Exploring the true cost of vehicle ownership in 2026, this episode breaks down annual expenses for different models, comparing a Chevy Traverse and a Toyota Corolla. Listeners will learn about maintenance costs, fuel consumption, and the impact of driving habits on overall expenses. The host shares insights on how to save money through proper vehicle maintenance and driving practices, emphasizing the importance of understanding vehicle costs to avoid financial pitfalls. Engaging anecdotes and practical advice make this a valuable listen for anyone looking to manage their automotive expenses better.
The price of owning a vehicle isn't just the sticker anymore. In this episode, we break down the real cost of car ownership in 2026 - from insurance, fuel ,repairs, and maintenance to depreciation, financing, and hidden ownership traps most drivers ignore. Whether you're buying new , used or trying to keep your current vehicle alive longer, this is what it actually costs to drive today.
Coming up Saturday's podcast: What Jeep Owners Do That Mechanics Hate 9 And It Gets Expensive) Come Join Us!
More episodes and....project details & links ae available at Car Connection Business Network.com (ccbusnet.com) you'll find everything on our homepage if you'd like to follow the build/repair work we do & connect with our program partners/sponsors click their logo and connect Thank You! Grab some Car Connection Motormouth Merch, proceeds to Total Freedom Addiction Campuses Canada & USA , together lets help those struggling with addiction get the help they need, A New Life Awaits at Total Freedom. Tnx so much, Nile Motormouth Jenkins. Happy Motoring Friends, Tnx for watching & Listening, Following,
"...eks, two weeks of the year escaped for my fishing excursion and just rest in relaxation. And that's still ki..."
The Ford Excursion is a really big SUV that can carry a lot of people and stuff, making it great for road trips or towing trailers. It's built tough like a truck, so it can handle rough roads and heavy loads. People mention it when talking about vehicles that are good for family outings or outdoor activities.
The Ford Excursion is a large SUV that was produced from 2000 to 2005, known for its massive size and towing capacity, making it ideal for families and outdoor enthusiasts. It was built on a heavy-duty truck chassis, which contributed to its ruggedness and ability to handle tough terrains. The Excursion is often discussed for its spacious interior and capability, especially for those who need a vehicle for towing or off-road adventures.
"...I looked up a Chevy Traverse and compared it to a Corolla 2025 model series..."
The Chevy Traverse is a type of SUV made by Chevrolet. It's popular for families because it has a lot of room inside for passengers and luggage.
The Chevy Traverse is a midsize SUV known for its spacious interior and family-friendly features. It's designed to accommodate larger families or groups with ample cargo space and seating capacity.
"...I looked up a Chevy Traverse and compared it to a Corolla 2025 model series..."
The Corolla is a small car made by Toyota. It's known for being dependable and good on gas, making it a popular choice for many drivers.
The Toyota Corolla is a compact car known for its reliability, fuel efficiency, and affordability. It's one of the best-selling cars worldwide and is often recommended for first-time car buyers.
"...So gas sport utility vehicle, that's what I looked up..."
An SUV is a type of vehicle that is bigger than a regular car and can hold more people and things. They are often used for family trips or driving in rough conditions.
SUV stands for Sport Utility Vehicle, which is a versatile vehicle designed for both on-road and off-road use. SUVs typically offer higher ground clearance, spacious interiors, and the ability to carry more passengers and cargo compared to sedans.
"...your driving record, right? Your abstract. People don't realize that, you know, you're pounding it up and down the highway..."
A driving record shows how well you drive, including any accidents or tickets you've gotten. Insurance companies look at this to decide how much to charge you for coverage.
A driving record is a history of a driver's performance on the road, including any traffic violations, accidents, and license status. It is used by insurance companies to determine risk and set premiums.
"...your driving record, right? Your abstract. People don't realize that, you know, you're pounding it up and down the highway..."
An insurance premium is the money you pay to have car insurance. If you get into accidents or have tickets, your insurance might cost more in the future.
An insurance premium is the amount you pay for your insurance coverage, which can vary based on factors like your driving record, the type of vehicle, and your location. A higher risk of accidents or claims can lead to higher premiums.
"Maintenance, $232 to $700 for the year. I think it's a little low, but anyways, it's average."
Annual maintenance is the care and check-ups your car needs every year to keep it running well. This includes things like changing the oil and checking the brakes.
Annual maintenance refers to the regular servicing and repairs needed to keep a vehicle in good working condition. This can include oil changes, tire rotations, and other necessary inspections.
"...you've got the new Ford Bronco. You've got crossovers. You know, everyone seems to have a crossover now."
