The Expenses With Having A Car
Having a car can open up a new world of opportunity. In fact, many people feel trapped without one. With a car of your own, your travels are no longer confined to public transit routes. Maybe you can find a higher paying job with the freedom of a car. Road trips and access to outlying entertainment destinations are other liberating benefits enjoyed by drivers.
However, the costs of owning a car can be sneaky since they don’t hit your wallet all at once. With ownership expenses on the rise, you just might shatter your budget if you don’t know about them all from the start.
Fuel
Even if you drive a hybrid, there’s no doubt that you know exactly how expensive gasoline has become. An average driver can spend hundreds of dollars each month on fuel. Drivers of diesel cars have been affected by rising gas prices more than others have. Not long ago, the price of diesel fuel was low enough to give cars nearly twice the mileage-per-dollar over unleaded gasoline. Those days are gone. Buying a diesel car will no longer save you any significant gas money.Maintenance
Like any other complicated machine, cars need maintenance to keep on working. It is the most important way to avoid repair costs. Prices vary widely from location to location. In the examples below, we are looking at a total maintenance cost of well over $2000. Routine car maintenance includes:- Oil Changes
- New Tires
- Water Pump Replacement
- New Timing Belt
- New Battery
- Wheel Alignment
- Replace Spark Plugs
- Flush and Replace Radiator Fluid
Repairs
No matter how well a car is maintained, it will eventually need to be repaired. Parts get old and break. Speaking of breaks, brake work is one of the most common repair costs. It’s actually basic maintenance. However, your car’s manual won’t be able to predict when you’ll need brake work. That depends on your driving style.Parts that commonly need repair are:
- Ignition System
- Fuel Pump
- Transmission
- Exhaust
- Light Bulb Replacement