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Post by Deleted on Dec 15, 2016 7:53:37 GMT -5
Depending on your lifestyle owning a Car can save you a lot of Money in Colombia. My wife and are very active and we experimented with not buying another car a few years back when we sold the old one-that was 4 years ago. We averaged spending 2,200.000 per month on taxis, which was very easy to do with 4 or 5 daily round trip taxi rides. I know some may say that using the bus could save money, but the reality is that there is a 0% chance that my Colombian wife would get on a bus, and many of my trips are time sensitive and would not be practical or make economic sense(value of my time).
Over the last 4 years we would have spent 2,200,000 X 48 = 104,600,000. My expenses owing a car over that 48 months-10,000,000 depreciation, 19,200.00 Gas, 7,200,000 Insurance, 3,320,000 maintenance, opp cost interest on money to purchase car-3,000,000. -that totals 42,720,000. I rarely pay for parking in Medellin but maybe spend 75,000 per month and maybe tolls of 75,000 per month -so another 7,200,000 (150.000 x 48 months)-so grand total of about 49,920,000.
104,600,000-49.920.000=54,680,000 savings. I think I'm only missing the little guy that stands in the paring lot with his hand out.
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Post by elexpatriado on Dec 15, 2016 8:56:26 GMT -5
Depending on your lifestyle owning a Car can save you a lot of Money in Colombia. My wife and are very active and we experimented with not buying another car a few years back when we sold the old one-that was 4 years ago. We averaged spending 2,200.000 per month on taxis, which was very easy to do with 4 or 5 daily round trip taxi rides. I know some may say that using the bus could save money, but the reality is that there is a 0% chance that my Colombian wife would get on a bus, and many of my trips are time sensitive and would not be practical or make economic sense(value of my time). Over the last 4 years we would have spent 2,200,000 X 48 = 104,600,000. My expenses owing a car over that 48 months-10,000,000 depreciation, 19,200.00 Gas, 7,200,000 Insurance, 3,320,000 maintenance, opp cost interest on money to purchase car-3,000,000. -that totals 42,720,000. I rarely pay for parking in Medellin but maybe spend 75,000 per month and maybe tolls of 75,000 per month -so another 7,200,000 (150.000 x 48 months)-so grand total of about 49,920,000. 104,600,000-49.920.000=54,680,000 savings. I think I'm only missing the little guy that stands in the paring lot with his hand out. I think you have a real special "one off" case there. Very few people spend that amount of money on taxis. Heck, some people even live on that amount total in Colombia. You must be travelling all over the place half the day for business , family and pleaasure. I travel a lot and there is no way I spend 2.2 million a month on Taxis AND buses . maybe 500,000.And that includes bus fares between Manizales, Pereira and Medelliin Taxis in Bogota, Manizales, Medellin and Pereira, and taxis to and from the airports, and included a one time 170,000 for my GF to go from Periera to Calarca late at night. Ivery seldom take buses inside the city. And travel to Pereira or Armeniaand occaisionaly Medellin or Cali from Manizales by bus. The peajes you would pay in a car alone alone cost more than the bus fares. To do a proper cost benifit analysis have to include everyting in the analysis. 1. In itial cost of Vehicle extrapolated over 10 year life spamn 2. Gasoline 3. Peajes 4.Insuramce 5.Maintenance 6. registration and liscensing Add to the fact the stress of driving in Colombia and forget about doing it when you have had a few drinks..you revert to taxis anyway
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Post by Deleted on Dec 15, 2016 9:09:46 GMT -5
Depending on your lifestyle owning a Car can save you a lot of Money in Colombia. My wife and are very active and we experimented with not buying another car a few years back when we sold the old one-that was 4 years ago. We averaged spending 2,200.000 per month on taxis, which was very easy to do with 4 or 5 daily round trip taxi rides. I know some may say that using the bus could save money, but the reality is that there is a 0% chance that my Colombian wife would get on a bus, and many of my trips are time sensitive and would not be practical or make economic sense(value of my time). Over the last 4 years we would have spent 2,200,000 X 48 = 104,600,000. My expenses owing a car over that 48 months-10,000,000 depreciation, 19,200.00 Gas, 7,200,000 Insurance, 3,320,000 maintenance, opp cost interest on money to purchase car-3,000,000. -that totals 42,720,000. I rarely pay for parking in Medellin but maybe spend 75,000 per month and maybe tolls of 75,000 per month -so another 7,200,000 (150.000 x 48 months)-so grand total of about 49,920,000. 104,600,000-49.920.000=54,680,000 savings. I think I'm only missing the little guy that stands in the paring lot with his hand out. I travel a lot and there is no way I spend " million a month on Taxis. maybe 500,000. And travel to Periera or Armenia from Manizales by bus. The peajes you would pay in a car alone alone cost more than the bus fares. To do a proper cost benifit analysis have to include everyting in the analysis. 