The Ford Bronco is a type of SUV that is designed for off-road driving. It has a tough look and is built to handle rough terrains, making it popular among adventure seekers.
The Ford Bronco is a rugged SUV known for its off-road capabilities and distinctive styling. It has a rich history dating back to the 1960s and was recently reintroduced with modern updates.
"...You've got crossovers. You know, everyone seems to have a crossover now."
A crossover is a kind of vehicle that mixes the features of a car and an SUV. It usually has more space and a higher seat position than regular cars, making it popular for families.
A crossover is a type of vehicle that combines features of cars and SUVs, typically offering a higher driving position and more cargo space than a sedan, while maintaining car-like handling.
Honda is a car company from Japan that makes many different types of vehicles, including cars and SUVs. They are known for making reliable and fuel-efficient cars.
Honda is a well-known Japanese automotive manufacturer that produces a variety of vehicles, including sedans, SUVs, and motorcycles. They are recognized for their reliability and fuel efficiency.
Subaru is a car company from Japan that is famous for making vehicles that can handle tough weather and road conditions. Many of their cars come with all-wheel drive, which helps with traction.
Subaru is a Japanese automotive manufacturer known for its all-wheel-drive vehicles and rugged SUVs. They are popular for their safety features and performance in various driving conditions.
"...Honda, Subaru, Toyota, they all got it. Lexus."
Lexus is a luxury car brand that is part of Toyota. They make high-end cars that are known for being comfortable and having lots of advanced features.
Lexus is the luxury vehicle division of the Japanese automaker Toyota. Known for their high-quality interiors and advanced technology, Lexus vehicles often feature a smooth ride and strong reliability ratings.
"...I thought I asked an average sport utility vehicle. Gas, of course. Annual mileage again, 10 to 15k for the year."
Annual mileage is how far you drive your car in a year. It helps determine things like how much maintenance your car might need and how much insurance will cost.
Annual mileage refers to the total distance a vehicle is driven in one year, typically measured in miles or kilometers. This figure can impact vehicle maintenance costs and insurance premiums.
"...the cost per year, I was actually shocked, but not odd. Just shocked. Cost per year, $2,678.57."
Cost per year is how much money you spend on your car in a year. This includes things like gas, repairs, and insurance.
Cost per year refers to the total expenses associated with owning and operating a vehicle over a year, including fuel, maintenance, insurance, and other costs.
"...The depreciation. Yeah, 60% per year. 60% depreciation. Maintenance is 13% and fuels 27%..."
Depreciation is how much a car loses its value as it gets older. Most cars lose a lot of their value in the first few years after you buy them.
Depreciation refers to the reduction in value of a vehicle over time, typically due to wear and tear, age, and market demand. For vehicles, it can be significant, especially in the first few years of ownership.
"...Maintenance is 13% and fuels 27%. That's based on a pie chart..."
Fuel costs are how much money you spend on gas to keep your car running. It can change depending on gas prices and how much gas your car uses.
Fuel costs refer to the expenses incurred from purchasing gasoline or diesel to power a vehicle. This can vary widely based on fuel prices and a vehicle's fuel efficiency.
"I always use premium fuel, period. That's it. I want every single BTU I can squeeze..."
The Toyota FJ Cruiser is a tough-looking SUV that can handle rough roads and off-road adventures. It's built for people who like to explore outdoors.
The Toyota FJ Cruiser is a retro-styled SUV known for its off-road capabilities and rugged design. It features a powerful engine and is popular among adventure enthusiasts.
Premium fuel is a special type of gasoline that helps some cars run better. It's usually more expensive than regular gas.
Premium fuel is a higher-octane gasoline that can help improve engine performance and efficiency, particularly in high-performance or luxury vehicles. It typically has an octane rating of 91 or higher.
"as long as it doesn't say it contains up to 10% ethanol, you can keep that crap..."
Ethanol is a kind of alcohol that is sometimes mixed with gasoline to help cars run cleaner. Some people don't like it because it can make their car use more gas.
Ethanol is a type of alcohol used as a fuel additive to reduce emissions and increase octane levels. It's often blended with gasoline, but some drivers prefer to avoid it due to potential impacts on fuel efficiency.
"...Average fuel economy, and this is where it blows it out the door. Okay, so if..."
Fuel economy tells you how far a car can go on a certain amount of gas. It helps you understand how much money you'll spend on fuel when driving.
Fuel economy refers to the distance a vehicle can travel per unit of fuel consumed, typically measured in liters per 100 kilometers or miles per gallon. It's an important factor for consumers looking to save on fuel costs.
"... an average sport utility vehicle based on a Kia Niro, what are you driving backwards? Fuel per year, ..."
