The BIG SUV TCO Challenge

[stoltzmr74]

Hi There,

A common question is: "Is it a good idea to buy an out-of-warranty SUV"? Well, having had a great experience with my Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD 3.0 (2006), herewith a challenge to other out-of-warranty SUV owners....let's see which SUV has the best TCO. Here are my results, but first let's agree on a few rules to make the challenge fair:

(I have edited this post to now exclude these rules, to allow for wider contribution of 'any' TCO analysis that may benefit the forum...let's see yours...?)

My vehicle TCO was done based on the following input costs (but you may skip ahead to the results which are very interesting):

(a) Term: 66 months, 'out-of-warranty and service plan'.
(b) KM driven: 84478km from 164665km at purchase.
(c) Floor price in 2012: 159995.
(d) Full purchase cost including Roadworthy, License & Registration, and Finance charges including Interest: R207791.
(e) Then over the term I calculated fuel cost at average yearly diesel costs and consumption of 13.2L/100km. Total fuel cost was R73972.
(f) Repair and Maintenance and Tires. R158094.
(g) License fees. R2952.
(h) Insurance. R41852.
(i) Sold 2017 at -R75000.

Interesting Results:

- Total Cost of Ownership over the term was R409 660, or 256% of floor price.
- Maintenance was 99% of floor price. So if you think you have a great deal looking at the price....just factor in another 100% for maintenance.
- TCO per km driven was R4,85/km.
- TCO per month was R6200pm, while the bank repayment was only R2700pm.

So, was it worth it?

Yes!

What is the lesson here?

Do NOT just look at the floor price and Bank repayment to determine affordability. And, I did my homework and selected the Jeep because of the excellent Merc motor, and I must say, it was a great drive and very reliable indeed. I really mis this Jeep. But if you had purchased something like a LR Disco 3, the TCO might be much worse...? Prove me wrong?

Had I purchased say an in-warranty demo Fortuner at R420 000 in 2012, the Interest impact would have been far greater and hence the TCO would have been worse probably, and with far less 'car' to enjoy....?

Let's see your results (be sure to fairly include the same costs that I did).

regards
Markus

[Richard Adcock]

Why 6 Cyl. and permanent 4x4 - that excludes more than half of the SUVs out there?

[Mad Manny]

So essentially it's a Thread for Jeep GC's and Land Rover Discos and Range Rovers...

So basically another snapped crank and blown turbo Thread...

[jelo]

So essentially it's a Thread for Jeep GC's and Land Rover Discos and Range Rovers...

So basically another snapped crank and blown turbo Thread...

Yep the following rule basically isolated everybody else:

(2) Must be at least 2.7L or larger, and must be a 6 cylinder, turbo-diesel.

[SAND]

Yeah, rule 2 is just silly...

[jelo]

The R51 Nissan Pathfinder also falls into the category, but do they ever break?

[jelo]

Nor does the LC100............

[SAND]

I guess this thread will die soon, with only 1 vehicle in the 'challenge'

[Nitebob]

Disqualifies Disco 1's and 2's completely me thinks

[Hedgehog]

I think no one else keeps all that information

[westcoaster]

I think no one else keeps all that information

...because none of us would want SWAMBOs to know the real numbers?

[Nitebob]

My biggest fear is that SWAMBO finds out what I really pay for guitars...

[Rainier Vermaak]

According to my calculations your license must be almost 4 years in arrears.

Only R3k in almost 6 years cannot be right.

[Coetzee Kuilsrivier]

Stupid Poll!

[Chris Stoffel]

Stupid Poll!

Are you going to post a Stupid Poll? I can't wait.

[stoltzmr74]

Jeez guys, do I detect a bit of performance anxiety in these replies? The title says 'BIG SUV' challenge, so it is self-evident that the running costs associated with 6 cylinder, permanent 4x4 SUV's will be different to for example, double-cabs and dare I say 'double-cabs with permanent cannopies' like Fortuners etc. For example, the 4x4 system on a Jeep needs to be serviced with filters and oil every 60000 km, and the engine takes 9L of oil! So please guys, do your own 'small SUV' TCO threads and save us the rude comments. I think there are several SUV in this class that can CONSTRUCTIVELY compete in the cost comparison for the positively minded.

[Oppies3800]

I think there are several SUV in this class that can CONSTRUCTIVELY compete in the cost comparison for the positively minded.

Name 6 DIFFERENT brands which can compete here

[Andre Vorster]

Hahahaha..... LMFGA

Mine is the best....

......no, mine is the best....

....nooooo, mine is the bestest.....

Great first posts...

[RPiet]

You are by default excluding with this criteria:

All Petrol SUVS (There are many in that class)
Most Range Rovers (Up until the most recent ones, but these are still new and under motor plan mosty)
Taureg/AudiQ7/Porsche
Land Cruiser 200
Nissan Patrols
Lexus
Infiniti
Merc ML/GL/G

I am sure this list can be added to significantly.

[RPiet]

So essentially it's a Thread for Jeep GC's and Land Rover Discos and Range Rovers...

So basically another snapped crank and blown turbo Thread...

Not even range rovers..... the new ones with the SDV6 motor will be too new, probably still in motor plan cars. (There could be a few circa 2002-2005 models that had the 3 litre BMW turbo diesel)