- Jun 30, 2004
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As the 76-year-old thumping my chest about my old 95 Trooper, I am slowly moving toward a decision point -- purchase of a new car.
Of course, my situation doesn't really recommend it as a wise spending decision. The Trooper and my Nissan 95 hardbody truck are running tip-top, and I only drive about 5,000 miles per year with both combined. Why invest $30,000 to $40,000 in a new vehicle for that sort of limited driving, even if I'll save $135/month in gasoline expense?
I'm flush, as they say, doubling my savings after settling my departed Moms' estate distributing equally with my brother. Further, I've listed my Northern Virginia rental property for sale after deciding that I've been spoiled by having a long-term tenant of 11 years, but no longer eager to suffer the uncertainties of finding a tenant every year or two. So I'm cashing out. Some people would abjure renting a property so far from home, but I grew comfortable with it, picking reliable and responsive rental-management companies. Yet, I see it now -- it's time to sell.
By itself, if I can get 5% return on the proceeds after long-term cap-gains plus my current savings, it will more than make up for the rental income. I might easily pay outright for a $30,000 vehicle in two or three years from that income. But my dentist tells me that I may have about 14 years left before I punch my ticket to the next life. He thinks I should just spend all my money, instead of making my money work for more money.
OK, however -- to the point. I've been looking at the 2024 Toyota Prius, the 2024 Toyota RAV4 and the 2024 Honda CR-V -- in their hybrid incarnations.
Can anyone tell me why, for these hybrids other than the Prius, the highway gas-mileage spec is lower than the city-driving spec? With the Prius, the two numbers are about equal, or vary much less. On the surface, it doesn't seem to make sense.
Of course, my situation doesn't really recommend it as a wise spending decision. The Trooper and my Nissan 95 hardbody truck are running tip-top, and I only drive about 5,000 miles per year with both combined. Why invest $30,000 to $40,000 in a new vehicle for that sort of limited driving, even if I'll save $135/month in gasoline expense?
I'm flush, as they say, doubling my savings after settling my departed Moms' estate distributing equally with my brother. Further, I've listed my Northern Virginia rental property for sale after deciding that I've been spoiled by having a long-term tenant of 11 years, but no longer eager to suffer the uncertainties of finding a tenant every year or two. So I'm cashing out. Some people would abjure renting a property so far from home, but I grew comfortable with it, picking reliable and responsive rental-management companies. Yet, I see it now -- it's time to sell.
By itself, if I can get 5% return on the proceeds after long-term cap-gains plus my current savings, it will more than make up for the rental income. I might easily pay outright for a $30,000 vehicle in two or three years from that income. But my dentist tells me that I may have about 14 years left before I punch my ticket to the next life. He thinks I should just spend all my money, instead of making my money work for more money.
OK, however -- to the point. I've been looking at the 2024 Toyota Prius, the 2024 Toyota RAV4 and the 2024 Honda CR-V -- in their hybrid incarnations.
Can anyone tell me why, for these hybrids other than the Prius, the highway gas-mileage spec is lower than the city-driving spec? With the Prius, the two numbers are about equal, or vary much less. On the surface, it doesn't seem to make sense.