Cars & Cash

The American Automobile Association does an annual car-ownership cost study based on seven cost elements: fuel, tires, maintenance, insurance, depreciation, license/registration/taxes and financing. Here are Triple A's most recent per-year costs for various types of vehicles: Small sedan: $7,619 Medium sedan: $9,717 Large sedan: $14,241 Minivan: $10,716 and 4WD sport utility vehicle: $12,598.

It is every so easy to under estimate the true cost of getting form point A to point B. The cash demands of the vehicle choices we make can have a major impact on our ability to save and invest for a more prosperous future.

                                                   Roger L. Caron