5 Tips to save money on driving
I feel like this is car week at A Penny Saved - I keep coming back to cars. I think the reason I’m doing that is because cars are potentially a very large part of our budget - and they’re critical to our well-being. After all, it’s tough to get to work and make money without a car.
Fortunately, owning a car doesn’t need to cost you a fortune. Here are a few tips to make owning a car a less painful experience:
- Don’t buy a truck - Unless you specifically need a pickup truck for your job, then there is no reason to buy one. Yes, trucks are convenient for when you need them. But most folks only “need” a truck 4 or 5 times a year, at most. You can rent a truck to cover these times. Meanwhile, you can enjoy the lower cost of ownership that a traditional car offers.
- You don’t need an SUV either - Unless you have more than 3 children, you don’t need an SUV. I can’t tell you how many folks I know who have one child, and run out in a panic to purchase an SUV. Folks with two children become even more panicky. When I was growing up, I was able to fit into the backseat of a midsize sedan with my older sister and younger brother just fine, even for long trips. Trunks are very large nowadays, and will hold just about anything you could want.
- Downsize the engine - When you’re picking out your midsize sedan ( since you don’t need a truck or SUV ), you often have the choice between a 4 cylinder or V6 engine. Stick with the four cylinder - most of them are quite powerful these days, and provide plenty of passing power. There is also no truth to the old myth that V6’s are more reliable.
- Stick with regular gas - Unless your car’s owners manual specifically states that your car requires premium gas, stick with regular 87 octane. Unless your car was designed to run on premium, there is no benefit. No, you can’t feel the difference, it’s in your head. Keep the money in your wallet, rather than the oil company’s wallet.
- Keep up with your maintenance - Maintaining a car is almost always less expensive than repairing it. Best to stay ahead of the game, save money, and reduce the risk of an inconvenient breakdown.
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Lynnae said,
Wrote on July 11, 2007 @ 7:38 am
That’s some great advice. We have two kids and a small SUV (which we inherited…we didn’t buy). We’re seriously considering selling it and getting a smaller car.
Penny Saved said,
Wrote on July 11, 2007 @ 10:02 am
Remember - driving an SUV doesn’t make you a bad person. I currently drive one ( it’s leased ), but I’m looking forward to a big downsizing in about 11 more months.
But if you can get a reliable, safe car instead of the SUV, it’ll definitely help you keep costs down. Gas and maintenance costs will drop quite a bit. Remember, 4 cylinder is the way to go.
Lynnae said,
Wrote on July 11, 2007 @ 4:24 pm
Thanks. I’ll remember that. I don’t think we’re bad for driving an SUV, and we’re definitely keeping the minivan. But my husband’s new job requires a LOT of driving, and the gas prices are ridiculous. It just makes a lot more sense for us to have a more economical car at this point.
Matt said,
Wrote on July 11, 2007 @ 6:47 pm
Having a car that matches your driving and needs definitely helps and its rare that you NEED a truck, suv, or minivan with all the options out there.
Another thing to consider is buying a hybrid (especially if gas is expensive in your area)
Penny Saved said,
Wrote on July 12, 2007 @ 4:38 am
A hybrid is potentially a fantastic choice - potentially. I’m a big fan of hybrids for the gas savings ( and the environmental impact is an added bonus ), but you need to make sure you do the math.
Gas prices in your area have to support the hybrid choice, and you need to drive enough miles. If you only drive 10,000 miles per year, there’s a good chance that a hybrid won’t make economical sense to you. If, on the other hand, you drive 20,000 per year, it’s a whole different story.