Okay $1000 canadian is less than $700 US, right?
I have kept records of all repair/maintenance expenses for last 15 years on my vehicles...based on that my planned budget is $0.06/mi. Can be a lot less though, I had a horizon for 12 years and average was about $0.035 for repairs and maintenance.
I went the next step down and bought contour under $4k last year...then I do not need collision insurance, which is another savings especially with teenage driver in the house.
...and more importantly less of a concern when it gets smashed after 2 mo. by said teenager.
