I live in Maine but just never got my drivers license. I've always lived in a city area where there has been public transportation & taxi services. I am curious to know how much it costs a person on average to own and operate a car per month? Inducing insurance, gas, average repairs, etc. Do most people lease or buy outright? If most buy outright do they buy used? You see, the reason I ask is that I'm riding the city bus less and less and taking cabs more often. But I still think I'm saving money buy taking cabs rather than owning a vehicle. Though I am missing out on being able to travel long distance outside the city. I'm curious to know basically if I am saving a lot or not much compared to owning a vehicle. Factoring in average use of a car: for example only using it to go to work or school in the morning and driving home again at night, using it on week ends to go grocery shopping and do other shopping, and perhaps the occasional cruising around town once in a while that people do. But no real extensive driving.

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David, the only way to figure this out is to sit down and do the math.

First, add up all the money you spend in a month taking public transportation. Cabs, trains, buses, whatever. If you spend money on transportation write it down.

Next do a simple estimate on car expenses. Even a cheap car is going to cost you $2500. It will cost you an additional $150 a month for gas (one tank a week), $125 a month for insurance and you'll need to set aside $50 a month for unscheduled repairs and maintenance. Once a year you'll have to buy plates and pay taxes on the car. Add it all up and come up with a total monthly expense.

Compare the two. See which one is cheaper.