Re: Advice: Driving from MN/WSC to WDW and tolls

Keane wrote:
On Mon, 4 Feb 2008 12:54:29 -0800 (PST), "scrapquilter@xxxxxxxxx"
<scrapquilter@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

You are forgetting wear and tear on your car. IRS mileage rate is
about 50cents per mile, now, I think. So that 3000 mile trip is
theoretically 'costing' you $1500.

And it's only theoretical. If you keep your car for 10 years putting
200,000 miles on it (which I try to do :-)), that 3000 mile trip isn't
a factor at all.

One thing I've noted with people who drive a car until it drops is that they neglect a lot of maintenance. Shock and struts are rarely good for more than 50K miles (30K on trucks & SUV's). Other suspension parts are like ball joints, control arm bushings, tie rod ends, etc. usually need replacement every 75K. And that's all regardless of highway vs. city driving. Catalytic converters are rarely good for more than 100K, and truthfully, after 60K they are likely to adversely affect performance. Items like O2 sensors, throttle cables and sensors, mass airflow sensors and vacuum hoses all slowly deteriorate and need replacement or servicing.

The problem is, it's sort of "frog in cold water" analogy. These parts wear so slowly that it may not be evident. Even so, some will argue that they don't mind if it doesn't ride or perform as well, but you need to remember that the suspension is not as much about comfort as it is about safety. A single worn ball joint can mean the difference between maneuvering around a road hazard or having your car over or under steer to the point of losing control. A set of tired, worn sensors can drop MPG by 25% easily, and can cause that nice "environmentally friendly" car to be polluting more than a Hummer.

The government's current 50.5 cents per mile allowance is probably low if you factor in everything over the "life" of a car.

It might be if you trade your car in every 3 years, but that's
costing you more than $1500 in depreciation alone...

Generally speaking, 3 years is about the equilibrium point for depreciation vs. costs on a typical car. In other words, with typical financing and typical wear-and-tear, after three years, your car will be worth about what you'd owe on a 5-year loan. Without going into all the boring math, that's pretty much why 3 year leases tend to be the norm.

Considering lost time and the cost of driving, hassle of it all, I
would fly.

Then you miss a lot of the country. My view of travel is different
now. I've become one of those 'The trip is the destination' type
of people, and I enjoy the drive.

To each his own.

Even though I mention that keeping a car for the long haul can still be expensive, I have done it. Generally, I prefer to trade every 3 years (hence why I usually lease), but I have been known to keep a car longer and I had one for 200K (though it should have not lasted that long).

Personally, I don't understand the other poster's comments about the hassles of driving over flying. To me, flying is a huge hassle with having to deal with security, parking, luggage restrictions, spending hours in the airport, delays, weather, etc. If I can drive in less than 10 hours, I'll do it.

My drive to WDW is about 600 miles and it takes me about 8.5-9 hours. Once I hit Florida, it's a very nice, relaxing drive. If I fly, even with a direct flight, I will probably not really save any "vacation" time. For example, if I fly, I'll likely be on a 3:00pm flight, which means I have to leave my house no later than 1:00pm to get to the airport in time (even on a weekend). I will arrive at MCO around 6:00pm (although I lose an hour). By the time I get bags and get to my resort, it will be around 7:00pm. If I drive, I can leave my house around 8:00pm and be at my resort 6:00pm at the latest. I can pack whatever I want and I don't have to worry if my suitcase weighs 68lbs or if the plane they are using to get me from Birmingham to Orlando is delayed in Albuquerque because of thunderstorms in Utah.

--

- RODNEY

Next WDW Vacation?
Who knows...
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Best bicycle bell?
    ... I still shudder at the memory of a bike ride near Seattle--the scenery ... car swerving head-on into you. ... It was driving half a mile the wrong way through the City Park. ... a few idiots simply drive into the park by going the ...
    (rec.bicycles.tech)
  • Re: I think Ive just cum.....
    ... I'm sorry, but if petrol really were worth it, you'd pay it... ... Run a 140 bhp petrol or diesel car, the diesel will be slightly cheaper to ... rates were something like a super tight 35p per mile for private cars, ... say 8p per mile for fuel where there is no fuel ...
    (uk.rec.cars.modifications)
  • Re: Very plain cling-on tax disc holders
    ... you pay the price. ... My car is much less poluting per mile than a low mileage car. ... That's about 8p a litre, ...
    (uk.rec.driving)
  • Re: Remote Call Forwarding
    ... plus $5 per mile service fee. ... > charges the lowest hourly fee ... ... case was that although I do not personally drive a car, ... call from the Montgomery County Sheriff accompany the sheriff in their ...
    (comp.dcom.telecom)
  • Re: price per mile
    ... miles round trip, I am currently trying to guage the average cost per mile ... going to cost me and whether I should shop my car in for a diesel. ... Currently I've estimated that it's costing me 12 pence / mile. ...
    (uk.rec.cars.misc)