Rambling though: It’s amazing how much you can appreciate something so banal.
I don’t have a new, or a fancy car — it’s a secondhand minivan that I bought for $2000 in cash, and it runs like a charm.
What it cost and is continuing to cost me
- $300 a year in insurance ($25/month but I pay it in full up front)
- Renewing my license plate ($200/year)
- Renewing my license ($86/year)
In total, I pay $586 or $48.83 a month to keep my car on the road. Plus gas.
As for maintenance — I don’t drive it very much, but it doesn’t seem to have any problems at all, from when the mechanic did a full check-up on it last year.
I may just have to replace the tires in a year or two, but if I don’t work the car hard, or try to do too much to it, it could even last longer.
Everything you need in a car — it has:
- cruise control
- gas pedal
- brake pedal
- heat
- air conditioning
- a speedometer
- gas tank
- lots of space
When I backup into a space or drive, there is plenty of window space all around for me to make sure I don’t run over anyone.
There’s not much more I really need in a car, if I think about it. 
It works, it’s safe, and I don’t pay a crazy amount of money to have it, and that’s all I care about.
I’ve even tried other cars..
I drove a Dodge Charger for about 2 months and while it was nice and stylish, it felt cramped in comparison to my minivan.
It sure was sexy though.
But I was inside, not looking at it from the outside, so it really doesn’t make a difference to me when I drive.
Other than that, it was nice that it had a CD player instead of a Tape Cassette player.
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Julie
on Mar 20th, 2010
@ 5:22 PM:
You can always buy one of those cassette tapes that connect to your iPod for music. My dad has one and it works wonderfully on his Jeep.
I have a little red car that I love to pieces. Runs amazing, it is sexy, lots of windows and it is small so I can park anywhere, I can sneak out of most traffic jams and my baby can run in the highway.
Bucksome Boomer
on Mar 20th, 2010
@ 5:38 PM:
Your driver's license is $86 a year? I thought California was bad where it's $31 for four years.
Tigerlily
on Mar 20th, 2010
@ 6:12 PM:
Wow! Quebec insurance is way lower then ON! I pay about $1500 a year for insurance (but that includes collision) but it's only $75 for the license plate, and my driver's license is only $50 every 5 years. As for the tape deck issue, you can get a device that plays your mp3 player through the car stereo for less then $100. Mine uses the radio (as my old car didn't even have a tape deck!) and it charges it so I don't run out music on long trips or if I forgot to charge it before I left.
suzie
on Mar 21st, 2010
@ 1:56 AM:
I agree with the first sentence: Rambling though: It’s amazing how much you can appreciate something so banal.
Funny that because I bought a mini vacuum cleaner and thought it was weird that I loved it! But I do!
simple in france
on Mar 21st, 2010
@ 7:01 AM:
Sigh, we have to buy a new car soon ish because our old one (a Renault Twingo–the most unsexy car ever built) was trashed by a Ford Fiesta in a head on collision in France–damn those French roads (and crazy drivers).
So . . .we're in the market again. I kind of hoped our ugly little car would last another 10 years. We literally never had to repair that thing and we could park it anywhere without worrying about the paint job etc. I hate being 'in the market' for a new car. Maybe my husband will find a job where he can bike to work . . .
Alissa
on Mar 21st, 2010
@ 12:02 PM:
I have a little Saturn Ion…and now I wish I had something bigger. But, I can't beat the economy of my little car. Of course, it's not the most economical, because I still owe on it….But, it's got a low monthly payment, gets amazing gas mileage and has a sunroof for good measure. I bought it used and only had it's suspension links break once, but all in all, pretty well and good.
I can't justify buying a new car…ever. It's like buying a new house. The value automatically depreciates the moment you buy it!
FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com
on Mar 21st, 2010
@ 9:43 AM:
Tell me about it.
I think in Ontario it’s cheaper, but I don’t know if that’s for sure. I do know that in Ontario, I’d be paying much more for car insurance.
FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com
on Mar 21st, 2010
@ 9:44 AM:
Well let’s do the math..
For me this was what I was quoted (and using your numbers):
$300 + $86 + $200 = $586 for Quebec
$1200 + $75 + $10 = $1285 for Ontario ($100/month for my car)
A much better deal in Quebec… For cars that is. For health insurance, everyone has to pay $500 flat on their taxes every year.
FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com
on Mar 21st, 2010
@ 9:45 AM:
OH GOODNESS! Thank you for the reminder/tip.
I want to go buy a cassette tape deck converter now. *so happy*
PetiteAsianGirl
on Mar 21st, 2010
@ 2:22 PM:
Hey girl – thanks for your kind note!
I LOVE your blog. I used to have a blog (Fashionable Finance) where I talked about similar topics as you … balancing shopaholic tendancies and city life expenses with saving … and I was very unsuccessful! I think I bored all of my readers! I just bought a car as well, a pretty cheap one, and I agree with the points in your post. Looking forward to reading more!
Shelley
on Mar 21st, 2010
@ 3:54 PM:
It runs fine and has everything you need. That's the basis for love in my book.
Mary
on Mar 21st, 2010
@ 11:18 PM:
I just stumbled upon your blog—love it! I think ideas like yours are really needed in this economy. : )
Great job!!!
Amy
on Mar 21st, 2010
@ 11:29 PM:
Wow, your insurance is low! In NS I pay about $1100/year on my Mazda3. I too love my little car to pieces
I had a Dodge Charger as a rental car a few years ago and I had a lot of trouble driving it–optically it felt effed up–like the windows were too small for the car or something? I liked the speed though.
Caleb
on Mar 22nd, 2010
@ 11:01 PM:
Definitely get the cassette deck adapter. They work much better than the FM radio adapters.
Mrs. Money
on Mar 23rd, 2010
@ 11:27 AM:
Is that you in the pic? If so, you are so cute! I love that you drive a mini van. I have a crossover and everyone calls it a mini van!
FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com
on Mar 25th, 2010
@ 6:24 PM:
No, it’s not me but thank you for thinking so *preen preen* LOL!
I totally drive a minivan. People always give me the strangest looks when I tell them I own a minivan.
“What’s a semi-single, young girl like you driving THAT? How many kids do you have!?”
me: *sigh*….
I tell them it was a good price, in fabulous condition and I don’t mind driving such a big car — I mean really, the Dodge Charger I rented was the same length and I PREFER the minivan for its open windows for when I parallel park, etc..
FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com
on Mar 25th, 2010
@ 6:25 PM:
I tried the Belkin FM radio tuner once and I had to return it. The static was awful! It was sexy but useless.
Kind of makes me happy that I own a cassette deck now
FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com
on Mar 25th, 2010
@ 6:29 PM:
My insurance is very low in Quebec. I think I mentioned above some other prices, but in general, I don’t pay much and it works out to be a better deal if you own a car here.
The Dodge Charger was all right for me. I liked it, but you’re right — the windows were too small, it felt too bulky to park, which is funny that I should say that, since I drive a minivan and apparently those are very hard to park
FB @ FabulouslyBroke.com
on Mar 25th, 2010
@ 6:29 PM:
Oh I wish you had kept that blog! I’d love to have read it