The Kia Niro is a small SUV that is designed to save fuel and be good for the environment. It comes in different versions, including one that runs on electricity, which means you can drive it without using gas. People talk about it because it's a smart choice for families who want to save money on gas.
The Kia Niro is a compact crossover SUV that is known for its fuel efficiency and eco-friendly design, available in hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and fully electric versions. It stands out in the market for its practicality and affordability, making it a popular choice for environmentally conscious drivers. The Niro's versatility and low running costs are often discussed in the context of daily commuting and family use.
"...average fuel economy for that vehicle, 4.85 liters to get 100 kilometers. Let's back up the bus for a minute..."
Liters per 100 kilometers is a way to measure how much gas a car uses. A lower number means the car is better at saving fuel.
Liters per 100 kilometers (L/100km) is a metric measurement used to express fuel consumption. It indicates how many liters of fuel a vehicle uses to travel 100 kilometers, with lower numbers indicating better fuel efficiency.
"...Fuel mileage, that's what I wanted. No, not there. $0.32 a kilometer for the Corolla..."
Fuel mileage tells you how far you can drive your car with a certain amount of gas. It's important for knowing how much you'll spend on fuel.
Fuel mileage is a term often used interchangeably with fuel economy, referring to the distance a vehicle can travel on a specific amount of fuel. It is a crucial metric for evaluating a vehicle's efficiency.
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Good morning Niagara. You're tuned into car connection where the coffee's hot,
the tools are ready, and the talk is always tuned up. I'm your host, Nile
Motormouth Jenkins, coming to you straight from the car connection
workshop where we mix a little humor, a little know-how, and a whole lot of
horsepower. Here it's not just about fixing cars, it's about keeping you
rolling, saving you money, and giving you the confidence to understand what's
under that hood. From the classics to the commuters, the weird noises to the
what the heck moments we've got you covered. So grab your coffee, sit back,
and join the crew because this is car connection, your Monday through Saturday
morning pit stop for stories, smarts, a few good laughs, and I'm Nile Motormouth
Jenkins, and we're shifting into drive right here on Motormouth's Morning Drive.
Thank you for inviting me into your space, and you're always welcome into mine.
We have a ton to get through this morning. Topic being, I don't know, I don't know
what were you thinking? The average cost, what is the cost to operate an automobile
in 2026? I knew you'd ask, so I made sure that I had that before my person so you
could find it. So yeah, you're gonna be surprised, but you can also look this up
yourself based on your specific vehicle. The true cost of owning a vehicle in
2026, that's what we're talking about. This is season one, series one episode 74.
So we're gonna break that down, but before we do that, let's take a look at the weather
report so you got a good idea of what's going on out there brought to us by
Rainbow Motors and Garage, Rita Ramiz, Shanuta, the brothers up in Scarborough,
take good care of your sales and service that you can trust. They have a small car lot,
some of the vehicles that they have there, qualify for extended warranty so that's
something you might want to take a look at, especially if that's of concern, right? It is for
some. It is for some and not for others. What do we got going on here? We never know.
Technology is really good till it isn't. Am I the only one who feels that way? All right, here we go.
Today, today. So thank you to Rita and Ramiz, the brothers at Rainbow Motors and Garage in
Scarborough and you can find all that you need to know available to you at one place. So everything
we talk about lives at our website, carconnectionbusinessnetwork.com. It's the biggest drawer
we have in our toolbox. So all our program partners and sponsors, logos are on the home page.
All you do is click, open, and connect. Top right hand corner to like, follow, share,
and be part of our community. It's all in the top right hand corner, our YouTube channel, Facebook,
Instagram, Stevensvilleontheweb.ca and say, what's that all about? Well, my parents
lived in Stevensville for almost 40 years and you get to know the people, you get to know the
businesses. And Skippy, my videographer, lives there and she's very creative, created a website to
pull the community and the businesses. I'm having a problem with that today. Adjustment.
Good. We're good now. She put together an awesome website to bring the people of Stevensville
and the businesses from Stevensville together to kind of put themselves out there. So they built us
a wonderful business profile. And all you have to do is click the businesses tab. You'll find us
there. We have an I heart link on the top right hand corner and also our merch store. So when you
buy car connection, motor mouth gear, portion of the proceeds go to total freedom campuses in Canada
and the US to help those struggling with addiction to get to a place where they can
find a new life, a new life. So let's do that work together and help them to do that. Make sure you
get yourself a genuine first time ever in 31 years of car connection. We have our own coffee mug.
Yeah. It only took about that same time to get my own washroom key. You know what I'm saying?
Like what's going on in this world? What do you got to do to be somebody? I don't know.
