Car cost oftentimes surprises the owner when properly tallied at the end of the year. It is one of the top 3 household expenses but the proper computation might be way off than how an average car owner would do it. It is correct to include gas, maintenance, and insurance but these are not the only car cost to think about. There are quite a few more items to include in your annual computation that would shoot the expense item up.
Cars used to be a luxury reserved for the rich and affluent. But in the past decades and with the help of credit tools specifically designed to make car ownership easier, consumers have embraced the many advantages of owning a car. Being able to visit other places and family in other cities, having an efficient way of running chores and basically the freedom that it brought to the owner.
Like most things, owning a car is not only expensive but commands responsibility from the owner and the driver. It is a big metal case that can run at high speeds and in the hands of the right and disciplined driver, it can be a thing of beauty. For the undisciplined, it is a big heap of trouble that can not only rack up costs in your budget but put actual lives in danger.
Boston driving increase car ownership cost
Aggressive driving is a dangerous skill that can leave you in financial shambles, not to mention endangering lives of the owner and other people on the road. Boston ranks high in a recent survey on the aggressiveness of drivers on the road.
In a recent survey reported by Moneytalksnews.com, 46% of Bostonians admitted to being aggressive drivers on the road. Los Angeles and New York comes in at close second with 38% of their driving community admitting to be aggressive behind the wheel. The troubling result of the survey is that 85% of Boston drivers have witnessed brashness of other drivers on the road.
What you have to realize is that your driving behavior will have an effect in your car cost. If you drive aggressively, car insurance premiums will be higher for you. Not only that, your car maintenance costs will be higher because you are driving your car literally to that ground.
These seemingly unconnected concepts actually affect each other in more ways that you know. Some people think that all they need to concentrate on are useful tips in getting an auto loan that will cost them less in interest. While this is an important part of your car cost, it is not the whole picture.
Once you are on the road, these simple reminders will make it safer for you on the road and lower car cost.
- Avoid boorish drivers. It is easy to flare up when you see other aggressive drivers around Boston roads but the greater challenge is to keep your temper and keep your focus. It will help to think of the repercussions if you act on instinct and chase down the other car who haphazardly cut you in your lane. You might get into an accident and incur car cost, hospitalization cost, and fines and damages for your action.
- Proactive driving. Bad traffic is a reality but except for accidents and road repairs, there is usually a pattern to this madness and analyzing it could work to your advantage. Not to mention that getting stuck in traffic will not help your budget either and pile up car cost on gas and maintenance. See if doing everything early to be able to leave a few minutes before the traffic starts to pile up will work. Check if you can take alternative routes as well.
- Positivism works. Instead of being an offensive driver, try to remember the last time someone gave up their parking spot for you or slowed down so you can get in the lane. Some drivers could have also warned you of flat tire or busted tail lights even before you get into an accident. Use that and pay it forward for other Boston divers. You might be surprised on how far the ripple effect of that good deed might reach.
- It is not always about you. When you encounter aggressive drivers around Boston, give them the benefit of the doubt. They could be on their way to an emergency at home or a school program they are trying their best to catch. Staying away from accidents is also one tip on lowering your auto insurance.
Lowering costs to own a car
Getting a car is one major household decision and should not be taken lightly. It might not be the same as getting a home but it is still costly. According to an article published on MarketWatch.com, it is revealed that the average mid-sized sedan that drives approximately 15,000 miles each year will spend $9,150 annually. These costs include maintenance, car insurance, gas, registration, and license.
This will be on top of your car loan payments that are actually higher than when you first started. If you got a loan to buy a $20,000 car, that vehicle depreciated as soon as you drove off the dealership. If you factor in interest, you can expect to pay a little more than $20,000. The longer it takes for you to pay for the car, the great the amount you are paying in relation to the value of the car. This is why you need to take extra caution in getting your vehicle through a car loan.
But if you are bent on getting one and there is no way to do so without a car loan, here are a few tips to help you lower down car cost.
- Window shopping. It is not advisable to walk into a dealership one day just because you decided to buy a car and just get a car right there and then. It is best to determine your need first to know what kind of car you need. Do you need a sedan, an SUV or a truck? After determining the need, look for the best brand and make that suits your need. Only then can you shop around for the best price. This will greatly lower down car cost in terms of purchase price.
- Brand new vs used. Boston residents would have lot of options when they choose to either get a brand new car or take on pre-used units. Each presents distinct advantages that is unique to each type of car. On top of this is price – second-hand cars are less expensive than brand new ones so if there is a budget limitation, used cars would most likely be a better choice. But if you are looking for decreasing maintenance headaches, then brand new cars is the better choice.
- Safe driving. There is no use in matching aggressive drivers with the same brash attitude. Be a defensive driver and keep away from possible accidents. Maintaining a clean record can make it easier for license renewal, lower car cost and lower hospital bills.
- Insurance cost. Even before your insurance coverage expires, shop around for other providers that can offer you the same coverage for a lower cost. This is where an accident-free driving can help you negotiate for a lower car cost in terms of premium payments.
- Maintenance. A lot of car owners are slowly finding out the car cost is predominantly dictated by maintenance repairs. The more you take care of your car, the less you need to put out to maintain it in a good running condition. As in health where prevention is better than cure, same principle can be applied with car maintenance. The better you prevent repairs, the lower your total car cost will be.