Is It Worth Buying a Car If You Only Drive 5,000 Kilometers a Year?
3 Answers
Whether to buy a car depends on personal financial capability. A car is a consumable item, and its annual expenses include depreciation, fuel costs, insurance premiums, maintenance fees, parking fees, etc., which can be quite high. A car is not a necessity but rather a consumption upgrade—a form of discretionary spending. It is not just a means of transportation but also a personal item, a private space that cannot be measured in monetary terms. Below are some considerations when buying a car: 1. First, inspect the vehicle's exterior: Check for any obvious paint damage, ensuring there are no scratches, dents, or small pits on the body. Examine the seams of various parts of the car to ensure they are even. Open and close each door, hood, and trunk several times to check the mechanisms. Inspect the windows, headlights, and plastic components for cracks. Check the tires for wear and ensure the treads are intact. If unsure, compare them with the tires of other new cars. 2. Purchase car insurance immediately after buying the car: This includes compulsory traffic insurance (which also covers the vehicle and vessel usage tax) and commercial insurance. Although commercial insurance is not mandatory, it is advisable to purchase third-party liability insurance and vehicle damage insurance together. After purchasing insurance, you also need to obtain temporary license plates to legally drive to the DMV for official registration.
I think if you only drive 5,000 kilometers a year, buying a car may not be worth it unless you really need the freedom to travel anytime. From my personal experience, new cars depreciate very quickly, and just the insurance, maintenance, and parking fees can easily cost over 10,000 yuan a year. For example, my neighbor usually commutes by public transport and occasionally takes a taxi for outings, and the total cost is much lower than owning a car. If you really want to buy a car, I suggest opting for an economical used car or considering car-sharing services. This can save you money and hassle, especially if you drive infrequently. A car that sits idle tends to develop small issues, like a dead battery, which can be more trouble than it's worth.
Buying a car is really a personal choice if you don't drive much. When I lived in the city, I preferred cycling or taking public transport—it was hassle-free and eco-friendly. But after moving to the suburbs, not having a car became inconvenient for occasional family visits or emergencies. Driving 5,000 kilometers a year may not seem like much, but owning a car provides peace of mind, like taking the kids out in rain or snow or making sudden trips to the hospital. If you're on a tight budget, consider a small-displacement car and take short drives regularly to prevent carbon buildup—don't let it sit idle for too long. Shared mobility options are also great for handling those sporadic trips flexibly.
