Hi Phoebeisis:

___You have to look at resale as well as the whole package when speaking about anything in the domestic ranks as being the cheapest. Once you do, the $/mile is not only “Not the cheapest” but is relatively expensive when considering some of the other automobiles you may have been pointing to.

___I listed the below in order of least expense/mile according to Edmunds TCO (True Cost to Own) …

Subcompacts/Compacts

2005 Honda Civic LX = $0.38/mile

2006 Toyota Corolla LE = $0.39/mile

2006 Chevrolet Aveo LT = $0.39/mile

2006 Ford Focus ZX4 SE = $0.42/mile

2005 Dodge Neon SE = $0.43/mile

Midsize

2005 Honda Accord LX = $0.42/mile

2006 Chevrolet Malibu LS = $0.44/mile

2006 Toyota Camry LE = $0.45/mile

2005 Toyota Prius II = $0.46/mile (midsize because of the hatch)

___Would you purchase the mini - Chevrolet Aveo, Neon, Focus, Corolla or the class leading Civic given the above? Next would you purchase the Prius II, Camry, Malibu or class leading Accord LX in terms of $’s spent over 5 years and 75,000 miles?

___Those that are 05’s were listed as such because the 06 TCO specs are not yet available … The individual options lead to good comparisons although with actual out the door prices and option packages, there is leeway in the initial purchase by any of the above automobiles. Depreciation can be argued until the cows come home but trading in an 04 Prius II at a Toyota, Ford, or Honda dealership will not net you negative depreciation no matter what has been posted around the web. You have to think 5 years out and 75,000 mile later for this comparison …

___Good Luck

___Wayne R. Gerdes
___Waynegerdes@earthlink.net