Categories: CarsShow Notes

The cheapest car to own is…

  | 
Team Clark is adamant that we will never write content influenced by or paid for by an advertiser. To support our work, we do make money from some links to companies and deals on our site. Learn more about our guarantee here.

The Toyota Prius Four tops a new Consumer Reports tally of the best new car values.

The magazine’s February 2013 issues reports the Prius has a price tag of $26,750 and a cost per mile to drive of 49 cents. In second place, we have the base model of the Honda Fit, with a price tag of $16,915 and a cost per mile of 46 cents.

The Scion xD and the Scion xB claim the third and fourth place, respectively, on the tally.

Who stunk it up in the Consumer Reports investigation?

The BMW 750Li which sells for $97,525 and has an operation cost per mile of $1.80.

Despite the recent high cost of gas, fuel costs only account for less than a fourth of the expense of operation. So where is all the money going? Depreciation. When you buy a new car, the value drops like a rock the minute you drive it off the dealer lot. Other factors that figure into most looks at true cost of ownership include insurance, maintenance, and the interest on a car loan.

This post was last modified on March 22, 2017 2:06 pm

Recent Posts

Free Mobile Passport Control App Saves You Time in Airport Customs

If you plan to take an international flight or cruise anytime soon, there's one free…

1 day ago

Where Should I Set Up My Health Savings Account (HSA)?

Pop quiz: What's money expert Clark Howard's favorite tax-advantaged retirement tool? If you guessed Roth…

2 days ago

YouTube TV Unveils Limited-Time Offer for 2024 NFL Sunday Ticket

Are you considering subscribing to NFL Sunday Ticket for the upcoming season? Now may be…

2 days ago

Clark Warns Major Changes To Credit Card Rewards Are Coming Soon

Did you know major changes are coming for the way credit card processing fees are…

2 days ago

Costco Car Insurance: 5 Things To Know Before You Get a Policy

There’s a lot to love about Costco. The company has deals on just about every…

4 days ago

Clark’s Advice on Becoming a Travel Agent

Money expert Clark Howard started a travel agency in his mid-20s and grew it into…

4 days ago