Where I live, in northern Vermont, ownership of an automobile feels disproportionately expensive to the rest of the world... you definitely NEED snow tires. 17" Nokians are affordable, but for every inch in diameter, they seem to double. My wife's 20" Audi Q5s were shockingly expensive.
Then, add the cost of constant salt-related repairs. As I've recently said on a forum elsewhere, the worst example so far was my 2015 Chevy Silverado 1500. I bought the truck the last day of the month of November, thinking I was all smart with the lease rates. By the 1st of February - with about 2,000 miles on the odometer - the front end started to shake. I took it in to find that both front calipers had seized and warped the rotors. Rotors were covered under warranty; caliper rebuilds were not. $450.00. Similarly, both kids have Foresters and both have had complete brake jobs (one got new brake lines, too) after just 2 and 3 years of ownership. The more expensive of the two was $3,200.00.
Then, add to the cost the corrosion that makes many vehicles like the Silverado a 'disposable item.' According to a buddy who owns a repair shop, my era of Silverado (2015/2016) that have lived in Vermont since new are now uninspectable. That's a $45,000.00 truck that's virtually worthless in just 7-8 years.
Add the cost of storage for those of us with cars we want to keep (for me, classic Land Rovers and an old Saab). They go into storage by mid-October and don't come out until mid-to-late April. That means I get to enjoy them for less than 1/2 of the year.
Then... add mud season. This is the local school bus. It has a 14" lift and 4WD. Swallowed whole. I just love working underneath my cars.
Let's not forget the rodents! Mice are regular visitors to all of our cars. Even though we don't eat and leave bags of snacks, they are attracted to the warmth. And they like to chew wiring harnesses. +$$$ for the number of tows and damage. This is one of the reasons why I love the proper handbrake of a Grenadier... you don't have to have your Audi Q5 dragged out of the garage by a tow truck to have the electronic emergency brake switch actuator harness replaced. I wonder what's so tasty about wiring??
I'm jealous of those that enjoy their vehicles year-round. My Grenadier has 323 miles and one week of use under my belt before putting it away because I want to enjoy it for a while - and at least see how others fare after a winter season or two. If the overall corrosion resistance looks anything like the windscreen surround hardware (all of the black bolt heads were rusty on the dealer lot last February), I have doubts.
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