The American Automobile Association, otherwise identified as Triple A or AAA, determines the average cost per mile involved in operating a vehicle. This average calculation is determined for new cars, and it includes the depreciated value of the car which averages about $3500.00 each year the car is owned. Determining the lowest cost per mile cars can prove tricky because other factors go into calculating such costs including how often the driver travels, how many miles are put on the car, and the present cost of fuel which is in a constant state of fluctuation. The kind of car the driver chooses and whether the car is brand new, used, or if the car has adequate tire pressure also determine how much per mile it costs to operate a vehicle. Thus, when you are comparing lowest cost per miles cars, bear in mind that the figures you get are merely estimates and that nothing calculated is set in stone.

If a car is new and all of the parts are in great working order, you will get the best value out of the vehicle. As parts wear and tear it can hinder how the car operates; poorly maintained vehicles can make the lowest cost to drive cars not as fuel efficient as they once were. Keeping on top of car maintenance is therefore a priority if you want to maximize the value of one of the lowest cost to drive cars on offer. At this point, AAA has indicated that the costs to operate a vehicle have risen significantly: as much as 4.8 percent over last year’s costs. Smaller cars are the top lowest cost to drive cars and figures are calculated based on an estimated gas price of $2.30 per gallon of gas and upon an estimated 60 percent of city driving. This is because when a driver uses one of the lowest cost to drive cars in the city they are getting fewer mpgs than they would if they were driving on the open highway.

Even mileage on a car plays a role in what you get out of the lowest cost to drive cars. Small cars can cost 35.4 cents to 50.5 cents per mile to operate; medium cars can cost 45.5 cents to 70.2 cents to operate, and larger sedans and large car models can cost 54.9 cents to 86.8 cents to operate. Clearly, smaller cars are the best lowest cost to drive cars on offer since they rely on less fuel and they are often less expensive to insure. You will want to therefore seek out small cars offering superior gas mileage, and outstanding safety features to maximize the amount of your monetary investment.

Some of the Lowest Cost to Drive Cars

2010 Pontiac Vibe

The 2010 Pontiac Vibe has a good initial price at right around $16,760.00 and over a five year period it will cost the car owner $35,348.00 to own and operate the vehicle: this works out to be roughly $7069.60 per year. As one of the lowest cost per mile cars, you will be pleased with the spaciousness of the Pontiac Vibe; this four door hatchback offers up a decent amount of passenger and cargo space considering it is a smaller, compact vehicle. This vehicle is offered in four distinct trims and it is outfitted with a 1.7 liter 4 cylinder engine offering 132 horsepower coupled with your choice of a four speed automatic transmission or a five speed manual transmission. The GT trim is offered with a 2.4 liter 4 cylinder engine offering 158 horsepower. All four trims come with a 13 gallon fuel tank capacity; the base trim offers the best gas mileage and supplies an estimated 26 miles in the city and 32 mpg on the highway. For more details visit: http://autos.aol.com/cars-Pontiac-Vibe-2010/overview.

2010 Hyundai Accent

The 2010 Hyundai Accent has a decent initial price at $12,865.00, and it makes the list of lowest cost per mile cars since it costs roughly $34,808.00 to own and operate over a five year period. When broken down further, that means that the 2010 Hyundai Accent costs $6961.60 per year to operate. The 2010 Hyundai Accent is outfitted with a double overhead cam, 1.6 liter engine that generates 110 horsepower. You can get the car with a four speed automatic transmission if you desire, but the standard vehicle is equipped with a five speed manual transmission. What’s more, the 2010 Hyundai Accent has been manufactured so that it is environmentally friendly: the vehicle has received an Ultra Low Emission Vehicle II rating. All trim levels are equipped with an 11.9 gallon fuel tank; the two door hatchback gets 27 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway. The four door sedan model gets 28 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway. For more information, visit: http://autos.aol.com/cars-Hyundai-Accent-2010/specs.

2010 Honda Fit

The 2010 Honda Fit has an MSRP price right around $14,900.00. This vehicle costs roughly $32,547.00 to own over a five year period and the cost break down works out to be about $6504.90 a year. The Honda Fit is a relatively spacious vehicle offering seating for five passengers and you get additional cargo space despite the car’s compact size. This car is sold in two different trims and both are powered by a 1.5 liter i-VTECH 4 cylinder engine offering 117 horsepower. Both the base and the Sport trim have a 10.6 gallon fuel tank and both cars offer 27 mpg in the city and 33 mpg while on the highway. For more details visit: http://autos.aol.com/cars-Honda-Fit-2010/overview.

The 2010 Toyota Yaris has an MSRP of $12605.00. This car will cost roughly $31,785.00 to operate over a five year period. The yearly break down of costs to operate works out to be $6357.00 a year. As one of the lowest cost per mile cars, the 2010 Toyota Yaris is nicely designed; it has four doors and a hatchback. The vehicle is outfitted with a 1.5 liter, four cylinder engine offering up 106 horsepower. Offered in three unique trims, these cars have an 11.1 gallon fuel tank and all trim levels get 29 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway. For full details visit: http://autos.aol.com/cars-Toyota-Yaris-2010/overview.