1. In itial cost of Vehicle extrapolated over 10 year life spamn 2. Gasoline 3. Peajes 4.Insuramce 5.Maintenance 6. registration and liscensing Add to the fact the stress of driving in Colombia and forget about doing it when you have had a few drinks..you revert to taxis anyway Maybe my situation is different than most- I would be curious if others Had a similiar experience. Yes I did forget Registration and Licensing, but I still come way out ahead. I don't need to extrapolate the cost of the vehicle over 10 years, I can sell it today for 10,000,000 less than I paid and I've included the interest lost had I invested that money at a reasonable rate. And again we are just not BUS people-its not practical for my needs and the wife has no interest in taking a bus. I would have a car whether it was cheaper or not, it just makes my life easier and more enjoyable. Taxis in Medellin are not cheap, the wife goes to her dance class in the morning-via taxi in Medellin a 24,000 peso round trip, art class-20,000 peso round trip, meet friends later in day 15,000 peso round trip, I make on average 2 trips a day -it all adds up very quickly. I know everyone is different, personally I don't find driving here very stressful at all-but I am accustomed to driving in cities. -And I gave up drinking a few years ago so that really is not an issue-but I can call my Insurance company and get a free ride anyway.
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Post by redriver on Dec 15, 2016 9:10:48 GMT -5
Add also the cost of parking fees. My wife was having to spend $15.000 pesos a day to park her car at the hospital. Now that we purchased a moped and I take her to and from work. We are putting that money back into our pockets.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 15, 2016 9:14:23 GMT -5
Add also the cost of parking fees. My wife was having to spend $15.000 pesos a day to park her car at the hospital. Now that we purchased a moped and I take her to and from work. We are putting that money back into our pockets. I included my costs for parking. I mentioned my wife would not ride the bus-and I am very certain she would not get on a moped.
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Post by elexpatriado on Dec 15, 2016 9:19:06 GMT -5
I travel a lot and there is no way I spend " million a month on Taxis. maybe 500,000. And travel to Periera or Armenia from Manizales by bus. The peajes you would pay in a car alone alone cost more than the bus fares. To do a proper cost benifit analysis have to include everyting in the analysis. 1. In itial cost of Vehicle extrapolated over 10 year life spamn 2. Gasoline 3. Peajes 4.Insuramce 5.Maintenance 6. registration and liscensing Add to the fact the stress of driving in Colombia and forget about doing it when you have had a few drinks..you revert to taxis anyway Maybe my situation is different than most- I would be curious if others Had a similiar experience. Yes I did forget Registration and Licensing, but I still come way out ahead. I don't need to extrapolate the cost of the vehicle over 10 years, I can sell it today for 10,000,000 less than I paid and I've included the interest lost had I invested that money at a reasonable rate. And again we are just not BUS people-its not practical for my needs and the wife has no interest in taking a bus. I would have a car whether it was cheaper or not, it just makes my life easier and more enjoyable. Taxis in Medellin are not cheap, the wife goes to her dance class in the morning-via taxi in Medellin a 24,000 peso round trip, art class-20,000 peso round trip, meet friends later in day 15,000 peso round trip, I make on average 2 trips a day -it all adds up very quickly. I know everyone is different, personally I don't find driving here very stressful at all-but I am accustomed to driving in cities. -And I gave up drinking a few years ago so that really is not an issue-but I can call my Insurance company and get a free ride anyway. I think 2 million plus on taxis is the odd ball case. I doubt ther is any one without a car that spends near that much. And I am a pretty big spender myself
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Post by elexpatriado on Dec 15, 2016 9:20:45 GMT -5
Add also the cost of parking fees. My wife was having to spend $15.000 pesos a day to park her car at the hospital. Now that we purchased a moped and I take her to and from work. We are putting that money back into our pockets. I included my costs for parking. I mentioned my wife would not ride the bus-and I am very certain she would not get on a moped. I hope she is contributing to your transportation costs.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 15, 2016 9:23:04 GMT -5
I included my costs for parking. I mentioned my wife would not ride the bus-and I am very certain she would not get on a moped. I hope she is contributing to your transportation costs. She is, I cut the maid back to 2 days a week. I'm tracking to see whether this increases her manicure costs.
