# Calculating True Cost of a car **URL:** \ **Category:** General Discussion\ **Created:** [September 29, 2025, 1:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/calculating-true-cost-of-a-car/204162 "2025-09-29T13:10:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![RandomTroll](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/randomtroll/32/12184_2.png) [@RandomTroll](https://community.cartalk.com/u/RandomTroll)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2025, 4:52am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/calculating-true-cost-of-a-car/204162/81 "2025-10-07T04:52:26Z")
> [@davesmopar](#): > > The ambulance rides normally cost over $1,000.00, insurance normally pays all but $215.00 to $275.00 depending… That is with 3 or 4 different insurance company’s… At least in my area… The last one I paid full price for cost $500. All the Medicare Advantage plans I shopped for topped off at $90. The ones I’ve had paid full. > [@VDCdriver](#): > > Why would you automatically assume that _everyone_ drives? Because almost everyone does. It was a fair assumption. My brother’s wife drove him to the ED. > [@VDCdriver](#): > > You were lucky that you survived. Not so much. The apparent incident had happened a month earlier; my condition had deteriorated to the point that I coudn’t mount my bicycle and didn’t feel safe driving. The route is residential for 2 miles then across campus for the last mile. Had I passed out someone would have called an ambulance. ---
**Author:** ![davesmopar](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/davesmopar/32/41750_2.png) [@davesmopar](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davesmopar)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2025, 1:48pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/calculating-true-cost-of-a-car/204162/82 "2025-10-07T13:48:56Z")
> [@RandomTroll](#): > > > [@davesmopar](#): > > > > The ambulance rides normally cost over $1,000.00, insurance normally pays all but $215.00 to $275.00 depending… That is with 3 or 4 different insurance company’s… At least in my area… > > The last one I paid full price for cost $500. All the Medicare Advantage plans I shopped for topped off at $90. The ones I’ve had paid full When was that, in the 20th century??? lol They were all with my parents since 2021, and all with Medicare… That also included mileage fees that are ridicules, like in the $20.00+ per mile range… ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2025, 2:22pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/calculating-true-cost-of-a-car/204162/83 "2025-10-07T14:22:48Z")
> [@davesmopar](#): > > When was that, in the 20th century??? lol Average cost around here is $3,000+. ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2025, 7:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/calculating-true-cost-of-a-car/204162/84 "2025-10-07T19:54:09Z")
> [@RandomTroll](#): > > Because almost everyone does. It was a fair assumption. Are you _sure_ about that assumption? His wife lives in NYC, and approximately 63% of people aged 16 and over in New York City do not have a driver’s license, according to a 2017 report. The deceased lived just across the river from NYC, and he didn’t have a DL until about 12 years ago. Nationwide, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation, **approximately one-third** of the nation’s residents don’t have driver’s licenses. ---
**Author:** ![Jerome-Silverman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/71e660/32.png) [@Jerome-Silverman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Jerome-Silverman)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2025, 9:13pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/calculating-true-cost-of-a-car/204162/85 "2025-10-07T21:13:29Z")
Everyone seems to be ignoring the elephant in the room - inflation! ---
**Author:** ![RandomTroll](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/randomtroll/32/12184_2.png) [@RandomTroll](https://community.cartalk.com/u/RandomTroll)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2025, 2:30am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/calculating-true-cost-of-a-car/204162/86 "2025-10-08T02:30:14Z")
> [@davesmopar](#): > > When was that, in the 20th century? Yes, about 7 years ago. > [@davesmopar](#): > > That also included mileage fees Perhaps they live in a rural area. I live in town. I’ve never seen a mileage fee. > [@davesmopar](#): > > $20.00+ per mile Is that ridiculous? What’s a taxi charge? I took a first aid course from a guy who ran his own ambulance company. He had an eccentric wealthy client who rode the ambulance everywhere. > [@MikeInNH](#): > > Average cost around here is $3,000+. Just for the ride? I’m not talking about ED care. What did the insurer pay? > [@VDCdriver](#): > > Are you _sure_ about that assumption? > His wife lives in NYC, I didn’t know she lived in NYC, which is exceptional. It’s perhaps the only city in the US with good-enough public transit and density to make it sensible. I know NYers who lack licenses. > [@VDCdriver](#): > > Nationwide, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation, **approximately one-third** of the nation’s residents don’t have driver’s licenses. Does that include children? Otherwise it seems excessive. Even if I get rid of my pickup I’ll continue getting a DL until I can’t pass the test - which becomes annual in NM for old people. ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2025, 1:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/calculating-true-cost-of-a-car/204162/87 "2025-10-08T13:52:18Z")
> [@RandomTroll](#): > > Just for the ride? Just for transport ride. ---
