RE: run the numbers!

[Don Muirhead <dmr@kwic.com>]

Mike:

Well done great explanation, but this is how I respond to my one neighbor 
who introduces me to his friends not by name, but as the guy who has driven 
the same car for 13 years.

I purchased my '86 CGT for $25,000 CDN.  Up until May 1998 I spent a total 
of $21,735 less fuel/insurance.  The total cost over 12 years $46,735. 
 Km's driven at that point was 916,264 so it has cost me $.051/km or 
$324.55/month to keep the car on the road.  Last summer I opted for a 
complete restoration from the ground up - cost $16,217.  If you add this to 
the total, the cost of operation is now $.068/km and except for the stupid 
door handles in all likelihood this car will outlive me.

As far as neighbor goes he's had 4 new cars since 1986, gripes to me every 
3 years about the price of a new car and the crappy trade-in allowance he 
got.

Don Muirhead