And before you think I’m ragging on you.. it often boils down to how much money a person spends.

I’ll use my one car as an example..

2012 Fully loaded ford fusion 3.0 (V6). I paid $16,100 out the door with bumper to bumper extended to 88k miles (I purchased the car 9 months old with 28k miles on it, $0 down, paid tax/title/reg out of pocket). @ 1.9% APR, my payments come out to $269 a month for 5 years (I pay double payments to cut down to 2.5 years)

Due to the higher mileage per gallon, I spend $400 a month to drive my fusion the same distance as I would drive my Durango, but would be paying $400 in just fluid.

So in reality I’m paying the same amount ($400 a month) only difference is I actually get something for that $400.

Into insurance.. Full coverage with $50 deductible across the board. Every option I can get minus rental vehicle. I pay $330 every 6 months compared to my Durango with the same coverage @ $352 every 6 months (Registered in TX, Fusion reg in CA).

End of the day.. you need to buy what’s practical. Not what will impress people.

That's a damn good insurance rate. I assume you are not in the age bracket that has all the little idiots driving like morons jacking up our rates. I think it's like 16-24 or something here in Washington. I'm 23, and have never even been pulled over, much less got a ticket and the best I can do is liability. Course I am still in school.

I'm 20 and my insurance (on my parents policy) is right around $500 twice a year for full coverage with rental and all that stuff. My insurance is actually less than my 25 year old brother's which I think is funny.

Being in your parents policy helps. They find ways to work the system if you have a good agent, at least mine did at th time.

01 durango slt 2wd with 176k miles. In the last month I replaced 2 front wheel bearings, new oil, entire fuel system flushed, new rotors, brake pads, TPS and a thermostat. Running strong as ever

Screw being practical....drive what you want is what I say. I have a fleet of vehicles because it affords me options on what to drive depending on the weather or the job at hand. Hell...the only reason I kept the '00 Durango is because I can work on it...and it makes an awesome winter bomb. The new 2013 Journey...I opened the hood on the lot and just laughed....then asked what was the longest warranty they sell and how much was it. I will never put a wrench against that car....too damn much stuff on it and packed in so tight you need specialty tools to get at whatever it is you need to get too.

Got back home from Janesville, Wisconsin and my '03 Durango got 186,123 miles on it now.

293000 km or abour 182000 miles on my 98 with a 5.9. Still pulls hard , bought her for $3600 almost four years ago and she has only cost me a waterpump, alternator, rad, and ac compressor (around a thousand in parts) Would love to keep her around but I think its time for her to go.

I'm sitting on about 207,000 miles She's a great runner. 2001 SLT 4.7

Just past 190,000 yesterday.

SJ02