**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2025, 11:09am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/calculating-true-cost-of-a-car/204162/88 "2025-10-09T11:09:04Z")
> [@MikeInNH](#): > > Just for transport ride An AMBULANCE transport ride in NH and northern MA costs about $3,000. There are other types of transport rides not using an ambulance that is cheaper. Rides for Senior citizens. But that’s NOT what you originally said. You specifically said AMBULANCE. There are trained medical personnel in an ambulance whether you need them or not. If you need a stretcher that’s going to be more than just someone who doesn’t. ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2025, 2:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/calculating-true-cost-of-a-car/204162/89 "2025-10-09T14:18:35Z")
> [@MikeInNH](#): > > There are other types of transport rides not using an ambulance that is cheaper. Yes, and no. When my father’s health began to fail, we had to summon an ambulance a few times each year. But, “in order to save money”, my father insisted on an “ambulette” a couple of times. When we received the billing, it turned-out that an ambulette actually wound-up costing more because Medicare didn’t pay as much for an ambulette as they paid for an actual ambulance because, by definition, an ambulette is for “non-emergency” transport. After that wake-up call, rather than arguing with Dad, we just told him that the ambulette service was fully-booked, and that we had to summon an ambulance ---
**Author:** ![johnlump\_191311](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/47e85d/32.png) [@johnlump\_191311](https://community.cartalk.com/u/johnlump_191311)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2025, 3:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/calculating-true-cost-of-a-car/204162/90 "2025-10-09T15:29:52Z")
> [@VOLVO-V70](#): > > am suspicious of a 1 year old vehicle being for sale as to why it is for sale. Just because we buy new vehicles does not mean we don’t get it. > > You are so proud of yourself than why is your profile hidden. I bought it from a car rental company. Not much market over the winter for a Mini convertible. In 10 months I’ve had zero problems. It’s still under warranty too. I also closely inspected the car. I had auto shop in school. I literally crawled under the car. No damage to the suspension or underside. No bondo anywhere. The ole magnet trick I learned. They had about a dozen for sale. Never bothered to update my profile. ---
**Author:** ![johnlump\_191311](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/47e85d/32.png) [@johnlump\_191311](https://community.cartalk.com/u/johnlump_191311)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2025, 4:51pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/calculating-true-cost-of-a-car/204162/91 "2025-10-09T16:51:03Z")
> [@MikeInNH](#): > > I lost count of the number of kids I went to college with who dropped out of the Computer Science program and went into accounting because they couldn’t handle the advanced math. When I worked on my MS in applied mathematics I taught a couple undergraduate classes. 2 of the classes I taught was Calculus 1 (for engineers) and the other was Calculus 1 for (Non engineers - mostly nurses and accountants). Basically the same material, but one was dumbed down. > > > [@johnlump\_191311](#): > > > > I always was cheap with cars. > > I could easily have bought real expensive cars then my Toyotas, Hondas and Nissans. But being cheap isn’t always being SMART. Buy a good decent car and keep up the maintenance and you’ll be able to run it for hundreds of thousands of miles. > > As for buying used cars today. Have you actually checked the price of used cars from Toyota, Honda. They are NOT a lot less than a new car unless it has a ton of miles on it. The used car market for Toyota’s and Honda’s is very very hot. I’ve had calculus. U of Chicago. I wasn’t exactly a top student but I managed. Never used it since. My brother is an engineer. BA Mechanical. MA Software. Asked him how often he uses it. Basically never he said. I totally agree my premise doesn’t apply to Toyotas or Hondas. They don’t depreciate much in the first year so little savings on depreciation. I’ve only had one ■■■■■ used car. Ironically my first. A Pinto Wagon. However it was very cheap and I maintained it myself and it still lasted about 6 years. Cost me $200 a year in depreciation. I see too many people struggle with money yet they have a shiny new car. Doesn’t make sense to me. I’ve always owned fun cars reasonably well equipped (except that Pinto!). Civic SI. VW GTI. Saab Turbo. Focus ST. Etc. ---
**Author:** ![LoudThunder](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/loudthunder/32/27769_2.png) [@LoudThunder](https://community.cartalk.com/u/LoudThunder)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2025, 6:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/calculating-true-cost-of-a-car/204162/92 "2025-10-09T18:52:45Z")
> [@johnlump\_191311](#): > > I’ve only had one ■■■■■ used car. Ironically my first. A Pinto Wagon. However it was very cheap and I maintained it myself and it still lasted about 6 years. Cost me $200 a year in depreciation. When I read your remark about your Pinto Station Wagon, it brought back memories about servicing mine… This posting is from a few years back… > [@Do You think Engraving the VIN Number on a Catalytic Converter Will Prevent Thefts?](https://community.cartalk.com/t/do-you-think-engraving-the-vin-number-on-a-catalytic-converter-will-prevent-thefts/189813/70): > > I can’t speak to the "No-Drain-Plug issue, but in 1983, I had a 1973 Pinto Station Wagon, V6, 2300cc, 4-speed, and it was a really nice car, ran well, was comfortable and in spite of its age, it was in really nice shape. I had just noticed that the rear end, at the input shaft, was leaking a bit and the house we rented at the time had a garage with a dirt/gravel floor, so I had no idea how long it had been leaking. I tried to loosen the fill plug so I could top it off, but it was not coming l… ---
