AAA reports increased cost of operating vehicle

AAA's 2008 edition of "Your Driving Costs" shows the cost of driving a passenger vehicle in t he United States has increased 1.9 cents per mile in the last ye ar and now averages 54.1 cents per mile.

"While the cost of some driving expenses declined since the start of 2007, higher gasoline prices have more than offset these savings and pushed the overall cost of vehicle ownership and operation higher this year," said Tom Chestnut, president and chief executive officer of AAA Western and Central New York.

In 2008, AAA estimates it will cost $8,121 to own and operate a new passenger car driven 15,000 miles per year. This compares to $7,823 per year in 2007, or 52.2 cents per mile.

Costs for maintenance, full-coverage insurance and depreciation are all slightly lower this year, while the costs for fuel, tires, financing, license, registration and taxes showed increases.

AAA's study calculates the average costs of owning and operating five top-selling models in three popular size classes: small, medium and large sedans.

The results clearly show that consumers have an opportunity to save substantial sums of money by switching from larger models to smaller vehicles.

"Your Driving Costs" can be downloaded from AAA's National news room at www.aaanews room.net. The brochure is also available at AAA Western and Central New York Travel and Insurance Centers.