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Gas, Hybrid, Diesel, Electric: What Do They Cost Over 5 Yrs?

GCR -- What will that car really cost over, say, five years of ownership? We've done the math for you on five different cars, all of them significant models in the market.

1. 2012 Chevrolet Cruze Eco - 28 city/42 highway/33 combined (MPG)
Price $19,325 - Gas $8,500 over 5 years - TOTAL $27,825

2. 2012 Toyota Prius - 51/48/50 combined (MPG)
Price $23,015 - Gas $5,750 over 5 years - TOTAL $28,765

3. 2012 Volkswagen Jetta TDI - 30/42/34 combined (MPG)
Price $22,775 - Diesel $9,000 over 5 years - TOTAL $31,775

4. 2012 Nissan Leaf - 106/92/99 combined (MPG equivalent)
Price $35,200 - Electricity $3,000 over 5 years - TOTAL $38,200

5. 2012 Chevrolet Volt - Electric: 95/93/94 combined (MPG equivalent); Gas: 36/37/36 combined (MPG)
Price $39,145 - Prem gas $8,250 - Electricity $3,250 - TOTAL $42,395

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Submitted Mar 14, 2012 By: Jumpmaster82

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bigoilscamsus Champion Author Lansing Posts:1,058 Points:48,265 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2012 11:06:32 PM Ignore bigoilscamsus Report Abuse ----------------------BIG OIL AND THE MOB-------------------------------------------------Two guys were sitting at a bar depressed over the most recent rise in gas prices ($4.29.9/gallon on 3-14-12 in Detroit). One guy says to his friend,These gas prices are killing me; I can hardly buy enough gas to get to work each week. I can just barely make enough for food for my family. It's a good thing that the Mob isn't involved in the oil industry. They would continually raise gas prices and extort huge profits at the expense of the American consumers." The other guy looked up from his beer quizzically and says," I think the Mob has already got Big Oil in their pocket. They finally found a way to legally steal our money!!"
darkknight1 Champion Author Winston-Salem Posts:4,475 Points:923,535 Joined:Nov 2010	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2012 11:05:16 PM Ignore darkknight1 Report Abuse not surprised
jerej829 Champion Author Memphis Posts:2,969 Points:720,350 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2012 11:02:37 PM Ignore jerej829 Report Abuse ok
PissedCanuck Champion Author Toronto Posts:5,456 Points:1,510,770 Joined:Nov 2006	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2012 11:02:27 PM Ignore PissedCanuck Report Abuse Never mind fender bender, how much are these cars going to cost for routine maintenance with the exception of the Cruze?
MadTraveler Champion Author Idaho Posts:2,082 Points:572,100 Joined:Nov 2009	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2012 11:01:23 PM Ignore MadTraveler Report Abuse Yep - some have decided that safety is no longer important. That's their call.
DTroytNC Veteran Author Charlotte Posts:366 Points:62,510 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2012 10:59:30 PM Ignore DTroytNC Report Abuse How expensive are these cars to fix after a fender bender?
uptherefiners Champion Author Chicago Posts:5,048 Points:1,002,000 Joined:Jun 2006	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2012 10:57:07 PM Ignore uptherefiners Report Abuse don't care
gass12 Champion Author Omaha Posts:8,528 Points:2,331,395 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2012 10:56:09 PM Ignore gass12 Report Abuse That is why they will not sell.
SUSANCK Champion Author Chicago Posts:3,782 Points:732,205 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2012 10:50:10 PM Ignore SUSANCK Report Abuse Numbers can be deceiving--it all depends on your individual usage.
abcdMA Champion Author Worcester Posts:8,052 Points:1,600,730 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2012 10:49:02 PM Ignore abcdMA Report Abuse the number for the Volt are worng--the total is $50,645
Z51Corvette Champion Author Austin Posts:8,608 Points:1,697,410 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2012 10:43:27 PM Ignore Z51Corvette Report Abuse Informative... but numbers can always be configured to play out what most people want to promote...
TableTalk Champion Author Virginia Posts:1,187 Points:567,085 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2012 10:42:34 PM Ignore TableTalk Report Abuse Problem is there are a bunch more costs to be considered that pgerassi overlooked: Depreciation cost Resale value (related to depreciation.) Battery replacement cost after 100K - 200K miles or whatever. That includes the Hybrids. (For Honda Civic Hybrids that is ~$3,000 for example) others cost up to $10K! Hyundai Sonata don't count for they have a lifetime replacement guarantee on their hybrid batteries. Higher homeowners fire insurance premiums for Chevy Volt owners ;-) And lastly, does one factor in the government redistribution of wealth bonus check or not?
hank1326 Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:9,045 Points:1,761,020 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2012 10:41:29 PM Ignore hank1326 Report Abuse Informative. We have an Audi TDI. This is very helpful.
PoohMcGoo Champion Author Alabama Posts:3,127 Points:823,185 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2012 10:38:18 PM Ignore PoohMcGoo Report Abuse Sillywagon has a good point.. They assume a compact car is feasible for everyone..