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Post by livinginmedellin on Dec 15, 2016 9:42:45 GMT -5
2,200,000 COP per month on taxis is way high.
My wife and I have averaged less than 400,000 pesos per month for taxis, metro and buses in Medellín over the past few years. With what we spend it is pretty impossible to justify buying one car and we would need two - plus we avoid the hassle of finding parking, maintenance for the cars, insurance, getting drivers licenses. Plus we would lose out on 70,000 COP per month we receive for renting our parking place in our apartment building that we don't use.
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Post by tubes on Dec 15, 2016 13:50:40 GMT -5
With the eternal parking problems and heavy traffic here in Manizales, I am very happy to use taxis and buses around town. I live on a major bus route and it gets me straight into the town center where I can stroll around and come back from the other side without having to go back to a garage. I typically spend about $175,000 a month on public transport. I have a 125cc motorcycle which I use mostly for inter-city journeys in better weather. That typically costs me about $95,000 a month, the annual SOAT insurance being the largest expense.
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Post by jabberwocky on Dec 15, 2016 21:17:30 GMT -5
Depends on where you live - the apartments i lived in Sabaneta and Envigado I could walk to just about anything I wanted - supermarkets, carne store, restaurants, street food, ice cream you name it everything was within 4 blocks.
The wife won't take a bus? - you must have married a rica, but I find my wife ( who rarely took taxis before me) takes taxis a lot more when she is in Medellin, although she has no problem with the bus from Medellin to LA Pintada - I prefer to ride the moto. The rule is now - if she is with me - if in heels always a taxi - ( and I think when she is not with me - taxi - she just claims she takes the bus)
I do a lot of walking in Medellin, I ride the bus, take the Metro, ride my moto- I will take a taxi later at night but that is about it, but having a car would be a nice convenience but won't happen until we move back full time.
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Post by elexpatriado on Dec 16, 2016 8:53:21 GMT -5
For 95% of the cases, in Colombia, havinga car is a.) Status (most likely with Colombians>) or b.) convenience (if you can handle the stress of driving) and no way can be justified economically..
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Post by Deleted on Dec 16, 2016 11:41:13 GMT -5
When I lived in the city (Sabaneta), it made no sense to own a car. Metro, busses and taxi were our main forms of transport. We averaged about $150 a month on transport... including occasional road trips outside the city. When we moved outside the city to El Oriente, we purchased an almost new car for $9,000 US, and now average less than $150 US per month on gas, tolls, maintenance and insurance.
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Post by dandl93 on Dec 16, 2016 12:45:20 GMT -5
These car threads over the years have always started and ended the same.The few City Dweller anti car people against everyone else.The traffic problems in Colombia will always be here even if 1/2 of the city pop got rid of their cars.Infrastructure in Colombia is designed to take all traffic thru the big cities not around it to bypass.
