How Much Does it Cost to Drive? (2006)

Following are AAA average per-mile costs and the composite average cost for three size categories of sedans:

What’s Covered

AAA’s analysis covers vehicles equipped with standard and optional equipment including automatic transmission, air conditioning, power steering, antilock brakes and cruise control, to name a few.

• Fuel Fuel costs were based on $2.405 per gallon, the late-2005 U.S. price from AAA’s Fuel Gauge Report: www.fuelgaugereport.com. Fuel mileage is based on Environmental Protection Agency fuel-economy ratings weighted 60 percent city and 40 percent highway driving.
• Maintenance Costs include retail parts and labor for normal, routine maintenance as specified by the vehicle manufacturer. They also include the price of a comprehensive extended warranty with one warranty claim deductible of $100 and other wear-and-tear items that can be expected to require service during five years of operating the vehicle. Sales tax is included on a national average basis.
• Tires Costs are based on the price of one set of replacement tires of the same quality, size and ratings as those that came with the vehicle. Mounting, balancing and sales tax also are included.
• Insurance AAA based its insurance costs on a full-coverage policy for a married 47-year-old male with a good driving record, living in a small city and commuting three to 10 miles daily to work. The policy includes $100,000/$300,000
  coverage with a $500 deductible for collision and a $100 deductible for comprehensive coverage.
• License, Registration and Taxes Costs include all governmental taxes and fees payable at time of purchase, as well as fees due each year to keep the vehicle licensed and registered. Costs are computed on a national average basis.
• Depreciation Depreciation is based on the difference between new-vehicle purchase price and estimated trade-in value at the end of five years.
• Finance Costs are based on a five-year loan at 6 percent interest with a 10 percent down payment. The loan amount includes taxes and the first year’s license fees, both computed on a national average basis.

Detailed driving costs for small, medium and large sedans are provided in the table below. Driving costs for four-wheel-drive sport utility vehicles and minivans are listed on page 8. Though not part of the composite AAA average, SUV and minivan information is included to help buyers estimate operating costs for these types of vehicles.

Representative Vehicle Models

Driving costs in each category are based on average costs for five top-selling models selected by AAA. By size category, they are:
• Small sedan — Chevrolet Cobalt, Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Nissan Sentra and Toyota Corolla.
• Medium sedan — Chevrolet Impala, Ford Fusion, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima and Toyota Camry.
• Large sedan — Buick Lucerne, Chrysler 300, Ford Five Hundred, Nissan Maxima and Toyota Avalon.

Selected SUV models include Chevrolet TrailBlazer, Ford Explorer, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Nissan Pathfinder and Toyota 4Runner.

Minivans include Chevrolet Uplander, Dodge Grand Caravan, Ford Freestar, Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna.

AAA Average Costs Per Mile

How to calculate you own cost of driving.
 

* Total  cost per year` ÷ Total  miles per year
** increased depreciation for mileage over 15,000 miles annually
*** decreased depreciation for mileage under 15,000 miles annually
† see listing of vehicle makes and models used for driving cost calculations
 

How to calculate you own cost of driving.

Sports Utility Vehicles and Minivan Driving Costs

* Total  Cost per year` ÷ Total  miles per year
** increased depreciation for mileage over 15,000 miles annually
*** decreased depreciation for mileage under 15,000 miles annually
† see listing of vehicle makes and models used for driving cost calculations
 

How to calculate you own cost of driving.

Methodology

The process used to estimate annual driving costs for this brochure is proprietary to AAA. It incorporates standardized criteria designed to model the average AAA member’s use of a vehicle for personal transportation over five years and 75,000 miles of ownership.

The use of standardized criteria ensures AAA’s estimates are consistent when comparing driving costs of different vehicle makes and models. Actual driving costs will vary based on individual driving habits, location, operating conditions and other factors.

Estimates are provided to help consumers make informed vehicle purchase decisions and budget for annual automotive expenses.

AAA Association Communication

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