I just be myself. So thank you to Rainbow Motors and Garage and Scarborough Ontario Sales
and Services Contrast. Here is your daily forecast report. I hear singing already minus three now
right now and mostly cloudy. Wind is making it feel colder. Absolutely. I stuck my head out at
four a.m. this morning about minus seven with the wind chill. Partly cloudy conditions expected
around one p.m. today. Today's temperature range minus four to a balmy nine degrees.
But actually feels like minus seven to zero. Can anybody say January thaw? Anyone with me on that?
January thaw? Well, we only have like today and tamari. We're at the weekend. So for those of you
today, weekend begins tomorrow like myself. I haven't had a weekend in 31 years. Well,
I shouldn't say that. Two weeks, two weeks of the year escaped for my fishing excursion and just
rest in relaxation. And that's still kind of something I'm getting used to. You know what,
is it just me? It always seems like when you're trying to get away, tons of things start to happen.
And lots of things. It's like you've all of a sudden you're on that hamster wheel that just
sped up a little bit. Yeah, I find it chaotic to get out of town. Once I'm there, I'm all right,
but it's the getting everything together, loading it all up and going over the checklist twice,
thrice, and you still forget something. Simple as that. So we're going to jump into it and break
down. I pulled up some examples of what it's going to cost to drive a vehicle in 2026. So I pulled
up a couple of 2025s and you can, the website I used, I found it not too bad as far as navigating.
It's a little hiccuppy this morning, CAA, so the Auto Club. I've used that before many years ago,
so it's not a bad website. It is a little like, like I said, it's a little chunky.
So give yourself some time to do it. So I looked up a Chevy Traverse and compared it to a Corolla
2025 model series. And then I thought, you know, there's a ton of utility vehicles out there,
you know, cute youths, crossovers, SUVs, big trundle buggies. So gas sport utility vehicle,
that's what I looked up. So average, average gas sport utility vehicle. So let's jump in that
in a couple minutes. Well, let's have our swiggy this morning. I am so jonesen for coffee. I'm
still doing my herbal tea, all right. Don't laugh. Okay. As long as you're laughing with me, not at me.
Yeah. So let's have to it whatever your favorite morning beverage is. This is quite a concoction.
I'm actually getting used to it. It's helping very much so. So let's three, two, one. And then we
have a swiggy together. If you're just going through the drive through, always double check your
order because you know what happens? Pooh, who happens in the drive through and you can't back up.
Hand over the 16 pack of Corolla crayons to your, your co pilot, if you have one in the
folded up leaf bag looks like a laptop. So we can take some notes this morning, lock down that cup,
grip it, keep an eye on the road and the other guy and let's three, two, one.
Really taste that local honey in there. I love that local honey. Sweet. It is really good taste
different flowers and stuff. Okay. I'm back now. Yeah.
All right. Thank you to city auto sales and leasing Earl Louise Grant fantastic car couple.
And I'll tell you, they are car guys. They sell no junk low mileage quality vehicles at fair prices.
They're GTA's greater Toronto area's premier pre owned auto store for a reason. The vehicles they
have for sale look like brand new. I kid you not. I can't exaggerate that you have to go and look
for yourself. So let them find that specific vehicle for you that you're looking for. They do have a
pretty decent indoor outdoor inventory of pre owned automobiles. But if they don't have
exactly what you're looking for, they have the resources over 20 plus years in the biz.
Let them do the legwork for you. Because I'll tell you right now, Earl Louise,
they're not going to sell you no junk. They are fussy and it really shows. So we're blessed
to have them with a city auto sales and leasing low mileage quality vehicles at fair prices.
GTA's premier pre owned auto store buy with confidence and be treated with nothing less than
honesty and integrity. They also have in house leasing and financing. So if that's something
you need to check into, make it so number one Niagara block 5000 Montrose Road, Niagara Falls.
You know, I I'm really hanging onto the spring thing. I've got my I've got my groundhog posted
up on the car connection workshop door, the man cave. And I'm talking to them every day and saying,
you know what you got to do, right? You know what you got to do, Mr. Groundhog. Yeah. Alright,
here's the snack. I'm hoping because Niagara blocks been building Canada since 1931 and it's
time to build stuff and create that hardscape landscaping backyard that you've always wanted.
They can connect you with some just absolutely gorgeous stunning materials to create that special
space just for you. They can also connect you with contractors that quote the job, start the job,
finish the job on time and help you design what that space is going to look like. So check in
with them get on the calendar because before you know it, spring's going to be here, right?
Mr. Groundhog, you brown furry missile. Okay, where do we go next? I knew you'd ask.
Let's jump right into this this morning because I found it I found it very interesting. It really did.
