Mirage is cheapest new car to own/run in Australia, NZ (RACV/RACQ/NRMA)

[MetroMPG]

Two recently announced Australian studies put the Mirage and Suzuki Alto (pictured) head to head at the top of the lowest "total cost of ownership" competition.

Update - Oct 10: A third study (by NRMA) again names Mirage as the cheapest car to own.

Update - Dec 9: A fourth study (NZ Government) has also found the Mirage to have the lowest cost of ownership (see post #6)



Mirage's closest competitor for cost of ownership, Suzuki Alto

In one study, the Alto edged out the Mirage and took the crown as "cheapest new car to own" in Australia ... by just over $3 a week, based on calculations/estimates made by the Royal Automobile Club of Queensland (RACQ).

But a separate survey showed that Mirage was slightly less expensive to own when actual owners were surveyed by the Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV) looking at "real world" results.

The estimated study by RACQ takes into account:

• List Price
• Depreciation
• Interest on Loan
• Registration, insurance, licence
• Fuel
• Tyres
• Service / Repairs

Vehicles with all engine/fuel types are considered in the ranking: including petrol (gasoline), diesel, LPG, hybrid and electric vehicles.

Best 3 cars weekly costs:

• Suzuki Alto GL manual ($113.82 per week)
• Mitsubishi Mirage ES manual ($117.31)
• Holden Barina Spark manual ($119.58)

You can see the whole report here: http://www.racq.com.au/motoring/cars...ing_costs_2013

However, the RACV owner survey found..

The Mirage ES took the crown with an average weekly cost of $112.81, a 0.50c drop over last year's winner – the Suzuki Alto – which again performed strongly by finishing a close second ($113.31).

In the owner survey the Barina Spark came in at 116.47, and the VW Up at 124.07.

Source: http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mell...257B950026559F