Nick Strom loves his MX-5 Miata convertible. "I love it! Are you kidding me? It's the best car I ever had," he says. "The best part about it is that I'm getting over 25 miles to the gallon in the city." Fuel efficiency is also why www.edmunds.com loves this car too.This Web site has an interactive tool called the "True Cost to Own." It reveals how much that car will cost you over time; estimating the five-year cost of a vehicle's taxes, fuel, maintenance, repairs and financing.
We selected Nick's car and found over five years, this convertible will cost an average of $7,700 in fuel and less than half that for maintenance.
"That's why they flock to the vehicle," says Eric Goodale of Bob Moore Mazda. "It just doesn't have a large mechanical failure rate, which ranks it higher in its class."
Edmunds named it the least expensive convertible.
Also tops in its class, the '09 Hyundai Accent coupe.
Brad Smicklas, with the Automax Auto Group, says the Accent scores so high because it's less expensive to insure.
"With the fuel economy and the safety ratings, it brings your insurance cost down," Smicklas says. "And obviously the repairs and maintenance on the car brings all of those costs down."
It's no surprise that in the SUV category, Edmunds loves the fuel efficiency of a hybrid.
They picked Saturn's '09 VUE near the top.
Alliance Automotive's Kyle Bybee says parts and their availability make a difference in a vehicle's cost to own.
However, regardless of the make and model, he says following factory recommendations matters most.
"Maintenance is what makes these cars last a long time," Bybee says.
So don't forget to change the oil... and save a buck.
We selected Nick's car and found over five years, this convertible will cost an average of $7,700 in fuel and less than half that for maintenance.
"That's why they flock to the vehicle," says Eric Goodale of Bob Moore Mazda. "It just doesn't have a large mechanical failure rate, which ranks it higher in its class."
Edmunds named it the least expensive convertible.
Also tops in its class, the '09 Hyundai Accent coupe.
Brad Smicklas, with the Automax Auto Group, says the Accent scores so high because it's less expensive to insure.
"With the fuel economy and the safety ratings, it brings your insurance cost down," Smicklas says. "And obviously the repairs and maintenance on the car brings all of those costs down."
It's no surprise that in the SUV category, Edmunds loves the fuel efficiency of a hybrid.
They picked Saturn's '09 VUE near the top.
Alliance Automotive's Kyle Bybee says parts and their availability make a difference in a vehicle's cost to own.
However, regardless of the make and model, he says following factory recommendations matters most.
"Maintenance is what makes these cars last a long time," Bybee says.
So don't forget to change the oil... and save a buck.