sillywagon Champion Author New York Posts:15,113 Points:1,468,820 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2012 10:30:56 PM Ignore sillywagon Report Abuse No SUV's? I need, I require a vehicle that has cargo space. My family has two vehicles. A Ford Focus Wagon, and a Mazda Tribute SUV. Next month I will be picking up a recliner at a discount furniture store. They don't deliver to my cabin in a rural area. By picking up the recliner, instead of purchasing from a more near furniture store that will deliver will save me... about $400. Include that in the cost of ownership of a sub-compact, or alternative car.
sit Champion Author Cleveland Posts:5,330 Points:1,958,945 Joined:Feb 2006	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2012 10:30:30 PM Ignore sit Report Abuse OK
AuburnTim Champion Author Indiana Posts:6,828 Points:1,559,190 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2012 10:29:01 PM Ignore AuburnTim Report Abuse All of these are highly overpriced to start with so they can just keep them I won't even consider one
JENNYHK Champion Author Chicago Posts:3,781 Points:740,295 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2012 10:28:00 PM Ignore JENNYHK Report Abuse and here I thought the Cruze would be worth while...
pgerassi Champion Author Milwaukee Posts:11,036 Points:2,159,245 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2012 10:25:34 PM Ignore pgerassi Report Abuse Problem is that cars now last 12-15 years. 5 yr TCO favors low initial cost vehicles. Especially since they do not take into account resale value after the 5 year period. After 5 years the diesel, the HEV and the BEV will sell used for more than the Eco will which reduces the TCO fir those 5 years. In this way they miscalculated TCO. Even using their method, after 10 years, the costs are $36,325, $34,515, $40,775, $38,200, and $45,645 respectively. So here the Prius is lowest, the Eco second, the Leaf third, the Jetta fourth, and the Volt is the highest cost. Take it to 15 years (although after that long the MPG ratings will change downward for the gas engines, the motors and diesel will stay about the same) and you get 15 year TCO (by 15 years their bodies will be rusting out here in the upper Midwest) respectively of $44,875, $40,265, $49,775, $41,200, and $48,895. By this time the Eco and Leaf trade places of 2 and 3, and the Jetta and Volt trade at 4 and 5. At 20 years, its $53,375, $46,015, $58,775, $44,200, and $52,145. The Leaf take the lowest cost point from the Prius, the Volt finally gets third, the Eco fourth and the Jetta last. But the current price of diesel is lower than regular over most of the nation so the yearly costs are suspect. I also suspect that some of the charging will be done at work gratis (for free). Of course these don't take into account maintenance, insurance, tires, and repairs. Nor do they take into account likely gasoline and diesel fuel price rises. Electricity rises much more slowly as it can more easily switch fuel sources to the cheapest at the time. Maintenance of BEVs are less than engine powered ones. Diesels usually have lower maintenance than gasoline engines. Lastly using the EPA ratings is also suspect as most Prius, Jetta, and Leaf users will beat these numbers.
Blue48 Champion Author Illinois Posts:7,445 Points:1,665,645 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2012 10:25:11 PM Ignore Blue48 Report Abuse COOL INFO!
craigsfrank Champion Author Arkansas Posts:2,214 Points:860,725 Joined:Jun 2010	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2012 10:24:58 PM Ignore craigsfrank Report Abuse I'll stick with my paid off 08 VW diesel Jetta.....
ezone Champion Author Florida Posts:2,455 Points:965,565 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2012 10:23:55 PM Ignore ezone Report Abuse Man, is that Chevy Volt a great buy, or What? (The answer is, "Or what".) I wonder if they included the $7,500 that you and I "contributed" in the way of a rebate? NObama 2012.
EmperorsFinest Champion Author Chicago Posts:1,564 Points:340,870 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2012 10:22:10 PM Ignore EmperorsFinest Report Abuse They cost your left nut.
tippybuddy Champion Author Ontario Posts:1,523 Points:207,740 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2012 10:19:31 PM Ignore tippybuddy Report Abuse can't afford any of them at that rate
Kaiyne Champion Author Chicago Posts:2,480 Points:500,415 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2012 10:17:37 PM Ignore Kaiyne Report Abuse I agree with Silentpartner-it needs to be watched.
FuelOilOH Champion Author Cleveland Posts:2,842 Points:1,184,595 Joined:Oct 2007	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2012 10:16:09 PM Ignore FuelOilOH Report Abuse SilentpartnerMN has a good idea.
methaneman Champion Author Minnesota Posts:2,648 Points:1,296,810 Joined:May 2002	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2012 10:09:37 PM Ignore methaneman Report Abuse All of them are an OBAMANATION!
SilentpartnerMN Champion Author Minnesota Posts:1,642 Points:491,785 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2012 10:08:13 PM Ignore SilentpartnerMN Report Abuse It's nice to compare apples to apples, but give it a few years to develop the electric and hybrid, and the rise in fossil fuels, the numbers can change. Should be done on an annual basis and tracked to realize what is the best deal and how it changes.
2granny Champion Author Michigan Posts:9,715 Points:1,493,955 Joined:Apr 2009	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2012 10:07:38 PM Ignore 2granny Report Abuse I'll stick with my Ford Taurus, Thank You. I just got back from a road trip and got 33.6 mpg.
