Depreciation
In Canada, GLk 350s with equivalent options to the one I saw cost about C$47k +tax in 2011.
So in 4 1/2 years we have over 50% depreciation
By the way, the trade in value for that 2011 GLK would be in the C$15.3k - C$18.8 range.
April 2011 C$47k + tax = $53.1k
Nov 2015 trade-in, say C$17k (from black book)
Depreciation C$36.1k (76% of pretax purchase price!)
Dealer services over period ~C$1.5k
fuel for 104k km @ 11.3 l/100 = ~C$14k
Total cost (36.1+1.5+14) = C$51.6k
Cost per km 49.6c/km or 80c/mile (C$)
Canada Revenue Agency mileage average allowances were approx 53.5c/km for first 5000km and then 47.5c/km.
Not exactly cheap transportation but about what our government expects.
Our 2014 GLK250 cost about the same as that 2011 when bought in November 2013. Presumably depreciation will be similar, service similar and fuel costs about $6k less, so about 44c/km. That assumes same mileage. But if we only do our expected 44k km, that number jumps way up.
Anyway, just an observation. Buying a cheaper car seems to be only way to keep operating costs down. In Canada diesel helps if gasser needs premium.
Last edited by 107123210; Nov 3, 2015 at 10:32 AM.