I personally would never live anywhere with out my own transportion.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 16, 2016 12:57:17 GMT -5
More of a matter of affording one or not---- Many scrooges out there--
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Post by wildstubby on Dec 16, 2016 16:06:34 GMT -5
I am surprised transportation (taxis and buses), is so cheap based on the fuel prices in Colombia. I don't see how they are able to turn a profit!
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Post by elexpatriado on Dec 16, 2016 18:41:14 GMT -5
These car threads over the years have always started and ended the same.The few City Dweller anti car people against everyone else.The traffic problems in Colombia will always be here even if 1/2 of the city pop got rid of their cars.Infrastructure in Colombia is designed to take all traffic thru the big cities not around it to bypass. I personally would never live anywhere with out my own transportion. Look at the posts and see who the "Few" are Dandl
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Post by elexpatriado on Dec 16, 2016 18:46:01 GMT -5
More of a matter of affording one or not---- Many scrooges out there-- All it is is status-except makes no economic sense-only maybe if you are out in he Boonies like Dandl. then it might be considered a necesity. Myself, I couldnt live out n the boonies from the gym,restaurants, cinemas, nightlife, health food reaturamnts, medical faciliies, etc. I go heliskiing and travel all over the world- I could afford a car but it aint my priority
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Post by tubes on Dec 16, 2016 19:16:43 GMT -5
I think that this issue is more about the American way of motoring versus the rest of the world. Nowhere else in the world is a whole country dedicated to motoring - you cant even go to a bank without a set of wheels. The other extreme is Japan, where despite a healthy motor export industry, cars are definitely not wanted and the cities maintain their complex, ancient structures of tiny streets, railway crossings and pedestrian / cyclist priorities. Colombia has long grown out of the desire for cheap American cruisers and has sensibly adopted compact, efficient cars, suited to their narrow cities and hilly mountain passes. But they do not have the finances to invest in expensive modern (electric) technology. European countries long realized that building more motorways does not solve the traffic problems (the German network dates back to Hitler) and are investing in massive railway alternatives (like the extensive Swiss mountain tunnels).
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Post by jabberwocky on Dec 16, 2016 19:17:36 GMT -5
I've got my moto for traversing the countryside but one of the things I enjoy about Medellin - is I don't need a car - I do plenty of driving in the US - (back and forth to Miami almost every week from Orlando) 10 days in Colombia per trip with no car worries is a nice break. Its nice in Medellin not to worry about having too much to drink and having to drive, however the worries are changing in the US with UBER now available most places.
But as I said above - when I return full-time probably will get a car - for trips outside the city - maybe a can get myself a nice used Twingo.
Tubes - I would agree with you 5 years ago - but lately - especially in the Poblado area -lots of bigger cars - a ton of 4 door Audi's , used to be a Mazda 3 was a big car - not so much anymore - but you get out of the rico areas - small cars rule.
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Post by elexpatriado on Dec 16, 2016 19:30:47 GMT -5
I think that this issue is more about the American way of motoring versus the rest of the world. Nowhere else in the world is a whole country dedicated to motoring - you cant even go to a bank without a set of wheels. The other extreme is Japan, where despite a healthy motor export industry, cars are definitely not wanted and the cities maintain their complex, ancient structures of tiny streets, railway crossings and pedestrian / cyclist priorities. Colombia has long grown out of the desire for cheap American cruisers and has sensibly adopted compact, efficient cars, suited to their narrow cities and hilly mountain passes. But they do not have the finances to invest in expensive modern (electric) technology. European countries long realized that building more motorways does not solve the traffic problems (the German network dates back to Hitler) and are investing in massive railway alternatives (like the extensive Swiss mountain tunnels). In Western Canada.a car is essential. Distances are so long, and public transit sucks. Forget Taxis- 4 times Colombia cost. But I am pretty sure, Colombians dont drive SUVs because of price, not by choice, If they had the cash, they would all be driving them. You see a lot (relatively for Colombia)in Milan , Palermo and El Cable in Manizales by the way
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Post by buenopues on Dec 16, 2016 21:56:46 GMT -5
I have to have a car because the jeeps don't reach my finca.
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