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  • About

Cost-efficient ​car


We live in Alabama, where public transport is pretty much nonexistent. Besides, my job (used to) require me to travel so going car-less was not an option. Looking at our annual expenses over the last few years, car loan and maintenance costs was the 2nd largest expense (average of $6,000/year). Since we couldn't avoid the cost of car ownership, here are some ways to reduce our car-related expenses:
Picture
Picture
1. Don't buy new car
The brand new red coupe was a financial mistake made in 2013 but the loan was finally paid off 6 years later. If we knew then what we know now, we could have gotten a brand new Toyota or Honda (economical and reliable car with good gas mileage) for free. But hindsight is 20/20, it was a lesson learnt and a reminder that a new car is only nice and 'new' for a few months, then it becomes just a monthly payment. We plan to keep this car for as long as we need it, unless it gives up on us first.
​
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2. Inherit and keep used car
Fact: I've never bought a car (new or used) ever since I started driving at 17. I know I'm extremely fortunate to have hand-me-down cars from the family and I'm extremely grateful for that. I certainly didn't mind the brand or age of the cars as long as they worked. We were also very fortunate that the parents offered us SIL's 7 years old Mazda (for free) when they got her a new car. It was a huge help and I'm very thankful for it as we didn't have to worry about buying a car when I first moved to the States. We're keeping this car until it breaks. 
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​
3. Be content
​​For us, a car is just a mode of transport to get us from point A to point B. Can I 'afford' to upgrade to a nicer/bigger/newer car? Yes I could, but I'm very content with what I have and have absolutely no problem driving an older car. Besides, the car is working good and there's really no reason to replace it. The vehicle I drive is not a reflection of my status, so I really see no need to keep up with the joneses.
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4. Keep up with maintenance
Hubby is the one who keeps up with the maintenance of both vehicles, making sure we change our oil and filter timely. We don't skimp on car maintenance because we want our cars to last longer. E.g. We 'invested' $1.7k on the tune up of the Mazda when it reached 120k miles.
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5. Drive less
We are both homebodies and rarely go out during the weekends. Majority of our driving is to travel between home and work. By driving less, we spend less on gas and lengthen the life of our vehicles. Being able to work from home is also a great way to save on car expenses. 
​
​Our average annual cost of car ownership (2 cars):
Amount
Car loan payments (1 car)
$3,300
Insurance
$1,200
Tag renewals
$200
Maintenance (oil, filter, tires, lights, etc.)
$1,000
Gas ​
$1,400
TOTAL (rough estimate)
$7,100
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  • Home
  • Explore
    • Africa >
      • South Africa >
        • Cape Town
    • Asia >
      • Cambodia >
        • Siem Reap
      • China >
        • Beijing
        • Shanghai
        • Chengdu
        • Dali
        • Guilin
        • Hong Kong
        • Lijiang
        • Kunming
        • Mt. Yulong
        • Nanning
        • Shangri-la
        • Yangshuo
      • India >
        • Bangalore
      • Indonesia >
        • Bali
      • Japan >
        • Tokyo
        • Osaka & Kyoto
        • Kawaguchiko & Mt Fuji
        • Takayama & Shirakawago
      • Malaysia >
        • Penang
        • Cameron Highlands
        • Kuala Lumpur
        • Langkawi Island
        • Redang Island
        • Sabah
      • Maldives >
        • Conrad Maldives
        • Le Méridien Maldives
      • Singapore >
        • Singapore
      • South Korea >
        • Seoul
        • Busan
        • Jeju
      • Taiwan >
        • Taipei
        • Northeast Coast
        • Taroko National Park
      • Thailand >
        • Bangkok
        • Phuket
        • Krabi
      • Vietnam >
        • Hanoi & Halong Bay
