at the Golf or Jetta TDI. Up here in Canada, VW selling almost the same amount of diesel Golf/Jetta as their gasoline counterpart. And the diesel model will meet if not beat many so call Hybrid MPG out there.
09-12-2010, 11:01 PM
#11
If your putting two times gas a week. it is like 8 times a month. so at most $400 a month for $5000 a year. about $25k for 5 years.
suppose you buy a Toyota Prius for $28k loaded/Taxes. and fill it one time a week. (double gas mileage of TSX in City). It is $200 a month. for $2400 a year. about $12500 for gas cost.
so you save about $12500 on Gas cost over 5 year period by using Toyota Prius.
let say your TSX trade is now $22k.
so let say after 5 years. Your TSX is worth $12k. so it is $10k depreciation hit.
In 5 years your new Prius will not be more than $12k. so you can still save about $6k by driving Prius for next 5 years.
i ignore maintiance/long term reliability.
suppose you buy a Toyota Prius for $28k loaded/Taxes. and fill it one time a week. (double gas mileage of TSX in City). It is $200 a month. for $2400 a year. about $12500 for gas cost.
so you save about $12500 on Gas cost over 5 year period by using Toyota Prius.
let say your TSX trade is now $22k.
so let say after 5 years. Your TSX is worth $12k. so it is $10k depreciation hit.
In 5 years your new Prius will not be more than $12k. so you can still save about $6k by driving Prius for next 5 years.
i ignore maintiance/long term reliability.
09-12-2010, 11:26 PM
#12
If your putting two times gas a week. it is like 8 times a month. so at most $400 a month for $5000 a year. about $25k for 5 years.
suppose you buy a Toyota Prius for $28k loaded/Taxes. and fill it one time a week. (double gas mileage of TSX in City). It is $200 a month. for $2400 a year. about $12500 for gas cost.
so you save about $12500 on Gas cost over 5 year period by using Toyota Prius.
let say your TSX trade is now $22k.
so let say after 5 years. Your TSX is worth $12k. so it is $10k depreciation hit.
In 5 years your new Prius will not be more than $12k. so you can still save about $6k by driving Prius for next 5 years.
i ignore maintiance/long term reliability.
suppose you buy a Toyota Prius for $28k loaded/Taxes. and fill it one time a week. (double gas mileage of TSX in City). It is $200 a month. for $2400 a year. about $12500 for gas cost.
so you save about $12500 on Gas cost over 5 year period by using Toyota Prius.
let say your TSX trade is now $22k.
so let say after 5 years. Your TSX is worth $12k. so it is $10k depreciation hit.
In 5 years your new Prius will not be more than $12k. so you can still save about $6k by driving Prius for next 5 years.
i ignore maintiance/long term reliability.
Well put!
09-13-2010, 07:52 AM
#13
Pro
A Honda Fit will proabbly get close to Prius mileage and cost a lot less. You could even consider the new 2012 Civic coming next year. Supposed to get even better gas mileage than current model (Civic Hybrid? Insight?)
09-13-2010, 10:55 AM
#14
The Fit will get nowhere near the Prius city mileage.
Based on 2 tanks/week at 25 mpg in your TSX, in 5 years you will accumulate 5*(52*25*18) = 117000 miles.
Fuel cost (TSX) = $3.00*(117000/25) = $14040
Fuel cost (Prius) = $3.00*(117000/42) = $8357
Fuel savings = $5683
Based on 120k miles and looking back 5 years in kbb (a 2005 vehicle).
2005 TSX trade in = 6300
2005 TSX Purchase price = 28000
Depreciation = 21700
2005 Prius trade in = 4575
2005 Prius Purchase = 26000
Depreciation = 21425
Seems to me over the long haul driving a Prius would save you money. But are you willing to lock in a significant depreciation on trade in of your TSX to "save" this money.
Based on 2 tanks/week at 25 mpg in your TSX, in 5 years you will accumulate 5*(52*25*18) = 117000 miles.
Fuel cost (TSX) = $3.00*(117000/25) = $14040
Fuel cost (Prius) = $3.00*(117000/42) = $8357
Fuel savings = $5683
Based on 120k miles and looking back 5 years in kbb (a 2005 vehicle).
2005 TSX trade in = 6300
2005 TSX Purchase price = 28000
Depreciation = 21700
2005 Prius trade in = 4575
2005 Prius Purchase = 26000
Depreciation = 21425
Seems to me over the long haul driving a Prius would save you money. But are you willing to lock in a significant depreciation on trade in of your TSX to "save" this money.
