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I think the government allowance in the USA is very generous. I generally drive reliable, economical cars (e.g. a Honda Civic) and I enjoy driving for work bec
by joncrane 9y ago
I think the government allowance in the USA is very generous. I generally drive reliable, economical cars (e.g. a Honda Civic) and I enjoy driving for work because I'm making a profit. Not much, but money is money.
Maybe if I was driving a lifted F-350 through hilly terrain I'd start to be at the break even point, but using that number as an actual cost is waaay overestimating the actual cost, especially since Uber and Lyft require relatively new (read: efficient) vehicles.
- yodon 9y agoAre you certain your profit numbers include an accurate assessment of the long term maintenance costs and reduction in vehicle resale value you are incurring in connection with the miles driven? If not, as the original paper described, then you are unknowingly taking out a series of small loans on the value of your car.
- ghaff 9y agoThe original paper actually used a value of $0.30/mile for vehicle cost. This squares pretty well with renting a car from Hertz intended for this purpose (about $200/wk unlimited mileage/insurance) and adding about $0.10/mile for gas. (Obviously Hertz can buy and maintain cars for less than an individual. On the other hand, they need to make a profit on the rental.)
- dwild 9y agoI did rent a car once for a working trip my SO had. We got out of it with a 40$ profit for a trip of about 600 km (yes gas included). For sure that renter include depreciation cost (I have never seen a car with them that had more than 150 000 km).