    • Europe >
      • Austria >
        • Hallstatt
        • Innsbruck
        • Salzburg
        • Vienna
      • Belgium >
        • Bruges
      • Czech Republic >
        • Prague
      • Denmark >
        • Copenhagen
      • Finland >
        • Helsinki
        • Lapland
      • France >
        • Paris
        • Avignon/Burgundy
        • French Riviera
        • Pont Du Gard
      • Germany >
        • Berchtesgaden
        • Frankfurt
        • Munich
        • Rhine River
      • Iceland >
        • Reykjavik
        • South Iceland
        • East Iceland
        • North Iceland
        • Snaefellsnes Peninsula
        • Golden Circle
      • Ireland >
        • Dublin
      • Italy >
        • Florence/Pisa
        • Rome
        • Venice
      • Monaco >
        • Monaco
      • Netherlands >
        • Amsterdam
      • Norway >
        • Bergen
        • Flam
        • Geirangerfjord
        • Jostedal
        • Lunde
        • Oslo
        • Sognefjellet
        • Stavanger
      • Slovakia >
        • Bratislava
      • Spain >
        • Barcelona
        • Valencia
      • Sweden >
        • Stockholm
      • Switzerland >
        • Grindelwald/Jungfrau
        • Zurich
      • UK >
        • London
        • Bath
        • Cardiff
        • Liverpool
        • Manchester
        • Northern Ireland
        • Scotland
      • Vatican City >
        • Vatican City
    • North America >
      • Canada >
        • Banff National Park
      • Guatemala >
        • Antigua
      • Mexico >
        • Cancun
      • USA >
        • Alabama >
          • Auburn
          • Birmingham
          • Gulf Shores
          • Guntersville Lake
          • Huntsville
        • Arizona >
          • Grand Canyon
        • California >
          • San Francisco
        • Colorado
        • Connecticut
        • Florida >
          • Animal Kingdom
          • DisneyWorld
          • Ft. Myers
          • Hollywood Studios
          • Orlando
          • Tampa
          • Universal Studios
        • Georgia >
          • Atlanta
        • Hawaii >
          • Big Island
          • Honolulu
        • Illinois >
          • Chicago
        • Louisiana >
          • New Orleans
        • Maryland >
          • Baltimore
        • Massachusetts >
          • Boston
        • Minnesota >
          • Minneapolis
        • Montana >
          • Glacier National Park
        • Nevada >
          • Las Vegas
        • New Jersey
        • New York >
          • New York
          • Niagara Falls
        • Pennsylvania >
          • Philadelphia
        • Rhode Island
        • Tennessee >
          • Chattanooga
          • Gatlinburg
          • Nashville
        • Texas >
          • Austin
          • Dallas
          • Houston
        • Washington >
          • Seattle
        • Washington D.C.
    • South America >
      • Peru >
        • Machu Picchu
        • Ollantaytambo
        • Sacred Valley
        • Cusco
    • Oceania >
      • Australia >
        • Sydney
        • Melbourne
      • Fiji >
        • Nadi
      • New Zealand >
        • Auckland
        • Christchurch
        • Hobbiton
        • Hokitika
        • Lake Wanaka
        • MIlford Sound
        • Mt Cook & Lake Tekapo
        • Queenstown & Glenorchy
        • Wellington
  • Experience
    • 30 Before 30
    • Amazing Race
    • Around-the-World
    • AXN Big Challenge
    • Gap Year
  • Simpli-FI
    • Cost-Efficient Car
    • Education Expenses
    • Geo-Arbitrage
    • House Hacking
    • Increase Income
    • Meal Prep
    • Mindful Spending
    • Saving / Investing
    • Tax Optimization
    • Travel Rewards
  • Expenses
    • Annual >
      • 2021
      • 2020
      • 2019
      • 2018
      • 2017
      • 2016
      • 2015
      • 2011 - 2014 Malaysia
    • Travels >
      • 2022 - Maldives
      • 2022 - Finland
      • 2021 - Canada
      • 2021 - Malaysia
      • 2021 - Maldives
      • 2019 - Hawaii
      • 2019 - Asia Hopper
      • 2018 - New Zealand
      • 2018 - Iceland
      • 2017 - Around the World
      • 2016 - Cancun/Antigua
      • 2015 - Central Europe
      • 2015 - DisneyWorld
      • 2015 - Machu Picchu
      • 2015 - Colorado
    • Wedding
  • About