rxman1 Champion Author Toledo Posts:9,690 Points:1,889,495 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2012 10:06:03 PM Ignore rxman1 Report Abuse The Prius and the Cruse are about equal
bevmill Champion Author Georgia Posts:2,716 Points:628,000 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2012 9:59:28 PM Ignore bevmill Report Abuse ok
GrahamTurismo Rookie Author Jacksonville Posts:30 Points:130,625 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2012 9:59:23 PM Ignore GrahamTurismo Report Abuse 6. 2012 Schwinn bike from Walmart - 14 speeds/carbon fiber Price $549 - Gas $0 over 5 years - TOTAL $549
IUVidiot Champion Author Indiana Posts:3,725 Points:736,160 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2012 9:58:22 PM Ignore IUVidiot Report Abuse ok
TBRR Champion Author Jacksonville Posts:3,716 Points:605,975 Joined:Dec 2007	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2012 9:56:27 PM Ignore TBRR Report Abuse build a VW bug with a diesel in it and watch the sales go through the roof on the economy vehicles. besides they were fun to drive and cheap to operate..
ratones1 Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:2,987 Points:756,755 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2012 9:54:58 PM Ignore ratones1 Report Abuse REALLY???
fuelsaverMN Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:2,282 Points:559,080 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2012 9:54:13 PM Ignore fuelsaverMN Report Abuse I will always be a toyota man.The PRIUS IS THE BEST CAR FOR THE MONEY.....PERIOD.
cimilluca1 Sophomore Author New York Posts:193 Points:234,425 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2012 9:54:12 PM Ignore cimilluca1 Report Abuse They need to continue research on these cars. Improve batteries, etc. Fossil fuel leaves us handcuffed. What if solar panels charged 10 times as much? What if batteries held 10 times the charge? Were 80% smaller? Continue developing better automobiles overall.
Tucker1961 Champion Author Seattle Posts:2,157 Points:363,170 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2012 9:54:08 PM Ignore Tucker1961 Report Abuse wow
gasaholicMO Champion Author Missouri Posts:2,621 Points:510,940 Joined:Apr 2010	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2012 9:52:43 PM Ignore gasaholicMO Report Abuse The price has to come down to get the market to buy them to get production rates high enough to be able to utilize the economy of scale to be able to lower the price......
ssperkin Champion Author Durham Posts:1,454 Points:780,795 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2012 9:52:05 PM Ignore ssperkin Report Abuse Well, this is misleading. It's where it really depends on your driving tendencies.
sammy518 Champion Author Austin Posts:2,589 Points:539,790 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2012 9:49:44 PM Ignore sammy518 Report Abuse all too much
DrLyon Champion Author Michigan Posts:6,769 Points:1,238,615 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2012 9:48:10 PM Ignore DrLyon Report Abuse Interesting check the value....
ericbcire Champion Author Nevada Posts:4,660 Points:1,295,035 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2012 9:45:08 PM Ignore ericbcire Report Abuse No wonder the Volt is a failure.
walkingtall Champion Author Toronto Posts:4,134 Points:1,148,405 Joined:Nov 2004	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2012 9:45:06 PM Ignore walkingtall Report Abuse Still need more information.
Old Timer Champion Author Akron Posts:3,879 Points:1,290,490 Joined:Sep 2003	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2012 9:44:25 PM Ignore Old Timer Report Abuse Okay
livedream Champion Author Michigan Posts:3,845 Points:782,010 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2012 9:43:54 PM Ignore livedream Report Abuse Their own caveat: "One important thing to note: We can't predict the future. Gas prices are expected to climb over the next five years. The more fuel-efficient a car is, the less it will cost you in the future if that happens. For comparison (and our own sanity) we'll freeze gas prices for the next five years." Still, an interesting article.....
HDFXR1991 Veteran Author Wisconsin Posts:469 Points:146,180 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2012 9:42:44 PM Ignore HDFXR1991 Report Abuse ok
kishoreCA Champion Author Ventura Posts:3,303 Points:420,595 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2012 9:35:43 PM Ignore kishoreCA Report Abuse Good information. But I think we need more information on other factors like maintenance, battery replacement, tire wear out of each model and so many other things.
CISA Champion Author Orange County Posts:6,046 Points:1,419,640 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2012 9:31:28 PM Ignore CISA Report Abuse the more your drive, the more a hybrid makes sense
Jeeputtputt Champion Author Ohio Posts:3,002 Points:677,465 Joined:Aug 2009	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2012 9:30:13 PM Ignore Jeeputtputt Report Abuse So, diesel is the best bet, just keep it much longer because engine is good for 500,000 miles or more.
hybridaholic Champion Author Appleton Posts:8,505 Points:1,584,265 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2012 9:29:18 PM Ignore hybridaholic Report Abuse After reading some of the past post, I am happy to announce that Neanderthal Man is still living among us on GasBuddy.
nykklesaver Rookie Author California Posts:15 Points:66,585 Joined:Oct 2011	Message Posted: Mar 14, 2012 9:24:26 PM Ignore nykklesaver Report Abuse What about the maintence costs? How do they compare?