Super interesting. Don't forget about our upcoming, what did we say after family day,
which is February 16th, our 30 day fuel savings challenge. And it's a two part series that will
put money back in your wallet. So everything we do with car connection on YouTube videos and also
on the these podcasts teaches you and directs you how to drive an older vehicle or keep a vehicle
lot longer, like forever. We talked about yesterday 300 K 400 K 600 K miles. It is absolutely doable.
And once you grab hold of the concept of vehicle fleet maintenance that we talked about our car
connection maintenance schedule, we're going to shoot a video on that maintenance schedule on Monday
and get that posted as quickly as possible so that you can see how it works. You follow that
maintenance schedule, and you're going to put money back in your pocket and you'll go wow,
it's not so bad running an older car. You can keep it longer. You can keep it as long as you
look after the structural integrity. Put 50 cents in a jar every day. And I know more and more of
you spend more than that at like Starbucks, Tim Horton's and McDonald's on a month on a morning
every single week. So two bits, throw 50 cents in a jar every day. And you have the money to get the
vehicle rust proofed every single year. Now, the product that I use, you can find that on the
homepage or website. They don't give me a stink of nickel for promoting them. So I'm not going to
promote them, but I've got the listing there so that you can see what I use. It's on the homepage
or website. That product works. Period. Flat. Yes, it neutralizes the acids of road salt. Ding,
ding, ding. That's what you got to do. You got to shut that stuff down. It creeps through the entire
vehicle because of its molecular structure. So there's positive and negative molecules,
and they chase each other. Hey, baby.
You want to make it happen? Stop the rusties together? Exactly. That's what they do.
And so the creeps, it doesn't drip. And it gets into all those areas that you don't want unless
you drill the car out like a piece of Swiss cheese. You can't get to those spots, but the product
will creep it. As long as it's in around there, it will creep right into there. So that's a product
I've been using probably the last 12 years, 15 years, and it disperses water. So if there's any
moisture anywhere, it pushes it out. It literally just beads right off. So look after the structural
integrity and the rest of it is the car connection maintenance schedule and annual rust proofing.
I don't know if it's on there. I think it is. I'm pretty sure it is because I'm a stickler for that
because that's what matters. If you stop the thing from rusting out, by the time you see
rust on a fender on the bottom of the door, the damage has been happening behind the scenes for
quite some time. So that is of utmost importance if you want to keep your vehicle longer,
much longer. And that's what I teach because you can and it doesn't burn holes in your pocket.
It actually saves money. It's totally opposite to what you hear from other people's lips. Oh,
no, 60,000 kilometers. You should be considering getting rid of that. If that's all I can put on
your piece of junk, I don't want it. Period. That's a lot of money to throw it away in a couple
of years. So let's take a look at that, shall we? What do you think? All right, keep an eye on the
road. Now don't skid off into the rhubarb. It's cold out there and it's slippery out there. There's
a lot of roads that are slick. There's roads apparently yesterday in our area on the south
shores of Lake Geary closed because they're ice. Who knew? I'm thinking let's get in the old 7FJ,
put on the attraction control and everything. Let's go do a little road dancing. No, I was busy.
You know where I was yesterday? Five and a half hours again, blowing and shoveling snow. We have
been pounded with lake effect snow. We have had snow almost every day for the last two weeks.
And we had a couple of really big blows coming off the lake, almost a foot and a half of snow again.
And I was putting it off and putting it off. It's like we're getting freaking buried here. It's
already climbing up the doors. So I had to put on the banjo and get the snowblower going. My arms
feel like I'm still attached to the darn thing. It's probably still glowing in the other, in the
garage. All right, 2025 Chevy Traverse in a 2000 Toyota Corolla. I did a comparison. And that's
pretty cool on that website, the CA website. You can do that. You can do a comparison. But like I
said, it's a bit choppy. So be patient. All right, here we go. Cost to run the vehicles
per year. Chevy Traverse $4,842.25. This is not including insurance. Okay, because everybody's
insurance is different based on your driving record, right? Your abstract. People don't realize
that, you know, you're pounding it up and down the highway, 130, 145. You get that ticket when it's
your day and you win and get that ticket, the black and white pulls you over. Everything changes on
your premium. Did you know that? You got to keep that in mind. And it's huge. It's going to bite you
so hard in your backside. She's not going to be happy when you get home, or it might even be her.
Yeah. So consider that. And that stays on your record for quite some time. In fact, I'm just
I'm signing up for a driving program through intact insurance where they monitor me.
