Car owner maths ??!?!

[Zze121]

2018 car, car price cum road tax cum insurance, not phv type, total $45 a day, derived from 10yr total
if 1 day can collect more than $45 cum petrol @ $2.6/ L abt 10km/L is profit

 

[EJB]

I sometimes take grab hitch and ocasionally driver (car owner) will ask how much is the usual full fare to my destination, I said around $15 during peak hours and around $10 during off peak. This is for about 7-8km and I do it almost every day, one way. Without fail, they would always freaked out, gasped and said "wahhh so expensive ah".

I don't understand, they own a car, how is $10 - $15 for 7km any more costly than all their car cost and expenses added up ? At first I thought it was only one or two weirdos who can't do maths but then it happened a few more times.

I know there's girl maths, but is this a car owner maths thing or what ?

Are there any secret maths formula that car owners is aware of that I don't ? Unless the car + COE was gifted to them by someone else, how is it possible that taking a phv is more expensive than owning a car (any car!) right ?

Can edwmers pls enlighten ?

Why you so concerned what others think of what you do? You living for yourself or others?

I buy cat liao also park in MSCP seldom use, people also comment I buy for what. Bottomline is, you yourself heypi can liao, don't bother what others think.

 

[Meemoosaa]

$2000 for a month.
$24,000 for a year.
$240,000 for 10 years.
A standard Toyota Corolla Altis now cost $164,488 (according to sgcarmart).
I will buy a car.

$2K a month was someone elses's estimate lah. Thats equivalent to 80 trips a month of $25 each. My expenses for phv at most reach $500 - $600 a month.

 

[Meemoosaa]

@Meemoosaa bro... you counting 1 trip... $12-$15..... if you bought bnb car bef pandemic... your car expenses can be arnd 1.4k to 1.8k like tt.... when you gt car.. your lifestyle will change... you will go out more often.. more likely to get gf....

once you gt gf and you drive to work... car is v worth it becoz you trying dating and commuting to work... shopping malls.. her parents place... her frens place... fetch her from her gym.... with grab... you sure pay more than owning a car... mayb tt is hw your hitcher is counting oso...

tt is only $ for $ comparison... hvnt count privacy and the convenience...

Yes come to think of it, most of the hitch drivers who gasped has a family, so they assume I'm running around as much as them.

 

[PikaManiac]

How is a PHV cheaper than owning a car? Where you get $15 during peak hours? A ride from Orchard to your house will easily be $20 - $30+ during peak hours. Unless your daily PHV spending (assuming every ride is a PHV, no public transport) is less <$2000 a month which is very doubtful, car is better.

Because people usually dont consider u dun take phv all the time...

On days no meeting in the morning... take mrt

No ot, leave early...

Weekends only when u go out or bring kids out then take phv.

Overall still cheaper than own car.

 

[TehSi99]

I sometimes take grab hitch and ocasionally driver (car owner) will ask how much is the usual full fare to my destination, I said around $15 during peak hours and around $10 during off peak. This is for about 7-8km and I do it almost every day, one way. Without fail, they would always freaked out, gasped and said "wahhh so expensive ah".

I don't understand, they own a car, how is $10 - $15 for 7km any more costly than all their car cost and expenses added up ? At first I thought it was only one or two weirdos who can't do maths but then it happened a few more times.

I know there's girl maths, but is this a car owner maths thing or what ?

Are there any secret maths formula that car owners is aware of that I don't ? Unless the car + COE was gifted to them by someone else, how is it possible that taking a phv is more expensive than owning a car (any car!) right ?

Can edwmers pls enlighten ?

The math is not logical because they didn't factor in the hidden cost. I believe the fare of Grab is the cost all in + time of the driver.

Let's see when robo-taxi comes here.

 

[tatsit]

time = money

if taking 45mins public transport is acceptable to you as compared to 15mins via car, then it is the cost you are willing to forgo and the time you are willing to waste

i always stress this, transportation is a waste of time. one should get to destination at the shortest time possible.

 

[Meemoosaa]

Yes you can. Though limited to 2nd hand cars. Eg this Porsche costs $474.00 per month:
https://www.sgcarmart.com/used_cars/info.php?ID=1051422&DL=2251

Both you and the car owners you spoke with are right and wrong at the same time.

In Singapore, it's common for average heart-landers to over-estimate the cost of car ownership.
Part of the reason is because they cannot get out of the mindset that cars are big ticket luxury items. The adage "Poverty has limited our imagination" is quite apt here.

