Despite lower fuel prices, AAA reports that the costs to own and operate a vehicle have remained constant due to increases in areas such as insurance premiums, depreciation, finance charges and other fees and taxes. The average cost for a new sedan driven 15,000 miles per year is 54 cents per mile ($8,095 yearly), only 0.1 cent less than reported in 2008. SUV owners, whose vehicles get lower fuel economy, benefited most from the drop in fuel prices. Their estimated operating costs dipped 1.3 cents per mile to 68.4 cents.
--NWautos staff
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