I think it was I did it before and I earned like a pretty decent
discount. The discount was really good. It was like 15%. Yeah, baby. So they just sent it out again
saying they're doing it again. Would you like to sign up? Yes. Yes, I would. I think I only had one
hard breaking penalty. And it was only because somebody pulled out in front of me,
had nothing to do with nothing. It was like put a little extra pressure on that pedal because
this I'm going to clobber this one just came right out of the parking lot. Anyways, messed up. I had
100% going there and shut out a complete shutout. So cost to operate a 225 Chevy Traverse for one year,
not including insurance $4,842.25, the Corolla $4,060.53 for the year.
Some good savings there. That's for sure. You know, I lose $2 in the driveway. I'm tripping
you to get to that tuning. I'm telling you that for sure. A cost per kilometer,
$0.39 per kilometer for the Traverse, the Chevy Traverse. So again, $2,025 comparing 25 to 25
on the Corolla. Traverse to Corolla, $0.32 a kilometer on the Corolla. Maintenance,
here we go. Maintenance, $232 to $700 for the year. I think it's a little low, but anyways,
it's average. It's average. And for the Corolla, $175 to $423. And this is based on
driving 10 to 15,000 kilometers per year. That's what I selected. I went a little low for the
big commuters. Like myself, I always was commuting an hour to 90 minutes to work one way. But that's
a while ago. So again, annual maintenance for the 025 Chevy Traverse, $232 to $700. The Corolla,
$2,025, $175 to $423, giving you an average mileage. That's for 10 to 15,000 K.
Based on, as I just mentioned, fuel per year. This one's interesting. On the
25 Chevy Traverse, $1,701.23. Don't forget that. Senses on the Corolla, $1,006.03. That's huge.
That's a $600 gift right there, back in your wallet. And that's why I'm pushing you on this
30-day fuel saving challenge. And it's back to back. So it's going to be fun. And you're
going to get to see how much fuel you're wasting. You will be shocked how much fuel you've been
wasting. And that's money back in your pocket. So we've been talking on some really good topics
lately. And you know what? If you need to go back and listen and re-listen, they're all available,
just click our iHeartRadio link on the homepage for a website at carconnectionbusinessnetwork.com.
Jump into our library. You will find all the podcast episodes by series and episode number
and a title. So three ways to find the podcast that you may be wanting to listen and re-listen to
and share. And you can find us on all podcast platforms, all the major ones, Spotify, Apple,
Amazon, and all the other platforms that you may be pulling your podcasts from. Just type
Car Connection Workshop in the search box and you will find us. All right, let's continue.
Shall we? I wanted to see average because there's so many SUVs out there. I mean,
you've got the new Ford Bronco. You've got crossovers. You know, everyone seems to have a
crossover now. You know, Honda, Subaru, Toyota, they all got it. Lexus. So I thought I asked
an average sport utility vehicle. Gas, of course. Annual mileage again, 10 to 15k for the year.
And the cost per year, I was actually shocked, but not odd. Just shocked. Cost per year, $2,678.57.
Again, not including insurance because that is so diversified. Now it's crazy.
And again, your abstract, your vehicle abstract will affect your insurance quite a bit more.
So just keep that in mind. If you're out there driving like an idiot,
and there's a lot of you out there doing that, and I'm not afraid to say it. Call it like it is.
You guys got to back off. It ain't no NASCAR race. Yeah. Somebody makes one
lane change while you're dipping doing inside, outside, trying to go down the shoulder. Come on,
you guys. You know better than that. It's not a race. There's no checker flag. Nothing. There's no
winner's lane for you. There. I got that off my chest. I do feel better now. Cost per year.
Average gas-powered sport utility vehicle based on, ready? Kia Nero. There you go.
That's what they pulled this from. Depreciation. A couple of numbers I wanted to see
that are of interest. The depreciation. Yeah, 60% per year. 60% depreciation. Maintenance is 13%
and fuels 27%. That's based on a pie chart. So if you can visualize that,
depreciation makes up 60%, maintenance makes up 13%, and fuel makes up 27%.
So what are you saying? I'm thinking, wow, in two years it isn't worth a $1.99. You can't even buy
a Timmy's for that. Holy smokes. Help me, Spock. All right. Fuel per year. Found that interesting.
$730.07 per year. Let's go back a page here.
Fuel per year on the old 2.5 Chevy Traverse, $1,701. On the Corolla, $1,006.03.
Average sport utility is you're paying out $730.07. I'm thinking, really?
I don't think that's accurate. That's pittance. I mean, when it costs to fill up my O7,
Toyota FJ Cruiser, like even at the price, I always use premium fuel, period.
That's it. I want every single BTU I can squeeze, and as long as it doesn't say it contains up to 10%
ethanol, you can keep that crap because that's exactly what it is. It does not create BTUs.