I used to think it's a waste of money to buy a car as well.

On the other hand, it's also common for car owners to under-estimate the cost of car ownership.
The first thing they might be comparing when you told them $15 for an 8 km journey, is possibly what an 8km trip would have cost them in petrol (which is around $1-$2). They likely would not have added cost of the car, parking, ERP, repairs and maintenance etc.





$2,000 is definitely more expensive than owning a car. That's $24k a year, can afford much more than simple bread and butter cars.

As you have calculated, their cars cost more than your daily 2 PHV trips. Meaning the cost is something they can afford. To them, they used that money to buy their own car, and you are paying that same money to other people to buy their own car. You only can use it 2 times a day because it's a shared service that is used by the "public", including passengers sweating from the hot sun, old folks with stained pants from loose bowels, vomiting drunks, coughing folks who contracted Covid/Monkey Pox etc. While car owners can use it anytime they want. More than 2 trips a day. Plus, it's reserved for them at their beck and call. And unless used as PHV, unlikely to be contaminated by "public".

Think of going Geylang to use public toilets compared to having your own personal toilet.
Different people prefer (or are limited to) different options.



Other things to consider that cannot be quantified using math:
1) If you have ever needed to wait/pray for a PHV, especially after a midnight movie/supper/drink/somewhere a bit ulu/urgent matters, you are at the mercy of the availability of PHVs.
2) If you have ever experienced surge prices and had to switch between 4 different ride hailing apps to try getting the lowest surge, you are at the mercy of the ride hailing company for extorting the increased price.
3) When you board the PHV, your life is now at the mercy of the driver's driving skills and possible lack of rest from long hours of driving. Exception if you can't drive or are a bad driver.
4) Heard of people having the driver cancel the booking? Heard of people being abused (verbally or more worse) by the driver? Experienced drivers complaining why short distance also take PHV and waste their time? While the vast majority of PHV drivers are very professional, whether it'll turn out to be a bad day can be at the mercy of someone you cannot get away from for the entire trip.

Thanks for the detailed response. I think you nailed it... both driver and myself were probably comparing apples to oranges at the same time. The few hitch drivers who gasped at full fare are usually the ones with family without realizing my preferred lifestyle. Lol

I grew up with a family car most of my life so I know the awesomeness of having a car (and also very familiar with all the issues that comes with owning one). I get all that public vs private toilet thing, but it's not like the cost is so out of this world for $10 - $15 for 8km ? That's why I'm puzzled that they often have such huge reactions but I guessed they are assuming I do everything using the car - from picking up kids, tuition, visiting parents to everything else, none of which is a challenge nor an issue to me as a dink without a car.

As for the pointers you listed.... cannot be quantified using maths, I agree with you too and I can live with it for now. But lol @ loose bowels !!!

 

[nyvrem]

Car owner here

I have my own car to do whatever I want anytime I want

u stick to grab la

 

[Acetone]

Book takes time. Enjoyment of driving. Dirty phv.

Last time I took one phv, when my car was sent for annual servicing, the altis was crawling with cockroaches… totally grossed out.

 

[standarture]

Thanks for the detailed response. I think you nailed it... both driver and myself were probably comparing apples to oranges at the same time. The few hitch drivers who gasped at full fare are usually the ones with family without realizing my preferred lifestyle. Lol

I grew up with a family car most of my life so I know the awesomeness of having a car (and also very familiar with all the issues that comes with owning one). I get all that public vs private toilet thing, but it's not like the cost is so out of this world for $10 - $15 for 8km ? That's why I'm puzzled that they often have such huge reactions but I guessed they are assuming I do everything using the car - from picking up kids, tuition, visiting parents to everything else, none of which is a challenge nor an issue to me as a dink without a car.

As for the pointers you listed.... cannot be quantified using maths, I agree with you too and I can live with it for now. But lol @ loose bowels !!!

Generally is also because it feels, or rather it is, expensive if only one person is taking the PHV.

Also, if I don't own a car, usually it means I can't afford it. And if I can't afford it, I definitely won't be taking PHV either. PHV no privacy and no flexibility too, for me that is a big part of owning a car.

A lot of families dual income, with average pay of 5k to 10k each, can easy afford a simple car.

 

[Meemoosaa]

ts go home take phv also?

Depends on mood. Will usually do hitch and I often get a match at around $9 during peak hours and $8 for non-peak. If got mood, will take public transport to return home.

