I use the example of all the minor maintenance (oil changes, smog checks) costing about the same as a battery pack over time.
4 "typical" $50 oil changes - 200/yr
smog test - 50/year (if nothing wrong)
I realize the oil changes can be cheaper if you do it yourself, but $50 is a reasonable average for quik-lube places (19.95 always ends up being 50.00 there...)
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