Live data from Hacker News

A Financial Model Comparing Car Ownership with UberX in Los Angeles

gohe.ro

111–115 of 115 posts

Re: A Financial Model Comparing Car Ownership with UberX in Los Angeles

#111
post #42
post #21

Geez, $12,744 per year ? I've had my current car since 2002, which I bought new for about $14,000 (including interest, which was low because I paid the car off as quickly as I possibly could, short circuiting most of the interest payments). I go through the exercise of the total lifetime cost of my car, gas, insurance, maintenace, all told every year or two. And it's somewhere around $.30-.40 per mile or about $1 che…

Wow, car costs per mile are extremely cheap in the United State, if $.30-.40/mile is typical. The government estimate in Finland is about $.90/mile, and almost nobody has it that cheap. If I recall correctly, I calculated my own costs at around $1/mile, and I drive a 14-year-old car which requires very little maintenance.

That still makes car surprisingly expensive when compared to motorcycles. When I recently sold my 14 year old motorcycle (also in Finland), I calculated the TCO at 30 Euro cents per kilometer.

Of course, the fact that a lot of the driving had been in east Europe, Russia, etc. is a factor in fuel costs.

Then again, the motorcycles are generally usable only for 5-6 months of a year in Finland.

Re: A Financial Model Comparing Car Ownership with UberX in Los Angeles

#113
The calculations also aren't factoring in resell. Sure I might buy a car for $25,000, but when I sell it I am going to get at least $10,000 back out of it so the car itself only costs $15,00.

If you combine that with buying used, better gas milages in cars and piece of mind the calculation becomes harder. Especially if your in an urban city with multiple transportation options.

Re: A Financial Model Comparing Car Ownership with UberX in Los Angeles

#115

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's like a manual vs an automatic vehicle. You aren't forced to constantly pedal, so much as your legs must move at the same speed as the pedals. At low speeds you are much more connected to the bicycle. Taking a low speed, sharp turn is more akin to walking and feels much more natural. Also, it enforces good form, like pedaling thru turns. Small speed adjustments are natural and easy. Also, when accelerating, the p…

Why do I want to pedal through turns? I've never ridden a bike that way.

It's like accelerating thru a turn while driving, it's proper form.
Post reply on HN