For reference, I'm 19, female, never owned a car (yet), I have a learner's permit in Florida (of course, I will be obtaining an actual license before I get a car), and I live on my own with roommates and pay my own bills. I don't care particularly what kind of car it is, I just prefer inexpensive over expensive, and I just want something that runs. Factoring in insurance, gas, etc, how much should I factor into my budget before deciding that I can afford it?
Any suggestions of a type of car or anything like that are welcome too.
Is there a website that has sort of a monthly cost calculator for this sort of thing?
Thanks in advance!
2007-02-07 05:24:53 · 6 answers · asked by Viki 4 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Other - Cars & Transportation
Try reading this. towards the bottom is a pretty good answer for you.
http://www.fool.com/car/car02.htm?source=PFinAg
2007-02-07 05:32:26 · answer #1 · answered by ♥cinnamonmj♥ 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
totally matters on the car.
If i were you, id buy somehting like an older toyota carolla or camry. theyre very cheap, durable as hell, inexpensive to get fixed, and overall very good cars, and if you do get into an accident (youre inexperianced, it has a high chance of happening), it wont be such a huge loss.
guestimate about 25 miles a gallon (which is like 10c a mile, assuming 2.5 dollars a gallon), then get a quote for insurance (progressive gives you online quotes for several companies, choose the least expensive, and only get the required insurance, itll be more cost effective on a low value car). then youd have to factor in servicing, which ranges hugely based on the car, and if you do any of your own work and such.
cars are expensive.
2007-02-07 13:41:40 · answer #2 · answered by Kyle M 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The cost of insurance depends on the type of car. Sportier ones and ones that are stolen most often will cost more, for example. So I'd say before you choose a car, do some research on cars you like, their miles per gallon and their insurance costs.
Different companies will also vary in their insurance costs. I got quotes for over $1100/6 months from one company and then $610/6 months from another. So definitely shop around there too.
Gas will depend on what type of driving you do (highway or short trips) and how much of it you do.
2007-02-07 13:34:53 · answer #3 · answered by Christina 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
depends on what type of car you get, mine is 335 for a 2005 grand am , but my older one was 300, if youre young and just starting out thats how its going to be, just remember insurance is around 200 dollars a month as well, plus taxes i would say all togther look at spending 550 a month altogether on a car
2007-02-07 13:32:53 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
DEPENDS ON THE CAR
generally, Japanese cars are very reliable and very fuel efficient but regardless of what you get just remember any car can be very good or very bad especially used because you dont know if it was taken care of. also, generally, if the car looks like crap it is probably crap, if the appearance looks good there is a better chance it was taken care of.
2007-02-07 14:44:53 · answer #5 · answered by grumpy0282 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