The real cost of driving

In my 21 years of selling cars, it still amazes me how many people buy based on "incentives" alone. I had one lady walk out because "she got a bigger discount" on her last purchase. I showed her the old bill of sale, where even though the discount she got was bigger - the price she paid was actually higher 8 years ago. Another customer, said no to a $12,000 discount off the MSRP of a new truck - because he could not have 0% financing. As I see it, the cost of driving a vehicle is made up of:

1. The price you pay to buy it.
2. The cost of financing your purchase.
3. The gas you put in it.
4. The maintenance to keep it running.
5. The repairs out of waranty.
6. The above figures are then off set by the amount you get for your vehicle when you are finished with it.

By focusing only on the "incentives" could cost you more. A huge incentive to get you to buy something, might be offset by poor re-sale value down the road. If you pay $20 per month more for one vehicle or another, this might be offset by better fuel economy. A higher monthly payment, might be offset by a higher trade in value down the road.

By all means, do your research. But remember it is the vehicle that will be in your driveway for next few years. Don't settle for something, simply because the incentive is slightly better than offered on another vehicle.