I'm a dink, so no dependent, no tuition, no need to run home for errands. I guessed I just prefer to live a lighter burden lifestyle but I totally understand those with seniors and kids that a having one is very important.

 

[GoneNuts]

Car ownership per month chao chao 2k. Anyone who use less than that confirm is everyday stay home one, never maintain. You want ah, bring girl girl got out jiak peng, hiao, chao chao 2.5k.

Sell away. Take Grab almost on a daily basis. Take $20 x 2 = $40. $40 x 20 days = $800. Bring girl girl go out $50 x 8 days = $400. Approximately, $1200. Max, $1500.

But

Own car that time, satki.

No car, not satki. Only can live like low ses dog.

Can test car suspension with girl girl too...

But since it's edmw here, nobody will understand

 

[Meemoosaa]

There’s pros and cons
Maybe he just need one trip per day.
Car ownership also entails
1. Finding parking lot
2. Fuel cost
3. Maintenance cost
4. Insurance cost
5. Parking fees ( for home)
6. Parking fees (for work)
7. Parking fees (for destinations)

That's correct. Apart from maths, there's also the invisible energy and effort spent on maintaining one. I grew up with a family car most of my life so apart from understanding the awesomeness of owning one, I'm also very familiar with the issues of owning one.

Again, as one of the posters pointed out, both the car owner and myself are comparing apples to oranges for very different lifestyle needs and preference.

 

[Meemoosaa]

Generally is also because it feels, or rather it is, expensive if only one person is taking the PHV.

Also, if I don't own a car, usually it means I can't afford it. And if I can't afford it, I definitely won't be taking PHV either. PHV no privacy and no flexibility too, for me that is a big part of owning a car.

A lot of families dual income, with average pay of 5k to 10k each, can easy afford a simple car.

Good point, maybe the driver see that for one person the maths didn't work out for them.

 

[Meemoosaa]

Why you so concerned what others think of what you do? You living for yourself or others?

I buy cat liao also park in MSCP seldom use, people also comment I buy for what. Bottomline is, you yourself heypi can liao, don't bother what others think.

Not concerned just puzzled why the driver / owner often gasped in such bewilderment as if the fare is so out of this world. That's it but some bros here made very good points that both of us are comparing oranges and apples all at the same time, with huge variables in our lifestyle preferences and dependent needs.

 

[Meemoosaa]

The math is not logical because they didn't factor in the hidden cost. I believe the fare of Grab is the cost all in + time of the driver.

Let's see when robo-taxi comes here.

I grew up with a family car, so I'm familiar with the invisible effort and issues of having one. I could even go into the complex family politics of having one, but that's a topic for a whole other debate. Part of my reluctance to own one stems from my own experience of seeing how the family had to deal with all those invisible effort and issues of having one.

The one who owns the car for some reason gets dumped with all sort of sh*t and responsibilities to deal with. Those without one, gets away with it. Lol.

But at then at the end of the day it's about what you want to sacrifice.

 

[EJB]

Not concerned just puzzled why the driver / owner often gasped in such bewilderment as if the fare is so out of this world. That's it but some bros here made very good points that both of us are comparing oranges and apples all at the same time, with huge variables in our lifestyle preferences and dependent needs.

Not concerned is good, because you cannot... CANNOT make everybody happy.

Car owners always feel that car is good. Non-car owners always feel car ownership is dumb. Just like driving on lane 1 is always hot debate on road hogging and keeping to speed limit.

Having a car has its perks, taking public has its perks, it's apples and oranges like you say, nothing to really compare.

Expats will tell you leasing an Audi for 3-4K a month is better than public and car ownership.

 

[Meemoosaa]

Not concerned is good, because you cannot... CANNOT make everybody happy.

Car owners always feel that car is good. Non-car owners always feel car ownership is dumb. Just like driving on lane 1 is always hot debate on road hogging and keeping to speed limit.

Having a car has its perks, taking public has its perks, it's apples and oranges like you say, nothing to really compare.

Expats will tell you leasing an Audi for 3-4K a month is better than public and car ownership.

Lol. Good point on not being concerned... I guessed I'm just checking if I was missing out on anything that I didn't know. Need to cover all grounds for kiasu-ism mindset ma.

I also know of some business owner expat (not employee) who pays $20K a month to live in a landed bungalow near sixth avenue.

 

[Evcats]

PHV ride is not guaranteed when you urgently need one. Car owner travel as and when they need at similar cost…