09-13-2010, 11:53 AM
#15
Your Friendly Canadian
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^ 25mpg is very high for 100% city. I'd guess closer to 20mpg in real-world driving, which helps you even more with the majority of hybrids' start-stop systems.
What about an 07 Accord hybrid? Or an HS250h?
What about an 07 Accord hybrid? Or an HS250h?
09-13-2010, 11:55 AM
#16
Burning Brakes
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Is potentially saving a few thousand dollars long term (5 or more years) worth sacrificing your happiness for that same amount of time by driving something you don't like?
It wouldn't be to me, I'd keep the TSX if you love it.
It wouldn't be to me, I'd keep the TSX if you love it.
09-13-2010, 12:09 PM
#17
Pro
The Fit will get nowhere near the Prius city mileage.
Based on 2 tanks/week at 25 mpg in your TSX, in 5 years you will accumulate 5*(52*25*18) = 117000 miles.
Fuel cost (TSX) = $3.00*(117000/25) = $14040
Fuel cost (Prius) = $3.00*(117000/42) = $8357
Fuel savings = $5683
Based on 120k miles and looking back 5 years in kbb (a 2005 vehicle).
2005 TSX trade in = 6300
2005 TSX Purchase price = 28000
Depreciation = 21700
2005 Prius trade in = 4575
2005 Prius Purchase = 26000
Depreciation = 21425
Seems to me over the long haul driving a Prius would save you money. But are you willing to lock in a significant depreciation on trade in of your TSX to "save" this money.
Based on 2 tanks/week at 25 mpg in your TSX, in 5 years you will accumulate 5*(52*25*18) = 117000 miles.
Fuel cost (TSX) = $3.00*(117000/25) = $14040
Fuel cost (Prius) = $3.00*(117000/42) = $8357
Fuel savings = $5683
Based on 120k miles and looking back 5 years in kbb (a 2005 vehicle).
2005 TSX trade in = 6300
2005 TSX Purchase price = 28000
Depreciation = 21700
2005 Prius trade in = 4575
2005 Prius Purchase = 26000
Depreciation = 21425
Seems to me over the long haul driving a Prius would save you money. But are you willing to lock in a significant depreciation on trade in of your TSX to "save" this money.
The purchase price on the Altima Hybrid is around $28-29K without many extras. With the extras it is more like $32-34K. So it is not a cheap car by any means.
The value proposition will be worse for the Altima since the mileage is less than the Prius (~35 mpg) and the depreciation would probably also be greater compared to the Prius, moving that closer to break even over the 5 year period.
Also, assuming you will always be driving 100% city for 5 years straight could be a risk. What if that changes and you go back to driving fewer miles again and more highway driving? Could mean you changed cars for naught.
09-13-2010, 12:26 PM
#18
Senior Moderator
The cost of changing cars right now is probably not worth the gas savings, unless you go with something much cheaper like a Fit, but I doubt you'd be happy with something like that. I would just keep the TSX.
I hear you on the gas, though. I work from home most days, but make 1-2 trips to the office per week, and it's about 85 miles each way. I fill up every time I go down there (at least NJ has slightly cheaper gas than NY!).
I hear you on the gas, though. I work from home most days, but make 1-2 trips to the office per week, and it's about 85 miles each way. I fill up every time I go down there (at least NJ has slightly cheaper gas than NY!).
09-13-2010, 04:04 PM
#19
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Keep the TSX.
ONLY get a different car IF:
1. If you were driving a Hummer and gas was $5 a gallon
or
2. Your TSX NEEDS to be replaced - like it has >100,000 miles
So you already drive a reasonalbly efficient car and its in good shape and you like it so don't bother with the hassle. The cost is nearly a wash depending on what assumptions you make anyway.
ONLY get a different car IF:
1. If you were driving a Hummer and gas was $5 a gallon
or
2. Your TSX NEEDS to be replaced - like it has >100,000 miles
So you already drive a reasonalbly efficient car and its in good shape and you like it so don't bother with the hassle. The cost is nearly a wash depending on what assumptions you make anyway.
09-13-2010, 11:01 PM
#21
now the tranny is shot, wheel bearings are gone, and hes on his 6th set of brakes.
not even mentioning how many squeals come from plastic on plastic comes from the interior.
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