Half one liter of ethanol compared to one liter of gasoline, you will need 1.5 liters of gasoline
to go the same distance. One liter of ethanol will take you. It's 50% BTUs.
So, yeah, and it's just horrifically dangerous in your car. It is so acidic, it's sick.
But anyhow, don't get me started on that. I already did a podcast on fuel.
I think the title was, is premium fuel worth it kind of thing? That's a good podcast to listen to.
So they're saying $730.07 for the year. I question that big time.
Because it costs me almost, it's pretty much $100 to fill the FJ on premium at the prices
today, today's market. Exactly. So, I mean, 12, there is 12 months in a year, right?
Yeah, I don't do as much driving as I used to. Thank goodness for that because my fuel bill
used to be back in the day when we were getting car connection going was like $1,000 a month.
Exactly. It adds up quick. So $730 for the year. Really? Really bring the thimble out at the gas
bar and go, oh no, you don't use the nozzle. Here you go. Bloop. Yeah, I question that big time.
Average fuel economy, and this is where it blows it out the door. Okay, so if,
an average sport utility vehicle based on a Kia Niro, what are you driving backwards?
Fuel per year, $730.07, average fuel economy for that vehicle, 4.85 liters to get 100 kilometers.
Let's back up the bus for a minute. I smell something here. No, I had a bath yesterday.
I had to. I smelled bad after all that snow blowing and shoveling. It was like, ew.
Do you smell that? Ooh, that smell. You know that song? Okay, here we go. All right.
Fuel mileage, that's what I wanted. No, not there. $0.32 a kilometer for the Corolla.
Here they're saying 4.85 liters to get 100 kilometers. Oh, they didn't give me that.
Just give me per kilometer, $0.39 a kilometer on the Traverse, $0.32 a kilometer on the Corolla.
I don't know if I buy that. 4.85
liters to make it 100 kilometers. Well, I'm going to double-dubla check that.
Maintenance on the average gasoline-powered sport utility vehicle, $189 to $490 for the year.
I'm not buying that one either. But anyways, that's their average, average.
All these numbers are not cast in stone. That's what I'm trying to say here.
Would be nice, but I mean, in a year, the way a lot of you drive out there,
you're going to blow that away like right out the door. There's no way
all of you that are driving $135, $140, $145, driving it like you stole it every single day,
day in, day out, trading time for money, home to work, home to work, home to work, home to work,
and blowing your car up. Yeah, you folks are going to be way beyond that.
Way, way beyond that. No doubt, there's no doubt in my mind, way beyond that whatsoever.
So, driving hard, driving fast is costing all of you a lot more money than that.
And that is for sure. So, these are just averages. I guess, you know, it just must be Joe Schmoll.
He drives once in a while, I don't know, because the numbers that I see on repair orders are way
beyond that number, 700 bucks for the year. That's not even a break job. You know what I'm saying?
That's what I'm looking at, and I'm looking at the numbers and going 700 bucks for the whole year.
Not likely champ. No, $189 to $490 all in maintenance for one year on an average sport utility vehicle.
I mean, just thinking about a synthetic oil change with a quality filter is going to be
100 bucks. Anyhow, I will, I'm going to do a little more research on that. I'm going to go to
a couple of websites I've used in the past and redo it. I'm going to do a redo because
those numbers, they just don't, they don't jive for me. They just don't.
All right. Once again, a little promo for our YouTube channel. We have a lot of fun.
Skippy and I, my videographer on our YouTube channel, who makes reels and bloopers and
outtakes that you won't see anywhere else. Those you'll find on our Facebook page,
as well as Instagram. And I know that she kicked some out on the Stevensville on the web as well,
because she showed me some. People laugh at them. That's what's important. You got to laugh,
no matter what. Count it all joy. So our YouTube channel is there to teach you what I'm talking
about here on our podcast, but you actually get to see it. So you get to see me working and doing
basic fundamentals on automobiles. It doesn't matter whether the automobiles 25 years old
or five years old, the basic fundamentals on vehicle ownership are exactly the same.
It all comes down to your driving habits plus regular and scheduled and preventative
vehicle maintenance. Add those all up is a lot of money back in your pocket owning and operating
an automobile. You'll be in great shape. You'll be putting a ton of money back in your pocket,
and you'll be saying, I should have done that a long time ago. So that's what our YouTube channel
is all about. You're always going to learn five things, what it is, where it is, how it works,
how it breaks, and what could you have learned about the basic fundamentals of owning and
operating an automobile that would give you enough working knowledge to prevent yourself from being
ripped off. And it happens every single day. You know what? Not every tech, not every shop owner
has a conscience. I'm just warning you, it's from years of experience. I can say that and no, for
sure, I'm spot on. So if you find a service tech in a shop that you can trust that's not jacking
the price and upselling us things that you don't need, you have found something that's invaluable.