**Author:** ![johnlump\_191311](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/47e85d/32.png) [@johnlump\_191311](https://community.cartalk.com/u/johnlump_191311)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2025, 7:05pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/calculating-true-cost-of-a-car/204162/93 "2025-10-09T19:05:41Z")
> [@VOLVO-V70](#): > > J Lump bought a Mini Cooper . Not what I would call a well thought out purchase for someone who claims to be frugal . Poor resale - higher service and repair costs than many brands - Not really a great future for the US market. I didn’t need a car. It was meant to be a fun car. Like my other cars. I don’t plan to sell it. I paid $26k for it. Cash. Probably the last car I’ll buy. Got a couple mill in investments. Note I didn’t buy a new Porsche or Merc or BMW convertible although I could “afford” it. Edmunds estimated maint & repair for years 2 and 3 are virtually nil. Year 4 is $2k and year 5 is $3k. Not cheap but saving $12k in first year depreciation pays for a lot of maintenance. And the Mini maintenance is not much different than a V60 Volvo. Mini better in years 1-3, identical year 4, more year 5 but over 5 years the same. About $5k for 5 years Mini or Volvo. UK What Car Guide surveyed over 100,000 readers on car reliability. Sort of like our consumer report. They listed the Mini has the second most reliable car after Hondas. This was based on 5 year surveys. Another factor in my purchase decision. I’m 67. It’s just me and the spouse now. Don’t need a big car. ---
**Author:** ![johnlump\_191311](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/47e85d/32.png) [@johnlump\_191311](https://community.cartalk.com/u/johnlump_191311)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2025, 7:07pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/calculating-true-cost-of-a-car/204162/94 "2025-10-09T19:07:18Z")
> [@asemaster](#): > > Sure, you gain something but what do you lose? The ability to order the color and options you want? The feeling, the smell, the knowledge that no one has owned this car before? The pride of buying a brand new car that’s just yours, instead of buying something someone else has had before you? These things are important to some people, not to others. It’s a car. Not a wife. ---
**Author:** ![johnlump\_191311](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/47e85d/32.png) [@johnlump\_191311](https://community.cartalk.com/u/johnlump_191311)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2025, 7:11pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/calculating-true-cost-of-a-car/204162/95 "2025-10-09T19:11:23Z")
> [@bing](#): > > No one is wrong doing what is important to them. I have no problem paying 20% more to have a car that didn’t have a year of someone else’s smelly rear end sutting in it. But that’s me. > > I hired a girl a couple years out of school. She finally was in the location she wanted and a decent income. One day she came in and said she was thinking about buying a new car and what did I think. I told her do it. She earned it. Everyone should have at least one brand new car. Afte4 that buy used or whatever, just have that one brand new car. Nothing like it. She did it and has had a long happy Career. > > Just do what you want but don’t push austerity on someone because that’s what turns you on. I’m not pushing austerity. But I see a lot of people living paycheck to paycheck and spending more on their cars than their homes. My niece who lives in LV couldn’t go see her son graduate from college in LA. Said she couldn’t afford it. But there’s an Escalade and a Mercedes in her driveway. Feel bad for the kid. But he’s smart. ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2025, 7:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/calculating-true-cost-of-a-car/204162/96 "2025-10-09T19:15:50Z")
Please make it stop. My head, my head. Maybe write a book. I’ve started mine. Got th3 pages all numbered. ---
**Author:** ![johnlump\_191311](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/47e85d/32.png) [@johnlump\_191311](https://community.cartalk.com/u/johnlump_191311)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2025, 7:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/calculating-true-cost-of-a-car/204162/97 "2025-10-09T19:29:31Z")
> [@bing](#): > > Please make it stop. My head, my head. Maybe write a book. I’ve started mine. Got th3 pages all numbered. Great idea. Thanks. I’ll dedicate it to you. ---
**Author:** ![asemaster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@asemaster](https://community.cartalk.com/u/asemaster)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2025, 11:53pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/calculating-true-cost-of-a-car/204162/98 "2025-10-09T23:53:13Z")
> [@johnlump\_191311](#): > > It’s a car. Not a wife I’ve had about 40 cars but just one wife. Clearly, I chose more carefully with my wife than I did with cars. > [@johnlump\_191311](#): > > I recommend buying a one year old car and save 20% > [@johnlump\_191311](#): > > I didn’t need a car. Who’s decision was worse? Your decision to buy a car you don’t need or my wife’s decision to buy a brand new car? > [@johnlump\_191311](#): > > couldn’t go see her son graduate from college in LA. Said she couldn’t afford it. But there’s an Escalade and a Mercedes People afford what they want to afford. ---
**Author:** ![Purebred](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/purebred/32/46796_2.png) [@Purebred](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Purebred)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2025, 7:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/calculating-true-cost-of-a-car/204162/99 "2025-10-10T19:38:22Z")
> [@johnlump\_191311](#): > > Merc Not surprised, last Merc came of the assembly line Jan 4, 2011. ---
**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2025, 8:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/calculating-true-cost-of-a-car/204162/100 "2025-10-10T20:15:53Z")
> [@Purebred](#): > > Not surprised, last Merc came of the assembly line Jan 4, 2011. Me thinks he means Mercedes not Mercury. [Previous page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/calculating-true-cost-of-a-car/204162.md?page=4) [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/calculating-true-cost-of-a-car/204162.md?page=6)