Car cost drops, but set to spike: survey

AAP

Poll

Will you continue to drive a car if costs rise?

This poll ended on 21 April 2011.

Yes. I can't live without one.

31%

Yes. But I'll cut back on how often I use it.

46%

I don't know. I don't really have an alternative.

19%

No. I'm swapping to public transport.

2%

This is not a scientific poll. The results reflect only the opinions of those who chose to participate.

THE cost of owning and running a family car in Queensland has fallen over the past year, a new survey shows.

But motoring body RACQ, which conducted the study, says that cost will sharply rise in the coming year with the government axing its fuel subsidy and putting up rego.

RACQ executive manager for vehicle technologies Steve Spalding said the survey showed lower fuel prices and interest rates had helped drive motoring costs down in the past 12 months.

But he said the recent state budget changes would "seriously erode those savings by up to several hundreds of dollars over the coming year".

"Depending on whether you own a small econo-hatch or large four-wheel drive, expect higher fuel taxes and big registration and compulsory third party insurance increases to typically add between $145 to $285 in costs," Mr Spalding said.

He said the 75 vehicles in the 2008-09 survey included light, small, mid-size and large-size cars, people-movers, recreational and large four-wheel drives and utes, dual-cab utilities and prestige vehicles.

Based on a five-year ownership period under average operating conditions for motorists travelling 15,000km a year, the cheapest vehicle to own and operate in the past year was the Hyundai Getz at $123.28 a week.

At the other end of the scale the Toyota Landcruiser turbo diesel was the most expensive at $374.82 a week.

In the family car category, the Ford Falcon XT LPG auto represented the best value at $226.96 a week.

The cheapest medium-sized car was the Holden Epica CDX petrol model at $200.99 a week and most expensive was the Honda Accord V6 at $243.65.