And that is trust. That you can trust that your tech is preparing you for preventative maintenance,
staying ahead of the curve so the vehicle doesn't get so far behind and neglect because that,
I'm going to leave you with that today. The biggest killer of every single
motorized device out there being on the road or working in your backyard or like my little red
snowblower is neglect. Neglect is the killer and it's sucking money out of your pocket like a
shop vac. And you're not noticing it. But when you sit down and you start taking a look at the
costs to replace these things, you're forever paying. And remember the home to work thing
and picture the hamster, you're on the wheel, run, run, run, run, run, get off, lick the ball,
get a pellet, jump back on, run, run, run, run, run, get off, lick the little ball, get some water,
get a pellet, jump back on. You don't have to live like that and own an automobile and get away
from paying interest and principal payments on the never, never plan. That's what I call it. You
never own a car and you never stop paying. That hurts when you hear it, right? Exactly. You never
own an automobile and you never stop paying. So it's home to work, home to work, home to work,
running on that wheel, get off, get a little water, lick the ball, get a pellet, jump back on.
You don't have to live like life like that. That's not what it was meant for us to work.
Yeah, if you don't work, you don't eat, right? Exactly. But you don't have to work like that
to be car broke. Fix that area, you put money back in your pocket. You don't need to drive something
to impress people you don't even know and you may not even like. You don't have to. You can own
and operate an older automobile 10, 15, 25 years and it still looks like new. I know people,
I could take you to their homes and you go, oh my gosh, it's like a freaking museum here.
And every one of those vehicles go back out on the road every single day. They drive them every day.
There you go. Is it doable? It absolutely is doable. It is a mindset. So we're going to break
down our car connection maintenance schedule kit on our YouTube channel. We'll get a video up there
so you can have a look at it and I'll walk you through it and then you'll see when you have
a plan and you implement the plan, it's money back in your pocket. Plain and simple. You know what?
I did one test because of Larry Tietro and Tony Miele, my certified financial planners,
checking what comes in every month and what goes out. Get your receipts. Watch what happens.
Your whole mindset goes, what? I'm spending how much at the drive through? So then I decided,
okay, for one month, I'm going to pack my thermos with my favorite coffee and made the way I like it
for a whole month. And I saved 400 bucks for the whole year. 400 bucks. I was drinking my own coffee
for 15 cents a cup. Made my way the way I like it and my brand. 15 cents a cup. So connect
with our certified financial planning professionals, Tony Miele and Larry Tietro,
combine. They have 50 years experience as fiduciaries. They work with IG Wealth Management,
one of the major companies in the entire world managing billions and trillions of dollars for
people. They'll look over your portfolio, debt, estate planning, powers of attorney. The whole
package has to be done right, folks. You cannot do that yourself, period. Setting you up with a
mortgage, life insurance, critical illness insurance, and you can sit down and talk about that and
have a conference, a discovery meeting we call the hour in the coffee. And that is no sales,
no condemnation. You book it. Don't stiff them. Bring nothing but honesty to the table. Watch
what happens. They don't need any clients. They're doing this for car connection and for you because
you know me. They're willing to sit down and see how they can help you and turn things around for
you. So it's still early in the year. We're only in the, we're heading into the first quarter
and another month or two. And it's early enough that you can turn things around, but they're
going to probably get you to do that. What's coming in? What's going out? And you'll learn something
that put the debit card away and start paying cash for things. And watch what happens to your
mindset when you're handing over those 20s. It's a mindset. It's changing a habit again. So connect
with them, either Tony, Miele or Larry teacher. They are certified financial planning professionals
well decorated in all of Canada, but you'll never hear them boast about that whatsoever.
So thank you to Crystal Ridge Dream Center. They are our faith based non-profit organization
that we're coming alongside into 2026, coming out of 25. They're just absolutely amazing what
they do there. They're volunteers and everything that they have going on serving men, women,
single moms, they have programs for single moms and for children pretty much all ages. They serve
meals, love, hope and they're changing lives one at a time in the Niagara region. And I love that
above them that they're right in our own backyard. So till tomorrow drive safe. It is slippery and
slippery in many different places wherever you may be driving. Keep an eye on the other guy
and keep it under 100 and we'll see you tomorrow morning. So happy, healthy, motoring and always
remember peace, patience and kindness always. We'll see you tomorrow. Motor mouth out.
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